Living Room (Mini) Makeover Reveal, Plus, It’s Dressed for Fall!

Sources: Chandelier | Rug (8 x 10′) | Wooden Wall Art | Sofa | Wingback Chair | Coffee Table | Coffee Table Tray | Leather X Bench | Bronze Linen Pillow | Green Linen Pillow | Teddy Bear Throw | Map Art | Brass Party Tub on Hearth | Large Vase on Hearth | Faux Magnolia Branches

Living Room Mini Makeover Before and After

After we updated our living room a few years ago — mainly a few furnishings — I still had several items on my “one day” wish list. This latest mini makeover isn’t an undoing or re-doing of anything we did when I shared the living room reveal HERE — it’s only an extension. I’m still incredibly happy with all we did a couple years ago (so I’m gonna give myself a pat on the back for the decisions I made back then 😉 ) but there were more hefty (read: costly) projects that we didn’t get into at that point. While all the additional changes I had in mind were aesthetic, they were mostly projects I planned to outsource. As much as I love our two story living room — the center point of our home that’s open to just about every space in the house — anything that’s done tends to be a major undertaking. You can’t just paint the walls. Because everything is connected, when you paint the walls, you have to paint the walls of the room, but they also extend into the entry, up the stairs, along the top hallway/catwalk, etc. The same goes for the ceiling. And the trim and molding.

Before I get to far along in explanation, let’s go ahead and take a look at what the living room looked like this time last year…

Sources:  Rug (8 x 10′) | Wooden Wall Art | Sofa | Coffee Table | Coffee Table Bowl | Leather X Bench | Green Linen Pillow | Teddy Bear Pillow | Teddy Bear Throw | Large White Urns on Built In | Map Art | Brass Party Tub on Hearth | Large Vase on Hearth | Sherpa Child’s Chair

and here’s what it looks like today!

Sources: Chandelier | Rug (8 x 10′) | Wooden Wall Art | Sofa | Coffee Table | Coffee Table Bowl | Coffee Table Tray | Leather X Bench | Bronze Linen Pillow | Green Linen Pillow | Tasseled Cream Throw | Map Art | Brass Party Tub on Hearth | Large Vase on Hearth | Faux Magnolia Branches

Changing the paint from greige to white alone brightened up our house so much! When we walked in from vacation a few months ago, I joked it was almost blinding, but it truly was so crazy how much more light it reflects. It also initially felt really stark compared to some of the light pastels and rug we had on display. As I continued to make updates, I made an effort to bring a little warmth back in the space. Here’s a full list of notable updates we’ve made over the past few months.

Living Room Updates

• Painted walls, ceiling, doors, cabinets, and molding in Sherwin Williams Alabaster (walls formerly a warm greige — Versatile Gray by Sherwin Williams and trim and cabinets were Creamy by Sherwin Williams)
• Painted fireplace — stopped at the primer stage
• Replaced ceiling fan with THIS large two-tier light fixture
• Switched the rug to THIS favorite wool & jute rug in “natural” to warm up the space
• Removed the mirrors between the two rows of windows
• Updated the cabinet knobs on the built-ins from standard brushed nickel knobs that came with the house to THESE black round knobs (comes in seven finishes HERE)
• Painted and finished the conversation room — the far room pictured in the background (see the full reveal HERE)
• Of course, some of the decor and accessories have been switched, too 😉

Sources:  Rug (8 x 10′) | Sofa | Coffee Table | Coffee Table Bowl | Leather X Bench | Bronze Linen Pillow | Green Linen Pillow | Large White Urn on Built In | Large Vase on Hearth | Faux Magnolia Branches

Let’s get into some of the details!

The fireplace is actually whiter than I had intended, too, but I like the result. The painter actually face-timed me while we were away after he had applied primer to the stone and I liked it just like that – as is. I have no other details on the primer haha.

Sources: Chandelier | Rug (8 x 10′) | Wooden Wall Art | Sofa | Coffee Table | Coffee Table Bowl | Coffee Table Tray | Bronze Linen Pillow | Green Linen Pillow | Tasseled Cream Throw | Map Art | Brass Party Tub on Hearth | Large Vase on Hearth | Faux Magnolia Branches

Even if you aren’t going down the road of a makeover, changing cabinet knobs is such a quick, easy improvement. As much as I’ve done this on pieces in my home, I can’t believe I’d never changed the brushed nickel knobs that were previously on our built-ins. I opted for THESE round matte black knobs and had them replaced within two minutes. It carries some of the contrasting decor on the shelves and extends that black detail down the cabinet a bit, which makes a bigger difference than I’d assumed.

Something I’ve talked about and mentioned here for literally years was changing out our fan and switching to some sort of statement light fixture. I put it off and put it off, assuming an electrician would have to bring a crew, bring in scaffolding, etc. Well, when the electricians came to work on the bathroom and other full room remodels, I added this installation to their list. First of all, a team of two guys were able to get the fan down and this fixture unboxed and up within an hour. Second of all, no scaffolding was involved. They had some sort of crazy a-frame ladder with extension and switched it with ease. I had no idea how uncomplicated it would be for a team who knew what they were doing! The Darlana two-tiered ring chandelier comes in three sizes and finish options — mine is the “large” in “aged iron” and can be found HERE. It’s from the exact same collection and the exact finish as my small entry lantern.

Sources: Chandelier | Rug (8 x 10′) | Wooden Wall Art | Sofa | Wingback Chair | Teddy Bear Throw | Large White Vase | Coffee Table | Coffee Table Tray | Coffee Table Bowl (similar)| Leather X Bench | Bronze Linen Pillow | Green Linen Pillow | Teddy Bear Throw | Map Art | Brass Party Tub on Hearth

If you caught it on the middle right — yes, that is Eliza’s play kitchen that’s been in the living room since Christmas. I can’t wait for her playroom to happen! 😉

I hunted for the “perfect” living room rug for months before conceding and declaring it “ok” to order a second rug of a rug I already had. I love the wool and jute rug we have in the dining room — it isn’t scratchy, has held up incredibly well, and doesn’t “break the bank” in terms of quality large rugs. I’m so glad I ordered it for the living room, too. There are three color options and I have the “natural” color in both spaces — you can see it in the dining room HERE and you can check out the listing and other colors available HERE.

Sources: Rug (8 x 10′) | Coffee Table | Wooden Bowl | Wood Bead Garland

Fall Living Room Decor Details

Now, let’s talk a little about some of the seasonal-specific details.

If you’ve been around during the cooler months in previous years, you know how I feel about magnolia stems. While I’ve always displayed live limbs, I thought it was time to finally invest in some faux magnolia stems that I could reset as a permanent fixture time and time again. I moved the large white vessel and traded it for my favorite huge stoneware vase. I’ve been on a big “organic” elements kick for the past couple of years but I’m especially loving those hints and finishes in this white room that I’m attempting to warm. I have seven magnolia stems (HERE) in this vase for a full effect — it could easily take more or less 😉

I went for an earth-toned color scheme for fall with greens and browns and with these stems tie it all together with the best of both.

Sources: Cement Urn | Faux Magnolia Branches

We’re planning our annual pumpkin farm trek for later this week but I still managed to get my hands on a few pumpkins for the inside of the house in the meantime 😉

Because our tv is over our mantel, it’s even more important to me to have simple, but intentional statement decor on the hearth. I usually make minimal shifts and keep the items large scale in nature.

I shared our fall entry this past week (HERE) but didn’t share what’s going on on the opposite wall, beside the door. This is where I moved the former white vase that was previously on the hearth and coupled it with some faux maple stems I’ve had for a few years.

Sources: Mirror | Large White Vase | Chest

Scroll & Tap to Shop Fav Faux Fall Leaf Stems

Because my walls are white and my sofas are ivory, I wanted to use warm, fall-ready colors in my pillows to — you guessed it — “warm things up” 😉 haha. I went with a combo of some of my favorite, tried and true throw pillows that continue to be some of my go-tos, all throughout the year, all throughout my house. THESE linen pillows come in two sizes — mine are the 24″ version — and I have it in several colors. They are a bit of an investment but like I said, they are among my favorites and I rarely ever put any of them in storage; I just tend to shift them to another room. I even went ahead and ordered the “Redwood” color for the holiday season. The color pictured here, currently in my living room is “Bronze” and you can find them HERE, available currently in 15 shades. I also have that “Sage” green textured pillow in multiple colors — mine is the 20″ and you can find it HERE. The small lumbar is a favorite from Tonic Living but unfortunately, is discontinued. You can find a similar one in their shop HERE.

Sources: Bronze Linen Pillow | Green Linen Pillow | Windowpane Check Pillow- no longer available (SIMILAR)

Sources: Rug | Sofa | Bronze Linen Pillow | Green Linen Pillow | Striped Pillow (similar) | Cream Tassel Throw | Side Table | Floor Lamp | Wall Art | Woven Box | Woven Tissue Box Holder

As a side note, I’ve been sharing THIS tissue box cover on repeat over on Instagram. We now have tissue boxes all over the house and I went a little crazy, getting one pretty rattan cover in this color (pictured) HERE, and five in this whitewashed color HERE.

I think it’s been upwards of three years now that I’ve been using THIS brass beverage tub to hold some fireside wood, and I have no plans to make any changes any time soon 😉 While I have been keeping it out year-round, fall and winter are my favorite seasons to have it on display.

I also made a simple lamp shade switch recently. My mom purchased a new lamp that fell victim to her cat, but the shade was still in perfect condition. I put that — along with the wooden finial — on the table lamp in the sitting area for a fresh new look.

Another favorite I love so much I’ve collected it in multiple colors is this tobacco hued teddy throw. It’s a couch cuddlin’ favorite and big enough for everyone to crawl underneath. It’s also large enough to drape at the foot of a bed without it looking short or awkward.

I kept my fall decor simple and understated. I kept my green plants out, along with my favorite coffee table books, but made a few minor additions here and there. Eliza loves playing with the pumpkins and arranging them so having them in a bowl, low and accessible, is an easy choice.

Coffee Table Bowl (similar) | Wood Bead Garland | Rattan Tray | Coffee Table

Sources: Coffee Table | Woven Tray | Coasters | Cut Flower Garden Book | Color Me Floral Book

And here’s how the entire living room looks, all pulled together, all updated, and all ready for fall.

Sources: Chandelier | Rug (8 x 10′) | Wooden Wall Art | Sofa | Wingback Chair | Coffee Table | Coffee Table Tray | Leather X Bench | Bronze Linen Pillow | Green Linen Pillow | Teddy Bear Throw | Side Table | Floor Lamp | Woven Storage Hamper | Map Art | Brass Party Tub on Hearth | Large Vase on Hearth | Faux Magnolia Branches

Our home continues to be an evolution and I’m so happy to finally share some sort of transformation since we’ve had so many rooms and projects in limbo! To catch more makeover reveals, transformations, and all things holiday (we are right around the corner!), be sure to subscribe to my emails at the bottom of the post. Here’s to a healthy, happy fall, y’all. xoxo

Living Room Sources