Before and After, Living Room and Dining Room, Makeover

My clients, Chris & Natalie, moved into their home, and did a lot of hands on work, such as stripping all the wallpaper. They now had a clean palette. Working with the existing furniture pieces and learning about their style, I was able to assist them in wall colors, window treatments and lighting. As well as the best use of the fireplace. I don't always recommend painting over brick (or stone). It really depends on the condition, the home owner's style, what's going to look best in the space.
Here are some Before and Afters:

To create an accent wall, I choose Alfresco, Benjamin Moore. This blue works well with their existing furniture and is complemented with the now all over color, Hazy Skies, also Benjamin Moore. Similar color window panels from Crate & Barrel are installed close to the ceiling, and reach the floor, to give the illusion of more height. The length was too long so Natalie purchased them and had them hemmed, they came out great.

 

 

To create a contemporary space I recommended to paint the brick the same color as the trim, a soft white. The brick was too dark for whitewashing so Chris painted the fireplace then lightly brushed the accent color (on an adjacent wall) on the bricks, which adds warmth. Bronze accents on the fireplace and lighting.

 

The owners kept their existing wood dining room table, to add some fun & color I picked out this stain glass pendant with bronze finish from Lowes.

 

 

 

I recommended making this wall a feature wall of their own personal photos and/or art work that they loved and represented them.  It personalizes the space and creates a focal point. They picked up this great sideboard on Craig's List, which I love. Natalie did a great job putting it together.

Dark bronze hardware was replaced on all the doors. It helps to make the whole house feel more uniform.  A simple mounted light from Lowes gives a diffused glow (as opposed to the exposed light bulb from the before picture).

Benjamin Moore Paint

Main color throughout: Hazy Skies

Dining room accent wall: Ashley Gray

Living room accent wall: Alfresco

Trim color: Swiss Coffee