Friday, March 4, 2011

A Whole New Room


When we bought our home seven years ago, the rooms were all painted beautiful colors and the trim was white. I loved this look, especially with the hardwood floors. We bought the home brand-new, but didn't have it built. I thought it had more character than most new houses, but after being here seven years I've realized how dark the house is. With a covered front porch, the living room doesn't get all that much light. This is what the room looked like in January before we started building a new fireplace.

We'd been discussing painting anyway, but the fireplace construction made me realize that we need to get the painting done sooner than we might have otherwise. And so, we've been busy, first building the fireplace, and then painting, and installing a chair rail, and more board and batten. I love this look! It's the best of both worlds for me. Color on the top in a rich, flat finish, white on the bottom, in an easy to clean semi-gloss.


And here's the room this afternoon. So much lighter. So much more character! I feel like I live in a cottage now! The colors? Sherwin Williams Roman Column on the bottom, and Sherwin Williams Hardware on the top.


I've added a few houseplants this evening, and I need to pick curtains. I'm trying to decide between these and these. I have samples of both on the way. I think Chester likes the new look. I know I do!

24 comments:

Phyllis said...

I absolutely LOVE it. The floors look so great and you are right it does look like a cottage. Great job on the fireplace. Can I come live there?

anne said...

I love it Mrs. Kern!
Anne

Unknown said...

Truly you should be very proud of yourself.
congratulations
BTW I LOVE the quilt
Rachel

Terri said...

Tracy, it is absolutely beautiful! You did a great job.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Stunning!

The change is amazing. It is very cottage-like and I love the fireplace!

You all did a fabulous job!

Love, love, love it!
Deanna

ps - can you tell I like it?

Becky K. said...

It is like a photo from a magazine. I just had to stare and stare. Beautiful!

shelia said...

WOW love IT!!!!

Rachel said...

It looks awesome!!!! I think I like the "bird song" curtains the best (at least by the online pics). I wonder which you will pick once you can see them IRL.

Jordin said...

Amazing! This is INSPIRING!

Rebecca said...

You aren't kidding! This room is amazing! It looks so incredibly different, which always fascinates me how one room can take on entirely different characteristics. Well DONE.

And I love the wooden chairs.

Love the board and batten.

Love the fireplace.

Love the quilt that so perfectly pulls everything together. (Did you make it?)

Love the CURTAIN choices too.

Everything, is lovely, made more so with your very own elbow grease.

My house seems to to always be an untidy compliation of free-off-the-side-of-the-road stuff and yard sale finds. And because we rent, I have never had the pleasure of starting from scratch on a room canvas. You make me look forward to that day all the more!

Darlene said...

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!! what an amazing transformation...it's like a showroom or something out of a magazine!! you'll have so much enjoyment from the fireplace too!!

i'm with rachel...love the bird song curtains...at least from pictures...

Tully Family said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I might have to steal this! And, I love the bird curtains. :)

Short Stop said...

Tracy! It looks fantastic! What a transformation!

Sherwin-Williams Hardware - did you know that's what I used in my kitchen remodel and family room? YAY!

Short Stop said...

I forgot to look at the curtains before - I think I'm partial to the Tree of Life ones. LOVE those!

Nadine said...

It looks beautiful Tracy! You guys did an amazing job transforming the room! :)

Blessings!
~Nadine

farmhousequilter8 said...

Well, first of all, who spit shines those floors? haha
Love the way you changed the room
Paula

Unknown said...

ohh frogot to ask, what is the name of your very handsome furry friend?
all the best
Rachel

Tracy said...

Paula, I scrubbed them on my hands and knees- it's the only way to get them clean, if you ask me! I am NOT a mop person, at all.

Rachel, He is handsome, isn't he? His name is Chester.

Cait said...

Oh Mrs. K, it's beautiful! It really does look like a magazine cottage or something, except more homey. And both of the curtain choices look lovely and whimsical.

Margo said...

can't wait to see it with the curtains, too. Both are lovely - don't know how you're going to decide!

Margo said...

my other comment got lost in an error post: I was telling you that it's BEAUTIFUL. and I agree you got the best of both worlds - way to go, Tracy!

Danielle said...

It looks amazing Tracy!

Susan said...

Lovely!!!

Abounding Treasures said...

It looks amazing!! Just love the character of it all :o)

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