Since we have moved away from Utah to Connecticut we go back in the summer for several weeks to visit family and friends. I always get several emails or texts asking when I am coming and if I can schedule time to do some design work. My sister is always one of the firsts to ask and since she is one of my favorite people I make sure to fit her in. Last summer we updated her son’s bedroom HERE. This summer she wanted me to help her pick a new paint color for her entire living space. She wanted to change up the blue paint that she had throughout her home and really brighten up the space. Of course we couldn’t just paint. We needed to update a few pieces of furniture and also accessories to really give the space a new fresh look. Luckily her husband is handy and had a little time off work to help with the changes and he’s also a good sport.
Once I agreed to tackle this project my sister sent me this photo. As you can see, her family room had a lot of the reds, blacks, golds and blues that were popular not too long ago. The shade of blue on the walls felt too dark and a little dreary. She also has this great fireplace that we wanted to make some minor changes to that would make a big impact on the aesthetics.
Here is the after, a much brighter happier space. It was all done on a budget and in a very short period of time. We shopped at second hand stores for a lot of the accessories and did some online shopping for the furniture pieces and the rug.
The paint changes and this fireplace are my favorite updates. My brother-in-law tiled right over the black glass that was on the fireplace. I also had him cut out a piece of the carpet on the floor to create a hearth and really complete the look. I then had him add some shiplap above the fireplace and frame it out. They actually had the home improvement store make all the cuts for them. They just had to nail it to the wall and paint it.
Here is another BEFORE photo (with some little legs in it). But you can see what the walls looked before. We kept the same sectional, drapes, pillows and white cube.
Here is the after, what a difference paint makes! We decided to go with Dutch Boy® Paint in their Refresh® Paint + Primer in Capital Hill (DW38). This shade of white really lightened up the space, giving it a welcoming look and feel. It is exactly what my sister wanted.
My brother-in-law was happy with how well the Dutch Boy Refresh Paint + Primer covered over the blue. We didn’t even need to prime the darker blue before beginning the painting process; we only needed to apply a single coat with a few touch ups here and there.
We also wanted to add a pop of color against the bright white walls. We decided to make a change to the door that separates the garage walk-in and the basement. We first took out the builder grade door and switched it with this antique door that we found. My sister has a hair salon in her basement so it is very important to her that we kept their living space private.
We painted the door in Wichita (E13-4) from Dutch Boy Paint and did it in a flat sheen. We love that it tied in the blue from the pillows and some of the accessories throughout the room. We both loved how well this blue hue complimented the space.
My sister and her husband have a split level home that is all open, perfect for parties but makes it so you really can’t paint just one area of your home. The trickle effect!
She had the blue walls in this area too with the same red and color theme. We kept some pops of color, but painted the walls with the same Capital Hill (DW38) from Dutch Boy Paint. We also switched out the window treatments that blocked a lot of the light. These changes made such a difference. The space now has a bright, fresh feeling- perfect for the amount of time they spend in this area of their home.
See the difference? I love how the paint color turned out. I also had her hang her new woven woods higher than the window to add some drama and really let light in.
She painted her cabinets a few years ago and what a difference the white makes. You can see above her cabinets it is a different color that goes into her front room. We left it for now and it works well with the white hue we picked from Dutch Boy Paint, another perk to keeping it light and bright.
Thank you Dutch Boy Paint for sponsoring this post.
Wow, it looks great! That must be so fun for your sis to have you (with such great design sense) in her life!!
Tania
Thank you Tania! I think she is lucky:)hehe But I am pretty lucky too. She does my hair and is the best Aunt to my kids.
Have a good fall weekend!
hey girl love the living room! I It is so pretty! Y’all did a great job!
Thank you Shawnna! Have a good weekend!
That is the cutest dining table ever.
Thank you Karen! It actually used to be mine- nice to keep it in the family!
Wow! What a beautiful and cozy transformation! Loving that mirror! Did you get that at a thrift store or regular retail? Thank you!
Than you very much! It was a clearance score! I looked and couldn’t see anything similar to it online right now. Bummer!
That dining table is my favorite!
Thank you! We love it too:)
As always, love what you’ve done!! Your sister is lucky to have you in the family:)
A question about the woven wood blinds, do you get a light filtering liner?
Thanks!! Christina
Thank you! No liner:) You can see through them from the outside looking in when the lights are on.