Oh my gosh, you guys. So much has happened that I haven’t shared and I am so excited to finally be sharing all the projects I’ve been working on for the last 7 months. Yes, seven months! Early last year, I started working on a living room makeover (which I talked about here) and I finally finished it up at the end of last summer. So, why haven’t I shared?
I had this crazy dream of having our home in a magazine. I’ve heard several editors speak on submissions and what they like/don’t like (print publications aren’t big fans of publishing content that has already been shared on the web) so I decided to snap some pics to send to a freelance editor. Then I waited. I was so close to just saying “Screw it! I’m gonna post this!” but then in November, part of a crazy chain of events, I got the news that a BHG special interest publication called Makeovers would be at my home on December 2nd to shoot for a magazine coming out in March 2016.
Dudes. It happened. It’s out.
I can’t even believe it.
That’s me. In a magazine. With my clothes on. Giant life score.
So, once I got the news that our home would be published, I knew the proper thing to do would be to save the reveal images for the magazine and then do a follow up here, so that’s what this is.
Before I get into the full reveal, though, I want to take you back to look at the evolution of this space.
This is what it looked like before we moved in:
We had the walls painted, the floors replaced, new mantle installed, added a ceiling fan (how does anyone in Georgia survive without one?!) and painted the paneling. We had just come out of living in a hotel for several months so I did everything I could to make the new home look like the old home. This is what it looked like after we moved in:
Not terrible but… really, look at all that chevron. Too much.
One of those framed pieces is now living a new life as a pillow in the new living room.
Then I found the most amazing couch ever which inspired me to have a garage sale and totally transform this space into a place I love while staying on a budget.
After so much waiting, here it is, ready?!
I made all the pillows, including one from a previously framed piece of DIY art.
I also framed a few needlepoint pieces for the new gallery wall. The one of the girl was a thrift find and the others we inherited, they play nicely with our Dwight Shrute illustration. The floral painting was done by my great great grandmother.
I updated the end tables using some thrifted industrial knobs I picked up at Scott’s Antique Market.
Our DIY Vintage Tripod Lamp lives in this room now…
…along with lots and lots of family heirlooms and pics. This is my great great grandfather and his beautiful bride, Ella May. She was a housewife and artist and I so wish I had known her. She did several of the paintings we have in our home as well as several sets of hand painted floral china.
Only about 10% of our old books are thrifted, the rest belonged to family and some of these have dates scribbled in the front all the way back to 1903.
There is normally a legless hutch under the TV which you can see in the magazine pics. Recently hubs went out of town and I went on a project binge and injured my right arm somehow and now it’s barely working. So, that thing is chillin’ right now waiting for some paint. And some legs.
Upholstery-Free Chair Makeover
Several of the gallery wall pieces were thrifted, including a few ikea frames. The male nude was a find from a sale right in my own neighborhood, the floral was a thrift store find (for a buck!) and the painting is another done by my great great grandmother. Her house was undergoing renovations and she painted what she hoped her house would look like. I just love everything about it. She couldn’t afford canvas so it’s painted on a piece of wood covered in cheesecloth.
Mid-Century Nate Berkus Chairs
Somehow our couch didn’t make it in the mag…
..And I can’t wait to show you the dining room. Doesn’t even look like the same room as what’s in the magazine. I tore that room apart as soon as the photogs left.
Another look at the way-back before:
And after:
I’m so excited to share the rest of the house and all the projects I’ve been keeping on the DL, so, get ready for a healthy dose of Dena. A great big THANK YOU goes out to all of you for reading, coming back, supporting me, leaving comments, etc. I’m so thankful to all of you for sticking with me and being so encouraging. Hoping to repay your kindness with some serious DIY action in the coming months.
Swap It Like It’s Hot is coming up next week and I’m pretty excited about that too- especially because I’m making the hubs do the work since my arm is on the fritz. I’ve been getting out of dinner duty, too, so that’s nice.
dena@heartsandsharts.com
Where’s the rug from? Love it.
Hey Amanda! The Rugs is from Rugs USA – They have some killer sales a couple times a year where they offer 70% off AND free shipping. I checked past posts where I’ve linked to the rug and wasn’t able to find it, maybe they’ve removed it? If you search for Moroccan rugs on their site, though, you’ll find tons that are a great deal.
Beautiful. Stunning. I can’t pick a favorite part – love it all. I’m a new follower!
Thank you so much, Tina!
Nice job on the living room redo and a big CONGRATS on the magazine feature. I picked up the mag at CVS, flipped through the pages and there you were in your beautiful LR! I am so excited for you! I have really enjoyed reading about all your up-dos, re-dos and all the fun projects. Very inspirational!
Please keep up the great work. Take care of the arm! Looking forward to your next project!
Thank you tons, Barbara!!!
Congrats girl! I REALLY love what you did with your living room, it looks completely different. I cannot believe they did not show off that stunner of a couch in their magazine. I am happy you can finally share your space with us, it is beyond gorgeous.
Thank you SO much!!!
Love it! And your wall color is a perfect neutral! Would you mind telling me what color it is?
Thank you, Kelly! It’s called Sculptor’s Clay by Behr.
That’s so exciting, and very much deserved! I love your eclectic, funny self. Way to go!!!!
Thank you so much, Heather!
Congrats on the magazine feature! That would be a dream for me! I LOVE that couch and all the other mid century items! We have a 60’s rancher and our “formal” Living room is furnished with some mid-century items…I need that coffee table tho! Great Job!
Thank you so much, Mary!!
Gorgeous! I love the gallery wall, and the genius use of patterns. And that couch! I will have to pick up a copy of the magazine, congrats girl!!
Thank you so much, Kimm!
You are simply the best! Love you and hope the arm gets well soon so you can be back at it!
Thank you! I actually really enjoy spending all this “DIY time” with Hubs, he’s so cute with a can of spray paint in his hand. So, I’m not in a big hurry. 🙂 Love you!
Fantastic! I love that crazy picture with the smoking bunny (or kangaroo?) wearing a party hat! Also, your couch will fuel my thrift store dreams for months to come!
Thank you, Steph! It’s a kangaroo, we call it “The Party Animal”. 🙂 Hit Instagram! That’s where I found the couch! Thank you again, Steph!
Dena ~ I have been missing you lately and wondering what great projects you have been working on?!! Love your living room re-do! Now I have to go get the BHG magazine! Also can’t wait to see how all your blogging buddies upcycle their thrift store finds…..always such good ideas! LOVE your blog!!!
Mary
Hey! Thank you, Mary! I took a little break, but I’m back! Thank you, thank you – so much!!
Looks amazing , D! SO much history and fun. That painting by the great grams….. um, heaven! Slam dunk, my friend! xx
Aw, thanks, boo.
Looks great! congrats again!
Thank you, Bee!
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! This is one spectacular room and definitely up my alley with all the wonderful colors and updated thrifted pieces! Pinning sharing and shouting to the world lol!!
Thank you, Stephanie!!!