As I sit here typing this post, I am lying in bed, utterly exhausted, from a long two days of house projects. Guess what, guys… the living room is getting a makeover again!
For those of you who follow LGW on Instagram, this is probably old news to you, but I think this is officially the first time I’m announcing it on the blog. It seems like we just finished a mini makeover on the living room this summer, but even after all the work we did, it just never felt right to me. So we’re starting from scratch this time and including the dining room, which has NEVER been seen on the blog before!
There’s going to be so many exciting changes over the next few months, and I wanted to make sure I really give you guys a front row seat to the whole design process. So rather than typing up a 4 hour long blog post explaining everything, I made a short and sweet video tour that says it all! (Are you guys proud of me? … more videos, as promised!) In the video you’ll see:
- what our house looks like now
- what’s not working for us
- what we want to change
- and me trying not to say “ummm” every other word
I wanted to do this video so you guys could see that not every beautiful space you see on the internet started off that way. It will take some time to get our living room/dining room area in shape, and I promise to show you every step of the way. Are you ready for the first look at the big makeover… just press play!
I’d love for you to leave a comment, and tell me what your thoughts are on the video tour!
Okay, guys… it’s back to painting and projects for me! If it gets quiet on the blog over the next few weeks, you’ll know why. Make sure you’re following me over on Instagram to see more updates!
Can’t wait to see the changes!
Thank you so much, Cecilia!!
Painting your trim is a good idea. I don’t know about white walls, though. It looks to me like your walls now have a green undertone that isn’t working with your upholstery. You might look for other shades of gray. See Colour Me Happy for an in-depth discussion of undertones – it will change your decorating life, I promise. Would it be possible to close up the door that leads to your kitchen? Since you mostly enter the house from the side door and access the kitchen that way, maybe you don’t really need that door. You would free up a LOT of wall space. Maybe you could put the sofa there and the TV where the sofa is now? Then two chairs with a table inbetween in front of the picture window would provide balance without blocking the wonderful natural light. Is that a working fireplace? What do you see in that area?
It’s actually a faux fireplace that may be moving to another room. And I’ll definitely have to check out that website… thank you for the tip!
Loved the video. It shows so much more than pictures. But the best is really seeing everything. I find that what I’m looking at blogs I’m thinking how perfect eveything is and how how lucky they are to not have any issues or problems they wish would go away :-). Can’t wait to see what you do!
I’m so happy to hear that, Susan. That’s exactly why I wanted to do this video! Sometimes it’s just hard to show everything in photos. Thanks so much for following along! š
LOVED seeing this in video Liz! We’re going to have many of the same challenges in our new home – particularly the furniture placement in our living room and not blocking the big window and the lovely light that it lets in. Can’t wait to follow along with this!!!
Thank you so much, Kristi! I’ve moved our poor living room furniture around probably 100x, but I’ll get it right eventually! At least I’m getting a little workout in moving it all around… lol! š
Love seeing & hearing what you have in mind. I will definitely be following along. We are in the same mindset – taking our time instead of rushing though so we make long term changes that we will love.
I hear you on the barka lounger – it took me a long time to get my hubs to let go of his two. Once the weather warms up we can have a garage sale & finally let them go for good. We replaced our pieces that were not working with a sectional that encourages family time & couple cuddling- which is what changed his tune on the chairs. Once he learned that we could lounge together instead of being apart in our own chairs- he was happy to let them go. š
Can’t wait to see more Liz!!
I just might have to use that trick on my husband one of these days! You’re a genius, Gina. š Thanks for following along, sweet friend!
I think you did a great job on the video. I can’t wait to see the progress you make in the weeks to come.
Marijean
Thank you so much, Marijean! I have a long to-do list, but it will be so worth it in the end!
Aww! I’m excited for you guys, how fun! I’m from Indiana š My parents live on the south side of Indy, in Greenwood! Cheers, fellow Hoosier!! And how sad was the Colt’s loss last week…Boooo Patriots! Can’t wait to follow along!
Yeah, that Colts loss was rough! Thanks for following along, my Hoosier friend! š
looking forward to seeing the progression! I have to say that whomever you are renting from is beyond LUCKY to have people there who want to improve a space that they don’t own! Kudos to you!
I see what you mean about walking right in to the dining room from the door, that IS a challenge! Love your idea of moving the piece that is there and making it more an “entry-way”, but how will that affect the dining area?
I love your gray couches and walls……….it is a shame you couldn’t choose a color palette based on the recliner (since it has to stay)……
Love that you live in the country too, that makes it easier to decorate while keeping things warm and cozy!
We actually rent from my in-laws, so it’s a pretty sweet deal for both of us, I think! That darn dining room is definitely going to be a challenge, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. š Thanks so much for stopping by to check out the video tour!
You are so cute Liz! I love your video it turned out great!
You are too sweet, Taryn! Thank you so much!! š
Super cute-loved the video! Please do more! I loved how your living room originally turned out! But, have a feeling it’s only going to get better! Can’t wait!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the video, Cindy! I promise to do more! š
I love the idea of moving the storage/hutch to your office for supply storage…great re-use of furniture you already have. Can’t wait to see the makeover unfold!
http://www.lee-lee-land.com
Thank you so much, Elyse! I can’t wait to get a coat of paint on that hutch and move it into my office. Some much-needed storage in there!
I had said,how about using the back door area as part of your living room and putting the dining table near the front door. It seems to have better access to the kirchen from that side anyway. Also, if the loveseat would fit with its back towarf the back door,once the large piece is moved to your office,then that would give you a place to put a piece(sofa table, etc) behind it to holdbaskets of shoes, etc… the sofa might fit down on the opposite wall? Just thinking outside the box here. The dining set wouldbe brightened up in white chalk paint. I am so excited to see what you do with this space!
Thank you so much for following along, Kelly! I love your suggestions. š
This was such fun to see the real “you” and hear about all of your challenges. We all have them, don’t we? I’m constantly using bandaids, and I agree with you, at some point, you’ve just got to part with something instead of working around it. Can’t wait to see what you do!
I hear ya on the “band-aid” problem. I’m excited to finally make some of these long-overdue changes! Thank you so much for following along, Amy! š