Our Living Room Reveal

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I’m actually amazed at the transformation that can take place in a few short weeks. You may remember where our living room first began (if not, allow me to introduce you), and today I’m thrilled to be sharing the full reveal. With photos from my talented friend Heidi Lau, read on for all of the details…

If you’re new here, allow me to make a brief introduction. My fiancé, Justin, and I purchased an old Victorian home in Toronto last summer. And while it boasted some incredible bones (like 10″ baseboards), it was definitely in need of some love. I actually did a video tour (here) a few days after we took possession, and we’ve slowly been picking away at each space room by room ever since.  So when Linda, the genius behind the One Room Challenge, reached out to us just a few short weeks ago and asked if we wanted to participate in this season’s challenge it was a bit of a no brainer.

We decided to tackle our living room, which wasn’t terrible to begin with, but it felt lackluster and underwhelming – not a space in which either of us were excited to come home to at the end of a long day. (You can see all of our before’s right here, if interested)

The goal from the get go was to create a sanctuary; a casual spot that felt elegant and pulled together, but not too stuffy. One in which we were excited to spend time in. To host friends, or to snuggle up with a movie and a big ol’ bowl of popcorn.

We started with a few inspiration photos (here) that really captured the vibe we were after. And from there, we were off to the races. We installed some simple crown moulding crown moulding, that felt in keeping with the period of our home, exchanged the venetian blinds for custom linen drapes, and gave the walls a lick of soft grey paint (Farrow & Ball’s Amonite White , for those of you who’ll ask.)

From there, an extra deep sectional from AllModern set the stage. While it was admittedly nerve-wracking to select a couch online without testing it out, we relied heavily on the reviews, and we’re thrilled to say it’s literally perfect. It’s firm enough to feel tailored and elegant while we’re entertaining like real grown ups. But plush (and deep) enough to really allow us to cozy up for movie nights with friends. 

For the first eight months of our lives here, we lived with an exposed light bulb. So, to be totally honest, a change of any variety would have been an automatic upgrade. But the fact that we were able to incorporate this glass and iron beauty from Crystorama (one in which I’ve been lusting after for years) was just icing on the cake. I love that it feels totally timeless, yet intrinsically modern in the same breath. It bridges that gap beautifully and really feels as if it was made for our space. 

An extra wide media cabinet pulls double duty – hiding all of our cable boxes (because real people actually live here), all while giving us storage space for pretty little details when the TV is not in use. Form meets function and it’s simply glorious. 
With a solid foundation in place, we slowly began adding in all of those incredible layers. Those essentials bits and pieces that make a house feel like a home. From sumptuous toss cushions to smokey-scented candles I always say that design is in the details, and I feel like this room has them en masse. 

Beautiful art from Minted adorns our walls. And I love that it all came framed and ready to hang – necessary when working with a tight timeline. 

A basket of blankets is a non negotiable in any client’s space. It instantly adds a cozy factor that can’t be beaten. 

There you have it. Our living room in all of it’s glory. I’d love to hear your thoughts! And thank you again for following along on this journey. It’s been so much fun.

If you have the chance, you may want to check out the rest of this season’s One Room Challenge participants’ reveals. It’s been a pleasure to join them for the last few weeks:

Centsational Girl | Chris Loves Julia
Christine Dovey | Dwell With Dignity
The English Room | Glitter Guide 
House of Brinson | House Updated  
J+J Design Group | Abby Manchesky
 Nesting Place | Old Brand New
Old Home Love | The Pink Pagoda 
Rambling Renovators | Erica Reitman
Sketch 42 | Suburban B’s | Erin Williamson

Media Partner House Beautiful | TM by CIH

Photography: Heidi Lau

Sectional: AllModern | Custom Curtains: Tonic Living | Ceiling Medallion: Lowes | Chandelier: Crystorama | Crown Moulding: Metrie | Cashmere Blanket: Annie Selke | Wall Paint:Farrow & Ball – Amonite White | Embroidered Throw Pillow: Pine Cone Hill | Snake Print Throw Pillow: Annie Selke | Tassel throw Pillow: Pine Cone Hill | Striped Throw Pillow:Pine Cone Hill | Lumbar Throw Pillow: Pine Cone Hill | Marble Coffee Table: AllModern | Kaydi Bishop’s Torched Art: Minted | Actinomar’s Graphic Leaves Print: Minted | Yuke Li’s Wild Grass Art: Minted | Lamp (not pictured): Bellacor | Media Unit: AllModern | 18) Helina Chin’s Seascape Art: Minted | Blanket/Magazine Basket: Serena & Lily | Wood Sculpture: West Elm| Carved Boxes: Home Sense (similar here) | White Vase: Home Sense (similar here) | Coasters: Etsy