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!
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.
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
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
Copy and paste that lovely decor right here in my home and I'd be a very happy camper. 🙂 Well done, ladies. 🙂
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 ~
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!
We so need a tutorial of how she finished that awesome little chest her husband made.
The transformation is amazing, really! Brings that room decades ahead. Fantastic job Mary Ann!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
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
You did a beautiful job, love everything! What a bright, fresh pretty home!
Mary Ann, What a beautiful transformation! I love the new sofa and the pillows are wonderful.
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!
Wow! How beautiful, Mary Ann!!! I love the changes…I feel an eDesign in my future!
xoxo, Chris
Wow…this looks amazing! I love the large Ottoman and the cushions. Thanks for sharing!
The transformation is just beautiful – blues and whites are my favorites. What a great team you and the homeowner made!
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!
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.
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
Mary Ann,
Wonderful project and what a wonderful transformation. Love the black and fabric choices. This home has come alive.
Bette
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
beautiful!!! i really really love the cane chair and how you changed it!! love the blues and whites!!! just beautiful, as always!
i love your blog, to express your views, this is the correct way.
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.
Gorgeous! You never disapoint. Amazing talent. Thanks for sharing.
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?
stonegable333@gmail.com.
Here is a great site for low carb/ gluten free recipes.
http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/
Thanks!
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!
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!
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
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
lump in my throat, Gail…
Looks great!!! I like the blues.
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 🙂
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!
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
WOW. love the updates! Proof that you can transform a room without starting over! Great job.
Beautiful transformation! Now the living room flows perfectly with that gorgeous kitchen!
-Shelley
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).
Beautiful job. Your fabric choices are lovely. Any tips/source for the pedestal accent table? I am looking for one just like that…
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.
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!
Beautiful…both of you and Gail's husband really transformed this room. I love her artwork, too!
XO,
Jane
Lovely. What a great redesign. So jealous of her sewing skills!!
Beautiful! I do have to say I also love her kitchen and her watercolors are very impressive!