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FROM DRAB TO FAB: Revamping Julie’s Living Room

“I was embarrassed by the space before. It was plain. Now, I feel proud to have people over. ”

– Julie Gough
Bright, white living room with a large ottoman
Bright, white living room with a large ottoman

Do you ever walk into your living room, the latest Liane Moriarty book in hand, look around and walk right out? It happens all too often that rooms aren’t displayed to their fullest potential leaving homeowners with a total sense of “blah”.

Fret not, you don’t need to redo every element of your space for it to feel fresh and new!

Ok, so you may have a few outdated elements in your space, but that doesn’t mean you need to start from scratch. Trust me, by the time you get through everything you’re sick of in the room ? especially when it involves bigger renovations? you’ll quickly eat up your entire budget and be left with an empty space. Instead, try to find creative ways to make the old feel like new again, and invest in statement pieces that transform the space.

As spring unfolds its refreshing hues and revitalizing energy, it presents an opportune moment to embark on a journey of spring home décor renewal. Embracing the season’s spirit of rejuvenation, homeowners can draw inspiration from nature’s palette, integrating soft pastels, vibrant florals, and organic textures into their interior schemes. Infusing spaces with elements that evoke the essence of spring not only revitalizes the atmosphere but also fosters a sense of connection with the ever-changing rhythms of the natural world, creating a sanctuary that resonates with warmth and renewal.

A large amount of pictures above the couch
A large amount of pictures above the couch

This winter, Julie called upon Lux Decor to enliven her living room. We made magic happen by mixing pre-existing pieces with fresh elements. Here we share the steps we took to turn Julie’s living room from drab… to fab, without breaking bank.

A large amount of pictures above the couch
Living room, Kirkland project, Designed by LUX decor
Kitchen, Kirkland project, Designed by LUX decor

STEP 1: Should it stay or should it go?

To start off, we had to pick what stayed and what went. This can be tricky when you are tired of all the pieces in the space, but some things need to stay. Some pieces might look ready for the curb, but just need a little DIY.  See those bookcases on either side of the fireplace? Believe it or not, those are the same bookcases, just revamped! All they needed were a fresh coat of paint and we suggested Julie level out all the shelves and remove the doors creating a seamless look. Adding in an inexpensive mantle also helped define her gorgeous existing mirror. A little really does go a long way.

Modern living room with a gold rimed mirror above the fireplaceMirror above the fireplace reflecting many pictures

STEP 2: To renovate, or not to renovate?

Some renovations might seem necessary, but don’t bring in the jackhammer before evaluating all your options! When Julie first approached us, removing her existing wall-to-wall carpet and installing new hardwood floors was at the top of her wish list. After re-evaluating and prioritizing her budget, we convinced her to actually keep her carpet, but layer a large area rug over it. Having a contrasting colour then the existing carpet and making it cover a large portion of the surface, the new furniture is well anchored and defined tricking the eye into thinking the carpet beneath isn’t there at all!

Bright, white living room with a large ottoman
Bright, white living room with a large ottoman

STEP 3: Choose (new furniture) wisely!

This message might seem like a no brainer, but it’s sometimes easy to forget some of the options when it comes to buying new furniture. Looking at furniture pieces shouldn’t only be about look and quality, it should also be about versatility. Especially when working with small spaces, you want to get the most out of your new purchases, so pick items that can check multiple boxes instead of just one.

Dark room with a window leading outside
Dark room with a window leading outside
Various books and decorations on a bright white ottoman
Various books and decorations on a bright white ottoman

For example, when it comes to storage, Julie’s living room hits the nail on the head: shelves, baskets, 2 storage poufs, and one storage ottoman.

Some items can have a dual purpose in other ways than storage though, like seating.  it’s especially important to think about extra seating if you’re planning to host gatherings ? nobody likes to be the one left standing.

“My favourite element in my space is the ottoman. It really is a showstopper! The room is large, so we needed something big enough to fill it, and it provides a dual purpose in that we can use it for seating when we have large gatherings”.

– Julie Gough

As always, thank you for reading!


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