This living room really didn’t look so bad in the before photos–just a little bare (and I’m sure the Halloween decorations were only temporary!). But when I saw what designer Alison Royer did with it over at BDG Style, I was amazed by the transformation.
One of the first things I noticed was what a difference the new moldings around the fireplace made. Wow!
The fireplace looks so much more substantial now. Love it.
The view of the staircase from the living room is beautiful, too:
Aren’t those arched doorways fabulous? And I’m loving that white bench.
I’ll let you hop over to see the rest of the gorgeous photos, taken by Ashlee Raubach, on Alison’s blog BDG Style. I’ve been daydreaming over them all morning…
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Wow is right! What a transformation, Julia. It looked so dark and dowdy in the before photos. Hard to believe it’s the same home.
Amazing transformation! Still conveys a light and airy feeling, but with SO much more character now! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new fireplace.
that is amazing!….and beautiful. It’s a totally different house. The lesson here, white is good and solves many problems. I also notice the lR has been kept to a minimum, couch table and 2 chairs, no shelving, etc….refreshing!
My jaw just dropped…. I want to do the same around my house. Who doesn’t want it, right?
Wishing a wonderful weekend, Julia!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Love this transformation. I must admit though that the reflection of the skeleton in the “Before” photo made me smile.
I’m sorry but I must be missing something here….Still looks pretty bare to me…..I’m a warm and cozy person who likes color…..When people come to my house they don’t want to leave…..In my opinion that’s how a home should feel but it’s all about personal choice….
To some extent, I agree. I think I understand what you’re saying.
Yes, this is a fresher approach, and it has a lot of appeal. But it looks staged . . . and that’s not how families live. It’s a beautiful room, but it seems to lack a back story of who lives here and what they think/do/feel/etc. (And of course, they had to throw in the ubiquitous crystal chandelier. It’s much too on trend not to, isn’t it? )
That said, it really is a transformation and a lesson in how to brighten up a room. And thank goodness there is something that can be done with one of those ‘non-essential, completely redundant, we’re so small why did they bother’ fireplaces. This now has a very traditional vibe that fits with the lovely arches and sweeping staircase. There is a lot of good stuff here. And I’m liking that spring-y green more every day.
Love this makeover! The first thing I noticed was the new light/chandelier. Houses built today seemed to be filled with can lights and very few hanging lights like this. I have been thinking about adding a light to my family room and this is great inspiration.
Holy moley! I couldn’t believe what just the addition of the molding around the window did. Complete transformation. She did a marvelous job!
I’ve been a long time follower of Alison’s work. Her portfolio is gorgeous!
Beautiful – thank you for the introduction to a great blog! I look forward to visiting her again…. have a great weekend!
I love the skeleton reclining in the mirror – I would have kept that just for the fun factor!
I’m sure he’ll make a reappearance in October.
Very well done! Who doesn’t love great before and after shots? We are genetically wired for this stuff!
It looks great, but what’s up with the legs on the sofa?
Send Allison to my house.
I love that the designer didn’t over decorate. Love that it’s still crisp and fresh…just a whole lot better
Crisp and fresh. Lovely. But doesn’t feel at all personal to me. I think there is probably more color in the room than the photographs show, because it looks like she painted the walls green and it’s washed out with all the sun in the shot. But these photographs do illustrate one of my pet peeves with staged “white” rooms that really don’t look good without that pop of color–and the pop of color comes from one pot of fresh flowers that keeps moving around the house! Seriously, are homeowners supposed to always be able to find flowers in just that shade and keep moving them around so that they complete each scene? And the pillows too? I think that rooms that need that pop of color should have a permanent source. Otherwise, they are just incomplete.
Doesn’t trim make such a huge difference? So many homes built today lack this attention to detail and it is necessary! Love the after photos!
Nice and tasteful but it is kind of generic. Nothing really stands out. It needs to “pop” a bit more.
And chandelier in the middle of a living area – no
Agree with Wendy and I really don’t like to diss other people’s work. The pillows and flowers are contrived. That is something you do for a quick fix – not a permanent one.
Wow, what a transformation. The room looks beautiful, but everything is too bright and makes me want to squint. Other than that, I love it.
Alison is an amazing decorator. Everything she touches turns lovely!
Furntiure just makes the room! It shows how classy you are or how unclassy you are. Choosing the style and color for your house is what creates your reputation, especially as a house wife!
Just found your blog! Totally and utterly fabulous! I am becoming your newest follower like NOW!
Class is about how you carry yourself and how you treat other people around you. All the people around you. It has nothing to do with your living room furniture.
That being said….The paneled archways are gorgeous and make almost as big an impact to me as the mantel.
Amazing transformation!! Looks like a completely different house! So much brighter and fresh looking. Great job,
Kathysue
Hard to believe this is the same room. My kind of style and I love those sofas, especially the casters. Tres chic.
Have a great weekend.
Really like it, but seems like more than just molding, a complete rip out/replace of the builder front fireplace. Much, much better now and suits the other parts of the house.
I might want to see what flipping the sofa/chair positions look like so the chairs mirror the two openings in the wall behind. The rug really warms/pulls this small space together.
Also, to be fair, the first photo looks like an unlit snapshot and the others brightly lit professional photos.
Stunning!! The fireplace oldings are much more in line with the grand space and woodwork throught out the home. Just lovely!
Have a great weekend
Maureen
Wow! That is gorgeous. I love the wall colors. I will investigate the entry wall color. I love it with the white contrasting moldings. Beautiful home—just right. I can’t wait to check out her website.
GORGEOUS!
I love love love this style. I dream of having a house this light and bright!
Love the room. Tricky flower switch in the last photo. I was looking for tulips!
Hi Julia….I was alway from blogging for a long time….lost my extensive blog list and have missed reading alot of my favorite blogs…yours included….I have been busy buying a new home and decorating it and this post looks alot like my new house…lot’s of
fancy trim work…..and then the husband has to go today and buy of all things an
American Buffalo head…..yes, hanging now in the million dollar home is a buffalo head….What would Ted Turner think??…..In any case I am so glad to have re-found your blog and looking forward to all your wonderful house posts…..Sue.
Beautiful transformation I like it so much
xoxo
Wow! That really made the room look fantastic. It’s always fun to see the before and after on something so pretty!
Karen
holey smokes is that the same ROOM! amazing
Holy Christmas! That is nothing short of breathtaking! I’ve got to go to her blog. Now!
Thanks for sharing it.
Beautiful! So much warmer and more welcoming. And I am coveting that fireplace.
Thank you for such a beautiful post. I have loved before and after remodels sense I was very young looking at Better homes and gardens magazine. This is great work. I love your blog. Thanks for working hard. Check out my blog on Home Information and let me know what you think It is new so I am trying out new things.
http://www.homeinformationguru.com. Thanks Tom
These are great pictures of before and after room remodel!
that looks like a completely different house all together! i love those after photos!
This room is amazing! Where could i find the fireplace mantle/surround?
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