Home

[Oznell]

Design blogger Caroline Winkler, left, refreshed her younger sister's rental living room in Richmond, Va.  Things were tired, dilapidated, messy.  They spent no money at all in the makeover.  Caroline and her sister Julia revealed that Julia has ADHD, and difficulties with organization.

The room had a random, forlorn look.  But Caroline was positive.  She started by helping to define her sister's design style--   "eclectic cutie pie fairy-in-her-cabin" style.  Love that!   And Julia chimed in, that she likes her own color scheme, which helps.  So, they had a lot to work with.

She definitely had a good eye for cute items, but then tended to line them up, without considering the whole room and how it would function.

The upholstery, especially, was sagging and unkempt.

Caroline focused on several areas for change-- the poor layout, the dispirited furniture, the scattered art placement, and organization of important items like books and art supplies.

For better flow and conversation, she flipped the couch over to the opposite wall.  But first, she had to reshape it.  She unzipped the covers, and manipulated and fluffed and fluffed the inner cushions, then put the covers back on.  She left off the draggy arm protectors.  What a difference.

This coral chair was a thrift shop find with an ill-fitting slipcover.  So it needed more drastic help--

She took extra fabric, including the cast-off arm protectors from the couch, and moulded and stuffed them around the chair, then put on the slipcover again.  She could have stuffed with foam to fill it out, if she had it, I suppose.  Nice improvisation-- looks better!

The chair had to be improved, b/c her idea was that it would be the center of a new, inviting reading nook, right by the previously rather neglected window. 

So now the reading nook is a special place, with her books and supplies at hand, but it also faces the couch for easy conversation.  The angled tufted midcentury chair, completes the conversation area.

The AFTER living room:

Julia seems quite maximalist, with a love of color, art and plants.  But now, it's organized and feels intentional.

Caroline removes and re-arranges these books in the room, so there wouldn't be so many unbalanced "heavy" areas--

There's better distribution of them... 

The art was arranged to enhance the reading nook.

The mirror and wall hook help establish an "entry way".

Now the long mirror's placement makes more sense--

Before, Julia's art supplies would frequently be left on the couch, since, a talented artist, she constantly uses them in the living room.  She struggled to put them away in a closet, partly b/c of her ADHD.   But Caroline said to keep them neatly always nearby, on the side table's lower tier.  Julia would be more likely to put them there when finished, and they'd always be handy: 

Whew, this was kind of a talky, potentially boring one!   And I don't think I can give the true quality of the "refresh" through just stills.  

But, I thought their efforts were really worth highlighting.  People with ADHD often genuinely need help with keeping their spaces from declining, or becoming chaotic.  

Caroline was the perfect guide for her sister, b/c she kept in mind her graduate student sister's lifestyle-- lots of reading, lots of art,  discomfort with conventional organization--  in mind.  She capitalized on the positive-- her sister's "free spirit", sort of bohemian and charming style, rather than despairing over her untidyness. 

She said "make your room work for you, not you for your room".  She gave permission for her to leave her supplies out in plain view, but this time, captured by trays, or stacked, so they didn't look chaotic.

Anyway, that's my poor summary of it.  The video is much better, if you google:

A Living Room Makeover-- Without Buying Anything New  youtube

[spiderw]

It is a lovely comfortable apartment.  The changes created a space filled with pretty decor, art work and placement of the furniture which enhances the room.  Sometimes it just takes a few changes to make a room stand out.  I like the reading area, it looks calm and cozy.

[skatting44]

Gives inspiration to those on a very tight budget in how to refresh their environment while making it more functional

[just bee]

Great thread, as usual, @Oznell.

Enjoyed the transformation.  It's important to live in a space that's functional, organized and attractive.

A wonderful gift to her sister.

[LTT1]

@Oznell @just bee @skatting44 @spiderw 

WOW what a difference!

Now it looks ORGANIZED but everything is still there!

What a lucky girl to have a sister who HELPS her and redecorates only by adjusting the space!

[1Snickers]

@Oznell   How does the door open without the couch and table with the lamp being in the way? 
         
                    🛋️💥🚪

[We rescue cats]

Love the changes, especially the reading nook she created. What a difference, it is now much more user friendly.

[lbwshop]

I love this!!  It is practical help.  I.m tiree of seeing large, beautiful rooms which are way beyond the reach of most people.  Please show us some more small rooms that are nicely arranged and accessorized.  Those of us with regular houses need help, too.  This designer has a wonderful eye and used her talent wonderfully for her sister.

[Puggywuggy]

Don't you just love how just moving one's own things around and changing up wall decor, accessories and soft textiles can alter and improve one's environment?! I have done this for many, many years as I become bored, lol. My spouse would come home and everything would look so different. He used to complain about my 'rearranging ' habits until I gently pointed out how much money I had saved over the years as I lovingly and thoughtfully curated our possessions and home...he no longer complains about my 'rearranging ' 😉

[Franklinbell]

Wow!  that is fantastic.  What a lovely gesture for her sister!