Design by: Decor By Demi
A before and after picture really allows you to see the transformation of a space. As a designer, its a great way of showcasing your vision and the endless possibilities of "what could be". This is especially fun when working on a space in your home because you get to take risks! One project in particular where I had a chance to create a great "before and after" transformation is my family room.
The Before…
MLS photo of family room
This before picture is the actual MLS photo of my family room. When we first saw the room in person, I fell in love with all the wood trim. My home is a GA Colonial and I love traditional design elements like mill work, crown molding, and wainscoting. So after we moved in, I initially had the wood trim stained a walnut color and painted the walls a creamy white. Beyond that, our budget didn't allow us to really transform the room. Sometime afterward, we found out we were pregnant with twins and that certainly derailed any plans to upgrade the space.
Fast forward to 2016, and we finally felt like we were in a good routine with the kids and could handle a renovation. Included in this renovation was a refresh of the dated family room. After living with the dark stained wood for such a long time, I was ready to do something in total contrast to this look.
The interim…
Interim Decor After Renovations
My goals during the renovation was to create a more inviting and brighter space. The color story for the room I decided on was blues, coral, greens, and lots of white. As you can see, the wood paneling was painted white! It helped to really freshen up the space and give it an airy feel. We didn't make any changes with the layout however; you can see how much of a difference paint can make in a space! It's such an inexpensive way to revitalize a room and update a look.
The two sofas were originally purchased in 2012; a couple of months before the kids were born. They have definitely seen better days! At some point the plan is to upgrade but they would have to do for now.
I love the warmth that wood brings, so I decided to keep the mantel in the stained wood color to add a nice contrast to all the white in the room. This warmth is reinforced with the coffee table and of course with my gold accents.
The final touches were introduced with accessories and styling. It's absolutely one of my favorite things with decorating. It's amazing how pillows, decor, and accessories can "complete" the look in a room. I loved filling this space with all my favorite books, accessories and a set of encyclopedias we received when my husband's grandfather passed.
Lastly, the walls were bare before so I did a quick DIY gallery wall project with a Rifle Paper calendar. You can read all about it here.
My interim goal with the space was to give it color and always feel a sense of happy when I entered the space. I think I accomplished that goal. The room now felt so much bigger and brighter. However; I knew that once we purchased new sofas, the room would undergo another iteration!
the after…
Design: Decor By Demi
Once my sofas took their last breath thanks to my kids, I decided it was time for a refresh. I spent a lot of time figuring out how I wanted to really transform the family room since I was interested in a more timeless look.
The first step was painting the walls a beige color. The blue paint color was great for the time being but I decided on something more neutral that would go with any sofa color and chairs I decided on.
I love updating traditional styles with color; giving it a more transitional look. I knew I didn’t have thousands of dollars to drop on new, quality constructed sofas. So my next best option was to look for vintage ones that could be re-upholstered. These vintage Henredon sofas below were just the silhouette I had in mind and were beautiful! These are definitely your grandma’s sofas but I saw the potential.
Vintage Henredon sofas
I loved the color story of the decor accessories I already owned so I decided to pick a fabric that would coordinate with the blues, greens and pinkish/coral hues. It was truly love at first sight with this jewel toned blue velvet fabric. Once I decided on this, everything else fell into place!
Concept Moodboard
Fabric Selections
This family room represents me and everything I love: classic details, antiques mixed with new pieces, pops of color, and whimsy accessories. I’m so happy with how everything turned out!
Design: Decor By Demi
Do you have a before and after room transformation you're proud of? Let's hear about it in the comments!
If you need help with transforming a space in your home, please check out my Full Service Decorating services and contact me to get started!
