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[Oznell]

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. 

[cheriere]

@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.😊💝

[DSD2]

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. 

[cheriere]

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@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.

[tends2dogs]

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.

[SaveTheTurtles]

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

[PansyBoo]

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. 

[AuntG]

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

[on the bay]

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.

[Puggywuggy]

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?!