Castle on Lydell: Living Room Transformation
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. If that’s the case, then I’d say the living room is the arms. It opens up and wraps it’s visitors in a warm and cozy embrace. The living room invites people to truly “stay awhile”. It creates the perfect atmosphere for conversation, heart to hearts and making memories. When I stepped into our little castle for the very first time, the living room drew me in with it’s original crown molding, fingerblock parquet floors, and 4 windows. It did feel like a hug, and that’s when I knew that I would make memories with Scott and Leia for years to come in that room.
I loved our house from the first moment I saw it. But, that doesn’t mean she needed a little updating and TLC. It’s been 9 months now, and I just finished the living room. There are plenty of projects in my future, but I couldn’t wait to share this beautiful space. It’s amazing how a fresh coat of paint and some great furniture finds can transform the personality of a room.
The Before:
I know I’m not the only one who hates on every HGTV show when the homebuyers say “I hate the paint color.” Paint is the easiest thing you can change about a room, but to be completely honest, I DID hate the paint color. I am not a grey person. Grey is the opposite of a warm hug, it’s a cold shoulder. Gray is the no personality buzz kill at the party. Grey says you can’t decide between black and white. Which is why I swapped out the indecisive color for both ends of the spectrum. Benjamin Moore White Dove and Behr Carbon Black to be exact. I took the drab grey walls and washed them with a gorgeous neutral and warm white.
White Dove is the perfect white. It’s not stark and cold like you see in ultra modern homes. But, it’s not yellow either. White Dove is so perfect that Architectural Digest wrote an entire article on why it’s a favorite among some of the top designers. According to the article, White Dove is consistently in the ranking for Benjamin Moore’s 10 most popular colors in their color system. It’s a classic and works in every room, every lighting, outdoor or in.
After brightening the room with White Dove, I took the colonial red brick fireplace and added some drama. Every room needs a showstopper and that’s just what I created. I painted the brick Behr Carbon Black. It is a true black and creates a gorgeous contrast and dimension in the room. Maybe black wouldn’t be the choice for some, but our home already had multiple black accents. I’ll also be carrying black into the kitchen, dining, & powder room on the main level.
The After:
After the cosmetic updates it was the fun part: adding the jewelry. When I lived in Florida I went with a pink and aqua color scheme. In Chicago, navy and rust. I wanted this design project to feel different than any of my other homes, and I wanted it to reflect my personality. In recent years I’ve become more and more of a fan of neutrals. I don’t gravitate towards color like I used to. Therefore, I kept this room incredibly neutral with different shades of white and cream, and warm wood tones. The only true pops of color are the blues and greens in my artwork and plants.
I’m a sucker for mid-century modern furniture pieces with clean lines and warm tones. You may also remember from my Chicago apartment that I love a deal. If I can buy something pre-loved, I will. This is how I manage to create a space that you don’t already see all over Pinterest or Instagram. 90% of my living room is pre-loved. I found our sofa, piano, and coffee table on Marketplace. My mom thrifted my stereo, floral artwork, and planter. The only things bought brand new were our arm chairs, 2 rugs and olive tree. Hence, why it takes so long to finish a room. I was just waiting for the right pieces to come along.
The Details:
There are several really cool pieces in this room. Starting with the 1961 stereo that is still in working condition! My parents thrifted and restored it as my Christmas present last year. The mid century slat coffee table was an amazing Facebook Marketplace find and worth the 9 month hunt. I don’t see many tables like this, which is how I knew it was the one! Scott promised that when we got our next place, I could get a piano. This Baldwin spinet was the perfect find. The cane accents tie in with my dining chairs, and I love how the tone of the wood blends with all my other pieces.
The only thing that will make this room even better is the changes we’ll make to the rest of the main level. I can’t wait to take you along for the other transformations as they happen. This summer was focused so much on the exterior of the house, which I’ll be rounding up for y’all. Once fall and winter come it’ll be back to focusing on the inside. Drop any questions in the comments below and feel free to follow me on Instagram for more behind the scenes content.
Instagram for all things LHLW: @oliviajoehl
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