The Lettered Cottage

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HGTV Room

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Kev and I took a little road trip to Atlanta this past weekend, and boy did it feel good to get out and do something different for a couple of days!

We stayed in Buckhead on Thursday and Friday night, but we drove out to Suwanee, GA on Friday afternoon to visit our friends, Alex and Emily Morrison. We had fun helping them re-design their living room for HGTV last Fall, and it’s always a trip to look back at the before photos after standing there in the re-done room… (insert flashback sound effect here)

We didn’t get a chance to take many “after” photos when we were done working on it last year, so we were pumped when Alex and Emily said we could come back and snap some more on Friday…

Their makeover was such an interesting, whirlwind-kind-of-a-project to be a part of. We only had a few weeks to pull everything together before we got to Suwanee last Fall, and because some things had to be ordered online and custom made (long story) to stay on budget (sofa, rug, mantel beam, coffee table) we didn’t get to see them until, like, 2 days before the big reveal. Scary! I don’t know about you, but I’m a fan of knowing exactly what size/shape/color something is going to be before I commit to it (especially when it’s going in someone elses house!), so that part of the makeover was really challenging for me…and the knot in my stomach. Apparently this belly wasn’t built for that kind of bravery- ha!

We did do a lot of on-the-fly decorating while we were filming though, too, and I actually ended up enjoying that part of the process quite a bit. For instance, at one point, a runner brought back two pairs of white curtains (which was awesome) but unfortunately, they were just a few inches too short. I asked a fellow (sewing machine-totin’) blogger if she could lengthen them by using some leftover zig-zag fabric we had, and she did a great job making it happen, lickety split…

And speaking of that zig-zag fabric, another fabulous blog friend used some more of it to create slipcovers for an ottoman and a couple of flea market-found armchairs on the other side of the room…

I don’t know what we would’ve done without the help of so many talented folks that week!

The fireplace was my favorite part of the room to re-design, and I’m really glad we had a chance to take another picture of it this time around…

We got the recycled glass tile at Lowes before they discontinued it, and while it was on clearance for just $2/square foot. We picked up the rustic beam at Southern Accents in Cullman, Alabama, and our production company’s carpenter built the fireplace surround based on a drawing I did in Photoshop. Kev and I couldn’t get over what a great job he did covering the old one up! Here’s a close up of the 70-year-old beam we used…

I knew Emily would love it, based on some of the rustic elements I was seeing on her Pinterest boards, but I wasn’t sure what Alex would think about it. I was so relieved when he told us it was one of his favorite things in the room this weekend! Whew!

To the right of the fireplace, we used a really big potted palm (which is now deceased- ha!) and a folding screen made out of three salvaged windows we also found at Southern Accents…

I am absolutely cuckoo for that thing, and mark my words, I will be going back to hunt down three more old windows so that I can make one for me and Kev!

And speaking of salvaged stuff…we also used some reclaimed wood from Southern Accents on one of the side tables…

(Note to Emily: I tooootally forgot to tell you that you’ll probably want to throw some wax on that sucker at some point so that it holds up better over time.) It was previously topped in a really outdated looking surface, and the base was previously a 70’s style brown color. Our friend, Rhoda, sprayed it oil-rubbed bronze for us, and our carpenter-helper replaced the old top with the reclaimed wood. Not bad for a $20 side table, eh? Emily told me one of her favorite things was the little antique brass & glass piece we placed on the top of it for the reveal…

We picked that one up at Queen of Hearts in Buford, GA- but I’ve seen them at TJ Maxx a lot lately, too.

One big thing we learned while we were filming is that designing for TV is a lot different than designing for real life. (The Nervous Nelly in me repeatedly told Alex & Emily they could feel free to change or remove anything they didn’t like after the camera crew was gone- ha!) One (fun) “rule” our production company gave us was that they wanted us to use lots and lots of color throughout the space so that the room would “read better” on camera. Darker wall color, vibrantly patterned fabrics, etc. We also brought in a cute aqua table lamp, and a bunch of fellow bloggers helped us paint the french doors and the sofa table a color called “Heirloom Red” by Valspar…

I also like using a least a little green in every room, and I absolutely adore the bottom suitcase in the photo above, and the bowl in the photo below. I got them both at Prattville Pickers, and I had a really hard time giving those guys up, too!

(Side note: we had our carpenter-helper screw those two suitcases together so that the top one wouldn’t accidentally slide off!)

Just in case anyone is curious- here’s a list of links and store info for everything we incorporated into the room:

Wall color- Oyster Bay, by Sherwin Williams
Trim color- Parchment White, by Glidden (Home Depot)
Red paint color- Heirloom Red, by Valspar (Lowes)
Rug- Anji Mountain Rug Company
Fireplace Tile- Elida Ceramica Recycled Mosaic Moonlight Glass Wall Tile (Lowes)
Coffee table- Custom made by Southern Accents
Mantel beam- Southern Accents
Vintage suitcases- Prattville Pickers
Metal coffee table- Prattville Pickers
Table lamps- TJ Maxx
Picture frames- Ikea
Floor lamp- TJ Maxx
Ceiling light- Lowes
Sofa- Custom made by FunkySofa.com
Bookcases- Ikea
Bookcase doors- Ikea
Flooring- Southern Accents
Curtain rods- Walmart
White curtains- Walmart
Window blinds- Home Depot (Maker- DesignView ; Style- Providence)
Armchair slipcovers- Made by Sassy Stitches
Sequined pillows- TJ Maxx
Floral pillow cover- Ikea
Striped euro sham- Ikea
Small bird pillow- Flea market
Beige floral, aqua geometric, aqua/mustard floral, and yellow floral pillows (on armchairs)- Made from fabric remnants from Claudia’s Cloth Barn in Prattville, Alabama

We’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to work on this makeover with so many big-hearted/incredibly talented peeps, and we’re looking forward to working on another one with our own little cameras again very soon!

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Comments

  2. Rhonda I @www.countrymansvillage.com

    I’m so in love with this room. I can only imagine how nerve wracking it was to not know everything detail until you are two days away from having to put it all together. Loved your problem solving because it really did make the curtains super special.. You’ve got mad skillz.. 🙂

  3. Jackie M

    Great job as always!!! I LOVE that you picked Oyster Bay! I just painted my guest room in that color. Great minds think alike I guess! 🙂

  4. Shirley@Housepitalitydesigns

    What a remarkable job you and your fellow blogger friends did….how fortunate are Alex and Emily to have not only a beautiful room, but also the experience of people coming together to work miracles and make them truly happy….great, great job!

  5. Marsha

    It looks so pulled together for the short time frame you had. The pops of red throughout the room are my favorites.

  6. Lisa

    Oh Layla and Kevin, I think is my favorite living room makeover yet! It reminds me of something that would work really well in my home. Mind if I “Pin” all of it for reference? 😉

  8. Deneen

    Wow!! It looks fantastic! I am so glad I finally got to see it all done! You guys did a fantastic job! Oh and I painted the little “record table”! I was so pumped to actually see it done because I found one shortly after at a yard sale and bought it to redo. It is still in the shed!! Oh well maybe your picture will inspire me now!!! I had a blast with you guys! Wish we can do it again! You all really did a beautiful job!

  9. Shelby

    The entire room is gorgeous! My favorite is the book shelves/ built-ins at the end of the room. I love them and want something very similar. I even have to door to go in the middle! 🙂 I assume those are the Ikea bookshelves listed. Would you consider doing a post about them? What exactly they are and how you were able to get the “built in” look? Thank you so much…. I hope to accomplish this soon!

  13. jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof

    What a beautiful room. Just stunning. I love the red and white together and those curtains with the zigzag add are perfect. So many cool features in this room but the fireplace with the tile and reclaimed lumber mantel are my favorite. Oh and the pictures are perfect of course 🙂

  14. Karen E

    I would like to know how y’all did the bookcases because in the before pics it shows heat/ac vents in the wall. So did you reroute the air ducts so you could cover them up?

  15. Athena

    Absolutely love what you did with the room!!! Can’t wait to see more of your makeovers!! 🙂

  16. Fairfield House

    Layla,
    I looked at the photos a few times and still can’t decide on my favorite feature! The fireplace, stacked suitcases, punches of red, the added trim on the curtains and the bookcases — WOW!!!
    Amazing job, my friend.
    Deborah

  17. erin

    Layla, this is beautiful! I love the picture of the red french door, quirky yet classic and fun! Congrats on a beautiful redo!!

  19. Susie

    I absolutely LOVE everything about this room! EVERYTHING! You’re the “it” couple when it comes to decorating/photography. Congrats!

  21. aimee

    Layla you’re amazing. I love this room. I’m hoping you do a post on the shelves too (Shelby suggested this in an earlier comment). I’d like something that that in my house. What a perfect solution for a long room.

  24. Jennifer M.

    Very pretty. Did you paint the ceiling or leave it how it was? If you painted it did you just use a basic ceiling white or the same color as your trim? Also, what sheen (is that what it’s called?) did you use… satin, semi, eggshell… for both the walls and trim?

    Thanks!

  25. jennifer

    Love this room! How did you hang the mantle beam? Love the pop of rustic wood that mantle brings in. Awesome job!

  26. Jenny B.

    I love how you put the L-shaped sectional on the wall between the doors. We have multiple traffic flow patterns in our living room, and our sofa sits between two doorways. I’ve always wanted more conversational seating in there, but I just can’t figure out where to put anything so that you can still see the TV and not be bumping into furniture when you’re walking through the room. Anyway… long story short, I like the furniture arrangement. 🙂 And the photos are spectacular! Did they decide they liked all the punches of color, or did they decide to tone it down after filming? Would you have chosen a lighter wall color if it weren’t for TV? Just curious… I think it looks great! 🙂

  28. Ilke

    Ok, Layla and Kev, please come to Rock Hill, SC next time you are here and help me out some with my bland house please! I promise I will feed you with great Turkish food as many times as you would like 🙂
    I am in the market for a new couch. Funky Sofas seems like they have very good prices. Do they like their couch? Does fabric etc still look good?

  30. Kim @ vintagepretties

    Just gorgeous! Pooh on HGTV for not going with your show — I would have been an avid watcher! I don’t like where they are going with their programming…I would much rather watch gorgeous makeovers like the ones that you & Kevin create.

  34. heathyr

    wow, I am just STUNNED by this room. I can’t really even describe how in love with it I am- let’s just say this may be my most favorite living room makeover I’ve EVER seen. I love that it’s modest- everything that’s been done just looks so “fresh.” I’d love to learn how much this all cost.

    I want to re-do our living room so badly and this is motivation to jump on it. Every photo just got better and better as I scrolled, I’m in love.

  36. Ashli

    I would love to have that much color in my den! I absolutely love the re-do, and the suitcases are my favorite, too! I have been looking for some like that for a LONG time but can’t seem to find any that are vintage but not dry rotted in places.
    You are awesome!

  38. Gaela

    Hey! Next time you’re in Atlanta and need a place to stay, we are 30 minutes south of the heart of the city. Also, if you make it to IKEA, don’t forget the brand new, awesomest ever Goodwill. I got a cross-stitched homemade quilt for $5.95!

  40. Kathy

    WOW……. is all I can say, I love the mix you have used no wonder they were so thrilled with it all. Very clever both of you. Congratulations and the lucky room owners too.

  41. Becky

    The room is gorgeous! I love how bright and airy it is with so many fun pops of vibrant color. Great job! 🙂

  42. d e n i s e

    ahh! It’s such an awesome combo of everything. Especially love the color of the vintage suitcases in the room.
    another fabu job by you guys.
    d e n i s e

  43. Ruby

    Beautiful. Just beautiful. I could be mistaken, but the smaller of the two suitcases looks like it could be vintage Amelia Earhart luggage.

    • Ruby

      I guess I should have said the piece of luggage on top of the green one. My eyes must be wonky! 🙂

  44. Dana at Cooking at Cafe D

    I love the suitcase table. My suitcases are a bit of a trapezoid – so I would need shim them with something to make them flat. Sniff.

    Love the wall color and how bright the room ended up. The fireplace make over is amazing. That rustic mantel can come live in my home any day!
    ~ Dana
    Cooking at Cafe D

  45. Kelley

    Holy Smokes!! I love it so much I really want to move it, do they need a roomate…well plus 1 husband, 1 teenage girl, 2 cats, 2 dogs, 1 horse and a goldfish?

  46. Joanne

    This room is so beautiful and inviting. I love your designs!!!! I apologize if I missed it, but where are the simple white curtains from?

    • Layla

      Oops! Forgot to add that- thanks for the reminder, Joanne! I think they were from Walmart.

  47. Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality

    Hey, Lay!! What fun to remember this fun project with ya’ll! I had so much fun being there and helping out and now I’ve got my own whole-house renovation to do. You can always come and do a room for me, if you’re looking for another one. 😉

    Yay, now I can blog about the room too. It turned out SO fantastic, I know you are proud of it.

  48. Becky

    I love this room! The red doors, the suitcase end table, the built in shelves… love it, love it, love it!

  49. Jennifer Clarke

    Oh WOW! So beautiful! I’m so glad you were able to go back and take pics! I have a red brick fireplace too… but I don’t have the guts to do something like that to it… yet! :O)

  50. Laura

    Uh. what would it take to get you up into the mitten state to redo my living room?!? that fireplace KILLS me, i want to redo ours so bad (it’s about as ugly as theirs’ was!).
    anyway, LOVE your stuff, you inspire me!
    laura