Living Room : Before and After

09 November 2010

Okay. Here is the before when we looked at the house:


And here it is today:november 2010 023 1
We started from scratch with the big ticket items: furniture, curtains, etc. We set our budget for furniture at $1,000. I ordered a sofa with custom fabric and pillows for $920 and was hoping to pick up some chairs in my thrifting somewhere along the way, since I had lots of the filler stuff from our last house to complete the room.
Then we all went to the dentist this spring. We didn’t have dental insurance while my husband was getting his PhD in Texas. Yikes. Our bill was much bigger than we had planned, and I was so wishing I didn’t order that sofa. I think the Lord stepped in, because the very next day we got a phone call from the furniture store that the fabric I wanted for my sofa was discontinued. They said they were sorry and would like to give me a $100 credit towards another one. thank you thank you thank you!!
living room hailey
We went back to the store to look and they were just unloading this one at their Memorial Day tent sale. I loved it, my husband tested the comfortable-ness, he loved it and it was $497 that weekend! It reminded me a little of this WS beauty, but I wasn’t sure about blue with kids. So I sent my sisters pictures, and they told me to get my hiney back to the store and get it. So, with my $100 credit, we got it for $397. We’ve had it for 6 months and we’ve loved it. I scotch-guard all of our furniture (and pillows) with the stuff in the can from Target and the raspberry jam-graham crackers-peanut butter-halloween-candy-cheez its-markers-brownies-pumpkin cookies-applesauce  have all wiped off, thankfully.
living room daily
Okay, and I know you love the cost breakdown, so here we go:sofa: Carlton by March Furniture $397
Scotch Guard in a can: $8
november 2010 017 1
striped linen pillow from Coldwater Creek: $11  (sorry, they don’t have them anymore)november 2010 005 1
november 2010 009 1   picture frames and mats from Target clearance this year and 2 yrs ago: $3.24 each = $20
B&W 5X7 and 8X10 prints from Walmart taken with my camera(that desperately need to be updated!) $5
lamps from TJ Maxx: 14.99 ea = $30
Accessories: tray from Target Easter clearance last year: $4
Sticks, candle, plates, etc. Some were gifts..let’s say $10
november 2010 033 1
number tins: $3.99 at TJ Maxx (x2)
wheat: from Texas! I think it was $7 a bundle at the store. Lasts forever.
november 2010 028 1
Curtains: made them from fabric…more in a later post. $43 (no, I didn’t sew them)
Curtain rings from Walmart: $12
Pair of lamps from Kmart when they were clearing out all of their Martha Stewart stuff: $12 for the pair
Lampshades from Walmart Better Homes & Gardens: $30 for the pair
Scrolly metal thing: $2 Goodwill
Paint: $22 Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige, had it matched in Behr paint.
november 2010 031 1
Piano: nothing really (We sold ours in Texas for $150, bought this one on Craigslist here for $150)
White side table: $10 at Goodwill
Big brown chair & ottoman from neighbor’s yard sale: $20
I realize the balance is all off on the chairs and they probably don’t “fit” together, but until I find something else, they are comfy and the price is right….
Brown pillow: $5 Lowes summer patio clearance
Blue pillow: $8 Tai Pan in Salt Lake
november 2010 045 1 Books: most are gifts and collection from over the years.
november 2010 055 1
Mirrors turned picture frames: 12.48 for mirror, plus $12 for print = $25 X2 (Same thing on other side of piano)
Cream frames: $10 each from Rod Works in Utah X2
Blue scrolly frame: $1 (Dollar Tree) X2
Plate: Yard sale…50 cents. (I’ll show you more in an upcoming post)
PB shelves from yard sale in Idaho long ago: $10
Did I get everything? Do you think I have a disease that I can remember everything..where I got it and how much I paid??
Grand Total for every single little thing in the whole darn room: $842
I’m still on the hunt for a fantastic rug. Seen any that you think would look good in here?
Okay, Melissa stop. Longest living room post ever. Thanks for sticking with me.
Happy Wednesday~

77 comments

  1. It is truly beautiful. I love the "real life" pictures with the kids and the real life perspective on cloth furniture :) Thanks for sharing; I think you have done a great job!!!

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  2. What a beautiful, beautiful room!! I especially love the throw pillows on the couch. I'm off to Etsy to see if there are more. :)

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  3. Looks great. I love that white side table you scored at the Goodwill. I think it all comes together just perfectly. I think I may have your same disease of remembering where I get things. Amazing job.

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  4. Melissa, I was reading the post thinking that same thing, "how in the hec is she remembering all those costs!" amazing you are. I think your room, no matter what you spent on it, looks so much more homey, comfortable and designer than when you bought it. You have done a wonderful job, it is beautiful.

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  5. its a beautiful, wonderful disease that you have. as i was reading, i was sure that you must keep a shopping notebook and write it all down. IN YOUR HEAD? you should get paid to do that for somebody. remember prices. you are a walking price-scanner!

    angie

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  6. I'm so happy for you. You've made a beautiful home and it's so cozy.

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  7. I think you did great, Melissa! And all for under $1,000.00. Nicely done! It looks like the chair fabric goes well with the sofa, and you can just move the chairs around to find a good balance.

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  8. I love it!! Everything. But that blue chair for $10? I am green with envy.

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  9. Incredible!!!
    I think those chairs look awesome together by the way...not unbalanced at all. I LOVE the sofa deal!

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  10. Beautiful job. The room looks very warm and inviting. Great job staying within your budget.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Sandy

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  11. It's beautiful and the palette is very relaxing-looking. My favorite thing is the console with the chalkboard frame and quote. I just love that area. One question- how did you get those pots to have the nice aged patina on it? I love that look I just can't figure out if people do it with paint, or what?
    Oh, and I love all the details and price breakdown! It's fun to read about how thrifty you are. That sofa price is really amazing.

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  12. Elisabeth~thank you! there is a post about it here:
    http://granvillehouse.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-weather-pots.html

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  13. you did a great job, that blue is perfect with the neutrals and other colors in the room

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  14. Wonderful!!! Melissa, I think I love everything about this room. :) If I could airlift it over to my side of Virginia, I totally would. ;)

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  15. I LOVE your living room!! Its gorgeous!! I found a very pretty rug at Home Depot that had browns, blues, creams, etc. that might look great in your space.
    Elise

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  16. Love, love, love! You are inspiring me in my journey to update my home on a budget. I will refer back to this post!

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  17. I had to look again at my link to this post and make sure I wasn't on Pottery Barn or Ballard web site! What a beautiful room and she does it with 5 kids! I'm impressed especially when it's done on a budget. Note to all - it can be done. Encouraging to me.

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  18. Melissa - love the post and living room :) I would love to see the whole quote on that chalkboard - can you post it - it starts out so beautifully and appears to have a great message.

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  19. I love this post - it's so inspiring! You turned an OK room into a fabulous room and explaining exactly how you did it assures people like me that we can do that too! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. I think it's beautiful and I think the seating not being matchy-matchy (great grammar!) is awesome!

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  21. Ahhhh! Seriously, like a breath of fresh air when I first looked at the before and after pictures right next to each other. I love everything you've done. And the couch, what a great bargain! I think it's a fabulous color. Scotchguard is my friend. I actually paid $100 for mine though to be done when I bought my furniture. Everything wipes right off, except maybe pen. Well done on the whole room! :)

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  22. Oh my goodness, your room is beautiful! Great job and I love how you are under budget! I want to re-do our living room...I need to talk to the hubby about it, but I think if I set a budget, we could do it!

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  23. You go girl!!! It looks fab!!!

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  24. I LOVE THESE KINDS OF POSTS! YOUR LIVING ROOM LOOKS AWESOME! I THINK IT MADE MY DAY:) LOL

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  25. Nothing short of AMAZING!! Way to go, lady! And the break down was super helpful.

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  26. You've done an awesome job and I'm very impressed that you kept up with all the costs.

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  27. Wow! You did an amazing job with this! I really need to get new furniture in my family room (couch, coffee table, end table, etc). I never seem to be able to find what I want though at yard sales, craig's list or Goodwill. I think I just need to be more patient and look a little more often. Thanks for sharing your beautiful room!

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  28. What's the quote?

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  29. Your room is beautiful...and what I like best is that is was done on a budget that everyone could do.

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  30. I love your living room and I am amazed at how much you were able to get at great prices. You did a fantastic job creating your beautiful room at a thrifty price!

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  31. It's such a warm and inviting room!! Definitely a place I would feel comfortable! And to do the WHOLE room for less than $900 is pretty spectacular! Just shows what you can do with shopping sense! :)

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  32. An unreal lovely room for a fantastic price. You have a great eye and everything looks wonderful. Beautifully done. Hugs, Marty

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  33. love what you have done...especially love the quote...hits home hard...can you please share who it is from...lovely.

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  34. First, if anyone tells you the "balance" of those chairs is off, they are speaking from the pure, white-hot envy of a thousand suns because that looks FANTASTIC. Far better than "welcome to our chain hotel matchy-matchy chairs" ever could.

    I am usually not a member of "team blue" but I love your room (Even if I do know that I would never pay $12.48 for picture frames -- no matter how cool they are - and yours ARE - because yes, I really am "That Cheap.")

    Gorgeous room! I covet your couch ...

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  35. YOU-ARE-AWESOME!!! My kind of gal. I have had many experiences like the one with your couch. You must be living right!!!

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  36. I LOVE it when you post your before-and-afters! Love, love, love. This room is so cozy and inviting. And no, you're not weird - my husband says it's a sickness that I can't subtract in my head but I can remember the price of everything I've ever bought second-hand!

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  37. Sheri and Stef~ If you click below the picture of the quote (it says this whole ensemble $35) it will take you to the post with the quote and all the info :)

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  38. It looks gorgeous! But I have to ask you, is that lamp on your table between the chairs functional? If so, how are you hiding the cord? I would love to be able to pull this off in my house!

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  39. Chablis~you have such a good eye! When the previous owners had the home built they had a few outlets put in the floor. I could just kiss them. Wish I had a go-buy-it-at-the-dollar-store solution for you...

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  40. http://www.chemicalindustryarchives.com/dirtysecrets/scotchgard/4.asp

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  41. Looks fantastic Melissa!!!

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  42. I love it! When we got our new furnature we got some from a furnature store and had it scotch garded but then I got a rocking chair and ottoman from walmart and they are not scotch garded drives me crazy everything else cleans up so nicely on the other furnature good call on the scotch gaurd ;)

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  43. I think it looks great! I love the punch of blue from the couch, breaks up the neutralness (is that a word?) of the room. I should know, my living room is alot of browns, with some white, navy and red thrown in.

    I love how you take picture frames and transform them with paint. In fact, I think I learned that one from you (?) I have been on a candlestick, frame buying kick lately. I have been buying candle sticks that I love, even if they don't match or look have an ugly color...I paint them white and they all look great together, you can't even tell (at least I can't) that they don't match.

    I do/did the same thing with shelves. I have three in my living room that are all different, but we fixed them up to "somewhat" match and I painted them navy. They all look great together.

    Thanks for all the inspiration! Although my husband I'm sure wouldn't thank you as much as me...LOL!! I love "treasure hunting" now, and it never appealed to me before. I'm sure I've saved tons of money and haven't even realized it.

    Sorry for the super long comment!!

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  44. That looks fabulous. I love the sofa and all the colors. Just beautiful.
    Brooke

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  45. That is gorgeous and that couch is fabulous! We just got a new one and I wish I would have hunted down a better deal! Seriously in love with yours!

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  46. Melissa! WOO HOO!! Girl, you've outdone yourself. This whole look for less than $900??? Seriously? It looks wonderful, and if I were you I'd be proud not only of my gorgeous living room but also of the fact that I could remember all the details! :)

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  47. What a great look. I love the blue and brown and all the little details. Incredible that the whole room cost less than the first couch you had ordered. Very cool. The best part though, the kids 'living' in your beautiful room.

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  48. I love cost break downs! I too remember "the deal" I get on everything (and make my husband and kids guess what they are). I like the off balanced chairs they remind me of the his and hers sizes of coordinating chairs that have been around forever.

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  49. That living room is a great balance of put together and comfy. I would take my shoes off instantly at the first glance and probably nap on the couch 5 minutes later. Casual but classy, for sure!

    Carol
    antiquetexan.blogspot.com

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  50. Wow. I think you are my new hero. =)

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  51. Okay...you are AMAZING Melissa! I love everything you did. Your living room covers the 3 C's...cute, comfy and cozy...love it! It's looks very inviting too. I can't believe what great deals you got on everything. GREAT JOB:)

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  52. Wow, your living room is gorgeous! I love the curtains, and hope you keep your word about sharing where you found the fabric. ; ) I'm redoing my bathroom and am using those exact colors!!

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  53. LOVE it! Do you mind telling me where you bought the couch. I love yours!

    Thanks :)

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  54. Thank you all, you kind souls! :)

    We bought our sofa at Grand Home Furnishings (they are all over Virginia) I just called ours and it was a special promotional Memorial Day event, but if you search Carlton Sofa March Furniture, you may be able to find a retailer? Good luck!

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  55. It looks great! Know what I would be tempted to do though? Paint the brass looking trim around the carpet black. It would just add this extra pop! Maybe I'm crazy though.... ;)

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  56. Thanks, not sure why I thought you were close to me...you're all the way across the country :)

    Again, beautiful room!

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  57. Love it! I love the couch, it's perfect. Somebody must be paying tithing, I love that story! :) Your room looks wonderful, I think the chairs all look great together!

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  58. I would say you did a great job! We just moved from Florida, then northern Kentucky, and then to SC all within a YEAR! We need a love seat but I don't want to spend the money. That couch you found was a steal! I also feel you pain about the off balance of the chairs. Hubby has a great big recliner and it throws off everything. LOL!

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  59. What a beautiful room. Makes me want to move right in! :)

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  60. LOVE that room! We used the same color on the walls in our house as well. :) We love yard sales and thrifting as well but you have done amazing things with all of your good deals! You have a talent for decorating!

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  61. Gorgeous and very inspirational!

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  62. wow!!!!! You did an amazing job! I love your style! Nice work!

    XOXO

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  63. Just beautiful! I had to keep scrolling up and down to see the before again.

    I just read your about page and had to tell you that It's a wonderful life if my favorite movie too. I want that old house!

    Londen

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  64. Melissa if you didn't live so far away I'd have you over for coffee and ideas for my living room. Your room looks wonderful. Great job! Thanks for inspiring us all!

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  65. Great post. I think the living room turned out great.

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  66. amazing difference! I love the colors and the curtains!

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  67. Ok this is just wrong! You have five kids and your house looks this fabulous? Whats your secret???

    Goodwill and Craiglist ROCKS! I think it looks great, especially the big white piece. I love that!

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  68. You are amazing and I feel like I really got so much from your tour I admire the down to earth feel in a very uppity world. Your family must be so proud of you thank you for the time this all takes to inspire people. Karen S

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  69. Melissa: Have you ever thought of being a professional shopper! You could do it, girl. Your room looks spectacular...Send it to Nate Berkus Show. He had someone on the other day that wasn't nearly as good as you! Please visit my blog: http://theoldefarmhouse.blogspot.com and I will be back to visit you. I love talented people! Hugs, Joy

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  70. Wow. I am now trying to figure out how to make my living room more beautiful.

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  71. melissa*320 sycamore1/8/14, 1:18 PM

    You can see all the details here: http://www.320sycamoreblog.com/2010/09/copycat-fall-tablescape.html

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  72. Betty @ Country Charm1/8/14, 6:14 PM

    Melissa,
    My first visit to your lovely blog and I can tell immediatley we must be kin!  I've been married 51 years to a wonderful man who taught school when we married.  Early on I learned to be thrifty and through the years it has served me well.  I loved thrift stores before it was popular to do so.

    Your home is gorgeous and so is your family.

    Blessings...Betty @ Country Charm

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  73. melissa*320 sycamore1/16/14, 11:02 PM

    They are coming! Still trying to finish up...I've made a deal with myself that I can't post pictures until I completely finish it, otherwise it won't get done... :)

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  74. absolutely love the 'scrolly metal thing' lol.  i want one!  do you have pictures of your kitchen on your blog?  i can't seem to find any.  i'm OBSESSED with kitchens!

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  75. Hey Melissa...You have an enviable talent for turning a house in to a home, with amazing style comfort, grace AND on a budget.....One thing (to start), can you tell me what is written out on the balckboard above the chest? VERY clever idea.

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  76. Jen- CraftOManiac1/18/14, 7:21 PM

    WOW- drab and dated to "FABULOUS!" love it! I am so envious of your $10 blue chair, great find. Love the whole room, well done! winks-jen

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