There’s always this point in a renovation process, where you get 90% of the way done. You’ve seen so much progress! The room is functional again. The end is in sight! And then somehow, inevitably, things stall. There are furniture pieces that get backorder dates pushed back. The custom window treatments are on a long timeline. A sub-contractor is out of town for awhile. You’re so close, and yet you still don’t feel like you can totally put your feet up.
That’s where we are with our living room renovation. But since there are so many elements that are new, I do want to show you where we’re at!
Living Room Ceilings, Trim, and Paint
Of all the things we’ve done, the new color of this room is the most noticeable. And it’s a combination of two elements:
- We added Velux skylights to the ceiling to brighten what has been arguably one of the darkest rooms in the house.
- We changed the paint color from Farrow & Ball Pigeon to Farrow & Ball London Stone.
But that’s not all! I wanted this room to feel very traditional, and so we added trim to almost every wall, nook and cranny of this room. Other architectural updates are new built-in bookcases, a sofa nook, and a window seat by the front left window.
I’ve heard some people wonder why I didn’t create symmetry with a window seat on the other side. It would have stuck out awkwardly, since we’re not doing built-ins on that side. Also, I specifically designed the living room for our Christmas tree to be on the front left! Previously it just didn’t feel like it had a dedicated place in that room. (Our family LOVES Christmas, OK!? Let’s normalize making your home reflect what you’re passionate about.)
Living Room Furniture
This renovation felt like the perfect time for a refresh of the furniture in this room. Most of the pieces we’d brought from our last house, which can work great for a time. But sometimes you want a new perspective to change the feel of a room.
Pinstripe sofas: Last year, as I really honed in on my design aesthetic, I realized that I wanted to swap my two mismatched sofas we’d brought from our last house in the living room for matching sofas a more traditional styling. I found these beautiful pinstripe sofas at Serena & Lily, and the deep seats are so dreamy to lounge on, plus the modern silhouette with a traditional-style stripe looks charming. The only downsides are that they show Cricket’s hair like crazy, and they don’t photograph well, so they can look blindingly white online.
Sofa table: I was on the hunt for a new, slimmer profile table to tuck behind our sofa, and I couldn’t believe my luck when the one that was all the right measurements—not taller or wider than the couch and nice and slim so the couch doesn’t sit too far out—also happened to have amazing character. What are the chances?!
Navy swivel chairs: Our new navy blue swivel chairs might just be my favorite new pieces in the room. Our family loves a swivel chair (kids are just magnets to them, am I right?!). These beauties deliver on every level. They’re ultra-comfortable with very durable fabric. And the tassel fringe on the bottom matches my personality to a T.
Gingham ottomans: The gingham ottomans were a no-brainer for me—they mix so well with the other pieces in the room. (Pattern play forever!) They’re solid enough to sit on and comfy! My only wish is that that white wasn’t so white.
Coffee table: The new coffee table is a showstopper. It’s the perfect size in my opinion, comes with storage, and isn’t 500 pounds, like our last one. The color is divine, and it looks like a high-end antique. (It definitely was an investment.)
Living Room Lighting, Art & Decor
Table lamps: I’ve had these on my wish list forever and I think this might be a case of hopes too high? I love the English Manor House style, but as I soon as I put them in place, they looked small. Scale is everything! For now, I’ve boosted them up on books.
Fireplace sconces: When I first got these sconces, I thought I had made a mistake—the shades were blinding white and drawing too much attention. I swapped in black shades with gold interiors (I got these on Amazon years ago), and now they’re moody and unexpected.
Picture lights: I added these over the bookcase, and at first I was worried that the dark bronze would look too modern (hence why I panic-ordered EVERY Rub ‘n Buff color and ended up testing them all). But once all the other elements came together, they died into our dark windows beautifully.
Pharmacy Floor Lamp: This lamp is so nice, I bought it twice. Chris is less convinved—he feels like he’s being interrogated while lounging on the couch. I like how they act as a reading lamp. I think they’re growing on him though…
Art: I sprung for a set of 12 Josh Young originals that I had been eyeing for a little while—they have such a fun moody modern look to the room! It was quite a process making sure this grid wall was even behind the new sofa nook. (See Hang a Perfect Grid Gallery Wall: Pro Tips & a Genius Hack.)
The To-Do List for Our Living Room Renovation
Here’s what’s left on the punch list for our living room, getting it all wrapped up for the big reveal!
Light Switch Plates: I need to purchase new light switch plates to finish off the space.
Window Seat Cushion: The new velvet cushion has arrived, and I need to photograph it! I love the tone-on-tone look it gives the window seat.
Art: The grid of art needs to be reframed. I was so eager to frame those Josh Young originals that I quickly grabbed a set from Amazon. The price was good, but they only have one hanging hook on each back, so they tilt very easily. And for a composed grid? I need them to be aligned! I’m going to use Framebridge to get them professionally framed with a larger mat. I’m leaning toward a less-than-super-white mat and a subtle antique silver frame to elevate the pieces.
Window Treatments: This is a tricky one. I’m debating between shades or drapes for the windows. The window seat makes this complicated, but I’m thinking through asymmetrical options or maybe just adding them to the front windows.
Mantle Mirror: We’re replacing the current mirror that’s leaning on the wall with an antique-style mirror above the fireplace. This will allow us to easily layer art and other decor on the mantle. I’ve selected a beautifully speckled antiqued mirror for its character, since it’s more about reflecting light and adding interest than being a functional, clear mirror.
There are just a few more finishing touches to go. While a room is never really “finished”, it’s so enjoyable to see all the stages. Let this be your reminder to take pictures of your home in its current state!
Would you mind sharing whether you have recessed lights in your ceiling? If so, how big? I tried looking for them in your pictures, but there’s only one picture that seems to show a very small one next to the beam.
We are doing a total Reno. Our living room had a vaulted ceiling like your yours. We decided to wait on the skylights, but have been wondering whether we really need recessed lights or not. We have wired for them, but need to make this decision soon before the dry wall is installed.
We have two spotlights that light up the mantle, but no recessed lights in the living room.
You have beautiful windows. You don’t need any window treatments in this room. They will cut the windows or the light in all the wrong ways. Skip it and save the cost.
I agree on the window covering comment. The windows are stunning elements themselves and it doesn’t appear you need any for privacy reasons as this room faces the back yard. Perhaps reconsider adding anything on the windows – this would also help with allowing light into this space which is why the skylights were added!
How fun to dream up a vision and watch it come to life! Every detail is absolutely stunning! I enjoy watching everything come together!
Advice you didn’t ask for: switch the 12 prints and the large painting! With the lamps and table accessories, that side is looking kinda bitzy. A bold/modern piece would give the eye a little rest. And the 12 prints on the other wall would be dynamic!
Yes! Agree!
Ooh I second this idea!!
Buster and Punch offers amazing switches etc. I am going to miss seeing (my!) Ocean & Spice rug if you switch it out. It’s the most beautiful rug and I love it in your living room. And mine! 🫶🏻
It’s one of my favorites too. Will always be rotating it through my rooms to refresh the look!