Wendy, in the East Bay of San Francisco, wanted to give her cottage living room a fresh makeover. They never sat in the room and mostly used the family room (which we recently updated). But I think that in a smaller home (or any home really) every room should feel fresh and welcoming.
Cottage Living Room Fresh Makeover
Before
Problems/opportunities:
- Wendy had a large Plein air art collection that was scattered around the house.
- She had some nice antique and vintage tables that I thought we should keep.
- The furniture was the old country French/Provencal style that we all had…and it was in need of a refresh.
- She has a pretty wool rug but it was too small for the room.
- The red brick fireplace dominated the room giving it sort of a bowling alley effect.
- There were foundation settling cracks on the fireplace wall.
After Cottage Living Room Fresh Makeover
Painted Brick and Gallery Wall
- The vertical planking was added to the wall to hide the cracks.
- The sconces were removed in favor of recessed eyeball lights to highlight the art.
- The brick was painted white to blend with the wall.
- Since this was at the beginning of COVID, we took inventory of Wendy’s art, and I drew a diagram of how it should be hung. Then we Facetimed to get it up (which I thought was actually fun–ha! Wendy did all the work).
- The seat cushion was recovered in a neutral Perennials fabric in case Wendy wants to change the colors in here.
Layered Rugs and Bookcase Focal Point
We bought a larger basketweave sisal rug from Ballard Designs to layer under Wendy’s pretty wool one. I suggested having a bookcase built for the far end of the room. And you won’t believe this, but Wendy found that great pine bookcase on Craigslist for $300!!
Let’s just take a look again…
Before
After With New Neutral Furniture in Performance Fabrics and Lampshade
And that’s a Cottage Living Room Fresh Makeover! Wendy likes sitting in here now 🙂
You may also like 6 Tips For A Casually Polished Living Room
and Our Home in Better Homes and Gardens.
You may have seen on Instagram that my mom broke her hip and had surgery on Monday. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. We are taking it day by day. We can’t see her due to COVID and it’s hard.
Hope you and your family are well and safe!
Mary Ann
I love it! The white painted brick with the art collection looks amazing Mary Ann!
Thanks, Annie.
Sorry to hear about your mom. Especially hard at this time.
Don’t know if I missed it but would like to know where the sofa and chairs are from.
Love the transformation. Love how you incorporate the owners old pieces with new look when possible. (The collected look – 😍)
Thanks, Carmelee! They are custom from Lee Industries.
Mary Ann, Sorry late to reading this, but I really loved what you did here. What a difference it made! This house looks so fresh and pretty. I especially love the painting of the fireplace white. That made the cool wood ceiling pop and her collection of art really stands out here! My neighbor recently painted her home and I encouraged her to paint the fireplace. You are so great at taking what someone has and making it lovely. Hope you have a good weekend! xo
Thanks, Kim!
Hi Mary Ann, this transformation looks so good. You are so talented. Nice you enjoy and find fun working with others. Thanks for sharing.
Just read about your mom. That’s hard. I loved someone saying she will soon be sharing stories of the grandkids with her physical therapist. Made me smile. So sending special prayers for all of you.
That made me smile, too, Kathy.
Hi Mary Ann,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. Not being able to be with her is heartbreaking. Healing prayers for your mom and prayers of peace to you and your family as you navigate your mom’s care during these trying times.
The makeover is outstanding. The fireplace wall transformation made a huge impact. Wendy must be thrilled!
Take care and I’ll be in touch soon.
Room looks lovely. What did you do to the floor? It looks lighter than the original picture.
It was refinished.
Amazing transformation. We recently moved and,coincidentally, have an art person here right now hanging our collection- everything from originals to family photos. So impressed with what clear eyes can see about good layout and placements. Thanks!
Good luck, Joan.
Wow what a beautiful transformation! Love the rug you chose!
Hi Mary Ann,
Wow this is quite the transformation.. Yet it still looks like the same people live here. I like that. The gallery wall is great!
I’ve always had neutral sofas and upholstered chairs. Color comes from the accessories. So much easier to keep things updated that way.
Hope your mom is getting stronger every day.
XO Heidi
Mary Ann,
Your work is always outstanding. I love the changes and it truly updated the room and made it look so much more welcoming. Great job.
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom’s hip surgery. It’s hard for patients and families with the restrictions in place. A friend of mine was not allowed to see her husband during a serious health ordeal and she felt such frustration. I wish your mom a full recovery.
xo,
Karen
Mary Ann, What an amazing transformation. My favorite elements are the sisal rug, the white fire place and the lovely gallery of plein air art. Wow.
Diney on Camano Island
Thanks, Diane. I love Wendy’s art collection too.
Stunning. The room looked so heavy and dark and you transformed everything into such a light and peaceful space and gave the room cohesion. I love how you hung the artwork…it gave the room a bit of a modern vibe.
Thanks, Sandy!
Not a regular Instagram follower so I hadn’t heard about your mom. So sorry to hear about this. Covid is stealing so many important moments in our lives. I’m thinking about you and that beautifully grey-hair sainted sister of yours! In times like these, women carry the biggest burden.
The remodel is a light and lovely approach. I hope your client uses and enjoys her new space
Thank you. Yes…it’s hard not to be able to be with her.
Mary Ann – So sorry to hear of your Mom’s injury, and hope she has a full, speedy recovery.
Congrats on your fabulous makeover! You are so talented!!
Ann
Thank you, Ann!
Love this transformation! A genius idea to layer the too small rug over the sisal. I need to do that ASAP! What size binding did you choose? Sending healing thoughts your mother’s way for a speedy recovery.
It’s actually from Ballard. I will change the link.
Thoughts and prayers for your Mom.
Thanks so much, Angie!
what a beautiful transformation. fresh and light and comfy. love it!
Thanks, Beth!!
it is beautiful!!! love these posts – thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much, Kristen.
This is a great look. It’s so soothing. I especially like the blended fireplace and replacing the sconces. Wonderful!
Yes…The sconces were in the way of the art display, Nancy.
Looks great … Huge improvement!
Thanks, Judie.
Wow, this is so pretty! I would never want to leave this room now! I love the art grouping, it has created such a beautiful focal point. I’m really sorry about your mom. The fact that she is in the hospital is difficult enough but not being able to see her must be gut wrenching. 🙁
Thanks, Brenda. It is hard. I think I will go down there soon and see if we can stand outside her window and talk on the phone.
You are really good at working with what someone already owns. It’s quite a transformation with only1 new piece of furniture. I’m sure the homeowner is overjoyed.
I hope your mother heals quickly and has enjoyable conversations with her physical therapist. The 30 to 60 minutes of continuous interaction should keep her spirit up while she tells the therapist all about her latest birthday and children.
Melinda, your words have really been uplifting to me. Thank you.
The fireplace wall treatment totally uplifted the vibe of the room. Very nice plein air painting collection. Now grouped together they make a beautiful statement & bring nature in.
You are right, Terri, like having windows to pretty scenes.
This is an amazing transformation! Love the neutral sofa & chairs (my look) and those paintings! We are also considering painting our brick fireplace white, but the mantel is stone. I’m stumped!
Have a good day!
Sounds interesting. Can you send me a photo, Janet?
The wall art arrangement looks so nice. Very attractive. I am sorry to read of your Mom’s broken hip. That happened to my mom three summers ago. I am sorry you cannot be there with her.
What a beautiful transformation! I love the brightness.
Continuing to think of your mom.
This is beautiful and so inspiring and encouraging for me! Thank you for sharing!
Good luck, Jennifer.
Hi Mary Ann,
The makover and updated look is really nice EXCEPT…that artificial tree in the corner needs to go!
Let it go🎶 Let it go🎶
eyes2revise
Ha! I’d like a real one there, but not sure it would survive.
Sending healing thoughts for your mother Mary Ann, I hope she has a speedy recovery. Covid is so hard. My 87 year mother is in England and I have not seen her for just under a year now and ther is nothing I can do but wait it out. She lives by herself and is “making do”. You made me laugh about your son helping you with technology…I just give my ipad to my daughter to “fix” and she does it all in minutes!
Kids are great that way 🙂 Hope you see your mom soon!
WOW……….WHAT A TRANSFORMATION!I especially like the painting OVER THE WHITE FIREPLACE NOW!
Why is one painting sitting on the brick?Did we run out of NAILS?!
I hope your MOTHER is in GOOD SPIRITS and those nurses can HELP her FACETIME WITH YOU!
XX
Mary Ann,
I am so sorry to hear today about your mom, your mom and family are in my prayers-
Thoughts for a speedy recovery and that you can see your mom soon.
Your transformations are always beautiful and amazing !
Jennifer
Thanks so much, Jennifer.