People who know me well will tell you that I’m a person of convictions. I feel strongly about things.
Things like properly brewed coffee. What is the point of drinking weak coffee? If it doesn’t jolt you awake you might as well just become a tea drinker. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! 😉
And there are some clothing styles which were debatable the first time around but are downright horrid when you see them making a comeback…ahem…stirrup pants!
I also firmly believe that when decorating your home it is important to honor the architecture and style of the house itself. It doesn’t have to be a confining thing but if you recognize the fundamental roots of your home and then infuse it with your own personality, the marriage between the two is seamless.
When we first moved into our home, decorating the living room was fairly low on the priority list. This house was quite a bit bigger than our previous one and with a 5 year old and a toddler I didn’t have much time or energy to devote to this rarely used space. Plus, frankly it intimidated me. I was still figuring out my style and the green carpet was definitely a hindrance. It dictated which colors I could use and well…here you have it.
This is my living room BEFORE…as in 2009 before. Yep.
Ours is really a quintessentially traditional home. It just lends to a more formal style but I really didn’t want it to feel stuffy. Slowly but surely I made little changes here and there but until we could get rid of the green carpet, nothing was going to ever seem quite right.
Here is the same room last Christmas.
And here it is now.
New carpet, mirrored chests on either side of the fireplace, 2 button-tufted chairs and lots of other little changes have all come together to create a space that is soothing…warm…kinda traditional…kinda french country…and very ME!
If it were possible to be in love with chairs then these two sweethearts would have my utter devotion…actually, they do!
Don’t you just love the multi-colored fabric buttons? I swoon every time I walk into the room and see them there and I’m swooning now just looking at this picture. Swoon, swoon, swoon.
For years my husband had been asking me if we can get rid of the glass coffee table that has been sitting in our attic. And for years I’ve been telling him that I could just feel in my gut that we were meant to hold onto it. After all, we purchased it as newlyweds and I knew one day it would find it’s place of honor again. The MOMENT those carpet guys left I was hauling it out of the attic!
Our fireplace is perfectly centered in the room and I’ve always felt like it needed to be flanked by matching pieces. Kind of creating a “built-in” look. These mirrored dressers (found at Tuesday Morning) did the trick.
These chippy door frames with iron inserts were the perfect way to add height above the cabinets. I would like to tell you that I scoured and scoured flea markets and went hither and yon to find them. I would like to say that I was driving through the countryside and spotted an old barn sitting at the top of hill of wildflowers and after pulling open those creaky barn doors I discovered these gems lying their in all of their chippy glory.
But, I can’t. Cause I got them at the craft store. It’ll be our little secret, OK?
My grandmother’s china cabinet was moved over to this wall and is a perfect fit.
This cabinet will never be painted.
The end.
This room and I have come a long way. We’ve honed our style. We’ve waited and saved and waited and saved in order to make choices which I believe will last us along time. Oh sure, we’ve made a few mistakes along the way. But just like any great relationship, it has only served to make us stronger!
And, remember that green carpet? Well, it wasn’t only in this room. Yep. Just like stirrup pants, it wouldn’t go away! It was also in the dining room, office, on the staircase and down the upstairs hallway. So in the coming weeks I’m going to have more fun makeovers to share with you!
Until then, thanks so much for joining me in saying farewell to green carpet (stirrup pants) forever!
Want to see more of our room makeovers?
![dining room makeover2_thumb[2]](http://www.atthepicketfence.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dining-room-makeover2_thumb2.jpg)
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Beautiful room! Love your chair buttons and your window treatments too…did you make them?
Blessings,
Cindy
Thanks Cindy! Actually I got the window treatments at Pier 1 and love them. They are even lined so they hang very nicely! 🙂
Vanessa
This room is elegant and warm. I especially like the matching chests on either side of the fireplace; they really balance the room. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
This is a very cozy and stylish room now, Vanessa! I am a big fan of mirrored furniture, so the new consoles just speak to me! Sometimes, it just pays to do things gradually; then you end up having an “acquired” look and feel to the room. I always buy the big stuff all at one time (often when I see things at furniture market), then I add in the frou-frou as time goes on. It’s always an “in progress” design thing- I’m never ever done! 🙂 Sue
Vanessa!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE it! Every detail….especially those buttons.
Seriously!
You go girl!
karianne
Well done! It looks fabulous- I love every decision you made….and I am particularly fond of your glass table, iot wporks perfectly in this space! And I am GLAD you aren’t painting your gma’s beautiful antique china cabinet. I know she would approve!!
Never say goodbye to stir ups!! 🙂 room looked pretty then beautiful now!
How often has my son-in-law walked into your living room and exclaimed, “Oops! Wrong house.” Take care of this antique china cabinet that I drove 1200 miles to deliver. Love, Dad
I ADORE those Chairs, the contrast covered buttons are adorable!! You did a beautiful job and your home is just lovely! “Pinning”
Gorgeous room! LOVE those gate pieces on the each side of your mantle.That mirror dresser is to die for! I have a cabinet just like yours.And I feel the same way I am never painting it.I love that old wood patina and like you I have my white ironstone collection.It looks amazing together!
xx
Anne
Vanessa, it looks beautiful! We have a VERY traditional house too, and while I absolutely love the cottage-y look that’s so prevalent right now, I’ve had a hard time trying to imagine it in our home. I like that you did you own thing instead, and stayed true to the architecture and style of your home. I can’t believe you found those mirrored dressers at Tuesday Morning. Lucky you! And I LOVE the tufted chairs. They are definitely swoon worthy. The whole room is gorgeous. Great job!
Debbie
Your living room is stunning just like the rest of your house. Love the new chairs too. Hugs, Marty
It’s beautiful, Vanessa! I’m in the middle of a living room makeover myself, so I was really interested to see this post–and it doesn’t disappoint!
Honestly, if I could, I’d take out every single bit of carpet in this entire house. Seriously. But if a person is going to have carpet, how much better to have this than the green carpet! You made do for a long time, and now you’re enjoying the payoff for your patience. Good for you!!
Your living room is beautiful. I love those buttons on the chairs. Did you have them upholstered? Really great idea.
Enjoy your new room.
Judy
I love your room….and the flanking the fireplace was the perfect way to go! And don’t be so mean against stirrup pants….they were perfect during long Michigan winters….your pants stayed in your boots!!
Beautiful living room Vanessa! I love all the elements and they fit perfectly together in your room. Thanks for the inspiration!
The living room looks fantastic, love the chairs. Those pieces you put over the mirrored glass tables are beauties. Perfect fit.
Cynthia
Beautifully done, Vanessa! It looks very elegant but without that “keep your hands off me” feel. : ) Love the chairs and your sofa! I love any kind of furniture with tufting done on it.
Lovely living room, especially love the chair with those buttons. No I would never paint the china cabinet either, I am not a real big fan of all painted furniture.
Gorgeous! Such an inviting space and I love the fabric covered buttons!
Gorgeous living room and yes the new carpet is perfect, now! I love the fire place flanked by the two great mirrored chests..my daughter loves these style too. The chairs look wonderful in it too. Happy Mother’s Day!
FABBY
Absolutely stunning!
Amazing how a carpet color comes into play, isn’t it?
LOVE
WOW! The room looks absolutely gorgeous now! You did a fantastic job! I was starting to think I was over traditional decor, but now I know I’m not!
And virtual high fives for not painting your grandmother’s china cabinet. I have my great, great grandmother’s hope chest that my grandfather gave me as a wedding gift. It’s got some beat up spots but I’d never dream of touching it!
What a beautiful room this has become! Those chairs with the darling colorful buttons are to-die-for gorgeous. I really love tufted furniture A LOT! And that gorgeous little tray table between them…wow! Vanessa, your traditional style is so elegant. My home would be a bit more traditional if it wasn’t overrun with small children. I’ve gone Cottage Comfortable so that they can run worry-free throughout. I still have my traditional elements though. Great makeover!!!
Oh so pretty! I’m loving those ottomans in your before picture! 🙂 Looks so pretty. Don’t you love once a room is done. Then it’s time to re-do it again! ha
Vanessa the room looks beautiful. The chair buttons really are so cute. They add such a whimsical touch. That mirrored piece is gorgeous and adds such elegance to the room. It bounces the light around and really adds lots of life and movement. Enjoy your lovely new space :)))
Vanessa, the room is absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE your style. Those mirrored dressers were an awesome find. You have got to tell me where you got the tufted chairs – I have never seen chairs with multi-colored buttons. I am swooning with you. The room is so calm, inviting and beautiful. Very well done, my friend.
It looks great! I was just debating those button tufted chairs this past weekend at the store myself!
Oh! I LOVE the makeover!!! It is so beautiful!! I have a special fondness for mirrored furniture and totally {heart} yours! They are perfect in there!! So many great touches though, I really can’t pick a favorite!! Great job! and I agree I wouldn’t be disappointed to never see a pair of stirrup pants ever again! Ugh!! 🙂
Great job, Vanessa! It is amazing and perfect for your family. Love, love, love the chairs!
Love your makeover! Looks spectacular Vanessa!
It looks great!!
Oh, you must be thrilled with the makeover Vanessa! LOVE everyting!!! Those buttons on the chairs made me melt too!!!! LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!
I so agree with your decorating philosophy… the decor of a room must take into account the style of the home, especially when that style is evident in the room. Great decorating details. I just love your traditional yet fresh sense of style!!!
Your room is absolutely beautiful! Those chairs are gorgeous and I love the little buttons!!~~Angela
I love those whimsical buttons. The rooms is so beautiful and bright. I’m with you on the stirrup pants, btw. LOL
I love it! I loved that opening picture so much and I was literally saying “Oh please don’t let that be the before shot” out loud as I scrolled through the rest of the post. (You have NO IDEA how many times a “before” is better than my “after”.
I really love this and your style and I tend to agree with you that you need to keep the structure of your home in mind when decorating.
And as for stirrup pants, I will just nod and giggle.
I LOVE those chairs!! Everything in that room is beautiful!
~Sonya
Beautiful! Which craft store did you get the chippy wood door with iron inserts?
Go-JUS, Vanessa! You’ve outdone yourself! Your living room was beautiful before and now, you’ve taken it to a new level! Your World Market chairs are perfect in your space … love your new carpet … and, you KNOW I love your new mirrored pieces! Your glass table is fantabulous (good thing you listened to your decorating voice and held onto it) … I’ve been pricing brass/glass cocktail tables lately (they *ain’t* cheap)! I hope you’re enjoying your amazing new space as you read this! Happy weekend!
The room is beautiful! I LOVE your new chairs. I’m such a sucker for tufted buttons. You’ve done a great job of creating a fresh, inviting room.
OMGosh this turned out SO beautifully. I love it {and shut the front door…. Tuesday Morning? What a great find!!}. Love the buttons on the chairs – swooning too! Amazing job! xoxo
So pretty and welcoming – I love it!
Totally agree with your coffee assessment. 🙂 And about those stirrup pants…I admit to wearing them the first time around…but some thing should never come back. 😉
Love your living room. It’s happy and comfy and polished all at the same time. Those chairs are fabulous…I alway look at them when I’m in the store.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly
So beautiful! I love that the room remained your traditional style but that it’s so light and airy … sometimes it’s hard to mix those two things. The chairs from World Market are gorgeous!
What a lovely space, Vanessa! Those tufted chairs are fantastic… think I’d spend days just gazing lovingly at them. 🙂
xo Heidi
Love everything about it!!! WHERE did you get those chairs and dressers!?! I LOVE them!
Anna
askannamoseley.com
Beautiful, beautiful space Vanessa!!…I believe you and I are on the same page with our decor…a little traditional with a love for French Country….your mirrored chests are perfect on each side of the fireplace…they add such bling to our room!…Your living room is gorgeous and also has a great comfy feel…you did a fantastic job!!!
Oh I love you even more! Sometimes when the coffee is weak when the hubs had made it I look at him and give him the eye…it’s funny, I actually will remake a whole pot of coffee 🙂 And I take it black.
The room is gorgeous Vanessa!! Happy Mothers day girls.
XO
Kristin
Love it Vanessa! So bright and open! And I love the traditional feel with fun touches – those chairs are fab! Thanks for sharing!! xo
Gorgeous room Vanessa! Love your coffee table and mirrored chests~ soo pretty and the new carpet is perfect! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday this week!! Wishing you girls a Happy Mothers day weekend!! xo
Changing the carpet makes such a difference. I’m loving your Grandma’s china cabinet and of course those colorful buttons. Fabulous!
I love so many details of this room…. although I will live vicariously through your photos… there are 5 kids & 4 dogs in our household currently. 🙂 I’d like to know what paint color/manufacturer that you used.
What a cozy room! The makeover looks great.
I love the room. It’s beautiful but not too fussy. You did a great job. Oh, and the ceilings in that room are to die for!
Beautiful room Vanessa! I love the mirrored chests! What a great find.
Love the room! I’ve been looking for a warm, creamy yellow paint color. You may have given this info previously, but can you tell me the color?
What color are these walls?!
What color are the walls?!
I love everything about your beautiful living room! I’ve been looking for the perfect yellow paint color and it looks like you’ve found it. Would you mind sharing the brand and color?
Vanessa,
What is the name of the yellow paint in your foyer?
Hi, you did amazing! I am doing yellow, baby blue and white in my kitchen. I have very little wall space and I decided for the yellow on it. This is the best yellow I’ve seen. Can you tell me the color of this yellow paint on your walls?!