From the first time we viewed this home (see the “before” image below), I knew I wanted to do a tone on tone look for this room. I agonized over the paint color (why do I always do that?).
In the end, it was so worth it because I absolutely love our living room and our family enjoys it every day—from reading books by the fireplace to listening to our favorite records and doing puzzles.
I struggled with our living space’s open floor plan and sought out solutions to make each space feel distinct and individual. In addition to adding arched openings, we did a floor-to-ceiling mid-tone green in the living room to give the space its own personality.
Related posts: How to Draw a Floor Plan, How to Hang Curtains, Entryway Decor and Wallpapered Ceiling, Library Dining Room.
This space is one of the biggest transformations I have ever been a part of. Please feel free to audibly gasp when you see the before photo below.
If you look closely, you will spot dozens of small changes, but at a glance it appears that the glow-up is 90% “the power of paint.”
Here’s a quick overview of the remodels we did: Replaced tile floors for hardwoods, rebuilt the fireplace from scratch, reconfigured lighting (and added a chandelier), and moved the air vent to make room for our giant wall of built-ins.
Green Built-in Shelves:
The green built-in shelves add storage and do so much for the room, visually. We store a large percentage of our children’s toys in the cabinets as well as our record collection.
I opted for shelves that are not adjustable, so I spent a lot of time thinking about how we would use them and made sure they were big enough to display our largest art, records, books and decor.
This was my first experience with custom cabinetry and it was worth the extra money and effort to me. I love how they reach the ceiling and look like they were always a part of the home.
Custom Tiled Fireplace:
We designed our fireplace from scratch after the original fireplace got (accidentally) destroyed during floor renovation. I took the opportunity to dive DEEP into Pinterest for a style that matched our home and felt classic and traditional.
The elements of the fireplace I love most as the addition of the bench to the front (or as my 4-year-old calls it “the stage,” haha) as well as the herringbone brick firebox. This is a working gas fireplace that you can turn on with a remote control.
I first chose the subway tile from Fireclay Tile in the color “Rosemary.” Next, I found a paint color (Meadow Sage by HGTV Sherwin Williams) that matched the tile as closely as I could find. I am really happy with the match, and most of all, how it all feels very intentional and cohesive.
Shop My Living Room:
Sources: Pink Velvet Sofa / Maze Rug / Coffee Table / Boucle Chairs / Chandelier / Tile / Rattan Sconces
Absolutely Beautiful! I would love to have your curtain info / link too!
The living room looks so good and I’m obsessed with your built-in bookcase. Do you have the link to the light sconces above the shelves?
As a die hard podcast fan, I have been wondering about your Jonathan Adler sofa and where you ended up using it! I LOVE it here!! And I adore this room. So cozy and the shelves are amazing and the green is so soothing! So fun to finally see it on the blog!
It looks beautiful Elsie! Thank you for sharing with us.
I grabbed the paint color idea and used it in my spare room/ office. I sent you a photo of it not long ago. Not sure if you saw it. But the “Meadow Sage” color really did the trick! I love it and have gotten many compliments!
I was also inspired by you to try weaving a wall hanging to compliment the green, and I did it!
Love this room, Elsie! So happy and pretty 🙂 I’m kind of obsessed with the line where the green ends and the white of the hallway begins. I could see the decision of where to end the green being a difficult one, but you totally nailed it, of course. And the built-ins are absolutely dreamy. Thanks for sharing!
This could be my living room and I wouldn’t change a thing, even the Kacey Musgraves vinyl on display is so me.
The living room went from cold to WARM and comfy!!! I adore this green sage color.
Hey Elsie. The room is just beautiful. I’m not sure how accurate the paint color is showing up in photos vs real life and I couldn’t find the color Rosemary Sage from HGTV sherwin Williams. Could you please clarify the name? They have one called Woody Rosemary but it doesn’t look the same.
Hi! The tile is Rosemary and the color is called “Meadow Sage” it’s an HGTV for Sherwin Williams color.
Thank you for the paint color clarification! I believe it may be my next color I use. 😉
Looks so good! Curious about the shelves- did you opt for “non-adjustable” shelves because it felt more clean/custom than adjustable options? It’s so pretty, thanks for sharing!
Hi! Yes- I prefer how they look and I felt that with good choices adjustable shelves are not necessary (I end up never changing them anyway).
I am in love with this transformation! It is so stunning!!!! You are by far my very favorite designer, Elsie. I’m consistently inspired by you.
Hi Marne,
That is so kind! I appreciate you.
This is BEAUTIFUL!! It looks so cosy & inviting but also bright & fresh. I love it!
Did you get rid of your rainbow glass collection Elsie? I see you have a new white/milk glass collection at the top of the shelves.
Wow! The color is great, and the built-ins look amazing. So beautiful. I love tour posts!
This is absolutely stunning. I love every inch of this transformation. Elsie, you always amaze me with your room makeovers!!
So glad you kept the pink couch!
What a pretty space! The windows look much bigger than in the before picture. Thank you for sharing with us. I’d love to hear how you decided to style your built-ins and see close up shots of the shelving.
Love this room! Closing off the rooms, lowering the entry ceiling and adding shelving, wallpaper, & other details have really cancelled out some of the mcmansion-y stuff it had going on when you bought it and transformed it into something really special.
I never would have thought to stop the paint color where you did! It looks amazing and really helps “zone” the large room.
LOVE your green and would like to ask what is the paint color’s brand/name. I recently painted my ‘great room’ white and am REALLY craving a color – the Perfect Green! 🙂 Thank you in advance. Just followed your account on IG, too!
It is absolutely stunning, it’s really an amazing mix of traditional/high end feel with the built ins and molding, but also cozy and homey! And the green tone on tone is 😍