My parents built their beautiful home about 7 years ago. Since moving in, my mom has been busy practically that entire time upgrading and renovating and decorating and redecorating. But recently she was ready to for something entirely new and asked me to bring in my perspective. She has always been drawn to the shabby chic look, so we wanted something that was still light and airy, but with a contemporary edge.
One of the first things we did was take out the heavy drapes that were hanging along the back wall, covering up her beautiful windows. Privacy was not an issue/concern in this space and my mom has a gorgeous backyard. We really wanted to bring the outdoors in. To help do that we bought two large black urns on clearance at Lowes and planted large hydrangeas, which we were assured would fill out and thrive in that shady spot on the back porch. The large urns really have a presence in the living room, even through the windows:
The piano was painted white years ago. We all love it so much that we didn’t change a thing there. It just fits my mom. Though we did upholster the plain, solid wood bench with a little foam, batting, fabric and trim.
We replaced mom’s old sofa and love seat with a pair of new sofas. Well, I guess one new and one old. The antique empire sofa was a $200 Craigslist find that my mom reupholstered herself.
To add some contemporary, clean lines to the room we ordered the Loring sofa from Room and Board in taupe.
We printed family photos in sepia tones and hung them over the new sofa using my favorite Target frames in white. The vintage secretary was another Craigslist find.
My mom loved our console table project here at my house so much that she made another one for her living room using the same inexpensive ikat in a different colorway.
The room was put together rather quickly and needs some tweaking (the rug is too small and we need more accessories), but overall I love it and my mom is really happy with the changes.
Stay tuned for more projects from my mom’s house…
Hi, just wanted to say the room looks great! Beautiful, and definitely a room for living. Can't wait to see more!
wow, i love all of this, you guys share interior talents!! its all beautiful!
Enjoyed seeing your mom's room. It's very inviting. I like the sepia photos all framed in white. Gives me a idea. I have a hall full of family photos that need to be "cleaned up". Thanks for sharing.
Love it! Where can we find that Ikat fabric?
I swear by those frames. they're just right.
Wow, you've gotten some amazing pieces of furniture! Can't wait to see the finished product!
The room looks lovely. I really love the ikat on the console table. Who's the manufacturer?
Very, very beautiful. Very.
Hi- I lvoe ow peaceful the room looks – great job. I have a blue and chocolate brown living room with oxblood accents and my ottoman is calling for that fabric. I'd love to know how to get my hands on a yard. it's perfect. thanks!!
What is the pattern/ color for the ikat fabric? Love it.
Krista
It looks lovely… I would love to know how to reupholster. It seems your mother is a jack of all trades.:)
Its all lovely, Jenny, but you're right about that piano washed in white- its is the star (well, that piano and your craigslist skills)!
Yuo are so good; love it!!!
Oh my gosh!! Your mom's living room is amazing! I'm in love with how calming and inviting it feels.
Can't wait to see other posts about her house!
Love the sofas!! It all works together beautifully!!
Amy
That makes me really want to lighten my living room walls. We have the two couches those same colors and that looks so fabulous with the lighter blue walls. Great job. I love how fresh and bright the room looks.
i have been thinking of the upholstered console. What a great way to hide food storage. I have a bunch of boxes stacked sofa high that i have covered with pretty fabric. I just pinned it to the boxes and it is tucked near the couch and wall and I have photos on top of it, but it is just boxes!
looks fab! we also have the loring sofa. it's great; perfect shape, not a bad price, and comfy!
Oh Jenny it looks beautiful! I can't believe your mom reupholstered that empire sofa herself AMAZING!
Great job to both you and your mom.
This room looks great! We just painted a piano in our living room and I love seeing how you guys made the piano work in this space.
i love your mom's house. everyone will love her dining room!
(….i spy with my little eye… my pictures! i'm practically famous!)
i am obsessed with these fabric covered tables!
Wow, you (and now your mom!) are so inspiring! I hope you do a step-by-step sometime telling us how to reupholster a couch. It's on my radar to try…
love the Loring sofa and paint color. What is it?
I love this room SO much! And the wallpaper in the dining room is divine!!! I want this airy feel in my house. Can you come help me? :)
~Sally
I love the pictures behind the sofa. Beautiful.
Beautiful!
Do you think you could post a tutorial on how to hang frames in a grid? I tried it once and it was a complete disaster; totally crooked and ghetto looking.
it looks so homey and beautiful.
really fantastic!
You both did an amazing job! I love the Ikat skirted table.
Maybe you could post a tutorial on how to create the ikat fabric table covering??
Simply beautiful! Love the room!
what a beautiful room! Would love to live there and the Craigslist finds are great! Do you happen to know the name of the paint used? It's fabulous.
Loos fabulous!
Looks great! I love the ikat fabric you and your mom used on your tables-why can't I find fabric like that at my local fabric store? Great find!
I love this room – particularly the combo of couches. And I like the room's lightness – vaguely Swedish somehow without that austere feeling. What is the paint on the walls?
LOVE!
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the comments! The paint color is Martha Stewart for Valspar (available at Lowe's) in 'Moonbeam.'
I wish I knew who manufactured the ikat fabric. I might try to call the store that I got the fabric at and see if they'll spill the beans. :) If anyone else is anxious and wants to call, the store is called Home Decorator Fabrics in Mesa, AZ (on Baseline Rd, I think?).
Jenny
Beautiful job, I love the colors. May have to seek out some "bedford gray", that color is gorgeous!
Is there any way you could get your mom to post a skirted table tutorial? I would love it!! The room looks amazing.
The whole re-do is fab, but the piano may be my Very Favorite Piano Ever!
Love your blog! I hope you'll come visit me over at http://confessionsofasineater.blogspot.com/
xox,
Susan
Is painting a piano a DIY project or should I hire someone to do it for me. I love the look, but don't want to destroy my piano with an amateur job.
You and your blog are absolutely brilliant! After seeing this I went right over to craigslist and copied you..I posted it on my blog of course giving all props to you. (hope you don't mind)
I just found your blog and WOW!!! It is 1:07am my time and I can't seem to pull myself away from your page! I love the Duncan Phyfe sofa in this room.
If you ever have a chance please stop by my blog @
http://www.home23duncanboys.blogspot.com
I would LOVE for you to be my new blog friend!
beautiful room. and you totally nailed that swedish clock!
The Minerva Teichert looks lovely in that space!
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