This was such a fun e-design project. My client/new friend, Gail, lives about an hour away (but it can be much farther in Los Angeles traffic).
So, we updated her living room via the web. We aren’t completely finished but I stopped by her home on my way back from Mammoth and want you to see the progress!
Here are some “before” photographs.
The paint color needed refreshing and with the ottoman coffee table and chair ottoman …just too many ottomans.
The sofas needed replacing. Since the room is rectangular, I recommended a long sofa on the long wall and a love seat on the shorter wall.
They watch television in here and the leather ottoman is a good place to put their feet up.
The cool bamboo chair needed some weight added for balance.
This is one gorgeous cat…and I’m sure the
bergere chair was gorgeous at one time, too.
Here’s the initial paint recommendations and suggestions using my clients fabric (Gail SEWS and already had a big stash of material). I selected my favorites and combinations.
I recommended recovering the bergere chair but losing the ottoman. Also, to paint the standard red fireplace brick black. Painting the bamboo chair also black with some rubbed gold and cushions gives it a weightier look. My client made the pillows! I’d like a small drink table in between these two chairs.
GAIL DID THE EMBROIDERED MONOGRAM, TOO!
Here we have one of the new slipcovered sofas and pillows. Her husband is an expert carpenter and made the book cases!! What a team. I suggested staining the tops of the cabinets a mahogany (a hassle after it was already made) but he DID it!
Gail bought the Chinese jars at Home Goods. Loving the pillows!
Her husband made this new piece and she stained/finished it. This is to the right of the fireplace and we balanced it with a tree on the left. Notice the updated lamp shade…that’s an easy fix for any lamp.
I am cutting the top of the mirror off in the photo as it is a bit too tall (out of scale). Gail is an artist and we’d like some art here and then a mirror on the mantel…a follow-up post. The totally in style aged brass lamps were also updated with new drum shades.
Let me show you more of her house…for which I, unfortunately, cannot take any credit 🙂
Watercolors done by my client…awesome.
Happy laundry/butler’s pantry.
Here is her backyard. Notice the slope. She lives in the Glendale foot hills, towards the mountains…a pretty place.
My photos aren’t so hot…I needed more sunlight. I used my better camera but it was mid-afternoon and already getting dark! I’m not crazy about the shorter days. How about you?
Here’s a sneaky shot of Gail…all that talent and she is beautiful, too!
Best wishes!
Nancy says
I was going through some of your old blog posts and I am obsessed with the blue and white chinoiserie fabric. Do you remember what it was? I'm also crazy about the blue and white pillow in your friend Debbie's house recently!
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Nancy W.
Jason Franich says
Absolutely love the stripes in the pantry/laundry room. Painting stripes that contrast so much can be a difficult job, but you've done wonderfully here!
Jason Franich
JM Painting
Fabrik ETC says
There are some interesting points on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There’s some validity however I will take hold an opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more!
Curtain
Marilyn *Pink Martinis and Pearls* says
Copy and paste that lovely decor right here in my home and I'd be a very happy camper. 🙂 Well done, ladies. 🙂
designchic says
WOW it's a gorgeous transformation, Mary Ann. I just love the colors you used and my favorite thing is the bamboo chair that you painted and put the cushion in the bottom – so much better and painting the red brick black…genius!! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season ~
Karen says
As always Mary Ann, you hit it out of the park. Love the blues and whites…classic casual and gorgeous. And painting the cane chair black, adding the striped cushion and monogrammed pillow…wowzer that was a fantastic makeover!
Jamie says
We so need a tutorial of how she finished that awesome little chest her husband made.
Nancy says
The transformation is amazing, really! Brings that room decades ahead. Fantastic job Mary Ann!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
l o v e l y t h i n g s says
All it needed was a little Mary Ann tweaking….I could use a little of your magic here! Love the blue and white with touches of black….the monogram pillow, the watercolors…beautiful. Love the exterior too!
co
annie
cindy says
You did a beautiful job, love everything! What a bright, fresh pretty home!
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
Mary Ann, What a beautiful transformation! I love the new sofa and the pillows are wonderful.
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
I love all the details that you thought of for the space….the different weltings, combination of fabrics, rethinking the chairs and ottomans. You really gave this room a fresh feel Mary Ann!
Chris says
Wow! How beautiful, Mary Ann!!! I love the changes…I feel an eDesign in my future!
xoxo, Chris
wintonrosepapercreations says
Wow…this looks amazing! I love the large Ottoman and the cushions. Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous says
The transformation is just beautiful – blues and whites are my favorites. What a great team you and the homeowner made!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Beautiful home and gardens…I so love the incorporation of the blue and white…I am trying to do the same thing in my home..between you and the homeowners…what a wonderful team you make!!…Her watercolors are gorgeous!
Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt says
Mary Ann, it looks beautiful. What a talented team! I love her pillow fabric, I believe its from Calico Corners. You did an amazing transformation.
Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} says
Oh, what great suggestions you made, Mary Ann! And as you said, what talent these two possess! Amazing changes that I'm sure they are thrilled about! Great job!
Cheers!,
Barbara
Ideezine says
Mary Ann,
Wonderful project and what a wonderful transformation. Love the black and fabric choices. This home has come alive.
Bette
La Dolfina says
Wow Mary Ann you did a fabulous job for your client/ new friend!!!
I loved reading her comment.
What an incredible collaboration.
She is going to have a lovely Christmas in her updated Living Room thanks to you!!!!
XO
Cote de Texas says
beautiful!!! i really really love the cane chair and how you changed it!! love the blues and whites!!! just beautiful, as always!
butik busana muslim murah tanah abang says
i love your blog, to express your views, this is the correct way.
Grace @ Sense and Simplicity says
Wow, what a wonderful change. THe room is now so light and fresh and pretty with the blue and white. I love all the cushions she made for the sofa and chairs.
Anonymous says
Gorgeous! You never disapoint. Amazing talent. Thanks for sharing.
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Mary Ann, you commented on my granola bar post that you had a gluten free granola bar… could you share that with me? I have been limiting my intake of gluten and I feel so much better. If it would not be too much trouble can you e-mail it to me?
[email protected].
Here is a great site for low carb/ gluten free recipes.
http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/
Thanks!
Yvonne Pratt says
Mary Ann, I am just in love with your fiend's new living room. The color palette is my very favorite!!!! And what beautiful pieces she chose and had her hubby make!
You must have been thrilled to see it! This is a perfect example of synergy!
quintessence says
What a wonderful update!! The shots of black are a great touch and how convenient to have such handy clients!! Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says
Her house is gorgeous! I love the new living room colors, furniture, built-ins and love her kitchen. Then that backyard… Wow! What a fun post!
Have a great day.
Pam
Gail Storti says
Dear Mary Ann,
Wow….I'm so excited and honored to be on your blog today! I love how you put it together with the before and afters and can hardly believe it's MY house right there on my very favorite blog! You helped me SO much to pull it all together and it really turned out better than I could have imagined. Your talent as a designer and your classic, casual style were just what my old tired living room needed. It was so much fun working with you and I can't wait to get the remaining ideas done! AND, reading the wonderful comments that have been written, I must say, is a thrill. Thank you so much, Mary Ann for this delightful experience.
XO Gail
Mary Ann at classic•casual•home says
lump in my throat, Gail…
Janette - The2Seasons says
Looks great!!! I like the blues.
SHERRY HART says
I love this look…all of the blue and white is so classic and then throw in a little black….well we all know that is a winning combination! It goes without saying that I love your style 🙂
Kat says
Wow what a transformation! Love all the updates you suggested. Those chairs are gorgeous now–especially the cane backed one…what a transformation! Beautiful job Mary Ann and Gail!
Elizabeth Eiffel says
A superb transformation which beautifully complements the rest of this lovely house. I am amazed by what you have achieved via e-design. Your clients appears to be talented too. Warm regards
AntiqueChase says
WOW. love the updates! Proof that you can transform a room without starting over! Great job.
Calypso In The Country says
Beautiful transformation! Now the living room flows perfectly with that gorgeous kitchen!
-Shelley
Erin @ The Impatient Gardener says
Wow … I love the whole house an especially the new room. My favorite thing you did by far was painting the bamboo chair. What a statement! Her pillows are gorgeous too (especially the Greek key one).
Lara says
Beautiful job. Your fabric choices are lovely. Any tips/source for the pedestal accent table? I am looking for one just like that…
Gail Storti says
Hi Lara, The pedestal table is from Ethan Allen!! However, the top was too small so my handy dandy husband made a larger on and added it on top which also made it a little higher.
Karen Albert says
Mary Ann
Lots or talent here You, Gail and her husband. It all looks great!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series and Giveaway from The House of Edward!
Blondie's Journal says
Beautiful…both of you and Gail's husband really transformed this room. I love her artwork, too!
XO,
Jane
Laurie says
Lovely. What a great redesign. So jealous of her sewing skills!!
HeatherF1 says
Beautiful! I do have to say I also love her kitchen and her watercolors are very impressive!