Happy Monday, friends!
I had some fun putting together a presto change-o pic for a gal named Sindy recently and thought I’d share it here today in case someone out there is looking for similar design inspiration. It’s a small den that she and her husband watch TV and read in, and here’s a photo of the space:
In her email, Sindy said she felt like there’s too much wood right now, and wanted ideas on how to break that up. She said she wanted to bring in a cow hide rug and that she’d love to add some kind of display shelving on each side of the TV. She also said she loved the blue-stained wood and fireplace surround we did at Keith the Fireman’s house:
Here is a link to the posts about that makeover in case you are interested: Keith the Fireman’s Living Room Makeover
So the first presto change-o photo I put together for her incorporated a *, the blue-stained barn boards, and rustic shelves made from pine boards and black iron pipes:
I also suggested adding black brackets to the mantel beam to break some more of that brown up a little. I just searched for “black iron mantel brackets” on Google and found those.
I thought it might be fun to show her what barn red-colored boards would look like in the second presto change-o pic:
In the third presto change-o pic, I showed her what painting the cabinets white would look like:
I thought it would really drive home the red-and-white barn vibe.
In the last pic, I took a totally different approach- just to give Sindy a totally different idea. I brought in more brown wood, but I tempered it by painting the cabinets white and suggesting they use chippy, white-painted Stikwood as wainscoting around the perimeter of the room. Instead of shelving, I popped two * on the wall:
I also deepened the color of the stain around the fireplace to add more contrast between it and the floor. I think having so much wood that’s the same color (cabinets, trim, flooring) in that area might actually be the reason Sindy feels overwhelmed by it.
Anywho- these are just a few ideas that immediately sprang to mind. Hopefully they’ll get Sindy’s creative gears turnin’, and she’ll send us after photos of what they end up doing in there when they’re done! 🙂
Layla
*Disclosure: Hide rug and lanterns are affiliate links.
I love this series, it’s a great way of getting an idea of my own personal aesthetics without making loads of decorating mistakes.
My personal favs here would be the blue planked wall, with the black brackets on the mantle (that’s really works well by the way 😉) And white painted cabinets. And probably the lamps and a couple of pictures rather than the shelving, I’m not a fan of these shelves.
x
I liked the last picture the best. The rest to me felt too top heavy, too busy. Love the black brackets on the mantle.
I like all the wood flooring and the cabinet doors being brown. I like the black brackets and I like the horizontal planks above the fireplace (not the wedge shape). One more thing I would like to see the antlers go away.
I like the lower cabinets white. I’d try the area with the TV white also. I’m not a fan of the TV over the fireplace though (in any home).
One reason Keith the Fireman’s fireplace works is that the white shelving units surround the fireplace and extend up to the ceiling on both sides. It creates contrast and makes the fireplace pop. Definitely the blue stained backing, which ties in with the gray stone on the fireplace. I like the chunky wood supports on Keith’s mantel better than the black brackets (more unified, less busy, support more in keeping with the weight of the mantel). And I’m in agreement with the TV over the mantel – would be nice if it could be moved. Keith’s sunburst mirror fills the space nicely, without leaving a blank space at the top that got filled with the antlers.
This series is so much fun. It is great to see different ideas (as another reader wrote) with out making expensive decisions that quickly become expensive mistakes. If I had to choose, I go with the last photo. All the others are just too dark for me. Not a fan of antlers and really, really not a fan of the TV over the mantle.
Thanks for joining the conversation, y’all! I just wanted to add that Sindy is also a reader and according to her initial email, she’s not interested in moving the TV or removing the antlers. In her latest email to me she said they were excited to incorporate things from each of the photos I created, so it’ll be fun to see what her and her hubby come up with, and I’m hoping they share their after pics with us too! 🙂
Why not add some kind of hearth? The fireplace looks strange just sitting there on the floor, even after all your beautiful changes 🙂
Well, I guess the main reason would be they’d have to do a TON of demolition/construction to move the firebox up to accommodate a hearth. I’m certain they don’t want to get into that big a project. I sure wouldn’t! 🙂
Very fun Layla!! I am always amazed by these Presto-Change-O’s!
I love the Presto-Change-O’s! Thanks for sharing Layla. I really love the last pic you styled. The fireplace is so creative in that one. My second choice would be the blue with white cabinets. They would look awesome together.
Hi Layla, I just love your ideas! I think there is something in each design that stands out. Picking what they like best from each one us a great idea. The issue with the TV over the fireplace hits home with me. I have built in book shelves on each side of my fireplace. I have the TV on the right side because I didn’t want it to be the focal point, but it seems to compete with the focal point and the room feels off balance. I am actually considering moving the TV over the mantle, something I never wanted to do, but I think it will balance the room better there. What are your thoughts on this subject? I should send you a photo for Pick My Presto to get some ideas!😀
Oh wow I love that last idea!! That barn red looks awesome in that space as well. Can’t wait to see what she chooses!