Originally this couch and the one you see in the background were a sectional --- I got so carried away with changing things up that I forgot to take the before photo while they were still attached! 

Anyway here are the answers to what we did that made this room work.

BEFORE  (The piano was originally under the painting)

BEFORE

We had to balance out the room so that is was weighted more evenly.  With the bookcase in the corner and (imagine) the piano under the painting... it created a lot of weight on that side of the room.

AFTER

1. We moved the bookcase to the center of the wall.  It felt more balanced and made a very nice focal point.  Taking the sectional apart and bringing in a chair and ottoman made the room feel much more inviting.  Previously the sectional closed off the space and you had to walk all the way around it to sit down.  The red throw blanket nicely covers up the arm where the sectional attached so you would never know that it was part of a bigger piece.

2. The rug anchors the furniture together and adds to the welcoming feeling of the room.

3. We added natural elements with the big pot of twigs behind the couch, and a few plants around the room.

4. The mirror on one side of the couch and the pot on the other help to create a balanced feel to that wall.

5. Having a chair or two in a space can allow for many different possibilites.  Consider using chairs with your sofa!

6. On the table we have a lamp, a plant and a wooden plaque. And they are different heights.  When you are decorating an accessory table: add a lamp, a natural element and something of personal nature and you will have it done!

Having the piano on this side of the room helped to balance the room.

7. We moved the painting and created a unit with a small quilt rack and a pot of twigs.  It gave a bit more substance to that space rather than just hanging the art.

8.  I love to hang art vertically.  The three framed photos work very nicely on this smaller space of wall.  Notice how the top one is quite high and the bottom one is quite low--- but it works.  You will see this in magazines all the time.  Be brave and give it a try!

AFTER

9. Notice all of the little touches of red.  Red gives a pop of life to any room.

What an inviting Living Room to come home too! 

I am joining the blog party over at the Inspired Room go and see what has inspired others this week.

Here is a Living Room that we redesigned ---

Look at the BEFORE and AFTERS and tell me what made the difference.

I will give you the answers  in my next post.

 

I do have to tell you --- I got started moving everything before I took the before photo, I am just so excited to get going and forget!! Originally there was a sectional where the piano is and then straight down the center of the photo toward you.

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

I often get asked what to do first, if I want a change in my room? If you have just a little time and want to make your home feel more comfortable. My 1st simple interior decorating tip--- is to turn on a lamp! Most of us have lamps but rarely turn them on. Just turn on the lamp and it will automatically feel better.

So... what if you do not have a lamp in the room you want to work on. This is where an interior RE-design comes in. We want to use items that you have in your home already, so start shopping the house! This really is fun --- go from room to room looking for a lamp. Look in the den, office or a bedroom, it can even be one from your little boy’s room. Bring what lamps you could round up into the room you are working on. If you only have one, start with one. If you found more, place them around the room at different heights. It is ideal if you have three different lamps positioned in a triangle pattern throughout the room. As you turn them on instantly you will feel a warmer more inviting feeling.

Now you know what it feels like to have a lamp in that room. Everyone always asks me, “well what about my little boy’s room.” This is where you can decide if you want to leave the lamp here or return it to the bedroom with the idea that when you are ready, you know that you are looking for a lamp. You can go out on a homework assignment and look for a lamp. This way you are not overwhelmed in the home decorating store --- you know right what you 're looking for. You know what it feels like and how it looks to have a lamp in that space.