Client living room before & after

I've got some almost-finished pictures of a recent client's project.  (I was too excited about some preliminary shots to wait until were completely finished to post!!)  The client's name is Susannah and she is a bargain shopper!!!!  She's amazing, and although we started out with a very reasonable budget, Susannah has cut that baby into pieces.  She's an Ebay huntress!!  Anyway, we're still on the lookout for the perfect coffee table and we're looking for something in brass & glass.   I love this one (below) that belongs to Cassandra Lavalle of coco + kelly:



When I first arrived at Susannah's home, (below) she hadn't really done anything to her living room/ dining room yet.  The other areas of her custom home are done very well, but she called me in because she wanted some help on getting these spaces pefect.  She wanted a mix of vintage and new pieces, a warm palette, and a fun and aged, pretty-yet-comfortable feel.  She loves a bit of old-fasioned but didn't want it to feel like grandma's house.  We met & spoke at length about what Susannah was looking for.  She gave me a nice big packet of inspiration photos.  I went to work created a plan for the space that I thought she would love.  Susannah would be handling all painting & installations, and most of the fabrications & ordering of the items specified in the plan (other than trade items).   We started here:


...And pretending we have that lovely brass coffee in the first image ;) ;)..
Here it is now:


Although Susannah was open to purchasing a new sofa -as her kitty had gotten to it years ago when she first purchased it- I loved it as she did (it's my green sofa's red twin) and thought we could lessen/ fix the issues by clipping the pulls and removing the arm covers.  (Saving money and leaving room for possible splurges in the plan.)

Here's another view of before:


And here it is now:

 
{The hooked rug was Susannah's dream rug and she found it on ebay for around $200!}  we made it work for the room by layering a seagrass rug beneath it, adding size and creating another layer.  Susannah painted the 8" stripes on the walls.

Below, check out Jonathan Adler's Kiki de Montparnasse vase, given to Susannah's husband by Jonathan's sister.  If you look very closely you'll see what a lively conversation starter it is.  (Check out a close-up here.)  The floral Ralph Lauren fabric was a splurge for one pillow, but it was worth it- and worked in the budget because we'd saved so much by keeping the original sofa.  --Gotta love self-justifications! ;)

 

We did a table skirt out of an olive green paisley linen and added pieces from her growing McCoy Pottery collection. (below) Susannah finds them on ebay and was only too happy to hunt for new pieces for the room.   (I would say something like "We need a piece about this size {hand motions} to go here" and the next time I would come over, she'd gotten it!)  The gourd lamps are topped with burlap drum shades.

 
{Ignore unironed tablecloth- I snapped this pic right after we'd put it on ;)}

Here's a close-up of one of Susannah's favorite family pieces- a little Boston terrier door stop that she remembers from childhood:

{I love him!!}

And I also love "odd chairs.":  Chairs with character that just get squeezed into a room somewhere and make a place feel less perfect.  This one was Susannah's mother's:


 

And now onto the dining room.  Here's a before shot:


And here is is now:


The dining room is filled with newly-made Shaker pieces and has a bit more of a farmhouse feel to it.  We're still working on adding some more layers to get it to where we want it to be.  Susannah's mother made all of the curtains and pillows for the 2 rooms.  (how awesome is that??)  I think the subdued golden floral we selected for the windows really helped make this new house feel older:


There was leftover fabric from the Ralph Lauren pillow (an insane amount because of a sight flaw) so Susannah's mother was able to make slipcovers for a pair of chairs in the dining room:


How beautiful are these julep cups (below)?


Susannah's been working on filling up this custom made hutch with whiteware.  It's mixed with antiques, thrift store finds and retails purchases: 


When we're completely finished with all of the final details & layers, I'm having the rooms photographed professionally, so I'll be sure to repost then.  Susannah's talented husband, Keith, was kind enough to take some pics of the rooms for me.  (As you could see, mine were really grainy and I don't have a wide-angle lense.)  They show how the rooms adjoin:



...  Here's one last photo of Susannah & Keith's almost-finished living room:


Hope you enjoyed the tour... and thanks so much to Susannah for being such a Wonder Woman to work with! 
xoxo,
Lauren

ps-  Thank you so much to Michelle Morelan of A Schematic Life for the beautiful rendering she did of my living room!!  (It looks even better in her drawing :)  I am so touched that she thought to draw my living room.

58 comments:

Beth said...

Wow...gorgeous, you are so talented! I love that sofa! Everything is gorgeous! Beth

Living the life in The Little City said...

Looks fantastic. It's wonderful that you were able to keep the sofa. Nice work!

Benden Bizden said...

Great job!! Well done! Loved it :)

Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

I love everything about how it turned out, I love how it's so l layered and so textural, it's inviting and comfortable and old fashioned but sooo not grandmotherly!! It really looks beautiful! I also love the illustration of your living room!

Anonymous said...

I love everything about these rooms - you girls did a beautiful job! I love the texture, layers, the traditional but casual look of it and all the sentimental elements. You are very talented!
Thanks for sharing and for all the great inspiration!
Sarah

Red Door Home said...

Looks wonderful!

Kathysue said...

Lauren her rooms look so warm and inviting. You added so much character and what I love the most is it looks like the rooms evolved over time. Great choices on both your parts. Good collaboration!! Kathysue

La Dolfina said...

Amazing transformation. I can see why you were so anxious to show it off!
It turned out beautifully

D. Ortner said...

Beautiful job. Your work is always so inspiring. Could you refer me to where you found the large seagrass rugs? Thanks

Jennifer said...

Lauren it's beautiful!!! I feel like it's very "her," haha.

Michelle said...

So well done Lauren...your client must be thrilled! Love the dog and the JA vase as well. Your right, it's your sofa twin!

Thanks for the link...you know I love your style...its "just enough, but not too much"...lol.

Very best,
Michelle

Tracy Watier said...

Pretty room, Lauren. Love the floral rug, the colors, the accessories. And the stripes! Can't wait to see the "after" afters.

debra @ 5th and state said...

OMG!

i love posts of before and afters. this was an amazing transformation lauren.

an "ebay huntress" love that phrase. shows when one is talented a budget is secondary
xo
debra

Living It At Home said...

Wow! First of all I love that coffee table too! I want one for my living room. When you find it I hope you post where you bought it!

I love what you did with her home. The layering and different textures is so pleasing to look at. It is so homey and comfy! I could move right in. She is so lucky to be able to work with you!

I am having a giveaway for my 100 followers. Please stop by to enter!

~jamilyn

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

It looks homey and comfy...and like it has always been. And somehow...well worn riding boots would fit into the images perfectly!

The rendering is lovely!

bryn alexandra said...

Looks straight out of Southern Living! Girl, you need a new camera ;) I wonder why it makes your pics grainy?

Stephanie Sabbe said...

love it! good job!

katiedid said...

Nicely done! I bet she is pretty happy. :)

pve design said...

Just perfect. Your work as well as that sketch from Schematic Life. You have a way of pulling things so effortlessly and making living easier.
Super Super work!
pve

Alaina @ Live Creating Yourself said...

Love the couch and the new pillows on the couch! It's amazing what rugs and window treatments do for a room. They are the essential finishing touch in my opinion.

And that drawing of your living room is GORGEOUS!! I want one!

Alaina

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

Looks great! She must be one very pleased client!

Laura Trevey said...

Gorgeous transformation...
and I love the sweet green couch illustration!

Tammy@InStitches said...

What a big improvement, I'm sure they love it !

LindsB said...

Love this family room- it is a totally layered look and looks like it took years to get it this way, Just how I like my rooms :)

nelya said...

This is so pretty Lauren! I love it. I think once you find that coffee table the room will be complete. I got so excited to see what direction you went with this when I saw the first shot of the room because I have those very same floral linen slipper chairs. My sofa is a green cotton velvet chesterfield, but I love that you kept that pink version. It is so fun and makes the room come alive!

Well done, lauren, your client must be thrilled!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I think this job in particular will be a great way for you to get clients who are leery of designers. Because it still looks like the same people live there. You just turned it up a notch and made it look and feel "finished", instead of "we just moved in". Can't wait to see the professional pics and what coffee table she comes up with.

http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/what-to-do-with-the-kitchen-desk-before-and-after/

pillingfamily said...

i knew it! i thought, "what about that vase could be such a lively conversation starter? other than its general good looks? hmmm. i bet it's a BOOB vase." i was so right. awesome.

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

I love all the layers in her living room. It looks so cozy now.

Kristine at The Painted Hive said...

I adore this. The colour palette is so warm and comfortable yet fresh and grounded with the natural elements. I love the positioning of the couch in front of the windows. That starburst mirror really makes the room, surely that wasn't a bargain? I can never find them for less than $300! Awesome and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
Kristine
xxx

Emily A. Clark said...

Such a warm, welcoming space. Love what you did with it. And, the layered rugs are brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Lauren, AMAZING transformation!! Such a great job.!! Love it.
XoRH

Devon said...

LOVE Lauren. It looks absolutely fantastic. What an amazing transformation on a budget. You are talented, my friend!

angela | the painted house said...

Bravo, Lauren! I'm sure that sofa is thanking you for saving her life and making her so beautiful. :)

Alison Gibbs said...

What a fabulous result.
Alison

Ness Lockyer said...

You are amazing Lauren, you really are. There is nothing you can not do and that home is so much better for it. I love the living room...amazing.
Ness xx

Jennifer Sergent said...

Lauren, you are so talented -- from mundane to magazine quality. Amazing job. The women at the domestic violence shelter are truly lucky to have you as one of their guest designers! See Jill's blog post about it here: http://blog.livelikeyou.com/?p=1984

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

Great job! Happy Weekend!

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

I featured your adorable shell mobile that hangs in your boys nursery..., and I can't but wonder (since it's a post from 2008) whether it's still hanging there!?

Maya @ Completely Coastal

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Lauren,
It's all looking so good...especially love the mirror and stripes on the walls...two of my favorites!!!

And, the rendering is just so beautiful of your living room!
Wish I had the talent to draw half as good!

My Galveston Cottage said...

Love the spirit of the room . . .looks sophisticated with some playfulness, Nicely done! You're a busy lady!

Exquisite Accessories said...

Found your blog from Ness Lockyer what gorgeous rooms you have created, I only hope I can create that cosy feeling to my home when we move in (got to start building first) long story one I will be posting on my blog soon!! That sketch Michelle drew is fabulous!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Beautiful! It looks so warm and inviting now. Love it!

mb said...

You are a master in re-invention. You ebay sleuth of a client must be over the moon.

Where did you get the gourd lamps?? Love them.

Thanks for sharing.
mb from Dallas

Greg said...

Lauren, I love your blog. This room is so warm and cozy. It really does look like it has evolved over time. I like the sunburst mirror, the lamp (do you mind sharing where you (or your client) got it from?), and everything about it. Great job.

Megan said...

Lauren, Loved the room - you made 'country' look fresh, modern, and interesting. I love the paint stripes on the wall and the modern accessories...speaking of which - where did you get the wonderful lamps???
Great job - love your blog

Unknown said...

Looks beautiful. Love the sunburst mirror!

red ticking said...

fantastic..... looks so nice... xx

Jill said...

Is that a convex mirror on the wall? I just love it and I have been looking for one for months!! Beautiful job

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

What a difference...perfect! As always everything works! I passed on a Beautiful Blogger award to you on my blog. If you'd like, come on by!
~Nanc

Maria Killam said...

Lauren that is so beautiful. It already looks right out of a magazine and they are not professional photos! Amazing!! You are such a talent!

Viera said...

Lauren, you did a fantastic job.
X
V

Marija said...

I think my favorite detail - and the one that shows true skill and experience - is the choice to mount the shades as you did and add the panels at that height and width. A close second for me is the sweet chair offset beneath the mirror. So anxious to see the layers you plan on adding to the dining room!!! YAY!

Marija

jill c said...

Hi. Great job! where did you get the two lamps - - the side table/gourd lamps and the tall/wooden looking floor lamp? Love them both!!

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Lauren, I can't believe that is the same house! You did a beautiful job getting the look your client wanted. Im really loving everything! And that vase...so funny!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

The home looks like one that has been lived in for awhile and slowly decorated over time with wonderful finds. Great job!! Janell

Anonymous said...

That looks AMAZING!!!! if you have a sec call me tomorrow! I some really exciting news for you!!! Miss you guys!!
xoxoxoxo
E

Anonymous said...

I couldn't resist that click through. I love what you did. Her stripes are fantastic. Love the colors and the commitment to budget.
Best,
Liz

Saundra said...

Enjoyed clicking through this makeover you have done. What is the name of the fabric used for the curtains? It looks (from the pics) like something I might like to use for my own redo. You definitely have some great design ideas.
BTW, Just ran into your blog tonight and will plan to come back and look through it some more.