Living Room - Before & After

Perhaps the catlyst for this whole painting endeavor was the living room.  I painted it the WRONG color gray first, so it was a totally mismatched mess compared to the rest of the house. 

Then,  after watching the 2012 Summer Olympics without even enough places to sit for our small little family of four, we decided it was time to add some seats to the room.  We settled on a big gray sectional that would be delivered in 8 weeks.  So, we had to get going on the painting in order to make space for our new seating arrangement. 

Here's where we started:

BEFORE (view from entryway):

...and where we sit now...

AFTER (view from entryway):

After we painted all the walls and ceiling the same SW Worldly Gray 7043 from my office and the entryway, we started filling it back up with furniture (and our brand new couch - which is the Bree Corner Sectional from I.O.Metro, in Bela Pewter)

We hauled off the green rug, moved the green curtains, couch and loveseat to the den, and started working with a new color scheme of mostly gray, teal and gold.

I bought the coordinating (but not matching) pillows from World Market, Kohls, and Target. 

Here's a view from the other corner of the room, looking toward the front door.  The big round coffee table is borrowed from Paxton's room for now (he had his fire station on it).  I think it's a little too big for the room though, so we'll probably replace it with a rectangular coffee table eventually.  But, since we haven't been out to shop for that yet, this one is sufficing for now (even if it does look like a kids' play table).  It's a good height though, and *bonus* - it doesn't matter if it gets rings on it from drinks!

Now, our Dot Calm painting (see it back there in the corner?) seems to fit in a little better with the gold and turquoise shades in the painting and the gray and gold accents around the room.

For the floor, I lucked out one day at Target and found this 5' x 7' rug on clearance with the perfect colors - for only $45!  I couldn't pass that up. 

BEFORE (view from my office):

AFTER (view from my office):

We moved the Expedit bookshelves all to the back wall to make one long set of shelves.  Even though I loved the L-shaped corner bookshelf look, it was too many "L-Shapes" for the room when you added in the sectional.  I'm still hoping to replace that silver lamp behind the couch with something more interesting one of these days.

I had all sorts of curtain shopping drama that I'll spare you, but I finally was able to find (and buy, and successfully hang) these long-length Imperial Blue/Taupe Striped Grommet curtains from World Market.  They seem to be perfectly subtle, while not being a solid color.  It was worth the drama. 

Here's a view from that back corner, looking into my office.

We still need to find a new piece of furniture to put our television on, and then we'll find some artwork or a big mirror to hang on that big blank wall.  But, even with the boring view, this is DEFINITELY the best (and coziest) seat of the house! 

I highly recommend a sectional...it's awesome.  Even in a small living room.  We've enjoyed many Saturday and Sunday afternoons watching shows and football all together on the big couch.  It's a major upgrade from fighting over the three available seats we used to have...

Tour Our Home - A.Steed's.Life

38 comments so far:

Chad said:

So how is the sectional holding out after 4 months or so? We are considering the same one.

Andrea said:

We still love it! Comfy, great size, and the fabricseems to withstand our abuse...so far anyway!

Ashley @ Simply Designing said:

Such a fun re-do! I love the colors!

Thanks for linking up!

Ashley

Ginger said:

Featuring you today! :) Thanks so much for linking up to {wow me} wednesday! :)

Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/03/take-look-at-you-link-party-feat...

joselyn@The DIY Spot said:

What a great makeover. I'm ready to turn in my sofa for a sectional. Glad to know they work in small rooms too.

Maryann @ Domestically Speaking said:

What a beautiful room and I love that shade of gray. I'm featuring your room in the PoPP Spotlight.

Jennifer said:

What a great project!

Christine said:

WOW!! Absolutely beautiful!!

Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer last week. Can't wait to see what you link up tomorrow evening.

Kaysi Gardner said:

Wow what a transformation!! I love the colors that you used! I'm featuring you tonight on MMM

Kim@NewlyWoodwards said:

We have been considering a sectional so I'm happy to hear you like ours. We have te same issue. Really only three seats. Horrible. The whole room is quite lovely. Love the bookcases.

BeColorful said:

Oh yeah. The new sofa is outstanding. It really takes the room to a whole new level but I also really like the color scheme and the way you have set up the bookcases. Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
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Diana Rambles said:

Great transformation!

Samantha said:

Love the new look! So calming!

Carrie @ My Favorite Finds said:

Oh my! I LOVE the shelving especially! It's gorgeous. You should come share at Pinworthy Projects.

DeDe@DesignedDecor said:

Andrea, What a beautiful space! I love the rug and the pillow accents. The shelving unit is so nice! It is warm and inviting!

Laura @ LifeWeLive4 said:

Oh man I love your sectional, Ive been on the hunt for a new one. newest follower ;) Laura

carissa said:

the trim really stands out and i'm loving that crown moulding! i love how versatile the expedit bookcases are, lovely job styling them

Stacy said:

I love your new space! That shelving unit is stunning :)

Jenny said:

Gray is so soothing! I love your bookcase and the rug... I heart the whole thing!

kristin said:

So cute! I found you on skip to my lou... I am totally jealous of your sectional couch!! That's exactly what I'm looking for... love your room makeover :)

sharon said:

I really like your blog and he room designs so I am following and I hope you will do the same according2sharon.blogspot.com

rhiannon said:

gorgeous. love that shade of gray, we're thinking of doing the same colour in our living room. sold not. looks so bright and chilled.

Christa said:

The after looks so much better. Love the colors and room arrangement.

jamie@[kreyv] said:

Looks great! I love the way you repositioned the bookcases. It give such a presence.

Lindsey said:

The new sectional makes everything look more streamlined. I love all the storage and decor space you have in the shelves behind the sofa. I also am IN LOVE with the print on the rug and yellow pillow together. :) Fantastic reveal!

toddlindsey.com

vel said:

Love it!!! What a change with the cabinet moves and the awesome sectional. Great job!

Melanie said:

Jealous of your living room! Found you over at Tip Junkie!
Melanie

Kerry said:

Wow! I can't believe how much better the room looks with the shelving moved. And I absolutely love the couch, makes the room look much bigger!

Shannon said:

It looks wonderful and I adore your new sofa. It's gorgeous. Looks totally comfy and plush too. Enjoy your new space!

The Joyful Thrifter said:

What a lovely transformation. It looks so clean and modern! Great re-do!

Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter

Home Coming said:

What a difference that couch makes! It looks wonderful.

Condo Blues said:

That's the perfect way to add seating to a small room.

Selene Galindo said:

I love the place you've created! I especially like your wall color and sectional!
Selene @ restorationbeauty.com

the cape on the corner said:

i am having major sectional envy right now! we are doing our basement, and i was hoping for something like this but didn't find anything...then the boyfriend said he wanted a recliner. ugh. but when i need new living room furniture? totally getting a sectional. your "new" space looks amazing and serene.

Shantalle said:

Looks so classic and polished. What an improvement, Great job!

Marianne said:

I love it ! It's so cosy and inviting ! And this sectionnal just screams "movie night" ! Thanks for sharing !

Emily said:

AWESOME!!! I love the couch, rug and book case. can't wait to see the tv cabinet :o) I popped over from Sumos Sweet Stuff.

Ches said:

Love the sectional and the bookcase is awesome. You did a great job...

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