Considering a room revamp, but not sure where to begin—or how much to invest? In our latest series, One-Room Renos, we explore renovation projects big and small, from soft-good upgrades you can accomplish in a weekend to total overhauls that cost a small fortune and take months (or longer).
Today, a designer and travel writer shares how she transformed her Midcentury modern living room in Louisville with paint, floor-model scores, and a little yard-sale luck.
Tell us about your living room project.
The living room is the heart of our home, a 1958 tri-level in Louisville, Kentucky. Perched on a wooded hill, it has original hardwood floors, an amazing brick-and-paneled fireplace wall, and a picture window overlooking treetops and the downtown skyline in the distance.
Sounds great—what was the problem?
The previous owners were fully committed to a midcentury modern vision with a turquoise-and-coral palette and a stage set of period pieces. I thoroughly appreciated how well they executed it—but it definitely wasn’t my vibe.
What was your vision?
I’m a designer and a serial renovator who typically takes houses down to the studs. I love a dramatic before and after! That was not what I was looking for with this project. I knew this space would let me make it my own just by changing the paint.
Did you have a design plan?
Not even close. I designed this room for the feel I was after, not for a trend or style. Photos can’t capture the tranquil and settled feeling when I curl up on the couch looking out at the trees and knowing I’m enveloped by the stories and memories of our lives inside. This is for us to return home to—from travels or the grocery store! It’s not for Instagram, though of course I try.
What did you actually change?
I swapped the bold, vivid colors for a warm, neutral, and deeply soothing Benjamin Moore color called Old Soul. We painted the shelves and front door a deep green to carry the thread of all my plants (and those trees outside). Everything else was furniture or accents I already owned or bought for the room.
How long did it take?
I started with the paint and the things we’ve collected, and continued from there. It came together organically over a few weeks after moving in.
Where did the furniture come from?
All over the place! We had sold most of our furniture to the buyer of our next-to-last house, so we started rebuilding our collection during the 10 months we spent in the most recent house before this one.
What was the most expensive item?
Our amazing Chesterfield took forever to find; it had to be something to stand up to my 92-pound dog’s claws, and this was the only leather that didn’t scratch when I tested it with my fingernail. It’s an England brand that my mom found in an old-fashioned furniture store in Central Kentucky and I think we’ll have it forever.
Tell us about some of the other decor highlights.
The leather bench was an Arhaus flo