Monograms and Make{You}overs – One

Welcome to a new feature for Monograms and Makeovers. It’s Monograms and Make{You}overs!

I love, love, love decorating and I want to help you all out. So, this is where I help make YOU over! Well, not you, but your room. You get the idea!

I’m featuring Cindy’s living room first.

She purchased her grandparents’ home and inherited their furniture and decor too. Her main issue is lighting and the desk has to stay where it is since it is all wired to be there.

This Make{You}over is going to be all about repurposing and paint! Get ready to DIY girl!

First, paint the walls. I’m thinking a light tan color to keep things neutral. It is always easy to update the accessories in a room if you get tired of them, but not so easy to paint walls.

Then, I have a color scheme for you.  The mixture of neutrals and pops of color is a great way to revamp your space.

I love those little chairs by that great big window so they’re my inspiration for color. And in my opinion, every room deserves a POP of color. {That’s where that hibiscus color comes in.}

{Desk Area}

Paint the desk navy, yes navy. Need help with painting furniture? Check out my experiences here, here and here.

Switch out the lamp for something more modern. Target and Home Goods are always great for lamps that are beautiful yet inexpensive.

Above the desk install deep, long shelving. Home Depot or Lowe’s have great options. I would stick with white for the shelves. This will be the perfect spot to keep things organized and clear up the clutter on the desktop. Since the room is multi-use you’ll want to keep the desktop clean and organized. I’m thinking decorative boxes and containers on the shelves for storage.

That cabinet/hutch that is currently on the right side of the single window, paint it navy too, update the hardware and move it to the desk area. Painting it the same color as the desk will create a cohesive space and make the area its own. Use it to hide the printer and computer hardware inside. Cut holes in the back for power cords and no one will know what is even in there. Plus, it will be great storage.

I would get rid of the desk chair and swap it out for something upholstered in a fun coordinating fabric. I’m thinking a graphic print. I always see cute things at Home Goods. Plus, that chair can be used as extra seating in the living area if needed.

{Large Window Wall}

LOVE that window. But, sorry, hate those window treatments. Get rid of the valance but keep the panel curtain idea. Panel curtains can be expensive {And they’re annoying to make yourself FYI.} Keep an eye out at Target and other discounted retailers for curtains. I’ve also seen people use fabric shower curtains on Pinterest. Could be a great, affordable alternative. Keep the hardware simple.

To the left of that window I would move the other cabinet you have that was sitting to the right of the single window wall. Paint that white, put a cool mirror above and use the top to display photos and for more lighting. Lamps, lamps, lamps!

The lighting from the ceiling is ok. I’m not loving it, but if it is wired there and necessary then take advantage. Update the fixture with something more modern like this from Lowe’s.

If you don’t have an attachment to that patterned chair, lose it. It’s dated. But, those little green chairs are darling. Can I have them? Kidding! Look, you live in your grandparents’ old home and I’m sure you would love to keep pieces of them in the home. I love nostalgic decor. This is why I chose your color scheme around those adorable chairs. Find some cute throw pillows {Hello! Home Goods!} to update them a bit.

A great area rug would work perfectly in the living space to separate that from the office/desk space. A rug on a rug might be weird, but I think it would modernize and define the space. I found a great one at Home Depot for our living room. It was reasonably priced and has held up great.

I wish I could see that little table between the chairs better. Part of me likes it and part of me wants to paint it. I definitely love the shape. Your call. If I painted it I would keep it white.

{Single Window Wall}

Ok, that couch is all wrong. I am all for budget friendly decor so I am trying to help you with that. Obviously it is expensive to replace so I’m thinking a slip cover in a neutral shade would work. I’ve had Sure Fit slip covers before and they were durable and resonably priced. Add lots of throw pillows in bright colors to tie the color scheme of the room together. Also, pull the couch out from the wall and put a narrow table or sofa table behind it. This will be great for decor purposes but also give you a space to include two lamps to help with the lighting issue.

In the center of the room between the couch and chairs you’ll need a coffee table. Since I’m hoping you’ll chose a graphic area rug a glass top/all glass table would be perfect. Serves its purpose but also allows for the decor to be seen.

That huge wall over the couch is just screaming for a statement piece of art. That’s pricey though. To keep things budget friendly I would have a piece of plywood cut to size and cover with padding and a cool fabric.

I love Spoonflower for great fabrics. Something like this would look awesome. If you wanted to add a little extra finish to it you can always frame it out with wood and paint.

That wall with the single window is the first thing you see when you enter the room. It needs to have a statement.

I would have the same window treatments as for the large bay window.

Two tall, white bookacases flanking the window would look beautiful. Paint the back of the shelves with a pop of color {Hello, hibiscus again.} You can find affordable shelving at Ikea and Walmart that could work. Use the shelves to showcase photos, small stacks of books, more decorative boxes and containers for office storage and knick knacks. I would love to see things that remind you of your grandparents. Add crown molding at the top of the bookcases to give a finished, built in look. Maybe a small upholstered bench under the window would finish the space and add extra seating for the room.

What do you think? How would you style this room for Cindy?

Have a room decorating or organizing dilemma? Email photos to monogramsandmakeovers{at}aol{dot}com.

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