Coastal Living Room Makeover
Happy Spring everyone! The warm weather has finally arrived here in Michigan and I could not be happier. The Mr. and I enjoyed an amazing trip to NYC this past weekend, despite the fact that neither of us is capable of being a real adult and packing properly. We had to go to a fancy event for his work and we were almost late, because 5 minutes before we had to leave, the Mr. realized that he packed zero socks. Think formal suit and bare piggies in dress shoes, it was a look. Did you know if you frantically google “dress socks near me” when in NYC that you will end up in a ridiculously expensive men’s clothing boutique with an owner that only speaks Italian and you will be forced to buy a single pair of European style dress socks for $75? The Mr. knows this oh too well now… I guess that I cannot critique his packing abilities too much though, considering I left my sneakers on my bathroom counter at home and after walking 10 miles around the city I have the severely blistered feet to prove it. Despite our shortcomings on the packing front, we had an amazing time in the big apple.
It’s back to reality over here. After my weekend in a fancy dress, I’m swapping my heels for my paint clothes and I have big plans to stain our fence, dock and boardwalk this week. So, I’m going to keep the coastal living room makeover at my parent’s house short and sweet today as my paintbrush is calling my name! I cannot wait to share some of the outdoor posts I have planned with you all.
Ok, let’s start with a before pic –
and after!
It was very formal before with the heavy drapes, formal furniture and dark wood tones. It was so fun to lighten this space up to be a more casual place to plop down after a day at the beach.
My parent’s trim carpenter opened up the tv area to make room for my dad’s massive tv (his one must have) and again the white paint just transformed this bookshelf area. This area has been fun to display some of my mom’s Florida finds, but it will most likely eventually fill up with books because my mom is an avid reader like me.
Here’s another very blurry before (sorry I took it off the listing photo) –
and after –
We were able to reuse the furniture my parent’s had in their living room at their last house and the formation in here feels more open than how the previous owners had it arranged.
We are still on the hunt for a rug in here to soften things up a bit, but I love that you notice the view out the windows so much more now without any window coverings.
My mom and I are both big proponents of windows without window treatments, especially when you have a nice view you don’t want to steal the spotlight from.
We replaced the ceiling fan in here with this fun beachy rope light fixture.
We used that same Natural Choice paint color that we used throughout the entry way and halls. It has a really nice flow with the TopSail over in the dining/kitchen area.
So there you go, so fresh and so clean – just like the rest of the house!
SOURCE LIST:
Wall paint color – Natural Choice by Sherwin Williams
Shelf paint color – Extra White by Sherwin Williams
Furniture – Hudson furniture store
Pillows – Pier 1
Table – HomeGoods
Magazine rack – flea market
Light – Wayfair
Kelly, your mother’s home is gorgeous. I now know where you get your great eye for design.
Beautifully done!!
As a real estate agent I take so many clients into houses they love on the outside, location and floorplan but they don’t like the inside colors & decor. I tell them paint, flooring and new decor is a easy fix if you love everything else. Some just can never see it. I understand, but it’s frustrating as an agent because I know the miracles that can happen and sometimes for not a lot of money. What you have done is a beautiful example. This room went from boring and old to exciting and fresh. Wish I could sell this one for you… haha But I’m in Texas and I’m pretty sure it’s not for sale! :) Great work as always! Cheryl
This transformation reminds me of the biggest change we made to our Lake House – painting the built-ins and allllllll the wood paneling (walls AND ceilings!) white! We called it “From Brown to Bright!” Still hoping to tear it all down and build new someday, but changing the flooring, wall/ceiling colors, and getting new beachy furniture made a big difference! Coastal is the happiest decor IMO. ;)
I’m with you, painting everything white brightens a space SO much!
I LOVE THE LIGHT BUILT IN i HAVE A CHERRYWOOD TV CONSOLE THAT I WANT TO PAINT IT HAS QUITE THE SHEEN TO IT… WOULD IT BE HARD TO PAINT DONT KNOW IF I CAN USE CHALK PAINT AND WOULD I NEED TO PRIME IT i AM ASSUMING YES. i HAVE A NUMBER OF PIECES OF FURNITURE I WANT TO LIGHTEN UP THIS ONE FEELS THE LEAST DAUNTING. I ALSO HAVE A 12 FOOT DINING ROOM TABLE THAT I LOVE BUT ITS PINE TEN YEAR OLD TOP IS LOOKING DATED WANT TO PAINT IT WITH MILK PAINT IF YOU CAN LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS
These were professionally sprayed. I’m not a huge fan of paint chalk anymore and don’t really use it often so I’m probably not the person to ask. If I were you I would head to your local paint store with photos of your furniture and they will steer you in the right direction – thanks!
thank you i will head over to sherwin Williams and poke around thanks again Kelly!
Ahhhh, the power of paint!
Love the story about the socks! Made me giggle!
Oh my gosh it was too funny! He did say the socks are pretty comfortable :)
Wow! So beautiful. I love the table lamp. Do you know you got it?
It’s from a local store called Hudsons – thanks!
So light, bright and serene! And such a lovely view through the windows. All of the rooms flow so beautifully. Your parents must be thrilled. :-)
They do love it there, too much we are ready for them to come home to MI for a bit!
It looks lovely, really inviting and bright. I’d like to ask, what did you do to paint the shelving unit? I (inspired by your blog) painted a large unit in my husband’s office that was 50 years old. I used Gripper primer first, then painted it black, as we were redoing the room from burgundy’s and gold — don’t ask — to gray, black and white. It has chipped ever so slightly in one spot. Just wondered what your painter’s method was? I love the light fixture, the rope is a great touch.
He used a sprayer but I’m not sure what specific products he used sorry! When I’ve painted in the past a light sanding, plus primer and high quality cabinet paint is my go to. Thanks!
I love the transformation!! The light and airy look is so inviting and beautiful!
Thanks it was so fun to see it come together!
I love the transformation!! I have been following your blog for a while, loving your style, but have not commented till now. Part of my interest is that I’m also a mom of two young kids and am a fellow Michigander (south east MI). Anyway, we have a dark den with knotty pine in our 1935 house and my husband wants to keep it as is, but after seeing this post, I’m back to thinking we need to brighten it up and go white! So I’m wondering what you’d advise – keep the original knotty pine or…not??
Thanks, Kelly! So inspiring!
Oh man I don’t want to disagree with your husband but I always think if you don’t love the knotty pine you should paint it! Maybe you could pickle it otherwise so you get the best of both worlds? Like a whitewash idea?
This is my dream living room! Alas, with an 8 year old male in the house and a diva cat, I will keep the white couches in my dreams, but the rest?! Oh my, yes!
We have all white furniture at home with kids too, you need slipcovers in your life and you are good to go! :)
It’s amazing what you see when you first walk into a house that you might consider purchasing. If you can eliminate the decor and see the good bones , you can begin to dream, to create your own space, to open it up and let the house “breathe” again. Well done!
Yes this took a little imagination but it’s so fun to transform a space!
This makeover should really be featured in the magazine “Coastal Living”! Of course, the interior is so fantastic, a person might not want to venture out to the coast! Superb.
Oh thank you what a compliment :)
From dark, heavy and formal looking to light, airy and coastal!! Hurray ?☀️
Mission accomplished!!
Yay this was so fun!
Wow, what a beautiful difference! Amazing how much lighter and open the room appears!
Crazy huh? It really feels so much larger in there now!
Your parents’ house is beautiful! Are they just really good at letting go of things? I have so many “things” that I already own to work around I don’t know that I could ever transition to a warmer, lighter climate! What is the secret for getting that fresh look?
Hi Margot they still have their home up north here where they will stay in the summer so they haven’t really let go of anything yet. I’m guessing they will downsize eventually but my mom is pretty good at purging stuff :)
Wow, what a difference.
I know it’s so fun to look back at the before and afters!
As I walked through the front door, the view of her living room took my breath away… So beautiful!! I love, love that house! (And street)
Right? The view out those windows feels like a tree house, love this home so much!