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.
Rhoda, everything looks so nice! It’s truly a blessing everything that you have accomplished (of course with help from several sources). But it’s starting to look like your home now. Blessings Paula Lusk
I hate to rain on the parade of platitudes but I have one suggestion. I think I know why you didn’t think the curtains looked right. Even if you are only going to hang panels at one end, you need to extend the rod over to the fireplace. Otherwise it looks like you have forgotten that you have a second set of windows. If you can still get the fabric, I would also add more width to the panels. They look a little stingy.
HI, Patty, thanks for the suggestion, but I really do love them as they are. If I did double width panels, it would completely cover my window and that’s not what I want. I’ve also seen rods frame windows like this and not go all the way across, so for now I’m leaving them as they are. Thanks though for your opinions, we’ve all got one of those!
Beautiful work! I love the look. You really did a wonderful job Rhoda!
What a transformation! It really is the details that make the difference and that’s where I get bogged down. I will study your pictures and, hopefully, my walls, tables, etc. will soon not look so bare. Thanks for all the inspiration.
Southern girl (72) living in California
Love what you have done with your living room! You furniture looks wonderful there. I’ve followed you for a while now and you are very inspiring. Enjoy that new home.
Sandy
Rhoda,
Your room is AWESOME!!! I love how you’ve pulled everything together. It’s so beautiful! Enjoy!
Absolutely fabulous makeover, I love your eclectic taste Rhoda. I like the unusual detail such as the column and carved wood above the door.
You must be so happy to have found a home that suits you so perfectly.
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Lee 🙂
Just beautiful!!
Awesome!
Always amazing! You are such an inspiration. You were the first blog I followed and still the first I check every day.
What is the little aqua footed bowl with a pear in it? Is it local pottery?
Lisa, that is a piece of pottery from Earthborn Pottery in Leeds, AL. You can order from them online, it’s a beautiful pottery.
Rhoda, what a beautiful room! You have pulled all of the elements together beautifully! Everything feels so warm and inviting.
Rhoda,
Everything looks just beautiful! It warms my heart to see you having a new home to call your own. Your parents are precious and I love seeing them, too. You helped me a few years ago with my den. I have been following your blog and look forward to seeing the rest of your house as it evolves. Soooo happy for you!
Margaret
Thank you, Margaret! I totally remember your den.
So interesting to see how different your living room looks from your previous house with the same basic furnishings. This room is very elegant and speaks to adding architectual interest with columns, etc.
I have looked at your dining room transformation through THREE different houses and am just amazed. I think most of us get stuck and wouldn’t think we could update as much as you have with accessories.
Hey, Lindy, I’ve only blogged in TWO houses, so you might be getting me mixed up with someone else. Only had 1 other dining room besides this one.
Thank you though, I appreciate it!
I saved pictures of your old dining room(s) with (#1) red walls and a painting over the buffet and (#2) taupe walls with the same buffet and a large, round mirror. Am I right? I love that you now have (#3) same buffet with more modern lamps. So, two houses, three very different looks, and the same pretty buffet.
Ok, got it! You are right about that, 2 different colors in my B’ham house and now this one. Thanks for following along, Lindy!! I have loved updating this house as well.
So happy for you. It’s beautiful, can’t wait to see the other rooms.
How far are your parents from this home? I just love them and I know you cherish them too. Take some time to enjoy the labor of your work.
Debbie
Debbie, they are 7 miles from my new house, not far at all. I still go by often for meals. 🙂
Rhoda, Your living room looks absolutely beautiful! I love the way you have combined fabrics, patterns and so many different elements to create your beautiful and homey space. I am so happy for you and all you have going on! I can’t wait to see your laundry room… I saw a peak on Instagram and know it will be fabulous!
Happy Monday!
Jen
Have to say you do have a lot of stuff. A little too much for me. But as long as you love it, that’s all that matters. Congrats to you.
It’s beautiful, Rhoda! Love the curtains and the rug and all your little touches. That green wreath is perfect hanging on the fireplace too.
do you have a company already picked for your gas logs? we are thinking about getting them too.
Hey, Christina, I haven’t started looking yet, but it’s on the list of things to do soon.
Fantastic! Especially love the drapery fabric….I used it to make pillows for my couch and love them. Can’t wait to see more of your beautiful home.
Wow! I can’t even believe it’s the same room! It looks gorgeous now!
Beautiful living room! Great transformation!
Leslie