ABM Studio: The Living Room (After)

ABM living room makeoverIn a few short weeks we will be celebrating our one year ABM studio anniversary. Where has the time gone?!?! This is one of the last spaces we have to share with you guys, and it’s a big one: the living room. 

I was looking back at the before post we did about the living room, and I’m surprised by how many of the inspiration ideas we had we actually used and, of course, put our own spin on. You can see that old post here if you want to refresh your memory or you’re new to this site.

Tips for decorating a living roomWhat is the purpose of this room? For us, this serves as a break room or a place we can go if we need quiet. Sometimes I’ll take my laptop into the living room and write emails or a new e-course session on the couch. We also use this area to stage a lot of living room projects we create for you to enjoy. There’s over ten DIY projects in this room. Want to play a weird version of Where’s Waldo with me?

Living room beforeHere is one corner of the room. As you can see, we really didn’t have tons of work to do in this room of the house. We mostly just painted the walls, had the ceiling fixture replaced (and the electrical updated), and then we started slowly filling it up with projects. 

ABM living room makeover ABM living room makeover Floating shelvesFloating shelves
Butterfly chairs Cute cactusButterfly chairsCircle shelfCircle shelf ABM living room makeover Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess. All of the character and personality in this room comes from the furniture and other decor items. Someday when we move and take all our stuff with us, this will just be a plain white room with wood floors. And I sort of like knowing that all the fun stuff can move with us. 🙂 

A few of my favorite features on this side of the room are the floating shelves and the brown butterfly chairs. 

Living room before Here’s the side of the room that is directly across from the couch/windows. 

Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful MessFaux fireplace Faux fireplace Hanging planters
Pretty rugFaux fireplace Faux fireplace The faux (green!) fireplace is one of those big projects that I am so glad we can take with us one day if we want to. It adds such a cozy/homey feel without altering the room permanently.

Living room before And here’s the other side of the room. The left wall is where we added the fireplace, and on the right is where we placed the couch. (Just trying to give you some perspective.)

Tips for decorating a living roomWashi tape mirror Washi tape mirrorABM living room makeover Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess. Thanks for letting us share our studio living room with you all! It has been tons of fun showing you all the progress we’ve made on the studio house over the past year. If you want to see all the posts we’ve done on our studio space, click here

It feels a little sad knowing that we don’t have more rooms in this house to share with you. But… we have a new project we’ll be announcing next week! Any guesses what it might be? We think you’re really going to love it. Can’t wait to share! xo. Emma

Sources: Rug/West Elm, Butterfly Chairs/Urban Outfitters, Light fixture/Schoolhouse Electric, Gold Side Tables/Target, Pink Abstract Print/Society6.

Credits // Author: Emma Chapman, Photography: Janae Hardy. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions

  • Very bright and bold. I love it. Makes great location for Fun photo shoots with all that light.

  • Hello what website did you find those white corner shelves? My nephew needs these for his room!!

  • Love it! Can I ask where the work harder and smarter sign is from? Would love it for my studio <3

  • Hi Ashley! Josh made them for us. You can see the tutorial here: https://abeautifulmess.com/2014/06/floating-shelves.html 🙂 -Jacki

  • Hi Jamie! It was a DIY that Josh did, but we don’t have a tutorial for that one. Sorry about that! -Jacki

  • Hi Emily! You can find it here: http://www.westelm.com/products/torres-wool-kilim-rug-iron-t984/?pkey=e%7Ctorres%2Brug%7C1%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules 🙂 -Jacki

  • I love this rug (and the room in general) – do you remember the name of it? It doesn’t look like West Elm carries it anymore, but I’d love to hunt for it! Thanks!!

  • Hi Emily! Elsie made them. Here’s the tutorial: https://abeautifulmess.com/2014/05/geometric-wool-felt-pillows.html 🙂 -Jacki

  • Beautiful room!

    Where are the multicolored pillows on the couch from??

    Thanks so much!

  • I may have missed it, but where is the amazing coffee table from? Did you ladies build that?

  • Hi there! I love everything about this home! What color did you use for the trim and the walls?

  • England, Inc. has a reputation for long lasting, quality furniture.

    Thanks for sharing. The makeover seems to have been very successful and the coffee table looks great. Nice post.

  • Did you tell what color the walls are painted?!?! Because I love it!

  • Love what you’ve done here and in your other rooms. Very clever and each room feels happy and bright with still a cosy vibe to them too. Thanks for the perspective too, it helped me see the exact changes you made.

  • Where did the little gold geometric sculpture come from! The room is amazing!

  • I have been dying to know where that area rug is from. I am just a little obsessed with it! 🙂

  • WHAT is that amazing white and green large houseplant on teh floor called? Not the fiddle leaf – the other oen. Never seen one before and WHOA NELLY it’s a looker!

  • So cute! I shared some pictures from my living room on my blog this week too! http://www.owlyouare.com/blog/2014/10/19/the-problem-with-sitting-still?q=sitting I’m building a stand up desk, so looking forward to make some updates soon! I love those hanging planters! Xo, Lindsey

  • I loooooooooove this room, specially the fauz fireplace and the chairs and sofá!!!

    xx,
    E.
    www.theslowpace.com

  • I need to ask, what type of plant is that? The gorgeous one on the floor with the light and dark green leaves? I know the other one is a fiddle leaf fig. Any idea?

  • Your rooms are amazing. I just have to say that adding Josh to the mix of your staff has been awesome. His pieces and furniture are beautiful and are the perfect mix of what most dynamics your readers and couples have in their own lives. He should have sell some of his furniture and DIY blueprint step-by steps in your shop. It’s awesome!

  • This space is amazing!!! What brand of paint did you use for the walls and trim?

  • Everything looks so wonderful! Elsie- I’m dying to know the brand of the brown boots you’re wearing!

  • Hi! It’s DIY! https://abeautifulmess.com/2014/10/storage-coffee-table-with-acrylic-top.html xo! Elsie

  • Hi! The couch is from Fab.com and the sign is homemade by Josh!
    xx- Elsie

  • Hi Louana!
    Yes!! We are just completing ONE more project (a coffee table) and I’ll be ready to share! 🙂
    xx- Elsie

  • Haha! We won’t be moving for a while, but we are starting a new project!! Going to announce it tomorrow.
    xx- Elsie

  • such a beautiful summary of all the things we’ve been blessed to read about earlier 🙂
    thanks and hugs! xx

  • Absolutely gorgeous and i love love love all the colors it’s perfection!! Congrats to the entire team, that’s one hell of a job! <3
    xoxo
    Melodie
    http://www.sevenlivesandmore.com/

  • It looks so good! I love how each room in the studio turned out, and it’s crazy to think that it’s almost been a year since this journey started!

  • I love it. All of it. Especially Emma’s shoes! (where are they from, by the way? They’re amazing!)

    Loads of love,

    Rach xxx
    www.theawesomelady.blogspot.com

  • It looks superb… you’re always giving such decoration inspiration! Fab work!

    My Blog: Blueberry segmentS
    My Youtube Channel: Blueberry segmentS

  • Re-doing this whole house was such a challenge, you did an amazing job.
    Now I’m excited for the new projects!

  • I love the deceptive simplicity of this room-really fantastic! I’d also love to know where you snagged that killer sign above the couch. I need that asap 🙂

  • Are you going to start remodeling other people’s rooms????

    I love the style of ABM! Always a pleasure to read your posts 🙂

  • I absolutely adore that fireplace. Such a great idea for a house that had a fireplace that no longer works, or an apartment fireplace that has been sealed. So pretty! It’s amazing what you guys have accomplished in an all-white room.

    <3 dani
    http://blog.shopdisowned.com

  • You did a really great work! I especially love the carpet and the shelves decoration!

    ALINA ERMILOVA

  • such a bright and beautiful space! loving all the plants you’ve decorated with too
    nicely done ladies
    Cheray x

  • What a lovely bright and welcoming space you’ve created! It’s been so inspiring seeing how you have transformed your studio space – your whole team deserves to feel really proud of what you have achieved. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

  • Wait, you have one more room to share with us right? The grand tour of Elsie’s office! I’ve loved all the room before and afters so much and have been waiting eagerly for the one of Elsie’s office! I know we already saw some awesome sneak peeks of the wall and desk, I was hoping there was more…

  • An inspirational resting place at work – you have done an excellent job, you must be so proud that it has so many of your idea’s and DIY’s in it. I love your style at ABM I particularly love the round shelves it’s such a great (and easy) DIY, I really want to make it for my home!

  • Oh, it looks so much bigger just being white and filled with furniture! I adore the way you guys style your rooms; it’s all so beautiful! And I could only find like four DIY projects; I can’t remember them all! But I love that it’s so personal. That “Work Smarter and Harder” sign on the wall is awesome!
    I can’t wait to see what you have next!
    xo
    Kristina
    www.eccentricowl.com

  • It looks so great! Got a lot of cool ideas from your photos<3 can’t wait to try them out!

    www.sillycrazylove.com

  • What an incredible transformation! The room has so much energy, you ladies did a GREAT job 🙂

    Ali
    Pretty in Python

  • Wow! Beautiful job! I love how bright it is. I adore that painting above the faux fireplace & that rug.

    www.katieelwood.com

  • Moving to a new studio? Projects are finished it’s time for something new…maybe an old warehouse this time? 😉

  • Wow, this is so beautiful! What a happy and clean space – lovely!

    x Sarah
    http://www.bohochiccafe.com

  • I really love this living room space…especially the sign “Work smarter and harder!” Enjoy your weekend ABM team 🙂
    www.lovecompassionatelee.com/

  • It looks amazing!!

    I love it all–especially the faux green fireplace!

    xoxo
    Jessica
    Vivacious Events|http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12288011

  • I love it! I wish I had my own place so I could decorate it the way I want to! 🙂

    xx
    Sarah
    http://ofstyleandwanderlust.blogspot.com/

  • I love how bright you made it. Sometimes it’s the light that makes all the difference.

    Aleisha
    Buttonforabird.blogspot.com

  • I adore this space! What color did you paint the walls? I am looking for a bright white/grey just like this! Whites to me are so difficult to pick out! Thanks.

  • such a gorgeous space! I really love that ‘Work Smarter and Harder’ typographic cutout, where’s it from (or how is it made?) 🙂

  • it looks amazing you guys! fantastic job. thanks for letting us have a peek into the studio!

    http://thelollyprojectblog.blogspot.com

  • This is such a beautiful room! It’s so bright and cheerful 🙂 I love everything about it… and that lime green mantel! Love it, you are so inspiring!!

    Thank you

  • The living room looks very fresh, and very welcoming. And I am guessing that your new project is the Denbow’s house. Though whatever it is, I’m sure it will be fabulous!

  • Lovely! If it’s not too much trouble…what is the name of the paint color of the green fireplace?

  • I love the faux fireplace! Amazing renovation! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s

  • Oh guys it turned out so so pretty!! I am trying to pinpoint my favourite thing but its so hard.. I think the rug wins 😉
    I hope you get to spend a lot of lovely time in that room!

    Love,
    Yara

  • Wow, what a breathtakingly fresh space! Kinda makes me want to rethink my nomadic lifestyle thing and settle down! Just so I can create something so amazing…but naah…you guys did a great job!

  • wow! I can’t believe its been a year since I started reading your blog. the room looks amazing!!! love, love it
    Xo, Belen from A Hint of Life

  • I love the colors, and the corner shelves! Plus that butterfly chair + sheepskin + pillow combo is to die for.

  • Can my office please be as chic as this? Heck, can my HOME please be as chic as this? It looks absolutely gorgeous, guys. But then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less 🙂

    Cat
    http://oddlylovely.com

  • it looks so light, bright and airy! really wonderful work space!

    http://wideseanoanchor.com/

  • I really loved that painting. Not sure if my last comment got posted to sorry if there is a doubble post 😉

  • Love each and every room in the studio… living room is so bright and filled with light..love the colorful faux fire place, and the pink print.. that light fixture, butterfly chairs, and the side table are all perfect…love this room!

    xo
    Hems
    agoldentulip.blogspot.com

  • Wow! Somany gourgeous details! I love that painting. Everything goes together so well ^^

  • So bright and happy! Love it! I like the work smarter sign on the wall. Great job!

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