topic Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER in Home

ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

Oznell — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:26:24 GMT

Maria Killam flew in and did one of her one-day decorating rescues on her own young cousin's living room in Alberta.

Time was especially short, because they were having a baby shower, and needed the changes done before that.

The couple were unsure of how to begin-- when they got the house, it was done in the then-trending, farmhouse style, "black and white" division, which didn't seem "them". Plus, they had ACRES of blank wall that goes along with vaulted cathedral ceilings.

Maria and design colleague Tricia, plus family helpers, took them to one of Edmonton's "Home Sense" stores, where they were to assemble a "mood board" based on their likes, right in the store.

They settled her cousin Mia in the store to guard their finds, and began to assemble the mood board around her. She had to fight off other customers who wanted the big heron!

Lamps, rug, pillows, art, counter stools, upholstered chair, and on and on...

The living room was indeed cavernous, and needed personality and warmth, fewer "wee" accessories, plus more color.

BEFORE:

They got rid of the wood shelves that had small art on them, and started hanging their bold art, which related to the palette they wanted for the room.

But they did so much more, in the few hours they had to work-

Even at night, it feels so much cozier to be in, with the new plan.

The huge new rug adds richness. They also got lamps, new curtain rods, pillows, accessories, replaced the nondescript coffee table with a round travertine one, AND, they added that moss club chair to the formerly forlorn corner-- a big improvement right there.

I knew when the team trundled out that green chair that it was a key moment, ha.

They didn't do much to the kitchen and dining area...

Except a little re-arranging, AND-- a trademark of Maria's-- adding lamps, which immediately warms things up. The blue one brings in a bit of the living room color, too.

This type of quick fix wouldn't necessarily be right for someone who's spent decades curating their likes and rejecting their dislikes, and collecting choice items over time, etc. But for a young couple who know what they like, but not really how to get it, being able to blitz one store with a knowledgeable guide who understands them, in the form of Maria-- super idea.

Fun little side note-- Mia's husband wasn't too sure about having the living room re-decorated. Then he saw what Maria had done for Mia's mother's house. I saw the "Before" pictures of that one, and oh, boy, that house is choppy architecturally, with pony walls and multiple windows in odd places, and zigs and zags. Maria calmed it down and made it work-- cohesively-- for Mia's delighted parents.

BEFORE, Mia's mother's living room:

AFTER:

If you saw THAT video, you'd be amazed at how confusing that house could be. Even rooms that have challenging architecture, can really benefit from an overall plan, and a basic knowledge of placement, color and undertones.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

cheriere — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:45:16 GMT

@Oznell Wow! What a difference in that space! I agree that large rooms with giant windows and cathedral ceilings can be a challenge. I really love what she did with the window treatments, art and I still like the chandelier. The tables, chairs, extra plants and what she done with the mantle really made a difference.

Her mothers living room looks so good it almost doesn't even look like the same room! The curtains really made those two tiny windows magically appear larger. The addition of larger scaled artwork and grouping the sofas in such a way was brilliant.

Thanks for posting this one. The living room in the first house is large in scale like my parents. Some very good ideas here, especially with the artwork.😊💝

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

DSD2 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:51:34 GMT

She did an excellent job.

What gorgeous ceilings!

I love the blue heron! Very Audubon. I would likely eliminate a few of the pieces of artwork, seven on one wall seem a bit much but it works.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

cheriere — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:56:33 GMT

@DSD2 wrote:
She did an excellent job.

What gorgeous ceilings!

I love the blue heron! Very Audubon. I would likely eliminate a few of the pieces of artwork, seven on one wall seem a bit much but it works.

I'd be way too intimidated to try and hang that much art on one wall too. I'd have my wall beat to death and ruined for certain lol. However, I do like it in this room and when other people do it. I could never get to hang right and look so perfect myself.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

tends2dogs — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:12:33 GMT

Not a fan at all of the artwork. It is hung haphazard for my eye. I would NEVER let anyone redo my home, especially a relative. I could not pretend that I liked it. Pregnant or not, as soon as she left I would get the ladder out and take down the artwork.

I am not familiar with this designer or her work.

As far as the mother's home, the pink drapes and navy blue couch are not my taste.

JMO I know that everyone doesn't share the same taste. Thanks for posting, @Oznell . It is always fun to see what others like.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

SaveTheTurtles — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:54:00 GMT

For me there is too much going on with the walls, windows. Seems cluttered.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

PansyBoo — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:57:30 GMT

Goodness, @tends2dogs, I was about to say the exact same thing! The arrangement of that artwork makes me uncomfortable just looking at it through my computer. There's no symmetry or balance...and as a grouping they're all shifted to the left. And I really don't care for the one hung slightly behind the television either. We all can't like the same things but I like nothing about that wall arrangement.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

AuntG — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 23:48:42 GMT

They should be happy with the makeover because she first found out what appealed to them. I think the result is fine.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

on the bay — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:12:37 GMT

That's a great idea about the mood board and guarding it in a corner if it was too much to put in the cart or 2.

But now I think it looks like an art gallery and so confusing.

I don't like the new mom's bedroom either with the big formal curtains and seating arrangment in a box of chairs and couches.

It all feels the opposite of cozy. To me anyway.

I always enjoy looking at what you post @Oznell and reading everyone's comments as well, whether I like it or not.

Especially because you welcome everyone's opinions and that makes it fun to share.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

Puggywuggy — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 03:49:32 GMT

As always @Oznell, thank you for sharing. Isn't it simply amazing to see what can be accomplished in such a short period of time?!

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

Lilysmom1 — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 09:14:44 GMT

Very interesting post @Oznell as usual!

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

ID2 — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:21:06 GMT

The artwork is horrendous!!

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

gidgetgh — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 12:35:35 GMT

Living room looks absolutely horrible. The huge windows are fine, but the huge artwork hanging behind the huge tv looks horrible. My eyes don't know where to go in that living room. Get me out of there.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

Oznell — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 13:17:01 GMT

@cheriere, you are so right, it does seem intimidating, but can be fun working out the placement you want on the floor at first, then experimenting.

Maria's ideas about art on big, high walls are interesting. Those who have double ( or more) height ceilings often end up with small, ditsy things, and then a huge blank expanse.

She encourages people with those kinds of walls, to think, "art as wallpaper", which is kind of daring, but also freeing. When I look at it that way, my perspective shifts. As long as the homeowner loves the art ( and Mia did-- she was at the store, and participated in all the selections of everything they bought ) why not go bold.

And, if you have wallpaper, you don't stop and start it depending on the TV screen-- it just continues on...

'Art as wallpaper' is a rather bohemian, and a slightly more 'untamed' version of what they do in English country houses, where sometimes art, mirrors etc., go up to the ceiling, and down to the floor.

I'm for a more restrained symmetry, having in my rooms, paired lamps, paired art, paired sconces, etc., but I also enjoy different applications for the specific needs of different rooms. So I personally like the warmth they brought with the wall. She said she couldn't wait to be home with the baby, enjoying what they came up with for the room.

As previously noted, this in-out approach isn't for all. But I like the way she works with people where they are, with what they want, and still produces something that to me, is interesting and fun to live with, regardless of price or pedigree.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

shoptilyadropagain — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 13:53:52 GMT

I can't say that I'm enamored with either one. On the one day makeover room, I get a little anxious looking at it with the wall of windows and the wall of artwork that's hung here, there and everywhere.

On the Mother's makeover, I actually prefer the furniture placement in the before picture but would tweak some other things in the room.

I understand the challenges but I don't feel these were worked around very well.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

Marsha2003 — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:14:43 GMT

I like what Maria did in both homes. Thanks for sharing them, @Oznell .

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

Sooner — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:18:12 GMT

I would cry.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

CANDLEQUEEN — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:40:27 GMT

I am one that does not care for the Artwork at all. It is not pleasing to my eyes...I don't know how to describe it, but its too jumbled and too much...

I think they could have done something else with that huge wall. Maybe broke up some of the artwork with other things in between, not sure but I know I don't like what she did.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

wilma — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 04:56:22 GMT

The furniture and placement work well. I agree the huge wall needed something more, but I don't care for the random placement of the art. They don't have to be perfectly balanced or symmetrical, but I don't like the way they're arranged. The artwork with the tiny square print in the center seems strange grouped with the other bolder pieces.

The furniture and placement in the mother's living room is fine. I don't like the color of the drapes. I'm not a fan of the original artwork, and I'm trying to understand why she added that small round mirror above it.

Re: ONE DAY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER

Trailrun23 — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 01:32:49 GMT

Love what she did with the mother's livingroom!

I really like all the artwork,but not all at once and not how it was hung; it makes the walls look closed-in.

How nice to be able to go to one place and find so many things you love and can take home and put into place the same day!