Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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A Beautiful Blue Living Room Makeover

Laura’s paint and accessory makeover is truly a testament that high style doesn’t have to come at a high price. Here’s her letter:

I enjoy reading your blog and wanted to share some before and after pictures of my living room redesign. I too am a first-time homeowner of a charming older house (a Cape Cod built in 1951). Since moving in four years ago, I have enjoyed taking on many projects to make the house my own while still honoring its history. The living room is now one of my favorite rooms in the house. Please excuse the clutter and décor in the “before” pictures; they were taken before I moved in. To complete the transformation, I used Behr’s Tide Pools on the walls with Behr’s Pot of Cream on the trim and filled the room with furnishings from Target, Pier 1, and JCPenney (and accessories from Homegoods, Marshall’s, and Target). The curtains hail from Christmas Tree Shops and the photography is actually pictures I took when living in Spain. Thanks for such an inspiring site. Keep up the good work! – Laura

Here’s Laura’s living room before the big makeover:

Turquoise Paint Before

And here’s the same room after a few totally doable changes (hard to believe, isn’t it?!):

Turquoise Paint After1

Turquoise Paint After2

Isn’t that a lovely and inspiring transformation? We always say that paint and curtains really can dramatically upgrade a space and Laura’s living room is the perfect example of just how far those two things can go! What do you guys think? What’s your favorite part? Thanks so much for sending the photos our way Laura. Long live simple and oh so transformative room redos like yours!

Comments

  4. Molly says

    What an incredible before and after. Laura’s decorating style is so tasteful. I’m inspired to re-do my living room now. :)

    Reply

  6. Jennifer says

    I love love looove this makeover! This is exactly what I want the feel to be in my place. Kudos to Laura- you did an amazing job!

    Love your site by the way! I have printed a lot of your stories out and have them in a binder with dividers labeled “Future Projects”, “Money Savers”, “Color Inspiration” and “Tips and Tricks”. I go to it every time I need some motivational pick-me-ups.My hubby calls it my DIY Bible ;)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Jennifer,

      Wow, we’re pinching ourselves. It’s so amazing to hear that you’ve printed out some of our posts for reference and organized them in a binder. So orderly and flattering!

      xo,
      s

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Amy,

      We’re afraid Laura doesn’t have a blog. Yet. Maybe now that she’s heard how much everyone enjoys her makeover she’ll start one so we can watch her makeover the rest of her casa!

      xo,
      s

  13. prettythings says

    Looks great! I usually shy away from blue, but this looks open, spacious and very comfy!

    And I love the fact that Xmas Tree Shop curtains were used – they are a great ‘secret’ source for deeply discounted, unique decor! I drove past the one in Sandwich yesterday and would have loved to stop in but had no time.

    Our family calls it the “$20 dollar store” because even when we have nothing in mind to buy, we always spend at least $20 in found treasures! (And Target is the “$60 dollar store”) :)

    Reply

  19. Jennifer says

    Great job on the living room, Laura! I love all the pillows you chose.

    One question, though, and I am hoping not to sound too stupid but, what is a “Christmas Tree Shop” – is that the actual name or is it like a Peppermint Forest type store?

    Reply

  21. Megan says

    I love this room, and it definitely seems do-able on an average budget! Do you happen to know where Laura got the couch and two chairs? (She mentioned furnishings from Target and JcPenny – perhaps from one of those stores?) I’m hunting for the same pieces now, and I’m looking for something affordable, cozy and basic that I can jazz up with interesting throw pillows and decor!

    Reply

  26. Alicia S says

    Wow, great job!!! This is the look that I am trying to get in my own home!! So gorgeous!!

    I love the idea of the binder that Jennifer started. I’m going to do the same!

    Reply

  27. Leigh says

    Love it! I have a room done in very similar colors and have been looking for throw pillows. Do you happen to know exactly which store she found those and when she found them? She mentioned several stores and I have access to all of them but have not seen those pillows lately. It’s just amazing!!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So glad you guys are loving Laura’s makeover as much a we are! We’ve dropped her a line to let her know that her before & after pictures are up, so here’s hoping she drops in to answer all of your questions soon!

      xo,
      s

  32. LauraC says

    FAB-U-LOUS!!!! We also have a cape cod built of the same age; I can only hope when we’re done it will look as nice as hers!

    Reply

  33. Sara says

    A lovely and relaxing room. Great job! The colors and scale just fit together!
    The only suggestion is to think about replacing the area rug when time/budget allow. Think about something larger and maybe creams/taupes with just a touch of blue. Sherry and John always recommend great rugs on their mood board, so maybe look at those.
    Love to see more of your house,
    Sara

    Reply

  35. Carrie says

    You guys need your own HG show, I swear?! Love the makeovers you show, as they are incredibly affordable and attainable. SO glad I found this blog, and have passed it along to all of my friends and colleages!!

    PS- the wedding pics and ideas are FAB. Wish I could go back, throw in my uber formal starchy wedding, and do it your way?! =) Just awesome…

    Reply

  38. Krista D says

    I adore this room! I’m most interested in the trim painting, though (I know – out of all the gorg things in this room, I ask about the trim!). Our house has dark brown stained trim in every single solitary room – around windows, baseboards, and doorways. I’d love to paint some of them white, but am not sure how to do it without it looking wrong as it meets the trim in the next room. I love how much of an impact the cream trim adds to the room, as opposed to the former color. Just beautiful!

    Reply

  39. Gail says

    So gorgeous, Laura. I just love your colors.

    Speaking of binders, I also have printours from your site in a binder here. John and Sherry, please tell me an agent has snapped you two up by now? I eagerly await Young House Love: The Book! You practically have all the material right here!

    Reply

  40. Lisa in Seattle says

    Lovely! My faves: The wall color (I have almost the same color in my craft room, like the sky on a spring morning), the creamy trim (obsessed with baseboards at the moment), and the bright pop of pink flowers (it makes me want to see more pink accents). I hope our living room comes together even one percent as nicely as this!

    Reply

  41. Amanda White says

    Fabulous throw pillows! All the colors flow so well, she did a great job of picking out the paint colors on the wall! Definitely an inspiration..I am wanting to paint my guest room a good blue color. ***Sherry, do they still have Gentle Tide? I didn’t see it at Home Depot and I was thinking of using the color in my guestroom and having all white bedding! I think it would be pretty! :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Amanda,

      Supposedly if you ask at the counter they can look up the formula and whip up a batch for you even though the color has been discontinued. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  42. kristin jo says

    Very pretty room Laura! I bet you enjoy that comfy chair w/ ottoman a lot.

    I have a very tactical question: how did you hang the sheers? Are they hanging on a tension rod? It doesn’t look like you are using a double rod — the hardware for the panels looks separate. Any advice would be great! I now have panels and may add sheers for more privacy.

    cheers,
    -kristin jo

    Reply

  44. Jana says

    Great transformation! More modern, yet inviting. I too love the pillows.

    Sherry, any tips for your favorite online sites for great-looking (and of course, affordable!) pillows? I always seem to see the same things at all of the stores. You’ve probably already posted that somewhere, but I missed it. Thanks!!

    Reply

  48. Sara says

    Gorgeous makeover, I love the colors used! I’ve never heard of the Christmas Tree Shop before this post. I had to check it out, but there’s not one near me, just like the nearest IKEA is 300 miles away. =(

    Reply

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