Hey guys!! Man am I excited to finally share Aspyn’s Living Room and Entryway makeover with you!!
If you’re new to the block, welcome! For the last little while I’ve been working on a space makeover for youtuber Aspyn Ovard. She lives in the same smallish town that I do and it was a really exciting challenge to update her builder grade space into something totally her. This is what it looked like before:
This is what it looks like now:
The jumping off point was the couch, her request was something pink and the Emil from Article was absolutely perfect (and its a killer price point!!) When you’re decorating with a show stopping couch (especially if its an exciting color) you have to remember that its the star of the show. Everything else is wonderful and amazing, but not the star of the show. Also, every time I say star of the show I think of Wild Hearts Cant Be Broken.
The vintage credenza was a killer score at the thrift store ($50!) and is listing on 1st Dibs for over $800. ??
Here’s a tip for all of you novice thrifters, sometimes in the context of a thrift store surrounded by bad couches and florescent lighting things don’t look that great. You may wonder if it actually is something worth buying. My advice if you find something that sparks a little hint of potential in your heart, is to find the markings on it and do a little googling. See if there is any info on it out in the real world away from the thrift store smell and people with shifty eyes just waiting for you to walk away from it. (I’m usually one of those people with shifty eyes BTW.)
Can we just for a second talk about the chairs!?! Oh my gosh I LOVE them. LOVE LOVE LOVE. For months I hunted for a pair of chairs and came up empty handed. I found loads of great single chairs but a pair was just so dang elusive! About 3 weeks before I was wrapping up the makeover I found a pair of blue velvet ones on FB marketplace but they were in dire need of a reupholstery job and my guy Mark (the same one who did the couch in my living room) was booked until the new year. Which meant they were a no go and are now in great company with the 300 other chairs in my storage units. #itsfine #hoarder
One late night inspiration hunting session later and I decided that these guys from Urban Outfitters were TOTALLY DIY friendly, all I needed was a drill press (yay for new tools!) luckily so many of you agreed.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNUYVYuF6U2/?taken-by=vintagerevivals
I love how they turned out. Instead of using leather straps, I used cotton rope and sort of love it 100x more.
The cushions are from an old rescued couch that got skinned and sewn together. As great as new leather is, there is just something so much better about worn in slouchy leather. After 2 years my couch is just getting to the worn in perfection stage and I’m happy to hurdle right over that process as often as I can.
Ok, lets talk about the wall treatment. Aspyn wanted the colors to be muted and the couch was taking up most of our color budget, so it was time to embrace textures. Plank walls are an easy DIY, but they’re kind of so easy that you see them everywhere and they all look the same. Which we just couldn’t have. Everytime I look at this wall it reminds me of a cool scandinavian house in the mountains. It just feels right. The pattern is so simple but has such a punch of texture.
K lets just have a heart to heart about the lights for a sec can we? The hanging light is something that I have been DYING to do for months and just never got around to it. So picture this, you’re walking around the thrift store and see a whole bunch of bad, gross, and otherwise quite unsavory lampshades. You say to yourself, “Sad. No one will ever love them.” Then you see me, running like a crazy person (with my shifty eyes) and hoarding them all for myself. For what reason?! To make lights just like this!! Stay tuned for the tutorial, and start snatching up those lamp shades cause everyone is going to want this in their house.
The previous ceiling light was of the bosom variety and you know how I feel about those. Boob lights are BAD. Making lights is one of my favorite things, so of course I had to make something modern and super on trend. Tutorial coming for this bad boy too, and the best part is that it will cost you less than you think.
The rug is where Aspyn and I have a difference of opinion, I absolutely love the vintage boho vibe that it’s putting down, she’s wanting something a little more modern, so we’re on the hunt for one thats less old world and more geometric. Rugs are such a fantastic way to totally change the vibe of a space, swapping this one out is going to cut out the boho by at least 68% ;). If you’re looking for a massive rug at a mind-blowing price you are going to DIE when you see this.
I ordered a really cool macrame piece from amazon handmade and didn’t get it on time so I took my 3 day old ponytail to Joann and got the supplies to make my own. I love the two tone colors and the swagged piece.
Lets talk about the entryway shall we? Aspen’s entryway is HUGE. The ceilings are tall and the wall is expansive. Its just this giant massive blank space that dwarfed anything that got near it. We’re talking a huge piece of art looking like a postage stamp type dilemma. Walls like this can be the downfall of all of your decorating plans because its just so much space to cover, what do you do with it?!
I decided to break it up and maximize its size all at the same time by adding a trio of oversized pegboards. These are full 4×8 sheets of birch ply that we drilled 1″ holes into. It looks freaking AMAZING and was a really easy project (tutorial coming soon!!) The pegs are interchangeable and can be used and adjusted depending on the way it is staged.
On the other side of the entryway I put another amazing vintage find. Originally it was beige but after a coat of flat white spray paint it is absolutely perfect for the space!
The lights are a quick DIY with the lamp cord from the VR shop and basic pull chain ceramic ceiling sockets + metal junction boxes.
Ok, thats enough chit chat, here are some more pictures for you to look at!
So what do you think?! Turned out pretty fantastic!! You can see the full dining room + kitchen reveal here!
that entry way. that couch! man, can you come and refresh our living room?
That’s my dream come true. Right there.
love!!! dying for details on the marble looking print in the entryway!!
Me too! I love that.
Oh man, this is awesome. Why does my husband take umbrage to pink couches?! Le sigh. Anyway, I hope you will give tutorials for ALL THE THINGS! Love it, in my mind friend.
love the peg board!
So many beautiful plants and planters, can you share some info pls?
That peg board wall is AMAAAAAAZING! It’s the best thing in DIY I’ve seen in awhile. Cannot WAIT for the tutorial!!!
Holy %&* you crushed it.
i LOVE that rug
The rug link is so super amazing!!! Need to grab one before everyone else does too!!! ALSO… can you do a DIY for your amazing macrame piece as well, pretty please… I KNOW they are all over the place but your’s is so cool and diff 🙂 I ALWAYS love your reveals… you have an awesome brain!!!!
I love the way your brain works!! I can’t believe you DIY’d those chairs, I love them! And I can’t wait for your tutorials…………your DIY lights make my heart sing, I’m not kidding 🙂
Giiirrrl, those chairs are my favorite thing EVER! I have been itching to make some like those after I made this chair (https://www.alwaysrooney.com/2016/09/diy-leather-acapulco-chair-target-hack.html)
You are TOO good!
Woah! I love the chair you made! Perusing your blog right now 😉
In my office (on a university campus, not at home) I have EXACTLY the same credenza used in the entryway. I saved it when a coworker got new furniture and thought it should be trashed.
I love the oversized pegboard wall!
So gorgeous! I can’t wait for the tutorial with the lampshades that is pure genius. And this DIY’d chairs are amazing! Another perfect space put together by you:)
http://www.kemleydesign.com
Please teach me your ways!!!! I need to diy chairs!
What is the living room wall treatment? Tutorial coming?
I love everything top to bottom! I hope you plan on doing a tutorial on the wall treatment. Yes?
Fantastic! The pegboard wall is my favorite!
I’m not normally a blog commenter. But seriously, what can’t you do? Lighting! Macrame! Furniture! Wall Treatments! Amazing. You’ve definitely inspired me to do some making of my own.
Please post a tutorial for those amazing chairs! They are needed STAT in my home. And Mandi, you are officially a furniture builder now 🙂
I am SO EXCITED for your peg board tutorial. I made our own lighting from your tutorials and have been trying to figure out the peg board and just don’t have the confidence to try! This room looks amazing.
Gorgeous transformation!! Totally obsessed with that brass chandelier!!
https://greystonestatements.com
Erm yeah so if I could just have the details for all the things, that would be great k thanks!
ALSO is the couch giveaway open internationally?
xo
Its open to the US and Canada!
xo
So pretty!
Mandy you’ve made chairs ! And they’re beautiful ! Gosh, that brain of yours…
Love it! That wall looks amazing! But I’d never remember to dust it. Ha!
Could you do a tutorial of your sons closet doors? Those were amazing and I’ve been hoping you’d do a tutorial of them. Thank you.
WOW! What a makeover. Looks beautiful ~ great job!
I NEED a DIY tutorial on those chairs!!! They are so beautiful and would look amazing in my apartment. Will you be doing one?! Also can’t wait for the light DIYs. You are amazing! I love how Aspyn’s space turned out.
xx Jenny
https://www.sweetteal.com
Wow, just wow! It looks so amazing! I am in love with that couch and all the details
Linda
http://www.taketimetocreate.com
Love the chairs!!
WOW! This is one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve ever seen!!! Love, love, love!! Wish you could come do mine!
Tania
So much respect for an absolutely gorgeous project! Everywhere you look there is a detail of beautiful design. To me, every project you complete shows the love you have for your work giving the souls living there joy. Bravo Mandy!!!
OMG this is just stunning!
I LOVE your creativity! Seeing some chairs making in my future… ^^
Where did you find that gold and blue painting/photograph? I’m in love!!!
So gorgeous! This is one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve ever seen. really love this post. Thank you for sharing and keep posting, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
https://www.shoppypal.com/p/orian-rugs-indoor-medallion-annex-taupe-runner_68997.htm
You made those chairs?!? You.made.those.chairs. Awesome – I haven’t been on your blog for awhile but this is awesome. Did I say that before. It’s funny, because I’m not sure this is my style, but you do it so, so well.!!
Will you share how you made those fantastic chairs??
So beautiful! I love EVERYTHING! You are a true original Mandi. I love your style.
Love all of it! But where can I find that hour glass? (I know–random thing to be suddenly obsessed with…)
pretty please do a diy on those chairs!!!!
You are so good! I love your work.
Could you pretty please share the link of where the pink pom pom blanket came from? I need it!
Such a beautiful room! You are so talented my friend… I love you to pieces!
What a beautiful space! You have such a talent for mixing beautiful colors and textures. It’s so dynamic and sophisticated. Keep up the awesome works 🙂
LOVE everything about this! I love that when you have a room reveal, it’s all completely new and fresh.
It turned out fabulous! I love all the little touches that you added. I am so excited for the light DIYs!
Shonee
Mandi, you are KILLING me! I can die happy knowing that there exists a man genius who is capable of pulling off the most BEAUTIFUL designs with the most gorgeous pieces!
We are moving into a new house soon, and here’s the plan- I buy a lottery ticket tomorrow, win, and with that money, hire you and fly you out here to NJ to make my house the most beautiful house in the world. The universe, possibly.
Omg. I think I will dream myself to sleep tonight by thinking of how beautiful you could make our new house.
Love it all! Love her name too! Wanted to name my daughter Aspyn (same spelling) but my husband wouldn’t agree on it. Boo…
This room transformation was incredible! Please post the pegboard tutorial – it’s amazing! <3
Mandi, those chairs are drop dead gorgeous. Okay, the whole space is… but those chairs!! You are a rock star. Pinning for when I no longer have a broken foot and am making them ASAP.
Love this SO much. Do you have a source on the chunky wool pillow that’s sitting in one of your dowel chairs??
Please post the light fixture tutorial!!
Where did the pom pom throw come from? And can’t wait to see the gold/brass light fixture tutorial.
Absolutely perfect! My teenage daughters love Aspyn and Parker! I am in the process of redecorating our finished basement into more of a hangout area for my girls and am using your makeover of Aspyn’s living room as inspiration! Can you please tell me where you found the pillows on the pink couch!?!
can’t wait for the tutorial on the brass light above the couch!! So amazing!!
ceiling light tutorial please!
OMG i love it! Especially the pegboards and all the plants in cute planters!
can you tell me how you hid all the wires for the tv? And how do I do it in a rental?
This looks absolutely brilliant!! So so gorgeous!? just a quick question – you mentioned that the brass ceiling lamp tutorial will be coming soon but I couldn’t find it on your homepage yet. May I kindly ask you for the link or which words I should us ein the search box? Thank you so so much?
This is gorgeous!! I’m slowly redoing my living room, and this gave me a few ideas. The picture on the wall with the teepee’s, I believe that was taken in the small town where I grew up. Seeing it made me giggle.
This room is to die for! You are an amazing decorator and builder, wow! The rug is what caught my eye considering I’m looking for a rug to tie together my home office with pink accents like this one. Any idea on where to get mine? I checked the Home Depot link but not the same color accents
SO DREAMY!
Is there a tutorial on the brass ceiling fixture? Also would love to get my hands on some of those pillows- especially the shag one on the dowel chair. Do you have sources?