Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Before and After


One of my favorite bloggers, Rhoda, is having a party! Rhoda's blog was one of my first addictions, so I am happy to join in! She is asking us to choose one (or five) Before and After projects from 2008. How fun is that?!

I really felt like I had a couple I could post about, but my living room transformation required the most work and gave me the most gratification. So...looks like the living room wins. Here is the before...


I was so worried about our house being dark that I went with overly neutral colors. It's not that it wasn't a pretty room before...it just wasn't what I wanted. Some badly stained carpet (thanks to a coffee-spilling nanny and a potty-training puppy) kicked off the transformation. Once you get new carpet, you HAVE to paint, right? And once you have new paint, you HAVE to buy a new accent chair, right?

And here is the after...

And yes, the dog is part of the after. Yay. He would NOT move off his dogbed, so I guess you get the full effect.
This weekend, I plan to go get some green, velvet throw pillows to pick up on the touches of it already in the room. The sticks looks a little awkward in this picture, but they're awesome. I have them uplit from behind, and they look great when it's dimmed in there.This is one I took during the day, but it was during Halloween. Can you tell?

Well, that's my before and after. It was the best thing we did all year. People come over and say it looks like a new house. Amazing what some carpet and paint can do, eh? Feel free to join Rhoda's party! I can't wait to see what everyone puts on there!

54 comments:

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

Gorgeous! It really is amazing what a little paint can do. LOVE the transformation!

~Amanda

Shell in your Pocket said...

It's wonderful..amazing before and after..just want to sip a cup of tea and read a good book..it screams "comfort"!
-sandy toe

Amber Filkins said...

I love it! Of course, I loved the before too, but I love the after as well. Everything is beautiful, and yes, so cozy and inviting. Great job!!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

LOVE it! What paint color did you end up using?

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

I think the before was nice, too - but I love the contrast of the dark touches in the after. Very nice and comfy. Good job!

Anonymous said...

The room is warm and inviting. I love how you have managed to make a cozy room, yet there is still a lot of space for comfort. Very nice. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

Blogger said...

I love this room, it's so cozy. Your window treatments are gorgeous, too :)

Happy New Year!

Bella

jewelstreet said...

I thought it looked good before, but I really love the after. I want the black chair.

Want to come decorate my house when I'm done remodeling?

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Wonderful transformation of your living room! I bet those sticks look gorgeous lit up at night.

Manuela

Decor To Adore said...

What an amazing transformation ~ well done!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Ooh, it looks so warm and inviting! Great job.

PAT said...

I am enjoying exploring all the wonderful makeovers at Rhoda's party, this morning. I love what you did to your room. Beautiful!

Rue said...

Absolutely beautiful! It IS amazing what new carpet and paint can do :)

rue

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

That's a great looking room, Chris! Thank you for playing along in my party. The one thing that really jumps out at me in the last pic is that lamp...LOVE IT!

bj said...

What a fun time I am having, peeking into all these great projects in Blogland today...
Your room looks great...and so comfy.

Anonymous said...

Is this not the best- getting to see everyone's projects!! Love the pretty window treatment!

blessings
mary

Missy Wertz said...

It does look good and adds color to the room.

Wendy said...

It looks lovely!

Marie said...

Waaaah! I love your living room! I need you to come over and move my junk around. Purty please? :o)

sandra/tx said...

Great job, Chris. Happy New Year!

kate said...

I love your before and after, and your button, thanks for the fun blog
happy new year, please ck out our blog
kate

Cindy said...

I love the before - just as much as the after. Looks fabulous! Wanna come do an 'after' in my living room (wink, wink!)

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful! You have to be the best before AND after. I love them both~

Suzanne said...

I love your new room! It makes me feel like I went to dark in mine. Your carpet looks amazing too!

Betsy said...

Looks amazing. Love the color and new chair.

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Hey! I am here from the 2008 Before and After. Your place looks great! Stop by my place if you can.

Karen said...

Please tell me about your carpet choice. My family room carpet is hideous and I'm the one who chose it! It's too light, stained and only 3 years old. I've been eyeing samples and yours looks great. Is that hardwood I see in the adjoining room?

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

Very nice! The After room feels warm and cozy.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Very warm and cozy for your wwwwintery weather!! Like how the fireplace is really more noticeable now.

Rachel Berry said...

It does look amazing! Ya wanna come and help me with my house? :)

Missy... said...

Love it! Mind sharing what the paint color is?

Lamp Tramp said...

It's such a beautiful room, and love what you've done. The wood floors look amazing against the wall color and furniture. Such an inviting & cozy space!

I'm with you on lightening up, I'm still in the process.

Ashley said...

I love the before and after... but your after is absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful room!

Unknown said...

Hi Chris,
Love the color you picked! The room is so much more warm looking!

Shannon said...

This was a fun project to watch you do. It looks great!!

Suzanne said...

So this comment is off subject, but yes my brother is a very good wrestler. He has made the world team twice and came in 2 and 3rd in the past two olympic trials. That's awesome that your hubby wrestled, most people think my family is weird. Martial arts and that UFC is where the money is. My brother is friends with Chuck Lidell and Tito, and they are always trying to get wrestlers to come over to UFC. I say, ouch though! I don't want to sound stalkerish, but I love your blog. I have been on it all morning reading all your old posts. I am ADDICTED to your crafts and have been making myself a list of all the things I need to copy for my house. We have to be friends now! I want to know in GREAT DETAIL =) how you made that wreath. I love that idea for my front door.
p.s. I know I win the award for longest comment ever, I should have just emailed you! ha

Anonymous said...

Your living room is SOOO nice!! Love it! You pulled all parts together and it is a GREAT total room. Love it!

Beth at Aunties said...

It is very lovely and inviting! I loved the dog:-)

kayellen said...

Beautiful!
Wonderful rich colors!!
Very Pretty:)

Thank you for sharing!

Smiles,
KayEllen

One Shabby Old House said...

What fun this is going to be, taking the day and seeing what you all are up to. I love your room. It is beautiful
Becky

Huse Yo Mama said...

I'm not sure how I got your blog, probably from the Nester. But, I'm here to stay. Great blog and all your ideas give me way more adrenaline to work than I need at ten o'clock at night!!!

Jamie said...

It really does look amazing. Before & after. I agree, the after is much warmer, though. Love it!

I am Mom said...

looks great!

Tanya said...

It looks great. I liked the before too! It's a great room either way :)

Kristi~The Slipcover Girl said...

Its beautiful. I love paint...creates the biggest bang for your buck!

Mom said...

That looks really GREAT!....

and by the way, you are very welcome. I was so happy to help.
:)

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I love it! I am so behind on blogging that I haven't been here for awhile...I need to go back and see all the other things you've been up to. I especially love the pretty wreath over the mantle. And the colors are perfect! :)
Carrie

Judy @ In His Grip said...

You did a great job with your living room. I really like the color of the walls. And love the window treatments.

Judy @ In His Grip said...

You did a great job with your living room. I really like the color of the walls. And love the window treatments.

Tim said...

I thought it looked pretty good before, but the darker wall color adds a ton of character and charm to it. It even seems alot more formal.

Great job!!!

dayna said...

Layering the frames on the mantle works great! What is your paint color?

Thanks for introducing me to the blog party...it is what i talked about needing on my blog!

Thanks girlie,
dayna

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a great room! Your paint color is warm and refreshing. Love the re-do!

Thanks for letting me drop by!

Jen

Amy @ Living Locurto said...

Looks great now! Oh, you're making me want new carpet:-)

critts said...

Love the room! Any chance you'd be willing to share the paint color? It's perfect!

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