I have been meaning to do a post on our new old living room for a while but there are still a few things that aren’t done like some window repairs etc. but I decided I may as well go ahead. Let’s take a look at my Fixer Upper Living Room Before and After.
Here is a shot of the living room from the entryway. I probably will get an area rug at some point, but I am loving the openness of the room right now. This room (as does the entire house) has great natural light. It has high ceilings and the 1930’s charm of an older home which I love. Basically, we gave this room a fresh coat of Moore White Dove and installed window blinds and curtains.
We didn’t buy any new furniture. The only new piece in the room is the fireplace screen also from Pottery Barn. I can’t speak highly enough of the quality of that fireplace screen. If you are in the market for one, it is heavy-duty, not shiny brass, and just lovely in my book.
Here is what the fireplace looked like before. The brass doors really detracted from the fireplace surround. We replaced it with the Pottery Barn one that is shown in the above photo.
If you follow me on Instagram you have seen this fireplace a few times. I thought about painting it initially but I actually love it now. I added the Pottery Barn linen curtain panels and rods (I am really impressed with the curtains for the price and quality). I did not want to invest the money in custom drapes. The blinds are from Just Blinds, but you can find them at Home Depot as well. All shoppable items are linked below the post at the bottom of the page. You might also enjoy my updated fall mantle in my post Natural Collected Fall Home Tour here.
The mirror was a Horchow purchase many many years ago. The oil painting of the little boy was in our master bedroom and was a thrifting find. You can see it in our old master bedroom here. The lawn bowling pins were found at Round Top several years ago. The coffee table is no longer available, but I have linked similar at the bottom of the post. You can find vintage bread boards similar to mine on Etsy here.The terra cotta bowl is Romanian I believe (not french as they love to claim) and it is filled with vintage coral that I have collected over the years. You can find them on Ebay here.
At the end of the room, the gorgeous picture window had these niches with dinky shelves that did not suit the size of the room in my opinion. I would have preferred to plaster over them but that wasn’t an option. I thought of spreading out the shelves or doubling them up to make them look beefier. See in-progress picture here. I am just not a tiny nick nack person. I love accessories but am not a big fan of a lot of little things. We had a great renter before. She left the floors in good shape.
In the two niches, I added these shutters from my former house and I am happy with the look. I would rather they were gone, but this is a good substitute.
Here is a closeup of the finished niche. I am happy with the look. The chinoisere chairs were a thrift shop find. The pillow is from Walter G Textiles (love them) and is linked below.
As I said the chairs were purchased at an antique shop several years ago, but Chairish has several pairs here. The table was handmade over 25 years ago but I have linked several at the bottom of the page that has the same feel. The box resided on this twig table in our old house and is an inheritance from Steve’s mom and dad. I love this spot but it is really hard to photograph.
As you can see this room has great windows. Behind the sofa, you can look out onto the courtyard. It is really starting to fill out.
In the other corner of the room a favorite corner cupboard was purchased on one of our trips to Maine (which was in our old family room) I filled it will a mix of old baskets to keep it textural rather than adding a lot of color and pattern. The painting is by Pat Huber fine art. The mirror is antique.
In the left-hand corner of the room is a favorite antique (grain painted) blanket chest also found in Maine. Above is a vintage cow painting.
If you follow me on Instagram you will note that the vignette on this chest changes often.
SHOP FIXER UPPER LIVING ROOM
Thank you for reading Fixer Upper Living Room before and after. Steve and I are heading to Southern California for a few days, We are heading to Santa Ynez today then Saturday to Los Angeles for a very special wedding celebration, then Santa Barbara on the way home. Follow me on Instagram for all the fun.
So refreshing and beautiful. We are a tv family. Where did you put yours?
Hi Julie
Oh boy you do not want to see that wall. The wall opposite the corner cupboard is filled (and I do mean filled) with a giant TV that nearly caused a divorce. I think trying to hide it (which is my normal M.O) would only make it worse. It is waaay too big for the room and really overbearing in the room.
Cindy, I love your style and have gotten so many great ideas from your pictures. Your style looks effortless and comfortable but I know it’s not easy to pull that off. You are so talented!
I also love your fashion sense. Do you mind telling me where you purchased the blouse you wearing in your cover photo. Love the style and color!
Thank you!
Hi Marsha
The blouse came from a shop on Etsy. Here is the link. https://rstyle.me/+iHdmPToJXgX85H0ckCnuOQ
Thanks Cindy!
Cindy—Your “new old home” is just so charming! I love everything about it and how you turned features like the niches with small shelves into an amazing design statement by adding the weathered shutters!!! The fireplace is a showstopper, too!! I could move right in!! You have such an amazing and organic sense of style!
Hi Carol
Thank you so much for your kind words. We really do love that room. I hope to share more soon as things get completed!
Cindy, your living room is absolutely charming and a testament to the collected look. It’s great fun learning where you found all these pieces and I marvel at your talent for putting them all together. I really like how you handled the niches … so creative. You’ve wetted my appetite for more of your downtown abode. xo
Hi Juliet
Thank you so much! I love your home and I am so sorry I missed it!
Absolutely fabulous Cindy! So Santa Barbara-Somethings’ Gotta Give-Nancy Meyersesque! Great west coast design without falling into that uber-beachy look. I have already redone my coffee table with shells in a large bowl and a little tweaking here and there in my living room using all your inspiration. Your mantel has perfect balance! Can you source the blue floral pillows on the sofa? Just the thing for my living room too.
Keep posting your Fixer-Upper as it is adorable! (Just like you ;))
Ha! Wrong Nancy Meyers movie . . . should have said It’s Complicated!
I will take any!!
Thank you so much Holly that is the ultimate compliment. I adore Nancy Meyers! The blue pillows are from Walter G. I think you might still be able to find them on their website. I don’t think anyone on Etsy has that design right now, but you can keep checking!! Thank you so much for your support. I so appreciate it!
Beautiful! Where is the shell sphere from?
Hi Babs
Sorry I found one https://rstyle.me/+d2iZIDDDPbJPa36xEZ6U_A I linked it in the widget as well
Such talent! Everything looks so beautiful!
I love the niches with the shutters! I think it really gives the room interest and character.
And my favorite; being a beach and ocean girl, is the coral collection. How pretty that looks in the rustic bowl.
Wonderful ideas in this room. Thank you!
Hi Nancy
Thank you so much for the kind words. We are having fun with this place!
To my talented friend, BRAVO! in your hands, this space is charming and inviting!
xo
Debra
I wish I had half your talent. If I had known you were having that garden party sooner we would have been there! We were in Indiana that weekend!
I love, love, love the cow painting!
Hi Kay
I do too my husband brought it back from an Eastern trip years ago. Pat Huber could copy it!
Cindy,
Your living room is amazing as is all you’ve shown us of your new old house. You are doing an amazing job, no surprise.
Have fun at the wedding celebration.
xo,
Karen
Hi Karen
Heading to the celebration this very minute!! Thank you
Oh Cindy, just lovely. I love the crisp and also dreamy Nantucket look … thinking of Something’s Gotta Give (one of my all time favs) vibe.
Will be hard to leave a you are off to the next big house chapter.
Thanks for sharing
Amanda
Hi Amanda
Nancy Meyers is one of my idols! You couldn’t have given me a nicer compliment
Love your neutrals and the pop of color!
Hi Roz
This is not a large home so in my humble opinion neutrals work to keep it calm and consistent.Thank you!
Hi Cindy,
You are so very gifted and talented. What an amazing job you and Steve did. An endless amount of time and effort and energy has gone into your room. I love the look of everything. Give yourself a huge hug.
Thank you for sharing your home with us.
Have a good and safe journey. I am sure you are ready for time out.
It’s beautiful and we have a similar room with lots of sunlight so I suggested the paint color to my daughter, it looks warm and inviting! Have a great weekend!
Hi. This is very beautiful. Sometimes your walls look more white and sometimes more cream. Do you the actual color Swatch of your walls?
Thank you sir much!
Simply lovely!
Warm and gracious room, Cindy. Your style reflects heritage, family, and tasteful ease. The shutters are genius …so glad you did not plaster over them!
Your living room is amazing! I love every detail and all of your wonderful vintage finds, and the niches with the shutters are perfect. It is so inviting and I’d like to curl up and read a book or just enjoy the view out of those beautiful windows. As always, your style is impeccable.
It is gorgeous and as inviting and welcoming as your other homes. Have a great weekend–it sounds like fun!
Dear Cindy,
Your collected living spaces create a serenity that bespeaks a welcoming hospitality. The storied pieces lend harmony and continuity to the new season in your journey. . Thank you for inspiring me as I anticipate a move in the next year.
Diney on Camano Island
I just love the niches with the shutters in them – I wouldn’t remove them! They add a sense of depth and interest to that wall, I think. Everything else looks so inviting. Hope you have a blast in the Central Coast/Santa Ynez. We were up there two weeks ago and ate and drank too much good wine!
Love every square foot of this space. What gorgeous light. Your decor seems so timeless and perfect for the bones of the house. Hope your garden is coming along.
This little house has great bones and you’ve shown them off to perfection! The next time you’re going to Round Top/Marburger Farms (my fav), please let me know. I’m in San Antonio. Come here and stay with me and we can drive together. It’s about 2 hours from me. xoxox, Brenda
You really are gifted, Cindy. Thanks for linking Pat Huber. Last time you did, I saw a painting I immediately purchased. I always look forward to your posts.
Beautiful room – but we knew it would be! We’re in the midst of a renovation right now and I can’t wait to start decorating again.
You are a great example to far younger women just starting out to buy what you truly love, not just more stuff, because it will look great no matter where you take it and you can love it anew. I think it’s what makes a home. Looks so pretty!
Absolutely beautiful l love the Australian pillows and the antiques. Such a gorgeous room well done !
I love that your living room window looks out to the courtyard that you are renovating! I know it will be gorgeous too. Love your new home!
LOVELY!
I think I understood you donot like the niches in the living room?I would paint them that light blue you have in accent blankets and pillows!Behind the shutters………..just a suggestion.
Enjoy your road trip sounds like GREAT FUN!
I’m so glad you didn’t plaster over the niches. They were a favorite element in 1920-30s California Spanish style interiors. I grew up in one in La Jolla and was so happy when I found another old home with a niche. It’s classic, unique and you found a perfect way to highlight and embrace this feature. You have a Gorgeous home that shows your TLC. Thank you.
What a beautiful room. It looks restful. Thank you for sharing.
Brava! There was no doubt in my mind that it would be amazing. I am imaging that the house itself feels the new energy and love that you and Steve are bringing to it.
Hi Wren
I hope you are right! I know the neighbors are happy!!
I absolutely love your transformation! And your solution of placing the beautiful panels in the niches is brilliant. Nice window treatments too. Nice job, Cindy!
Hi Judy
Thank you so much. Those niches were a thorn in my side, but I am loving them now.
You have got the magic touch. Warm and welcoming. And I love the way the fireplace looks now.
What would we do without projects???
Hi Brenda
I agree! I can’t imagine life without projects. It sure would be boring, wouldn’t it?
Absolutely beautiful how you have decorated that room. Judging by the amount of lights that comes in those big windows, that would be my hang out room.
Hi Michelle
We do enjoy that room. It is always so pleasant. Thank you for your kind words.
Cindy,
I’m in awe how you design with neutrals and textures. The corner piece from Maine, I would love to know the interior color. I see it as a shade of green. Thank you for the post. Have a great trip! Pat
Hi Pat
That corner cupboard has the original paint on the interior. It was scraped down. It is sort of a mustard, khaki greenish color if that helps at all. If you send me your email address I would be happy to try and match it to a Benjamin Moore color. Many have asked.
Thank you so much. I’m searching for a color for the interior of an English pine bookcase. I’m undecided whether to use French Confit pots, baskets, or a mixture. I have a collection of old books that could help fill in… too many choices…so overwhelmed. I ‘m not sure about mixing since I’m trying to avoid a cluttered look. Love your taste. I hope you see my email…you are a dear to help.
Love your style!
Hi Jane
Thank you so much. I realize it is not for everyone.
Stylish and warm. Love it!
Hi Rosemary
Thank you so much!
Well, absolutely exquisite. Have a fun trip.
Thank you so much Deb!
Looks fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!! Really really darling. Can’t wait to see the courtyard!!! Such pressure!!!
Looking absolutely beautiful!
I like everything you did, especially the creative way you did the niches with the shutters, looks fabulous and who (but you) would have thought of it(!!) I also love the shades (bamboo?) under the side panel curtains in the LR. Can you give me more details about them and the “official” name or number?
Love your blog,
Judee