When this historic mansion in Leesburg, Virginia, served as a Designers’ Showhouse for the Loudoun Arts Council, designer Paula Grace was commissioned to return the library to its former grandeur. She was inspired to create an elegant, French-inspired room, as you can see by her drawing. But when she first walked into the library, it looked like this:
Kind of blah. Paula transformed the fireplace with a Louis XV hand-carved mantel, dramatic drapes, and two crescent-shaped sofas. Here’s how the room looked after she worked her design magic on it:
Paula painted the inside of the bookcases a muted gold, which really makes them stand out more than they did when they were totally white, doesn’t it? (Love those bookshelves!)
You can see the rest of the photos and get more information about the room’s makeover (and see other amazing before and afters) at Paula Grace Designs.
I’m joining the Metamorphosis Monday party at Between Naps on the Porch. If you love before & afters, that’s the place to go!
P.S. If you haven’t entered my $50 Sticviews Giveaway yet, you still have time!
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Absolutely stunning!
I love to draw libraries! And I really love this before and after!
Thank you for sharing!
Greet
So beautiful! I love the book cases, the detail at the top didn’t even get my attention in the before picture.
I did notice she has a mirror over the fireplace. I’m throwing that decorator rule of no mirror over the fireplace right out the window…except for my fireplace. That mirror has to go. But, it will have to go after the holidays because I hang a wreath on the mirror and that really looks pretty!
Really a gorgeous room! It’s always nice to seem the renderings come to life.
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
~Misti
Misti England´s last blog ..Southern Living Idea House—Part 2
Wowee! What a difference! Love the bookcases. I am re-thinking my all white bookcases, now. They do not have glass doors, but perhaps some variety in the paint would help. hmm…. OH- and that was nice of you to say “kind of blah” – KIND OF?!!? And what was that little staff/sickle thing? The new mirror is gorgeous.
Trish@TheOldPostRoad´s last blog ..Chicken ‘n Spinach Pasta Bake
Wow! Gorgeous! Love the whole thing!!!
I was going to get white bookcases and thought it would look gorgeous but after seeing this “Before and After” I’m thinking maybe not … : )
Beautiful makeover. The glorious detail in the room was completely hidden. It is hardly recognizable as the same room!
Pam´s last blog ..Work in Progress
How gorgeous! Just looking at the after, you wouldn’t even think it looked any different before. I would love a house that beautiful.
What a transformation! When you really look closely you realize it’s bascially paint and fabric. Amazing what a little paint and fabric can do, huh?
Stephanie @ A Fine House´s last blog ..Paint Color Resources
What a beautiful post! I loved seeing the rendering, then seeing the real room.
Things That Inspire´s last blog ..A ‘Things That Inspire’ Interview
Wow! So pretty. I was basically going to say what Stephanie said…it’s not a remodel at all – just paint, furniture, and accessories – but the overall “after” looks like a totally different place! I just love what paint and decor can do to a home.
Thanks for a FAB before-and-after Julia!
Courtney @ Nesting Instincts´s last blog ..
Amazing, what a great design feat!
Annie@A View on Design´s last blog ..Toorak Style, in Melbourne
Wow what a gorgeous makeover Julia. I wish I had that gene that could turn blah to WOWZERS! Great post! Hope you’re having a good weekend!
christy´s last blog ..Anonymous clothing size poll
Grandeur is the work all right. Those Gothic lights on the top shelves are, to me, THE element.
Terry´s last blog ..Artists from the Buckhead Art Stroll, November, 2009
I love those bookcases!!! Seeing “Leesburg” reminded me that there are some fantastic outlets there that I’d really like to visit.
Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..27 Days of Thankful, #8
love it… i love seeing bookcases in homes…and browsing over what people like to read! so fun!
Stephanie@Geezees´s last blog ..Crazy Love, Destination Canvas, time spent with family
I love libraries too. This is so much prettier and elegant. The coloring is so soothing.
Bomberryr´s last blog ..Baby Blues
tHIS IS A STUNNING transformatioin!! Oh and congrats on winning one of the give aways from Susan’s !
nannykim´s last blog ..Met Monday and sick
I’ve just been to her blog and saw this. She’s amazing! Thanks for featuring her.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Shelia´s last blog ..True Love Ways
That is one awesome library.
Peggy
Peggy´s last blog ..Silhouettes
Wow, I’m speechless. All the lovely comments are making me blush (and smile). Thank you Julia for posting this. It’s funny that I was reminiscing at the same time your were enjoying it! So what if we did it the same day! Its kind of like wearing a gorgeous dress to a party and someone comes in wearing it too! I say we join hands and do the ‘how fabulous are we!’ dance. Great minds……
I loved doing the library and yes it is pretty much a design concept interpreted with furniture, fabric, paint, accessories, and art ~ amazing art! I changed the mantel and surround but it a relatively easy change. I’m glad you like it!
Paula Grace´s last blog ..Show House Reminisce
Beautiful! I want my own library, but maybe not on such a grand scale.
Jeannine Wayman´s last blog ..Large Dresser Re-Do
Thanks so much. I’ve been having a coffee table crisis not sure what to do till I saw this hassock. Love the bottom tuffting. Two curved sofas, how lux! Wow. Great room.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~´s last blog ..A Second Look
Thanks so much for posting this. I just saw this at Paula Grace Design blog.
You always inspire us with such amazing homes–thank you for all the work you put into your posts.
Adding you to my reader–I didn’t see you in there and I thought I was already a follower.
Cheri
OMG – AMAZING!!!
the BLAH BLAH BLAHger´s last blog ..Even God is Single…the book.
I love the drapes, too!!
~angela @ peonypatch
Angela´s last blog ..Thoughts on taking a bath ~
Amazing metamorphosis!
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