what I do

what I do

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

A living room before and after

I thought you would love seeing some great before and after photos. Even though this living room re-design is not compete and still needs some finishing touches, (we still need to add lighting, artwork and a coffee table ottoman) it is a dramatic change already. What is the best part about it is that everything, except for a few HomeGoods purchases, already belonged to the client. We just changed things around a bit.


Here is what the living room looked like on our first meeting:


The client wanted to bring in some (much needed) color and so she showed me the pillow on the chair to the left (next to the cat!) to give me an idea of the colors she liked. Now that makes it easy!


The first thing we needed to do was decide what was staying and what was not. I had a couple of furniture pieces re-located either out of the room or in other places in the room to either "de-clutter" the space or to give the furniture more "presence". We also decided a smaller sofa was needed partly because the room is small and the piano cannot be moved, and also because the need to add lighting (they have no overhead lights) required some room on either the side of the sofa for a reading lamp and general lighting.


After we selected the sofa, we went shopping for fabrics. You can read my post about that here. The furniture was sent out for reupholstery and the results were stunning:




With the "new" furniture in place, the client and I spent about an hour in her local HomeGoods picking up a few new accessories to freshen things up a bit. The room isn't completely finished but it has come a long way:


The Bergere chairs were upholstered in a beautiful outdoor fabric that will hold up well to the UV light and their pets.


The new smaller sofa allows a side table (and a table lamp) and a floor lamp to go on either side.


My favorite is that old wingback chair!


The previous 'coffee table' works nicely for a side table and we will place a small leather ottoman in front of the sofa. 


This piece was relocated from across the room and I think it is perfect here. I love the black and white box we found at HomeGoods. The lamp was the client's.


And this piece was put where the other cabinet stood before. It is featured much nicer here. 


Even the dining chairs were re-covered to go with the new living room colors.

One last time ...

Before
And after ...


Amazing what a little color can do, isn't it?

11 comments:

A Vintage Vine said...

Looks to wonderful, love the ikat on that wingback. You did a great job Sherry!

Diane said...

great job and beautiful selection of fabrics...the smaller sofa choice was brilliant! Have you thought about maybe mirroring the back of that cabinet in in between the dining and living room to add some sparkle and reflect her collectibles? Just a thought........

Gypsy Heart said...

Absolutely beautiful! The smaller sofa is perfect and the colors are so gorgeous together. Can't wait to see the finished product although this is such a huge, positive change.

Pat

annie@mostlovelythings said...

Really amazing what fresh new fabrics can do...I really love the more modern fabric on the dining room chairs. All the pieces are very traditional and it looks so fresh they way you used color and fabrics.

Chic Coles said...

Wow what a great change up.

Lynda said...

Sherri amazing transformation to kathleen's home...(I'm guessing it is from the color of the chairs)..I know she's really happy and I love those colors..another magical uplift from you!!

Unknown said...

It looks so good! Love the prints and colors. You always mix patterns so beautifully!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Such a happy, elegant improvement, Sherry...great job. Your client must be so pleased!

mashutzo writes said...

You are very creative and you seem to have lots of ideas regarding the colors...
i love ur living room before and after it looks the best now..
i glad i found ur blog which is different..
http://silenceriver.blogspot.com/

Jessie said...

Everything looks fabulous! The most dramatic change has to be those reupholstered pieces. They look so much fresher with the new gorgeous fabrics you selected.

Great job!

Jessie
www.mixandchic.com

Noelle at Gray Paint Decor said...

I'm behind on blogs so just now seeing this. Stunning! Great work, Sherri! xx