So after talking about all the shopping and planning we did for the condo redesign project (see that here), let’s get to some after pics. Those are always the best part, right? Remember the living room before (see the rest of the before pics here)?
Well here it is looking much brighter, more contemporary, and well, finished. What do you think?
The colour scheme is pretty neutral, but mixed with pops of colour and pattern throughout. We started off with a blank slate and I just kept layering piece after piece until it felt right.
The glass coffee table is perfect for showing off the Afghanistan rug. It also doesn’t break up the space, like a chunky or dark coffee table would have.
And that buffet I scored off Kijiji for $20? Well with a coat of green/brown paint (and white on the trim details) it looks fab. It’s probably one of my favourite pieces in the whole place.
Since we were trying to keep costs down for artwork, I blew up some of the owner’s travel photos and framed them with the IKEA Ribba frames (and new bright white matte board that I grabbed from my local arts shop – Wallack’s). The big mirror over the buffet (which was a steal at around $40 from HomeSense) bounces light and makes the space feel way bigger.
The dining room table which I grabbed for $200 at an antiques shop looked great after a coat of matte black paint on the legs. It adds a nice rustic element to the space. Pushing it up against the wall means that it fits the space and two can easily sit down for a meal. When more guests come over, it’s easy to pull it out from the wall and grab the other two dining room chairs.
Oh and the piece of art above it – another steal from HomeSense at about $75.
I wanted to add in a pop of orangey/red somewhere to pull out some colour from the rug, so these built-in shelves were the perfect place to do it. They had sort of been lost to begin with, but now are definitely a feature.
So that’s it for the living room! I’ll be back later this week with the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Fun, fun!
What do you guys think of the space? Did it meet the casual-contemporary-loft look we were going for? Do you think the mixture of high and low pieces work?
Tags: condo decor, living room, loft, ottawa interior design
I love it all, but the sideboard is a standout show stopper for sure!
I know, right?! Who would have thought a $20 piece would make the room?
xo,
gem
I LOVE it, and agree with Nadine that the buffet is a HIT (I am also really digging the coffee and dining tables)! Great job!
thanks! i love those tables too!
xo,
gem
Love it all! Love the buffet and the table! You’re future hired! lol
Ha ha – sounds good! :)
xo,
gem
Wonderful transformation Gemma! It looks collected & eclectic. Love the weathered top of the dining table.
Thanks Jen! Happy to hear the “collected and eclectic” – that’s exactly what we were going for.
xo,
gem
Gemma!! This looks so fantastic! I love it! I remember you telling me all about it at the show- but awesome! Great, great job- gotta love a before & after!! xoxo Laura
Thanks so much, Laura!!
xo,
gem
That sideboard was the very first thing that caught my eye when I first saw the pic. Funny how all the expensive stuff – like the rug – is taking a back seat to that.
Absolutely! It’s funny how the more inexpensive/DIY stuff can end up being the showstopper!
xo,
gem
Turns out everyone who stops by is also captured by the lure of the buffet…
I can say the owner is quite thrilled with the collected and eclectic appearance – suits the personality perfectly! Thanks again Gem!
It looks lovely! Great furniture pieces. You did a great job of showing off the amazing features.
WOW you have done an amazing job it looks great, what a difference. It must have been awesome to spend someone elses money to decorate a place, and get to try something different. I love the antique dining table the most!! xox
I like the space and what you’ve done with it. In my opinion there one problem: the rug just looks too small. I have shopped for rugs myself and realize that they are a substantial investment. If the rug was big enough to fit under the front feet of both sofas, the space would look that much better. Again, this is just my opinion. Well done overall!
I totally would have loved for the rug to be bigger too, Elanor — both to amp up the colour and pattern in the room and to ground the living room space even more. Ideally both the sofa and loveseat would have been able to “sit” on the rug. However, it is a treasured piece from the homeowner, brought back from Afghanistan before he even owned the condo! Can’t plan everything! Glad you liked the rest of the space though!
xo,
gem
I LOVE the buffet in the back. Such a pretty piece.
Glad to hear it! I was definitely stoked when I found it on Kijiji!
xo,
gem
where did you get the coffee table?
Isn’t it fun?! It was from a shop called Structube (http://www.structube.com/).
xo,
gemma
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