After months of anticipation, it’s finally time to unveil the beautifully renovated spaces in our home. I am thrilled to share the stunning photos we captured just this week. If you’ve been keeping up with my Instagram updates, you might know that we’ve been working on refreshing various areas of our house over the past few months. Tackling a major home project during a pandemic has certainly presented its unique set of challenges — from limiting the number of visitors to our home to managing the logistics of remote work and online schooling for the kids. But amidst these hurdles, my partner Adam and I realized it was essential to make vital changes after living in this house for over a decade.
Our fondness for this home has only deepened, but we felt it was time to modernize the space to reflect our evolving aesthetic. We envisioned a look that embraced lighter tones, earthy textures, and a more expressive atmosphere.
With the renovation finally complete, I couldn’t be more excited to share the fresh, new spaces with you all. In the upcoming month, we’ll be rolling out room reveals, along with videos on Instagram, highlighting the transformation. This year has shown us that having a comforting sanctuary at home can significantly enhance our mental well-being. Being surrounded by a space we love makes all the difference when we’re spending more time indoors.
The project pivot.
We decided to kick off the reveal with our living room, the heart of our home and the first impression upon entering through the front door. It’s no surprise that I’ve opted for my signature neutral palette, but I’m eager to share numerous living room ideas that are anything but mundane. As we navigate through the lessons learned during this renovation, I’ll also provide links to my favorite pieces.
For those unfamiliar, Adam and I reside in Austin with our two children, Phoebe, aged 8, and Henry, aged 5. We built our home soon after tying the knot in 2010, and this space has witnessed countless cherished moments — from festive family gatherings to holiday celebrations and childhood milestones. It’s hard to believe how attached I’ve become to this home; it feels like an extension of myself. Over the years, Adam and I have grown significantly, and it became increasingly clear that our home should reflect that growth.
To see the transformation, check out the “before” home tour linked here.
In the fall of 2019, we consulted with our architects and devised a comprehensive renovation plan. However, just as we were ready to begin the work, the Covid pandemic disrupted our plans. This unexpected pause became a blessing in disguise, allowing us to reflect on our love for our home and reconsider the extent of the renovations. Instead of a complete overhaul, we pondered whether we could strategically focus on key elements while adhering to a more modest budget. The question became: how could we achieve impactful changes without overspending?
This reevaluation led us to refine our initial plans, focusing on essential updates that would provide the most value without uprooting our lives during the pandemic. Here’s a look at the adjustments we made, along with my insights from the process.
Textural walls change the whole energy of a space.
One of my long-standing design aspirations has been to incorporate textured walls, like plaster or lime wash, which evoke an old-world charm. As I dove into my research, I was astonished by the variety of options available. I ultimately settled on a matte finish that conveyed that earthy, textural quality I envisioned, avoiding the trowel marks characteristic of Venetian plaster. A local drywall company introduced me to a product called American Clay, which I instantly adored. This natural earth plaster, made in New Mexico, provided the soft and organic finish I desired, and I appreciated its sustainability and non-toxic nature.
We decided to coat the entire downstairs of our house with American Clay in the shade Forté White. The result is breathtaking; I often find myself wanting to leave some walls bare just to showcase their natural beauty. It’s worth noting that this isn’t an easy DIY endeavor; either conduct thorough research and practice with test patches or, as I opted to do, hire skilled professionals. Our walls required a base coat and two top coats, with drying time between each application, resulting in a process that spanned roughly three weeks. Each step demanded meticulous attention to detail to ensure a uniform texture and color.
This textured finish is one of my favorite aspects of our living room renovation, as it introduces depth and character without relying on color.
Honing the stone floors was our most budget-friendly move.
Throughout our home, we have travertine tile floors, which I appreciate for their timelessness and durability. However, I was never quite satisfied with the way the sealant yellowed over time, and the shiny finish applied during installation was not what I remembered choosing. After evaluating the cost of new tile, we were hit with sticker shock, which led us to question whether a complete replacement was even worth it.
Fortunately, we learned about honing from a local stone care company. Honing involves grinding the top layer of the tile to create a smooth, matte surface. This process transformed our previously ridged and glossy tiles into a uniform and matte finish.
What’s even better? The entire honing process took just a couple of days, and we achieved a brand-new look for our floors without a hefty price tag — all for under $5,000, which is a fraction of what we’d have spent on new tile and installation.
Sometimes, the perfect couch is already under your own roof.
Our previous couch, which we bought when we first built the house, had its fair share of issues. After weeks of searching for a replacement, I found that most options didn’t quite meet my needs. They were either the wrong size, too low, too soft, or not soft enough. I even contemplated investing in a Restoration Hardware Cloud sectional, but the cost was beyond what I was willing to spend.
Then it hit me: the couch I already owned was the ideal fit for the room. I realized I could simply reupholster it, addressing everything I disliked about it. I enlisted a local upholsterer who came to take measurements and create a fresh look for our sectional.
Pro tip: if you adore white couches but worry about stains, opt for indoor-outdoor materials that are durable and stain-resistant. I chose a stunning Perennials fabric designed for indoor-outdoor use, which is incredibly resilient. The two-tone tweed fabric I selected in “Whippersnapper / Sea Salt” adds a cozy texture while maintaining a light and airy feel. Additionally, we wrapped the cushions in down for extra comfort, while the foam inside kept its shape.
Think outside the square coffee table box.
Our dark wooden square coffee table had served us well over the years, but it now felt too stark in our bright and airy living room. The angular design clashed with the soft, earthy aesthetic I was aiming for. When I discovered the organic oval shape of the Aliso Natural Coffee Table from Dear Keaton, I was smitten. The natural white oak wood and surfboard-like shape immediately brought to mind beachy vibes, making it the ideal choice for our space.
Incorporating varied wood tones is one of my favorite techniques for adding interest to a neutral palette. The combination of white oak, warm medium tones, and dark espresso wood creates depth and even a touch of drama.
Buy affordable rugs, then layer them on.
With kids still young enough to make messes, investing in high-end rugs is out of the question. I refuse to be that host who insists guests remove their shoes before entering. I want everyone to feel at ease in my home, regardless of their footwear.
To achieve a stylish look without breaking the bank, I opted for affordable rugs in neutral colors and layered them for a chic effect. In our living room, I layered three rugs: a solid jute area rug, an indoor-outdoor rug, and a faux sheepskin rug.
When layering rugs, consider materials with varying pile heights — the thickness of the rugs from the surface to the backing. Arrange them with the flattest rug on the bottom and the plushest on top, creating a visually appealing depth that elevates the overall look.
High-traffic areas like living rooms benefit from rugs with density, as they tend to withstand wear and tear more effectively.
Mix up the furniture configuration for an instant living room makeover.
I enlisted the help of my friend, designer Claire Zinnecker, to explore alternative furniture layouts, stepping outside the arrangements I had used for the past decade. Based on her creative designs, I decided to position two new chairs in the corner near our large steel doors leading to the patio, completely transforming the room’s ambiance — it was precisely the finishing touch we needed.
These woven leather armchairs from Barnaby Lane in Rose Blush are a favorite of mine. While Adam was initially skeptical about having “pink chairs” in the living room, he has grown to love them just as much as I do. The white oak frame seamlessly complements our coffee table made of the same material, and their low, lounge-friendly height is perfect for curling up with a book by the fire.
Open shelves are the most fun place to show off your style.
This project has inspired me to embrace a more adventurous approach to decorating, especially with our open shelving. In the past, I would find a seemingly perfect arrangement and leave it unchanged for a year. Now, I view our shelves as a dynamic canvas for self-expression. Rearranging the shelves has become my favorite satisfying weekend project after a long week.
I recently shared a video of my shelf styling process, and it’s incredible to see how much the arrangement has evolved in just a few weeks. Chanel, a talented friend, assisted me the day before our photoshoot, and her fresh perspective challenged me to experiment with new arrangements. Plus, the turntable I gifted Adam for Christmas has made an excellent decorative addition to the shelves.
For those curious about the basket displayed on the bottom shelf, it’s the Briarwood Large Rush Basket from Dear Keaton.
I would love to hear about your own neutral living room ideas or tips that you’ve successfully implemented in your space. Stay tuned for a shoppable post next week where I’ll share links to everything featured here. Up next… the kitchen reveal!
