I know you are all dying for another peek at the house progress, so we’ll start with the living room today.
Putting the living room together was a bit challenging at first, but I’m really happy with it now. I was passing through there day after day, trying to figure out what I wanted to do in there as far as placing this and that. I got my new drapes in and was eager to put them up, but really need another set of eyes to get them hung just right. You know how that goes. My friend, Debbie, came over for a few hours and we got the drapes hung and started moving things around. And before I knew it, I was really liking the room.
Let’s look back again at the Before pics. You have to know where we started in this house to really appreciate where I am now.
Remember this shot?
Amazing the difference, I can hardly believe it’s the same house either.
I look around in amazement every single day and say, “thank you, Lord” when I wake up every morning. So, let’s look around.
This painted chest fit so well at the top of the stairs and I had this spot in mind for it all along. I was happy to see it in place and how great it looks coming up the stairs. My big antique mirror that I’ve had over 25 years works so well above it on this vaulted ceiling. I am so happy with how all my furniture fits in here, like it was meant to be and it was!
The full view of the living room. I’ll tell you a bit about my thought process on how I decided on fabrics in here and a rug. I already knew that I was going to keep my walls really neutral this time around. I love the white on white paint look and thought it would really show off my antique dark wood pieces and my upholstered pieces too.
When I chose the Ikat turquoise fabric (Tilbury from Calico Corners), I chose it because of its colors, bringing in the turquoise that I love, along with the gold and a bit of green in the fabric. I knew that this would bridge all of my fabrics together and work well with those gold leather chairs, that are a strong bold gold. I made the decision to only frame the windows with 2 panels and not try to put panels next to the fireplace since the windows butt up against it. I love how they turned out with just a panel on each end of the windows.
The room is really cozy now with the rock fireplace, which also picks up the tones from my furniture. I’ll be adding some gas logs to the fireplace soon, I hope.
The zebra rug from Shaw Floors (Zybra inTeal) is the icing on the cake and just adding the drapes and the rug makes a lot of changes in my room, I think.
I had already begun to add some turquoise colors to my space before I moved and I made an even more concerted effort in this one.
You’ll recognize all my same accessories, I have so many things that I’ve collected over the years, so have plenty to choose from.
Debbie and I brainstormed and brought this black desk that I found at a yardsale and painted black, upstairs to the living room and flanked it with 2 chairs that were in my old breakfast space. Many of these things were found at yardsales, including the print on the wall, the iron sconces, and all those white pieces. I still love my yardsale finds!
I had enough fabric to recover the chair seats and love how they look. These chairs that I painted black many years ago have served me well over the years.
The fireplace was a good place to put my $5 firescreen, also a yardsale find and those 2 urns are from Willow House. My new aqua glass floats work on top. Eventually, I’ll get a rustic mantel for this fireplace as I do dearly love to have a mantel to decorate too. That preserved boxwood wreath came from Lowes.
My round drum table holds some books and other pretties. I brought a bit of Alabama cotton back to Georgia with me.
Behind the sofa,which is an Ethan Allen sofa that I bought when I used to work there, I added my demilune little table that I painted aqua a couple of years ago. The mirror above is from Kirklands and a recent find. Those 2 columns were in my old dining room.
Another look behind the sofa, my china cabinet is a good backdrop on this wall.
So, that’s a look at how the living room is looking now and I couldn’t wait to share with all of you. I love layers and that’s how it all came together. Having something on that focal wall with the desk and 2 chairs was important to do, I think, to add more dimension to the room.
I’m getting out all my Christmas stuff this week and getting ready to add some Christmas cheer around this place. I still have lots of organizing to do to get completely finished in my bedroom and office and all the extras are still in the den.
My roommate, Rhonda, will be here next week, so I’ve got to get moving. Rhoda and Rhonda, say that really fast! The funny thing is, I get called Rhonda ALL the time. Ever since I started grade school, I have to correct people on my name constantly. I told my mom she should have just named me Rhonda.
Wait until you see what I’ve been up to in the laundry room/storage area. I painted the concrete floor with stripes. Couldn’t stand the thought of doing laundry in that dingy room, so we are fixing it up to make it at least presentable until I can give it an overhaul in the spring. It’s looking so much better already. Dad is coming over today to help me with that space. Can’t wait to show you soon!
Hope you are having a great week and starting to get in the Christmas mood. Don’t forget, our linky parties start next week! Eeeek, I’ve got to get busy.
Although I’ve only been following your blog for a year, I can tell this beautiful room screams ‘Rhoda’. The accessories, the colors and the furniture placement are all stunning examples of your amazing design sense. You have done so much in the short time you are there, I can’t wait to see what it will look like when you’re all finished, which at the rate you’re going will be next week ;).
There is something beautiful to see everywhere you look! I can only imagine how proud and grateful you are to have such a beautiful home – not to mention tired from all the hard work! Thank you for sharing!
Just look at what you have accomplished Rhoda! Your home has all of your old things but it looks so fresh and new. I was waiting eagerly to see how you put it together. More girl, don’t keep us hanging. 🙂
What a transformation! I truly enjoy each post about this journey you’ve been on this past year! I laughed the first time you told us you were getting a roomie named Rhonda! There might be a little confusion along the way! haha!
What a beautiful space! I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now, and I really think your home belongs in a Southern Living mag!!
Rhoda, you have such a great way of bringing a room together. I’ve seen that fabric in the Ballard’s catalog and love it – the colors are a fun pop of color and really compliment the wood tones in the room. It’s a beautiful space – I hope you enjoy it!!
This looks fantastic, I love that big finial and the fireplace is great. I also love the chest that is on wall in the room the docorative painting is beautiful.
Cynthia
Good job. You have really put your heart and soul into your house. God has really pulled you through a time that for most would stop them in their tracks.
Keep the pics coming. Your fans are cheering you on.
Rhoda,
Looking good my friend!!! Love that beautiful rug and I hope I get that boxwood wreath for Christmas (I put it on my list weeks ago). Adding your china cabinet in this room, was a great idea.
Blessings,
Linda
Amazing before and after pics. You are one talented lady. Congrats!
When my living grows up, it wants to look just like this!
I would really be interested in knowing what the previous owners think of this house now.
Keep up the wonderful work – it’s fabulous (just like I knew it would be!!)
~S~
Rhoda I love what you have pulled together for your living room! So great that you added whites and turquoise to set off your dark woods!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Love it! WOW !! So pretty! Really stunningly beautiful !! Best before and after picture ever! I agree with others – this is magazine worthy, Southern Living and Better Homes and Gardens should jump on this! A showcase room with big walls and high ceilings and you really pulled it off using all your favorites that we love. The columns make the room too. What a nice view to wake up to when you come downstairs in the morning on your way to your oh-so-cute cottage kitchen! I can see you smiling every time you make that trip from one end of your house to the other! Thanks for sharing. You’ve been busy for sure!
it is stunning! I love the layering, the interest, the textures. It makes it so warm and inviting, and interesting. So happy for you!!!
Today’s pictures are so special. Having followed you and all the hard work, love, and definitely sense of style on this journey,I am completely blown away! Beautiful, your home embodies the difference between furnishings and having great style. Congratulations.
Rhoda, What a beautiful transformation. Your living room looks fabulous.
Looking good! Don’t you love it when a room tells you what it needs (and doesn’t). I think the more time you’re in a space the more the space tells you what works there.
Enjoy following all of your progress in this new place. You have made quite a transformation! The before and afters photos speak volumes to your talents.
As always, you are an amazing woman. The house is beautiful. You have given me some “food for thought” on the arrangement of your living room furniture. I have been thinking of changing things around some and now I know what to do. Thank you again for posting this lovely story of the remake of your home. I look forward to seeing the next room.
I am so happy to see that you are happy in your new home and that all your hard work is paying off. Your home has made quite the transformation.
My Goodness Rhoda,
You must be totally giddy with joy at the outcome of this journey, I can just imagine the sigh of breath that escapes you every morning when you wake up and see how far you have come and how rewarding all of your blood sweat and tears have paid off! The room looks spectacular, Happy Monday!!
Peace and Hugs, Nerina xOxO