This is the second room you see when you come into the house. The first is the “formal” living room that’s immediately after the entryway. Then there is a hallway to your right and this room to your left.
Of all the rooms in the house, it is by far the darkest. There is a large magnolia tree just outside these windows that blocks a lot of light.
Our original checklist of items to change was— 1. Paint or replace the fireplace. Like I said above, Jeremy talked me out of replacing it. He said to paint it white and see if it would grow on me. I’m so glad he did because it HAS grown on me. And while it’s still not what I would choose if I was building from scratch, I really like it now. 2. Paint walls, trim and shelves. We were VERY lucky that most of the house came with white trim, which is my preference. So we only had to paint the trim in a couple rooms. This was the most tedious because of the double doors and bookshelves. I know a lot of people wouldn’t paint those bookshelves. They really were beautiful as they were (and very hard to paint because of 8 zillion coats of furniture polish applied over the years), but for us, white was the right choice. And it really did open up and brighten the space. By the way, we did all of the painting ourselves to save money (and we’re not done yet!) 3. Removing that carpet. We weren’t a fan of any of the color choices in this room. So goodbye red carpet! One of the first things we did after I snapped these photos on closing day was pull up the carpet to see what was under there.
At the time I was considering either WAY light or WAY dark wood stain. We went with the light and have loved it SO much.
Even though this room wasn’t my favorite at first, I was pretty sure we could make it what we wanted eventually. This room is going to be the television room, by the way!
With the fireplace, windows and bookshelves, there really wasn’t a good place for the television. Unless we wanted to mount it to the wall opposite the fireplace (which I thought would be a bit awkward). It just didn’t seem to fit.
Our friends Ryan and Cayt had a genius television solution in their home. They have a projector screen that comes down (via remote) in front of a bookshelf. I followed “girl code” and asked permission to rip off their idea, then immediately ordered a screen online. Instead of a TV, you buy a screen, a projector and a speaker system. Then the projector can be synched with Apple TV or cable or whatever you use (I think we’re going to go with Apple TV this time). I’ll share more details about that project when it’s complete. I’m really excited to see how it turns out!
In the meantime, we’ve been watching TV on our laptops.
Oh! And yes, we’re painting those beams.
So our current plans for this space include some white shiplap, some dark charcoal gray, some brass details and a big, cozy overdyed rug. I want it to be a good spot to watch Mindy, to make s’mores and to hang out with family. I mean, I’d love it to be cool and stylish too, but cozy is my #1 priority for this space!
Thanks for following along! If you’d like to see more updates from my new house, check out my progress tag. xx- Elsie
Credits// Author and Photography: Elsie Larson.
34 Comments
So excited to see what you do with this room! I love the “bones” of it.
I’m definitely psyched to see how it turns out!! The room does have some interesting architectural elements, like the beams and bookcases. I think going light with everything is definitely a good idea. I know people complain about painting real wood, but what’s the point of keeping it au naturel if you don’t LOVE it. I know it will look fabulous when you are finished. And, seriously, the projector screen idea – genius!!
My in laws have a scroll down projector screen, too, to watch shows and movies on. It’s awesome! Glad you’re doing that and I don’t blame you a bit for painting the bookshelves and fireplace.
Dear Elsie, it’s so interesting to see the whole process of renovating and this room is a real challenge. The projector is a fantastic solution, since we bought one we enjoy so much movie nights at home – and compared to a large TV screen it’s way more enjoyable and cheaper. Plus, you can use the projector for DIY projects ( I’m impressed how much different use it can have ). Do you know you can turn a standard IKEA TUPPLUR blind in a perfect and unexpensive screen? I did it and it work so well.
Paint that bookcase! You don’t want to live in a dark cave! 🙂 I’m SURE you made the right choice! I am curious to see if you kept the medieval feeling chandeliers which I actually think could be quite cool. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Oh and now I see the picture at the top has the word ‘replace’ on the chandeliers…
I love the stone fireplace. I kinda of think you shouldn’t paint it either, it’s beautiful the way it is. I’m excited to see how this comes out, maybe the painted fireplace will grow on me ;p
Can’t wait to see the final product. The room has great bones!
http://lessthanaverageheight.com/
I see a room like this and in screams potential, I’m so glad your hubby and you were able to envision it. And how lucky are you to find hardwood floors under that carpet that are in great shape for refinishing, two thumbs up for that “SCORE!!!” Can’t wait to see it all whited out and styled up!
Excited to see how this turns out, I would have painted white too, bet this will look amazing and love the hidden gem with the wooden floors.
I feel like EVERY commenter on Apartment Therapy loves white woodwork until they find out it was an original oak piece from the time the house was built. Then the snarky comments begin.Personally, I’m a big fan of light and airy and think you’ve made a great decision. If the next person that lives in your house wants natural wood, they can scrape off the paint. 😉
Can’t wait to see what you do with the space! http://www.hannamarielei.com
I didn’t keep those. They were very medieval feeling!
xx- Elsie
Your home has such great bones!! It’s a real family house that I yearn to find for my family. Unfortunately, where I live, all I can afford is a small 50’s basic build but it has hardwood floors throughout most of it so that’s a big thumbs up in my book. Can hardly wait to see wait it looks like!
Yeah- I can live with the comments (haha- would rather live with the comments than with the bookshelf unpainted). 😀 xx- Elsie
I love how much you love Mindy! #WWMD
Love your idea for the desk nook… I would have just ripped it out first sight.
For your TV, I suggest looking into a Kodi box over the Apple TV 😉
So excited to see what you do with this space! And I LOVE the bookshelves – I dream of having a whole wall of bookshelves one day (and yes, I’d paint them white too!)
The house was built in the 70s…it’s not like the bookcase was an antique! I’m excited to see it painted. 🙂 We live in a 100+ year old house in Denver with a lot of beautiful woodwork…and in that case, you just have to go with the vintage feel! I can’t wait to see what you do with this room!
I swear to God, this room is the size of my entire London flat haha!
Can’t wait to see the fireplace. Earlier this summer we moved into a 70’s funk palace and have this same room complete with the red carpet, except in a basement with dark paneling. OMG. We’ve completely transformed it, except for the fireplace eyesore. I don’t know what to do, other than reframe it. Maybe you’ll have a solution.
This room is going to be amazing when it’s done! It has great bones!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
I really can’t wait to see what you’ve done with this space! I love the bookcases, but I also love white furniture, so I won’t hate you for repainting them 🙂 And those wooden floors! #swoon
I would have painted it all white too! Bookcases and fireplace. And we have that whole projector set up in our downstairs living room. It’s awesome! We don’t have a screen that pulls down though, we’ve just left one of the walls white, so when we turn on the projector it’s a HUGE screen! Like our own mini theatre. Makes movie nights just a little bit more special!
Such a old house, worth for living.
An over dyed rug DIY tutorial would be really awesome!!
This house contains a master wood work in the interior. Wonder full sharing.
My heart fluttered when I saw the floor under the carpet – I love wood floors. The room has character – it reminds me of the old rooms that rich old men sit in with their cigars and brandy and political views and such!
Enjoy!
Oh my god, who in their right mind would cover up such pretty hard wood floors with this hideous carpet????? Like how ugly was that? But does windows are to die for! So big and gorgeous. Also the wood beams are fabulous and will probably still look great even painted. Now for the Book shelf, I love natural wood colour but I see why this wouldn’t fit with your decor so, it makes sense that you would want to paint it. Anyway, great bones, can’t wait to see what you make of it 🙂
This is wonderful! I can’t believe that carpet was hiding that wood floor! Looking forward to seeing what you do to that place (so I can steal some ideas for my living room!)
good luck!
Your house is huuuuuuuge! I love it all! I would paint that bookshelf too.
Everyone needs a cozy little nook in their home! ♡♡
xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com
I have serious serious house envy, it’s going to be so incredible once you’re done! My husband will never agree to buying an older home that needs updating so I shall continue to live vicariously through brave souls such as yourself.