Living Room Makeover Reveal

By Mandi 02/11/2013

Its.about.dang.time. That is ALL I have to say about this. This little makeover has taken me seemingly forever but it is DONE (for at least a few weeks…).

The starting point for my room designs aren’t the typical fabric swatches or pinterest boards. When I design a room the first thing I envision is how I want that room to FEEL when you walk into it. When you come into my house I want you to feel happy. Not just “oh I am happy to be away from my kids for 5 minutes” but the kind of happy that you are like “Man. There is something special about that place. Its like Disneyland but thriftier.” I want our house to feel comfortable and interesting  and inspiring. So that is what I started with. Happy, comfortable,  interesting, and inspiring, and of course my favorite feeling in the world, fearless. So as you are looking at this new room I hope these are the words that come to mind.

For those that are newish (welcome!) Court and I bought our house 3.5 years ago. It was a short sale that had been thrashed. Here are the MLS listing pictures…please enjoy.

Living Room Before

Doesn’t that carpet make you want to get a tetanus shot? BLECH. But I loved it the second we walked in. (Please keep in mind this was a year before I started the blog and had ever tried to decorate anything…)

I found this picture last week of a Rockband Christmas Party that we were having about 5 months after we moved in.

Obviously we installed hardwood and repainted but that was about the extend of the fun.

Then after living room makeover #1 it looked like this:

Living Room Makeover 1

Tons of work, tons learned, and I outgrew it really quickly. It was great, but I wanted it to be lighter and brighter and funner. I was sick of gray and white and yellow.

So this is what it looks like now.

Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

Orange Tufted Couch Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

I mean. Literally not the same house, except that it is. The original theme my friends coined was Santa Fe Brothel, because of the plans for Southwest+Gold+Velvet Couch. While the room has nods at Southwest happiness, its not as overwhelmingly ethnic as originally planned. And I am 100% ok with that.

Thrift store gallery wall Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

It started out with the Orange Velvet Couch. After someone stole the Navy Chesterfield right out from under my Craiglisting nose, I knew I NEEDED something that was show stopping. One of my friends was selling it and I was happy to pay $300 to take it off her hands. The pillows are from Homegoods and Target.

I found the coffee table at Homegoods on major clearance for $50. All the knickknacks are thrifted or from Homegoods.

I went out on a limb with the giant heart string art but without it the room would absolutely not be the same. The other pictures are thrifted or custom (which we will be talking about soon!)

And of course the base for the entire thing is the Sharpie Wallpaper. It brings just the right amount of metallic in.

DIY Wallpaper Tutorial @ Vintage Revivals-2

Entryway Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

Miss Vicki the vintage Victrola stereo cabinet was thrifted and updated here and then updated again here.

I think this is the first time I have shown you guys a shot that shows my living room and my entryway.

Here is a picture looking into the Kitchen. I just painted the walls black and LOVE it (and I cant wait to share the tutorials for that space with you soon!!)

Vintage Stereo Cabinet Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

I moved the openwork cube pendant out of Dylan’s room and into the living room because I love it JUST that much. It needed to be shown off.

DIY Openwork Light

One of my favorite projects in this room is the floating industrial shelves. I changed them up from the original colorful staging to something a little more toned down but the process is still the same, so watch the video if you are struggling with staging.

Everything on these awesome shelves are thrifted, gifted, or lifted…and by lifted I mean stolen with permission from my Mother In Law. Literally everything except the Love Your Guts gold leaf art. If I had to add it up I would say the entire vignette cost this girl around $75. Not too shabby.

DIY Built In Shelving Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

The floating shelf on the opposite side of the room is full of thrifted goodness as well. The art and the pink antler sheds are my favorites.

Pink Antlers Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

 

Book Shelves Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

The desk was a Homegoods score that went against everything I believe in, but it is PERFECT right there. And I still cant believe that I found that huge map for $12.

Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals-1-2

So now I am going to shut up and just show you some more eye candy ok? Be right back.

Vintage Stereo Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

Living Room Makeover DIY Book Shelves @ Vintage Revivals

Wooden Hippo Succulent Collage

Living Room Ideas @ Vintage Revivals

Vintage Revivals Living Room Makeover

Living Room Makeover Ideas @ Vintage Revivals

I am in love with the entire thing so much the only way to describe it is with a big ol’ sigh.

I love that it feels collected, because it is.

I love that it feels like me, because it is.

I love that there will never be another room like this on the planet because everything was found and not just purchased.

It has taken me 2.5 years of decorating and writing almost every day to find a style that is MINE. And I wouldn’t change it for the world. Do I cringe when I see some of my old projects? Yes siree bob I do. But at the time they were perfect, because they made me comfortable with evolution.

Here are all of the tutorials for this room makeover:


So I want to know, what is your favorite part of the living room makeover?

Love Your Guts

148 thoughts on “Living Room Makeover Reveal”

  1. Hi Mandi,
    I have been your reader a long time but have never commented before but now I feel the urge to do so because I really love your new style! It’s very much like my own style and taste and different from the most blogs around. Keep it up 🙂 -From scandinavia with love-

  2. I love it. It really seems like it would just make you happy to enter that room. Your personal style is evident in every aspect of your living room. All of your hard work and patience has paid off, because it is a really beautiful room. I must have missed your post on the card catalog. Card catalog and cobalt blue? I am so jealous. One day I will find one that doesn’t come from One Kings Lane and I don’t have to pay $600 for (their pieces are so ridiculously overpriced, but oh so beautiful). That is my favorite piece in the room. Great job Mandi!

  3. i’m so inspired!! i love literally everything about this room. you are amazing and the room is amazing!! congrats your hard work has paid off!! xxx

  4. Oh Mandi, it is STUNNING! I currently hate how I have made over some parts of my house too, but we’re hoping to sell it very soon, so I am putting plans on hold for now. This is perfect. It is funny how style totally evolves.

  5. OMG Mandie! You have so outdone yourself with this reveal. This is one of those posts that I will sit with, pore over, admire and absorb for years to come. Seriously. It’s that awesome. Oh, and your couch makes me cry. In a good way.

  6. Mandi – I’ve been reading your blog pretty much since the beginning – it’s amazing to see how far you’ve come over the years. I feel like I’ve grown with you in a lot of ways too – I absolutely loved how your first living room was set up (I think your zebra rug was one of my favorite projects a few years ago and if I wasn’t in a rental I would’ve stenciled my heart out the way you did back then) but at the same time – I love this room so much MORE I kinda cringe with you looking back at the old pics (no offense!!) I have been thinking about how you’ve found YOUR STYLE and how it has evolved over the years and I just think it’s amazing to watch it all unfold. I’m currently obsessing over your marker walls (I’m still in the damn rental so I can’t do too much) but I’m finally taking the time to upgrade my living room in small ways so it feels more like ME. Thank you for finally revealing this room from every angle – you should be proud of yourself!! It has come a long way and it really is magazine worthy. Love every inch of it!

  7. I am in love with your room… it doesn’t even look like the same house. It is beyond perfect. I feel like this is Emily Henderson… which in my head is a HUGE compliment. Good work!

  8. I LOVE the makover!! It looks so fresh and inviting. And honestly, I don’t know which part I like best??? Your such an inspiration with your unique ideas. And thanks for linking up the projects, cause you know everyone would be looking for them!

  9. LOVE IT, love the loft feel and natural elements the most (even though I’m not good at using them!). Excellent job, and the black window trim and kitchen paint really makes it for me! PS – it’s great to show your transformation in “real time” so the rest of us feel better about our makeovers taking months!
    Trish
    http://www.mash-upchic.blogspot.com

  10. My favorite view is definitely the one looking toward the windows with the new black trim and those awesome shelves–and into the black wall in the kitchen with that purple rug. That, my friend, is the money shot.

  11. I looks fantastic! I just have to ask, though, how do you keep it nice with all those knicknacks and your kids in the same house? Like the lightbulbs in the bowl – those would have been smashed in the time it took me to close the bathroom door at my house. I have boys, though, so maybe that’s the difference!

  12. Long time reader, first time commenter. You did a great job! It is welcoming, fun, creative, happy and a place that is special just like you wanted. Just the kind of place I would love to just sit and be happy in (for 5 minutes away from my kids.) Well done! PS. The string art is killer.
    Sweetpea’s Mom

  13. I spotted a DIY chandy above the kitchen table… I suspect that will be a post? The room makeover is amazing, as always from Mandi! I’m going to try the shelves, someday. Love the industrial style mixed in.

  14. LOVE IT!!! It’s beautiful, fun and homey. :)I have been a fan ever since you were on The Nate Show and I have loved watching your style evolve. You have helped me find my own quirky style and shown me its okay to be fabulously thrifty, creative, and colorful! I appreciate you, your style and your honesty. Love you Mandi!

  15. I love it, and I have to say you must be an awesome Mama. I would NEVER be brave enough to have that much glass with my hooligans they aren’t well behaved enough. Dreaming of sharpie redo’s in my house, that’s about my budget right now. 🙂 Thanks for the great ideas.

  16. Mandi, you have out done yourself–again!!! Everything in that room is fantastic–and so “one of a kind”! Really great job! There are so many great projects that I don’t know if I could pick a favorite, but I am really crushing on your “mantle”!

  17. You have amazing talent!! I love how light and bright it is, and especially that, as you say, it is so you. Exactly what I want my house to (eventually) say about me. Right now it is about half me/half 90 year old lady(previous owner). 🙂
    You give me hope with those before photos from the MLS listing because we are planning to sell our current house and find something larger for our growing family and most everything that we see is in our budget is awful looking!! I love how you have transformed the house from an ugly duckling to a swan.
    Thanks again for the inspiration!!
    Liz

  18. So very inspiring! I love your room and it does make me happy! I hope to find my own style, because I am still very new to this world, but you make my think that someday I may…Thanks Mandi, and I think the floating shelves are may favorite project! I LOVE them!

  19. Your living room looks fantastic! I’ve been working on the same sort of style change in my living room. I’ve been collecting for over a year and am just starting to slowly piece it all together. It’s amazing to finally see it all coming together! Congrats on a fantastically unique room!

  20. Ohhhh Emmmm GEEEEE!!! I LOVE your finished living room!! And I love that it ties in both your entryway ANNNNND your kitchen!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! 🙂

  21. Amazing job Mandy! I love that it is so homey and cozy without being too cozy..does that make sense? This room is so you and you did an amazing job making sure the space reflects that. I am sharing your awesome makeover over at My Craft Channels FB page!

    Happy Monday Friend
    Tausha
    sassystyleredesign.com

  22. I can’t believe you didn’t keep the red sheet window treatment? Your living room (and the one before) is amazing! I want to marry it. I love your style and it has evolved so beautifully. Thanks for sharing it with us. You are an inspiration! 🙂

  23. Mandy it is perfectly you. Congrats! Funny, sometimes I feel like you are a mini-me, because you remind me so much of myself but younger. I’ve always shied away from shopping for my home because anyone can do that! I like it that the only new things I have are my mattresses and fridge!I’ve always said “anyone can shop”….

  24. I love how open and unclcuttered it feels, even with all that cool stuff! You’ve inspired me and now I’m checking classifieds for new couches and things that are more exciting and more love in my guts! Thanks for your blog!

  25. Amazing! I simply love that I’m not the only one that wants to change her space so bad. I’ve been stuck in this blah and boring brown color scheme for years because it’s what we had and had gotten on the cheap, and I was trying to be so grown up with my taste. I’m 33 for God sake, I want bright and lighter. I love color and wish you had of been around when I had my first apartment, I would have wanted it to look exactly like what you’ve done here. Now I’m in the process of doing away with the brown and going more neutral so I can add pops of color anytime I want. Kuddo’s to you! Feel free to come hang in out sunny AZ anytime and help a girl out ;D lol.

  26. Outstanding. Don’t know what else to say! Love the England prints, love the boldness of the couch, love the walls. Okay, I love it all.

  27. 100% perfect in every way – you are amazing. I think you are somehow reverse copying me (you know, like when there’s a car in front of you and they keep making all the same turns you were planning to make?), because everything you do is exactly what I was just about to do. Wait, when I describe it, it sounds like I am copying you? Anyway, thank you for years of inspiration. 🙂

  28. This is so perfect! If I had seen it randomly online I would have assumed it was a room you did because it just screams “MANDIRIFIC!!”

    I also agree with you on the FEEL you want for a room. We are preparing to do a vintage kitchen. People keep asking me what it will look like. I dont know about that but I do know when you are there you will feel welcome like grandmas house and if you see a picture of the space you WILL smell pie. the end.

  29. Amazing! I love that it is totally you! I love the idea of decorating for you and not caring what anyone else likes. That is what I did in my bedroom and it makes me smile everyday when I open my eyes. You are bursting with talent!

  30. Absolutely perfect! you hit the word “Happy” right on the nose. I love the eclectic mix of styles, but my favorite thing is still the orange couch, which I would steal if we lived closer.

  31. I love how light and bright it is! My house is currently at your rockband stage. I love how you showed us all the stages of transformation. It reminds us at the rockband stage that it is a progression and we have to start somewhere and build up over time. Thank you for sharing with us!It is very inspiring!

  32. Great room!! I love the the awesome things you’ve found at thrift stores and incorporated them into a style that is unique and fresh! Great job!

  33. You do light and bright in a way that is fresh and original. You’ve got me thinking that my typical (negative) reaction to light and bright isn’t about the look/feel so much as it is about how so many of those rooms look just like every other one. I liked your original yellow/gray room, but this one is amazing. Just goes to show that no style is inherently good or bad; it’s all in the execution. Love.

  34. Absolutely incredible! I love all of the new views and angles and seeing how the room relates to other areas of your home. And I can barely believe it is the same space as before. Your progression shots are such a great story and it is so inspiring to see how the space has transformed. You have such a gift and totally got it ALL right! Love every. last. detail. and you.

    xo!
    Jen

  35. I literally took a breath of fresh air when I saw the first “after” picture. Ahhhhhhhh! This looks Design Sponge-worthy. And I know, because I have the book and I flip through it at breakfast about five times a week or whenever I need to see some pretties.

  36. “It’s like Disneyland, but thriftier.” PERFECT!!

    I just discovered your blog and I’m so glad I did – your house is beautiful and I love that most of the items are ridiculously inexpensive and can fit into my budget. Every time I read one of your posts, I get so inspired to do something in my own house. I’ve adapted the pattern on your Sharpie wall to a project that I’m working on now 😀

    Good luck in the Homies, you’ve got my vote!!

  37. I love everything about your living room! I am dying to do a Sharpie pattern on one of my walls, but my boyfriend doesn’t get it yet. Hopefully he comes around soon :]

  38. I’ve been a fan for a while, this is my first comment. I love the room and I have to say my favorite thing is your use of black and how it is perfectly placed around the space. The photo where you see the black wall, window trim, the large X, carpet, pillows….anyway the point I’m trying to make is…WoW! Fantastic job!

  39. Love it so much! Thank you for sharing it. I love the picture where we get to see your entry way with the great room.

  40. I love your new living room. It’s very bright and colorful and very creative. Thanks for entertaining me and giving me something fun to relax to (almost) every night! And there are too many things to love in this room- the shelves, the Sharpie walls../

  41. I found your house so beautiful it makes me want to cry.
    Really you are one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen on internet. Thank you so much.

  42. I really like this room. And I totally understand about ‘finding your own style.’ I feel like when I was first married, since I’d always been into decorating I should have already had an amazing sense of style. And I totally didn’t…it was awful. When I got into blogging I slowly started to realize that the style I liked was like completely opposite of the style I had. And so I’ve slowly been changing things over time, and now that I am where I am, my style is still evolving, always changing. I’m so glad I married someone who is incredibly patient with this work I do because I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to stay married if he wasn’t. I think your whole house is turning out awesome. Love it all!

  43. Is the rug from Ikea? How do you like it? I was concerned it would look to “outside-y” for inside. Thoughts?

  44. It’s amazing! I love it. So airy and fresh. I adore the orange sofa. Love the pendant lamp – did you make that? Also love the pipe lamp – again did you make that? You are talented girl!

  45. P.S. Forgot to mention that I adore the string art! Thanks for the tutorial. I might try my hand at one, but I’m kinda intimidated because yours turned out perfect!

  46. Love the changes the room has been through over the years! =) It is definitely a labor of love. The new design is so fresh and airy, but I also loved the one before that (not so much the original, though, ha ha!)

  47. I’m not sure there’s anything I don’t love about this room! Of COURSE it all started with the orange couch…how could you NOT design a room around that couch?!

  48. This is my first time reading your blog, and I am in AWE. I’m in the middle of redecorating my new home, and you’ve already inspired me a ton. Voting for you, and I already have 5 of the projects open in other tabs. Thanks for being such an inspiration!!!

  49. Just found your blog–and I am so super glad I did–I love everything about this room! It is gorgeous. Happy to be following along!

  50. This is my first time to your blog, and I am IN LOVE!!! I love the collected look, and I love that you said it just feels like “you”. You really have a gift!
    Kristine

  51. The room looks great. I was worried when you said you were going for ethnic or tribal or whatever. What you ended up with is hipster chic, with some nods to ethnic tribal. I can’t even say all the things I love about it, because there are so many, but the DIY’d shelving (both sides of the room) and the black window and door frame casings are my favorite.

    I also have to empathize about finding your style. I remember seeing your old room on Nate Berkus and was not a big fan, but when I saw your entry with the bike art and turquoise console, I loved it. It’s amazing how much things have changed over the past few years, from design inspiration coming only from magazines, to the plethora of design and DIY TV shows, then blogs really grew, and now Pinterest where we can share everything and get exposed to so much more. I know my own style has evolved quite a bit the past few years, and continues to change. My own living room is not quite where I want it to be yet, but I’m working on it!

  52. I just have to ask, do you ever just look at your house and think, “Holy crap I’m awesome!” I would if I were you and here’s why. When you mentioned the whole “Southwest” style I about died and not in a good way. But this after is amazing. I actually really really love it. Like a lot! Kuddos! I would love to feature it on my blog!
    [email protected]

  53. I stumbled across your blog after a picture of your living room was pinned on Pinterest. I just wanted to write to say that the space you have created is beautiful. I love everything about it. I hope one day to create a little bit of paradise like you have. Thank you for the inspirations x

  54. I very rarely leave comments on things that I find on pinterest. By very rarely, I mean never. I just had to this time, though. I love it that much! My husband and I bought our first house a little over a year and a half ago. It’s in a small neighborhood where every house has the same layout and design. It’s small and very builder grade, but we love it. It’s ours and we can afford it. Oh, and no carpet. 🙂 We have been so busy since we moved in with painting everything and veing parents to a very bubbly toddlee that decorating has been neglected. Big time. Recently we have been thinking about decorating, but we couldn’t find our style. He’s a graphic designer and refuses to have something that would look like everyone else’s (ironic, right?). I have been trying to describe what I am envisioning for our house. This is it!

    So…thank you! This is absolutely awesome. Wanna be friends?

  55. I adore your decorating creativity, spunk and bravery. This room, although not really my style, is such a perfect blend of vintage and contemporary. It’s so fresh yet still warm.
    I have to ask (because I love the look of antlers though only feel comfortable using those which are naturally shed) how you went about making your pink antlers look the way they do? I noticed you have said in the post that they are “antler sheds” though they look like such a perfect pair with the skull plate still attached. Did you DIY some shed antlers to look that way?

  56. I adore your decorating creativity, spunk and bravery. This room, although not really my style, is such a perfect blend of vintage and contemporary. It’s so fresh yet still warm.
    I have to ask (because I love the look of antlers though only feel comfortable using those which are naturally shed) how you went about making your pink antlers look the way they do? I noticed you have said in the post that they are “antler sheds” though they look like such a perfect pair with the skull plate still attached. Did you DIY some shed antlers to look that way? Or are they in fact not really sheds?
    Thanks so much 🙂

  57. Holy crap girl! This room is rockin!!! Your before to after about knocked me out of my chair. I’m on a roll redoing our house, which is really the first time I’ve “done” any of our living spaces, and I will be sucked into your blog bigtime. Your sense of style is amazing and inspiring. Keep up the good work!

  58. I know I’m late with this fabulous makeover, but…what the heck. LOL love it, awesome, chic, vintage, modern, and of course pulling it all together creates eclectic. Your happy, that’s you. i love this space and comfy is what will all sought after in the end. Awesome! stop by and say hello!!!

  59. I love love LOVE those blue leather chairs. Where did you find them? The room looks amazing!

  60. Hi Mandi, I just discovered your blog and I’m in love! Tons of great inspiration here! I’m stealing your floating shelf idea and putting it to action above our TV, such a cleaver idea with plexiglass!

  61. I cannot tell you how much I’ve been obsessed with this room (for months!). I have to ask you a question though. I am struggling with the wall my tv is on. Well, my tv is on a credenza type stand, but the problem is I don’t know what to do with the wall space above the tv or the sides. I see that you just left that whole wall blank. Don’t you just itch to put something on that wall? Currently mine is blank too. I’ve been stuck for a long time trying to figure out what to put there. After re-looking at your living room though, maybe it’s ok just to leave it blank? Is it your general rule to leave the space around a tv blank?

  62. The most obvious object (at least for me) in the room has not been addressed … the glorious and wonderful light fixtures at the mantel. I may have missed the how-to somewhere. Please for the love of all things holy shed some light! Please and Thank you.

  63. Just found you via Pinterest and I adore your style!!! I read and re-read this post to see where your rug is from… If you said, I’m blind. If you didn’t say, please do 🙂

    Thanks!

  64. Okay… nevermind about the rug… I see you answered the rug question in the comments 🙂

  65. This is still one of my all time favorite rooms. I LOVE looking at it. You have such an amazing talent.

  66. What a lovely makeover you have made in your house, the floating shelving in the living room also gives balance and a good idea for decorating.

  67. Wow. That orange sofa is a stunner. You are upsetting my beige beige beige brain. Love that orange.

  68. I was re-watching an old friends episode and it just hit me! You have the orange couch from central perk! Love your blog and style to death too, I can’t wait to get started on my own place with all the inspiration I’ve found here 🙂

  69. Wow! I totally love your living room now! White paint really made your space looks so clean and light. Not to mention the elegance and classiness of the entire room. The pieces of furniture and décors you used are all remarkable. I am speechless with this makeover. Excellent work!

  70. This home looks very appealing,it’s cool to live with these kind of things can be done.I love it, very organize and classy. I also love the furniture and the colors of the wall, white really looks fresh and open to space. Such an inspiration.

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