When Sarah sent over her dramatic sitting room makeover we couldn’t wait to share it. Here’s her letter:
I gotta tell you I was in a makeover blip with our old cottage here Down Under but you’ve given me back my zing! Here’s our transformation of the worst sitting room eva! We snapped the before photos of this delightful room at the open house when we bought our beach cottage a year ago, complete with wall art and two tv’s. Now it’s a lot more cozy and current. To see more you can check out my blog. Keep up the good work. Here’s to DIY! -Sarah in Australia
Here’s the crazy and cluttered before:
And the serene and soothing after:
Isn’t that a breath of fresh air? We love everything from the white on white palette with pops of tan and chocolate to the casual vibe that feels effortless and welcoming. Didn’t Sarah work miracles in a formerly chaotic and crazy space? Love it!
Lindsay says
Oh, I love it! I admit I’m normally a colors girl (I heart my pumpkin orange dining room chairs, for instance), but that white on white looks REALLY pretty here. Well done!! :)
Holly says
I can’t believe this is the same room… I’m in awe. I love it!!
Jenny @ Words On Wendhurst says
Awesome makeover! Looks like it is straight out of a magazine. :)
Michelle says
This is amazing and gorgeous! Took my breath away! Congratulations on an amazing transformation!
Heather says
I’m in love, especially with that wall color!
Melo says
Is that really the same place?!?! If so – great job!
Roseanna says
Wow! This is gorgeous!
Sarah, what’s the story on that paint color? Such a refreshing color scheme!
Sandra says
Wow, vast improvement! I can’t believe the previous owners held an open house with the room looking like that! They should have hired Sarah to help them make over the place first!
Sugar Cookie says
This is beautiful! Congrats, Sarah!
Katie says
I would like to see a photo of the room that is in a similar angle of the original so I can get more of a feel of what they changed…
micaela@hishouse;herhelp. says
i like the wallcovering that was there in the before pic and think it would have even looked good with the colors/patterns/etc in the after pic!
but still the after looks great! glad you got rid of those two ugly tvs and speakers on the wall!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I love the after! Gorgeous!
Jaimie Chapman says
I just LOVE that couch! : )
Kari says
I hope Sarah has an Australian accent because when I was reading her blog, I imagined her having one. Beautiful transformation!!
Meredith says
WOW! Awesome transformation!!!
Amanda says
I LOVE all the white. I never thought I was such a white person (as in, decor) but it just works so well with the natural browns and tans.
micah says
Beautiful! Can’t believe it’s the same room!
Erin @ Domestic Adventure says
Amazing makeover! I would love to know where Sarah snagged that tulip artwork (I love tulips). I couldn’t find it on her blog…
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Erin,
We believe that we’ve seen similar art work at Ikea so that’s a good place to look! Happy hunting…
xo,
s
Anna See says
Deeee-lightful Sarah! Great job.
prettythings says
Sarah’s blog is one of my other mainstays that I read often … you should see her other pics – I’ve never seen anyone else pull off (successfully) so much white! And it’s a shame she didn’t share a pic of her awesome steamer trunk … normally it’s in the sitting room, but perhaps this pic was taken before she scored that find.
Christine says
I love the lamps especially! Great job, Sarah.
Kevin M says
Love the kid sneaking into the first pic. Nice job on the room, too.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha the kid cracked us up too Kevin! So glad everyone’s enjoying Sarah’s amazing makeover and dropping in on her fantastic blog!
xo,
s
Caitlin says
@ Jenny is right – it does look like it popped out of a magazine!
What a great transformation, Sarah!
I can’t quite tell from the photo, but are those shelves in the “before” picture built in?
Calliope says
Sarah’s blog deco (and adventures in the Down Under) is amazing. Her house styling is to die for and all based in some serious thrifting and secondhanding and garbage picking!!
Go check her out and you will all love her. Search the blogland for “a beach cottage”
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Calliope,
We actually included a direct link to Sarah’s blog in the post above (see her letter) so we hope it helps everyone find their way over there!
xo,
s
Roeshel says
I love Sarah’s beachy style and find so much inspiration at her blog. She’s lovely and her home is so pretty, cozy and comfortable.
Mrs. Money says
Wow, that is amazing!! I LOVE the after!
sarah { abeachcottage } says
Hi everyone
Thanks for the room love haha! (I’v others to share, maybe I should send them to Sherry to feature)
Yep the before pic was the open house when we viewed this old place and this was the good room! It was filthy, dark and gloomy but from months of house hunting, we knew it had the right bones – a cottage on a big plot, a huge old protected fig tree in the garden, some vintage sash windows and wood floors…
the shelves: these were ‘built-in’ to an old doorway that was between the breakfast room and the front sitting room – we pulled it out to bring some light in and create a more open walk through feel
All the furniture/lamps in the room are mainly junk finds that I’ve painted white – the sofa is very old and squashy and is easily stripped and shoved in the washing machine every now and then. The floor was sanded, sealed and varnished. Rug is from IKEA.
the trunk: yep I sent these pics over before I found that! now there’s an old Hungarian vintage steamer trunk (that really is a bit big for the room but I love it!) found at a garage sale.
the tulips: yep IKEA (where I spend most of my money on stuff I don’t thrift or junk)
photo angle: it is from exactly the same spot, unfortunately the ‘before’ was from a phone so couldn’t take in the whole room
wallcovering: this was actually ok in terms of style, apart from the sheen to it, however, this was a major overhaul to this cottage as one of the worst things about it was the ahem, cleanliness. There was no way anything like wallpaper was staying. And all else was scrubbed for days and zapped with paint.
paint colour: Dulux Whisper White
Hope that answers ok!
Sarah
sarah { abeachcottage } says
p.s thanks to Sherry and John for the feature
I love coming over here for inspiration…keep it up!
Merry Christmas
Sarah
YoungHouseLove says
It was our pleasure Sarah! And thanks so much for stopping in with all those answers for everyone. We’re not at all surprised that your sitting room transformation is quite a hit, and you know we’d love to share other room makeovers of yours in the future!
xo,
s (& j)
Amanda says
I love every piece of furniture in this room. Though I have to admit the non-centered coffee table is bugging me :P !
jbhat says
It really is a breath of fresh air…fresh and beachy air. I love a good before and after. This one is one of those where you aren’t super sure it’s the same space. Thanks for sharing!
Vic says
I’m a “beach girl” myself and oh my gosh I am LOVING this makeover! What an incredible redo… who wouldn’t want to come home to this at the end of the day!!!
28 says
The room itself almost looks like a sepia or black and white photo. I love it. What a great makeover!
Beth says
I normally like color but the room looked fantastic with all the white on white and tan! Well done!
on my way to her blog right now!
~Beth
http://southernfriedliving.blogspot.com/
Anne says
What a change Sarah, it looks fantastic, actually checking out your blog, the whole house looks great – Congrats! I think I’ve just found a new regular blog.