I thought I would give you a little update on the living room renovation. We are getting close to the finish line, thank goodness, and it won’t be long before I can start decorating.
I love to show the “before”, so here is where we started……….
Still stuck in 1972, with pink shag carpet, popcorn ceiling, and heavy drapery.
Hubby used to say that this room reminded him of the parlor at a funeral home……not good!
It had some positive attributes though………
fabulous mouldings, large windows, and a lovely fireplace on one end of the room.
Here is where we are now………..
It’s still a work in progress, but we’re almost finished!
We removed the 40 year old wall to wall pink shag carpet when we first moved in, leaving just the sub floor for the last couple of years.
I decided I would rather live with the sub flooring, rather than the old shag carpet, until we could get to the renovation of this room.
As soon as we started renovating a few months ago, the first thing to go was the popcorn ceiling…..scraping, patching, and painting….
It looks so much better now, fresh and clean.
Hubby is a gem…he did all of the ceiling so that I wouldn’t have to. I keep telling you, he is a keeper!
He also primed all of the woodwork, prepping it for painting.
All of the wood was painted in Sherwin Williams Snowbound for a fresh clean look.
Originally, all of the woodwork had a yellowy maple stain.
It was a bit dingy and nondescript.
However, we discovered something special when we started working with the mouldings….
……….something that had gone totally unnoticed before now.
On the inside of each one of those square mouldings is another trim piece……
…..and those had been gold leafed.
Oh my goodness!
With the original yellowy, maple stain on the outside wood, these gold leafed mouldings totally disappeared and we had never noticed them before!
When hubby started priming the wood trim for painting, he discovered them, and brought them to my attention….as in, “Hey, honey, I think you might want to come look at this!”
I was pretty excited!
I had already decided on the wall color, Sherwin Williams Dovetail, and these gilded mouldings add just the right amount of richness and elegance.
After all these years, they can finally be seen again!
We also added extra moulding to the top of the doors and windows for added height.
We’ve done this in each room that we’ve renovated. It helps increase the visual height of the doors and windows, giving the illusion of higher ceilings.
It’s such an easy addition and it gives a nice custom detail to each room.
All of the painting is finished on the walls and trim, and the old fireplace mantel got a fresh coat of paint as well.
The only things left to do is finish laying the wood floors and re-install the baseboard trim.
It should be finished by the end of next week and then the fun part can begin!
I have a couple of french bergère chairs that I need to reupholster to go in this room, and the antique french sofa that I reimagined in old grain sacks several years ago, will be going in the living room, as well.
I’m still crushing on the fireplace…..it has pink marble surround and hearth…..and that fire box is beyond fabulous!
I love vintage homes with wonderful architectural details….and this home doesn’t disappoint.
There seems to be a surprise in every room!
More to come…….
Cheers,
Cindy
Could you explain how you added the extra mounding to the top of the doors? We have low ceilings in our downstairs/basement level and your “trick” seems like a perfect idea! Too clever!!!
Judy, here’s the link to the post that we show how to add the moulding to the doors!
https://edithandevelynvintage.com/add-door-mouldings-architectural-detail/
Wow……and wow again!
I love how the living room is looking! So chic and elegant! The color palette looks super sophisticated. Thank you for sharing the progress!
Oh my gosh… this house goes on and on!! It’s so beautiful! You and your husband have thought of everything. No planked ceiling?? I like that since this is a more formal look. Can’t wait to see the final shot. Well done as usual.
Thank you, Mary!
This is fabulous. I can’t wait to see the reveal.
Thank you, Katie!
Ditto everything Alice said!!! I can’t wait to see it furnished. You two are amazing.
Thank you so much, Linda!
Who would have guessed all of that beauty was under layers of heavy curtains and carpet? The fireplace, moldings and the gold leaf trim are beautiful! I can’t wait to see the finished living room. Will there be a chandelier? (I hope?) I am running out tomorrow to pick up Romantic Homes Magazine to see the rest of your stunning home! Cheers! Dell
Thank you, Dell! There will probably be a chandy added at some point. I haven’t found one yet that I love, so I’m still looking!
Hi Cindy
Just curious about why you didn’t add additional moulding over the bay windows so the height matches the other windows and doors? This is not a criticism as I love everything you have done to the house! You are truly inspiring.
Hi Barbara! You may not be able to see it in the pictures, but the bay windows actually have “lowered ceiling” area over the top of them. The frames of the windows actually go right up to the underneath side of this “lowered ceiling”. I’m sure there’s a correct name for it but I don’t know what it is! It’s sort like a soffit area. Anyway there is no room to add more moulding over the bay windows or I definitely would have!
The gold leaf is to die for. This is going to be a beautiful room. I love all the detail and I’m sure you will put your magic touch on it.
Thank you, Nancy! {{Hugs}}!
Cindy, can’t wait for the finish. Everything you do has the Midas touch. Hugs to you,hubby and Ruby Lou. ( love the sofa )
Thank you, Sue!!
The room is stunning. I cannot wait to see more! This house was screaming for you two to make it over.
Thank you, Debbie! I wish it was finished!
Can’t wait to see the finished living room…..you and your hubby make an amazing team! It will be beautiful I’m sure.
Thanks, Toni!
Beautiful! The fireplace is stunning and it’s great to uncover a prize, like the gold leaf, when you’re ‘adjusting’ other peoples 40 year old choices to bring in your own fresh ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth!
Why am I not surprised that YOU would just happen to purchase a house that surprisingly had gilded moldings hidden in a room, lol??? I love the fact that you took these photos with views into the adjacent rooms!! This house is already magnificent…I can’t to see the living room when completed!!!
I know, right?!? It’s perfect!
Oh that FIREBOX!!!!!!!!!!!! It is gorgeous and I WANT IT!!! !LOL! The gilded molding were a fabulous surprise too! Every room you tackle comes out beyond beautiful and I so look forward to seeing the living room decorated! Then decorated for Christmas will be amazing, I know!!!
Thank you, Pinky! I think I may need to find more furniture!
So exciting Cindy! Just beautiful!
Thank you, Linda!
Cindy, this is a beautiful room with so many fabulous details. You amaze me how you can re-imagine and transform a room. Love the moldings and the fireplace. I can’t wait to see your finished space!
Thank you, Debra! It’s a rather large room so I’m hoping I have enough pieces to fill it…..or I may need to go vintage shopping!
What a nice surprise to have discovered that beautiful gold leaf trim. You have certainly brought that room back to life and into the 21st Century. Yes, that firebox is beyond exquisite!! I just love how you tackle one room at a time. Cannot wait to see how you will decorate it!
Thanks, Shirley! I’m not sure how it will all turn out….I have a small vision in my head, but we’ll see once I start bringing some furniture in. {{Hugs}}
Cindy I too love keeping up with all you are doing to that wonderful home. I’m really interested in doing that trim above the doors and windows. Our ceiling is nine feet which is fine. However, especially in our kitchen the space above our windows just looks like too much. I took down fabric valances and like the clean look and do not want fabric back.
The question I wondered is if that is one piece of trim on top or is it several on the flat board. Also is there a “roof” on the very top? Did not know what to call that…but if there is a top cover what did your husband nail it to? Sherrill
Hi Sherrill! On top of the door frames, we placed a flat piece of 6″ x 1/2″ mdf board. Then we added decorative crown moulding at the top and side with the corners mitered at a 45 degree angle. The decorative crown is actually nailed and glued to the flat board which sits behind it. I hope this makes sense! Check out this post for a few more details: https://edithandevelynvintage.com/stripping-living-room-renovation/
Your vision is so on target. I am inspired! Were you able to tape off the gold leaf trim or did you have to free hand the paint? It turned out beautifully!
Thank you, Jodi! We were able to tape off the inset moulding, and then after removing the tape, all I had to do was touch up a few areas.
I agree with Alice above…..that house was meant to be for you two!! What an outstanding labor of love y’all have invested in this home! I’m excited to see living room decorated!
Thank you so much, Nancy!
I love your living room Cindy! It always amazes and inspires me how you can transform a room. What a team you and your husband are! And that fireplace! Showing my ignorance here, but is it a decorative fireplace or is it useable? And where did you start in deciding paint colour?
Thank you, Patti! The fireplace is useable, however it has never had a fire built in it. The original owner and builder built the home with two fireplaces, one in the family room, and one in the living room. From what we’ve been told, right before the home was finished, her husband passed away and she was a bit fearful of fire, so she had electric logs installed. We use the fireplace in the family room, but we won’t be using this one in the living room, especially with that amazing firebox in it. I’m not sure what a fire would do to the gilded chinoiserie design in the firebox.
As far as the paint goes….we’ve used gray paint for the entire house, and I wanted a gray for the living room that was a bit darker and dramatic…especially after I saw the gilded mouldings! I did some research on darker grays that worked well with the grays that we had already used and fell in love with Sherwin Williams Dovetail!
Such a gorgeous house! Love this room! We have rather low ceilings in our home. I saw on For Love of a House that she uses pearlized Benjamin Moore paint for the ceiling which makes the room look like it has higher ceilings. I love the molding you use over windows and doors! I am going to try the pearl finish paint and the moldings to try to give the illusion of higher ceilings.
Thank you, Vicki! I haven’t heard of using pearlized paint for the ceiling before, I may have to try it!! Thanks for the tip!
Cindy, the room is glorious. What a find with your beautiful gilded moldings and the firebox is beyond gorgeous. I agree with your husbands thoughts on the room before. You are in the process of truly creating a thing of beauty. I know you can hear your dear home thanking you !
Thank you so much, Sandra! Slowly but surely, this old home is coming back into the current decade!
Absolutely stunning-like everything else you’ve transformed. I noticed for the first time on your blog-you have painted your light switches and electrical outlets the same colour as your walls-aren’t you brilliant! Do you need to do anything special so that the paint doesn’t scratch off with use???
Can’t wait to see this room all decorated for Christmas!!! (Well honestly-the entire home holiday tour!)
Cheers,
Thanks, Shelley! All I do is put a coat of primer on the switch plates before painting.
Your taste and vision are exquisite! The added detail above the doors makes such a difference!
Thank you so much, Barbara!
Love your blog, but could you please use a larger font!!
Oh, I know Cheryl, it’s not very large is it? Unfortunately, I can’t customize this theme….BUT we are going to do a re-design after the first of the year and we’ll be able to change the size of the font! So please hang in there with me until we can get it changed! Thank you so much for following along!
Cindy it is the picture ads between your pictures!
Very distracting ! These new ads on blogs are so annoying! I have to say I get the advertising,but each of your pictures had an ad under and then your writing. Can you tame them?
Your blog has been such a pure pleasure,I wait some times with out patience for your post in my box. This house is so amazing. You have breathed and sweated fresh life into it and made it sing!
Thank you, Gaylin! I’m sorry about the ads, I know they can be annoying, and I have reduced them as much as I can, but unfortunately they are paying the bills!
Amazing details in that house, Cindy! You’ve certainly made it a beautiful home!! Love the gold details!!
Celia
Thank you so much, Celia!
You mean that is the firebox ? I thought when I first looked at it that it was a fire screen. That is very pretty and very different !
Yes, that’s the firebox! Amazing, isn’t it?!? Thanks for commenting!
It is truly a beautiful room! I can’t wait to see the final product.
Thank you, Julie!
I love how the gold trim and the fireplace surround play off each other! Also love the paint color you selected. Beautiful as always gf. Sending a hug.
Thanks, Gay! The fire box is so unusual, and you’re right, the gilding in the moulding panels compliment it so well! Hugs!
Wow!! That gold leaf sure does pop now!!! And the inside of the fireplace…I have never seen anything like it!!!
I know, Margie! It’s so different! Thanks for commenting!
OMG the Firebox! I’ve never seen anything that gorgeous. I see now why you purchased that house. Everything about it has been the perfect house to fit your style. To turn it into a modern house would have been a sin and you and that awesome hubby have done a fabulous job in turning it into your dream. I have looked forward to the transformation of each room and can barely wait to see the finished living room. Magazines will come calling!
You are too sweet! Thank you so much, Alice!
Maybe you answered this already but what is the brand and color of the floors you used.
Hi Tron! Our floors are wide plank oak from a local flooring manufacturer. Unfortunately I don’t have brand.