Thanks for all of your great feedback on the last “give & take” post I did. I think this will be a fun—and hopefully helpful—series. I’ve gotten some good submissions so far. For this one, I’m tackling Katie’s neutral (ahem, “very tan”) living room. Not a bad start. She just needs a little help perking things up.
>Feels it lacks color and personality overall
>Room seems too dark; little natural light
>Feels too formal for their young family (three kids—ages 9, 8 and 5)
>Concerned about scale of coffee table
Again, just a quick disclaimer here. This is just my first impression of what I would change. No detailed design plan involving exact measurements or budgets. With that being said, I definitely agree that the room needs a big dose of “light and bright.” Everything is reading pretty tan, which falls a little flat. The good news is that paint and accessories can do a world of wonders.
The biggest change I would make is painting the walls white. I would leave the trim and window treatments. White would make the whole room more fresh and modern. The other big change? A large, patterned rug. Not only would it be great for more color, but pattern can disguise all kinds of kid messes. (I know from experience.)
Persian rug // artwork // ikat pillow // embroidered pillow // floor lamp
navy lamp // throw // coffee table // succulents // wall color // tufted bench
If you have a room you’d like to have considered for a future “give & take” post, email me one picture and a short list of your overall concerns.
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Great suggestions and gorgeous finds! I love how just these few things would transform the way this room looks. :)
Emily,
These are wonderful suggestions for Katie’s room. It would be great to see how Katie’s room is transformed based on your input. Thanks for doing this series — I really like it!
I love this series, Emily. It’s an immediate before-and-after and so gratifying. Thanks!
I’m loving these posts! You nailed it.
Most helpful series ever! This is exactly why I love to look at blogs–to see critically through a designer’s eyes and the whys. Although the room is certainly ok as is, your suggestions would take it over the top.
I love this series! Even if the room isn’t mine, I’m still learning from the advice you give to the homeowner.
I love this series! I messaged you a year-ish ago when I was stumped on my formal living. Your advice was perfect – at least for me – because I feel like your style is in line with what I’m trying to achieve in my house. I also love your suggestions and the links to the sources. Sometimes I find sources I wasn’t aware of that have other things I have been looking for.
good stuff emily! love these posts!
This is fabulous! You could do a couple of these posts a week and I think everyone would learn from your posts and now how to tackle those tough rooms. I look forward to seeing more “Give and Take” posts.
I love this series too! I wish I had you eye for putting a room together. I love natural/neutral palettes so I always feel like there’s not a great way to bring color into my spaces. This helps and shows there is a way!
Great job! I love seeing your take on rooms and definitely learning from it. Thanks so much for putting these together.
This series is the best! I 100% agree with the rug. Rugs are stupid expensive, but if Katie only takes one piece of advice, I hope it’s the rug. :)
I also agree with the previous poster: if Katie’s on board, it would be cool to see an after post.
I agree with Diana Taylor: Most helpful series ever! You have such a great eye!
I love this post! It really gives more insight to your creative process. I think your ideas are perfect too! Good luck to Katie!!
Wow, Emily! You nailed it. Thanks for your sound and stylish advice. I love the design and can’t wait to implement it. Like most of your readers, I love design. Sometimes it’s just a challenge to take the plunge and really change your space into what you want it to be. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to share your expertise and insights!
Good luck Katie! I know it takes plenty of time to implement but I hope we get to see an update one of these days. Thanks Emily for this great series!
I seriously love this series. Are “after” pictures required? *wink*
Add me to the list of readers begging for more of this! The best part is that you give the why and the how- the hardest parts! Thanks, Emily.
I love looking at a room through your eyes and trying to visualize how it will look once the transformation is made. Great job!
I agree with every single positive remark/comment!! We are all learning & enjoying this awesome series. You are so gifted & just bang this stuff out! You must look at a pic & right away know what to do. I wish it came that easy to me! You are one gifted and generous lady (and funny!). A great big THANK YOU for offering to do this …for nothing! t/y, t/y!!!
I love all of your suggestions – especially the white walls and colorful Persian rug. That will make all the difference!
I would second all the comments plus I love that oriental rug idea. We have several in our house adding so much color enjoy and the fact that they wear like iron and don’t show anything. That’s a real plus when our son’s family comes over with their six kiddoes, ages 2-12 (and five of them are boys)! Thanks again for these fun posts!
Great finds…and that lamp is fabulous!!
What a great post! Would love for you to do a whole bunch of these!!!
Such a fun series! I definitely agree, a bit too much of the same color. White walls would transform the room
Love this post idea!
Love your idea of a larger patterned rug and white walls. I would not layer the current shag over it, though. And I might also suggest the sheepskin in front of the fireplace be tossed over the ottoman rather than on the floor and more interesting arrangement on the mantel. Shorten the drapery panels as puddling behind the sofa does not make much sense and find a basket or a more substantial side table so the lamp cord is not visible underneath the stacked prints you are suggesting. Sorry, can’t help myself. Hope she implements your ideas and shares an “after”.
I really like this for a series and it is fun to see how little changes can make a big difference in a variety of rooms.
Excellent presentation (love the visual with identifiers), specific advice, plus sources! You are so generous with your readers and we obviously appreciate and learn from your blog. “The one” I go to and “enjoy”! I know you are enjoying this creating process–as I do with my art and writing time in my studio/guest bedroom! Saves me!
I am so excited about this series!!! Since you’re addressing rooms that are similar to many average American homes, I personally will be able to take away helpful information and train my eye to recognize how I can spruce up my own home. Thanks, Emily!
This will be a lot of fun!! I love what you’ve done with the first two posts!! Where do you suggest shopping for coffee tables/end tables with the open, updated look?
Thank you.
Love this series!
Your ideas are spot on! I would add that the rug should be much larger and/or the furniture should be moved in a bit. Too small rugs are a pet peeve of mine. Jenny over at Little Green Notebook had a great post last year about how to search for an oriental rug on Ebay: http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/vintage-rugs-on-ebay.html.