skip to main content

Home Decorating

My Living Room Before Curtains and After

14 years ago

Just wanted to show you my living room before curtains and after. I have always been opposed to curtains because I never want to block the light, but I finally took the plunge and I am so glad. Thanks to many on this forum who helped in my decision.

Have a great Holiday!

Here is a link that might be useful: Willow's Living Room

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

jesemy
14 years ago
Just beautiful--the curtains really make a stunning addition.

I commented a few minutes ago and have a question--
Where did you find a soft seagrass rug? I want one so badly but my husband hates the texture!

Thanks for sharing your home,
Nancy
msrose
14 years ago
That makes all the difference in the world. Your room was pretty to begin with, but now it's perfect!

Laurie
Related Discussions
Living Room - Before and After
Q
Comments (11)
It's a BM color - but used SW paint Summer Nights Reads a bit brighter in person. Blues are hard - but I am really happy with this. First time I've ever had blue in any home I've owned!
...See More
Before-n-after: Living Room
Q
Comments (11)
Ok, this is the "conversation" side, and the on-topic "discussion" is the other one. It is the "conversation" side, this side, which is mostly forgotten. As long as we all figure out something to do with this side, it will be nice to have it. Idie2live, you have a good approach to keeping it easy, always a winner in my book. And I am pleased to see the inside of your living room, with the view looking toward the finished porch. Your french door is the perfect touch. I don't think I saw your LR before. I like the chairrail, the paint job, the brown color....even the large preliminary test patch on the original wall color, and the ceiling painted too. The 4" deep shelf recessed into the wall makes an architectural statement, as well as organizing your displayed items. That drop leaf table is a real spacesaver, and the wood is nice and rich looking. And someone GAVE you the sofa? Wow, it is gorgeous. Fits your style perfectly. I don't know if you have another red/orange pillow for your sofa, but I think one with some red in the design (not a solid color) would tie in with the painting behind the sofa. Or maybe a throw with some red in it, draped across the sofa arm? The blue in your sofa pillows is the ONLY blue I could ever live with. It reminds me of wet silk and the rain going on in your painting. Well, if I ever finish any projects here, I'll post the before and afters....cut to the chase...like a project in digest form.
...See More
Living Room: Need help! Before/After pictures inc.
Q
Comments (9)
awm-- I agree. My dream rug would be a faded hooked rug. But, the reality is, the one I have is a thick wool rug that is comfortable and withstands my children-- and I paid $60 for it. (Sadly, that gives you an idea about my budget.) I don't know what I could get that would be cheap and functionally as good, esp. with my young children. kjmama and Sinky-G: ITA about the contrast. I posted so many things above that it was easy to miss, but there WILL be curtains (green ones, with a vintage pattern) on the picture window. I have the fabric, but need to learn how to sew them! I was hoping it would help with the contrast-- while I keep hearing that you should match the wall (or even keep WTs lighter) I had a feeling the sofas would look way too heavy that way, which is why I opted for darker. kjmama: My DH liked the gold, too, but mostly because he didn't want to repaint and/or spend the money on paint. I hated it after about a year-- it was not "easy on the eyes" to live with it day in and out. Stinky Gardener: I might have enough fabric to do a valance with the green fabric on that small window. If not, maybe a patterned lampshade would help? I'm glad the black toile sounds OK . . .was not sure if it would look too busy. If you have any suggestions on art and where to hang the art, I am all ears! Love the cream throw idea . . .that might help lighten up the couch a bit. Keep the suggestions coming! It is great to be able to "see" this room I have been working on for so long with new eyes!
...See More
Need help finishing my colorful living room (before & after pics)
Q
Comments (17)
Thanks for all your comments. I really appreciate them. So based on the suggestions, I think I would like to try changing the striped canvas art to be behind the couch and cover that large wall. Here is an idea of how it would look (made with only image editor) The canvas is 48x48, hope is okay for that wall Then take my time to fill the wall above the console with art/pictures that mean something to us (family, places. music, etc.) in different frame sizes and forms to avoid being too square with TV and mirror. I will take my time with that :) Definitely liked the idea of bringing a bigger lamp to the console table.. what a change! Thank you!! I will get another one :) I love the idea of painting the candle holders in orange.. will try. They belonged to my husband's grandparents... need to check I'm not a big fan of 'faux' plants, so I was considering a live one, but by the window next to the mirror instead of infront the mirror - here are my thoughts This is the bar cart we had in mind.. is quite expensive ($600!!) from Crate and Barrel This option, maybe with basket w/pillows and throws next to the plant? and then have a console table infront the dinning window and but our liquor there? Window treatments - at the beginning we wanted to leave the windows open to appreciate the back yard (we plan to have nice flowerbeds, etc), but the Texas sun is too strong to leave the windows with nothing.. I am trying to find something that will provide shade, but will allow to look outside and see the backyard as well. We put bamboo shades in the dining room that I plan to frame with curtains later on (see last pic). Will those go in the living room as well? I bought these, but was thinking to return them... I like them, just did not find a 'good wall' for them. what do you think? Once again, thank you!
...See More
graywings123
14 years ago
Lovely, lovely! They make a huge difference, don't they!
nicole__
14 years ago
Very NICE!!! Lot of "WOW" effect there!!!
goodbyekitty
14 years ago
Very nice! I'm searching for drapery help for my dining room so thanks for the help link.

Can I ask you what kind of floors you have? DH wants Brazilian Cherry but I'm having second thoughts. Your floors color looks nice and warm.
slateberry
14 years ago
Very inspiring--I can't _wait_ to get proper curtains in my lr.

Thanks for including the details on width, type of pleat, and break. But I still have a question: you say double window-width. Do you mean, the curtain rod and finished width of the curtains are double the width of the glass opening? Or double the width of the window including casements? At first I thought your description meant that the width of fabric used was double the width of the window, but they look much fuller than that; I believe most pleated curtains are triple; one recipe I saw called for 3" of curtain, then 6" of pleating (that would yield the triple). Yours are so wonderfully full; I'd love to know the ratio of the spread-out width of the fabric at the bottom to the width of the rod.

Can you tell I'm trying to diy? :-)

With high regards,
Alex
-a Joni and Gina fan
PS--I believe you live in my area (Greater Boston). I've been wondering where to get custom-cut seagrass locally. Of course I know where to get it in Houston! Where did you get yours? I promise, no more questions, at least for now.
sochi
14 years ago
Wow, really lovely. I tend to be anti-window treatment for the same reason you are - I LOVE light. But you have me re-thinking!
pps7
14 years ago
Fabulous!!!

Would you mind sharing your wall color?
willowdecor
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks so much for all your kind comments!

Jesemy-Email me directly for the Seagrass Rug info. The company is in Dallas and the rug is really really soft - not at all like regular seagrass. Finally!! I am so thrilled with it (and so are my husband and kids)

Goodbyekitty - My floors are a combination of Minwax stain Special Walnut and Dark Walnut. My floors are old oak so they are very tightly grained. We mixed up a batch until the color came up the same as the original floors.

slateberry51- My windows measure 40" moulding to moulding. Each curtain panel measures 40". I installed the rods 3" past the moulding on either side so the curtains really only cover the 3"moulding and the wall. I was sure not to block any light!

My seagrass is not custom cut, but I measured and had a rectangle made to size. The company is in Dallas, so they couldn't measure it for me and I was too afraid I would mess it up.

I agree Joni is the best! She is so talented and so willing to share her experience. We are lucky to have her as such a wonderful resource!

pps7- My wall color is Benjamin Moore Muslin - washable flat.

Finally I also posted my Conservatory and my experience hanging a series of 9 framed intaglios. The room connects to the living room if you are interested.

Thanks so much for all the kind comments. xxxx-Willow

Here is a link that might be useful: Willow's Conservatory
User
14 years ago
Beautiful, love the European feel of your room.
jenfur427
14 years ago
It's lovely! I love your mirrored dresser.
justgotabme
14 years ago
Well I thought it looked great before, but the drapes take up a notch more. Beautiful!
willowdecor
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks so much! The mirrored dresser in from Aidan Gray
prill
14 years ago
Willow - really, really pretty. I love all the detail. I have to check out that wall color for my kitchen. I need a slightly darker shade than I picked to go with my White Dove cabinets. The Muslin looks like it might be right. Great job, as usual.
prill
14 years ago
Willow - I really like your love seats. Can you tell me what brand/model they are, or are the older pieces? I've been looking for something with a higher back like that. Are they comfy?
willowdecor
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the kind comments.

prill- Which seats? The couches? They are Century love seats from the LTD line and yes they are high backs.

Related Stories

DESIGNER SHOWCASES Before and After: See How Rooms Came to Life at the Pasadena Show House

Read the design details behind transformations at the 2016 Southern California showcase house

BEFORE AND AFTERS Before and After: 19 Dramatic Bathroom Makeovers

By Becky Harris

See what's possible with these examples of bathroom remodels that wow

WHITE KITCHENS Before and After: Modern Update Blasts a '70s Kitchen Out of the Past

By Mitchell Parker

A massive island and a neutral color palette turn a retro kitchen into a modern space full of function and storage

BEDROOMS Before and After: French Country Master Suite Renovation

By Becky Harris

Sheila Rich helps couple reconfigure dark, dated rooms to welcome elegance, efficiency and relaxation

TRADITIONAL HOMES Before and After: Beauty and Functionality in an American Foursquare

By Mary Jo Bowling

Period-specific details and a modern layout mark the renovation of this turn-of-the-20th-century home near Boston

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Vintage Posters Jump-Start a Happy Room Redesign

By Becky Harris

A bright and cheerful living room has this family feeling joyful again. See the before-and-afters

MOST POPULAR 5 Ways to Pare Down Your Stuff — Before It Gets in the Door

By Laura Gaskill

Want to free up some room around the house? Rethink gift giving, give yourself a shopping mantra and just say, ‘No, thank you’ to freebies

HOLIDAYS 10 Ways Your Christmas Tree Can Live On After the Holidays

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn how to recycle your Christmas tree and reap benefits for the environment

ENTERTAINING 10 Steps to Pull Together Your Living Room Before the Holidays

By Laura Gaskill

Boost comfort, flow and visual appeal in your main entertaining room to make guests feel more welcome

LIVING ROOMS A Living Room Miracle With $1,000 and a Little Help From Houzzers

By Mitchell Parker

Frustrated with competing focal points, Kimberlee Dray took her dilemma to the people and got her problem solved

Sponsored

More Discussions

How should I set up this living room space?

6

Fireplace Mantle Help

9

What would you do with this table?

20

Help with layout for foyer and dining room

7

tall mirror help!

0