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Before and AfterDecorating My Home

My Living Room Drapery; Before & After

By 10/10/2010August 26th, 202139 Comments
yellow-sofa
 
The transformation that drapery creates always amazes me:
Here is my living room before the drapes.
 

Here they are after.

They are a chevron textured fabric from Robert Allen and they match the linen colour on the walls.

Since it will be a wall of drapery thet we have to look at when you pull the drapes closed I didn’t want any wild patterns or colours, my sunflower yellow sofa is colourful enough!

Even though I chose a colour to match the walls the texture looks so good,  I’m always amazed when drapes go up how they change the feeling in a room. They immediately make a space feel finished, warm and cozy. Here are some hydrangeas I picked from outside.

And our TV is up. I love the look of wireless. If you have to have a TV in the living room (because you don’t have a great room) wireless is a must! (Someone asked if the TV was too high, it’s not, but the entertainment unit is unusually low, 19″)

 

This post (above) is old. Here’s an updated picture!

Here’s the full tour of my current house.

Related posts:

Painting is so Emotional (this living room was yellow first)

How to choose Colour for the Master Bedroom (mine)

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39 Comments

  • Marlis says:

    You cannot imagine my delight in seeing your window.. I have been looking for the right shade of taupe for drapes because I want my drapes the same color as the wall. And all the nay-sayers were doing just that.. no no. But seeing your windows and the fabric, I know I'm making the right choice.. Our windows are half the room AND go around a corner too.

    Love your blog!

  • Teresa at Splendid Sass says:

    Oh goodness, Maria, the draperies are gorgeous. The entire room looks absolutely beautiful!
    Teresa

  • Diane says:

    Oh, those drapes make the room look comfortable but elegant. Just lovely!

  • Julianne says:

    They look fabulous. Do you know your schedule for High Point yet? If I brought pictures, could we work out a consult? I wanted to go to the Ekornes showroom to look at some chairs. As I said, I am so close that I can be really flexible. Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!

  • WiseWoman says:

    Happy Thanksgiving, Maria. How did you get the pumpkins to be white?

    So nice to see you getting settled into your new home and that table from Chintz is stupendous. I love the fall colours in our hydangeas right now, too. Love you, Gloria

  • Elisa @ What the Vita says:

    What a difference the drapery makes! I really like simple window treatments with a bit of pattern or texture, like yours.

  • Sherah says:

    They DO make the room so much softer and cozier! And I love your yellow couch, that is SO fun looking! I clicked on the art link…..all I can say is WOW. That is so so so beautiful. I love seeing what YOUR home looks like – thank you for sharing!

  • chanteusevca says:

    Absolutely stunning, Mari! From all corners of the room, the drapes bring that special warmth and finish that every room needs. Hope I can do as well finding a great material and for my living/family room drapes. Painting has begun and the sofas should be here in a few weeks. Still don't have the wood floors in, but we're working on it. Some of the kitchen work has to be done (peninsula removed) before the floors can go in. Love seeing your close to finished product and can't wait to see your dining chairs!

  • Ivy Lane says:

    Maria, I LOVE your style! Your new draperies are FAB! and… my heart skipped a beat… no.. two beats when i saw the barcelona chairs…

    Happy Thanksgiving!!!

  • j.d says:

    omg i also LOOOOOOVE Bobbie Burgers art!!! ill stay posted to see what kind of alternatives you find… ive been looking for months but to no avail 🙁

    they are just so amazing!

  • Jane K. Schott says:

    Oh, my. your room is just magnificent! I was hesitant about the drapes but I am they look just right.

  • Pam Kersting says:

    A lovely room Maria! Love the colors. I also give a big thumbs up to the white Barcelona chairs and Aalto crystal vase on the coffee table. Now what color sofa would be nice paired with a pair of black barcelona chairs? (Sorry about all of the pairs 😉

  • Naturally Carol says:

    Hi Maria, I love reading your posts and have learned so much about colour. Your lounge room is beautiful and your new curtains dress the room wonderfully. I also love your yellow sofa, so sunshiney! I also like the hydrangeas and the raspberry cushions but they seem to clash a little in the photo, I don't know whether they really do in real life. What do you think?

  • Happy Thanksgiving! While clean line contemporary is not my personal style, if it were — I'd want your living room exactly! I love that it is colorful but calm, graphic but quiet. And the drapes? To die for. Chevron is beautiful, classic and up to date all at the same time. I love when you show us your talent!

  • Erika at BluLabel Bungalow says:

    Happy Thanksgiving Maria! Your new house is starting to feel like a home. It never ceases to amaze me how much window treatments change a space…and your sofa, though yellow, almost looks like a neutral with the surrounding color palette…and I see you decided to try the IKEA console. Looking good, M! Everything is coming together so well. Wish I could pay you a visit 😉

  • Lori Iocchelli says:

    VERY nice room. I love Chintz and Co. Happy Thanksgiving from another Canuck.

  • sarah says:

    I loved the first living room, it's amazing. I am, sarah, fan of all good decorating ideas 🙂 thanks for these

  • Ideezine says:

    Maria,
    Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Home, and Happy Designing everything looks great. It is home sweet home now.

    Bette

  • Mary says:

    Everything looks lovely! Your drapes really add the finishing touch. Love the little yellow end table. It sure looks cute with your yellow sofa. (My favorite style sofa by the way)

    On a side note…maybe save the rasberry for Spring/Summer & use Teal for Fall/Winter. Just a thought.

  • Greet says:

    Maria,
    The draperies are so beautiful! I really love that texture!
    And I love your Bareclona chair! To die for!!!
    xx
    Greet

  • Anonymous says:

    I noticed that in many room designs the couch and chairs are placed so that the TV would be to the side. This seems to be very common but I was wondering how this makes for your TV viewing. Seems as though you would have a cramp in your neck trying to watch a movie for instance. I know we don't want the TV to be the focal point. Do you move the furniture to watch a movie or deal as is?

    The drapes are lovely btw. Funny how it makes it instantly warmer.

    Belinda

  • Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says:

    Happy Thanksgiving, my Canadian friend! : ) The drapes look wonderful and do make a difference. It does feel "warmer" even just in a picture. Your living room looks fabulous and I love your view.

  • diane@onlinefabricstore says:

    Love the rug, love the couch, love the barcelona chairs and love how the new drapes just sort of disappear and frame that view. since the tv is off to the side I would move the large urn to the other side of console to balance the look and maybe a tall screen to break up that large wall and separate the living and dining space. A mirrored screen would reflect the view. Just a thought.

  • qerat says:

    Happy Thanks Giving Maria.
    This is a very pretty room, just the right amount of color to make it bright and the drapes look wonderful. This fabric is a favorite of mine.

  • Lazy Gardens says:

    Well, silly woman, you will have to force yourself to attend art shows and flea markets until you find the right artwork.

    One possibility would be to take a photo closeup of some flowers with the right colors – maybe pink and yellow peonies – and have it blown up onto a wall panel. Give it a dynamite framing job and it will do until your budget improves.

  • Dale at Hospitality Re-Defined says:

    Maria:

    Love the new drapes and the way your home is coming together for you – very lovely.

  • All Our Fingers in the Pie says:

    I agree completely in regards to the drapes. They also change the quality of sound in the room. Just a question on the built-in valance. I have a 60's bungalow and am considering having a simple valance built over my large living room window and a matching one over my dining room window, which is at the other end of the open area LR/DR. Thoughts?

  • Maria Killam says:

    Hi Belinda,
    This room is definitely not designed for the most comfortable TV viewing but there is only two of us, so one sits on the sofa and another upholstered chair will still be added closer to the fireplace which will be totally comfortable for the TV. We don't watch that much TV so I would rather sit on my sofa and look at the garden.

    Diane,
    Thanks for the tips on the console table, it's not done yet, I have so many accessories still to buy (including art).

    Thanks for all your comments everyone!
    Maria

  • Mona Thompson says:

    The drapes are fabulous! What a difference they make. A real testimony to any client that can't decide to take the plunge and go for the drapes. I'm also in love with the TDF sofa table. Great job!!!

  • Linda in AZ * says:

    * How DEEELIGHTFUL to be spending your CANADIAN Thanksgiving in this wonderful, beautiful, happy new home!!!

    The drapes look FAB (And I must admit I feel super that YOUR new drapes & MINE are sooooo similar!!! I LOVE my cream-on- cream chevron pattern!)& I LOVE the greenery right outside, that seems to want to come right in & "join the party"!!! This new place is just coming along SOOOO STUNNINGLY (especially ADORING your yellow sofa & the new "console/hallyway" table you just rcvd!) Maria, and I'm sooo happy for you!!!

    Warmest wishes,
    Linda in AZ *
    [email protected]

  • Emom says:

    Lovely drapes!
    I laughed though…..I posted about my living room drapes yesterday too….I was surprised to see your post…smiles.

  • Donna says:

    Maria–I am SOooo in love with your sofa color! It's fabulous! And I noticed that just as you had told us to do, you barely covered the edge of the living room windows with your drapes when you hung them. I re-did all of my drapes thanks to you. That trick really opened up my already smallish windows to get the best view possible. Thanks!

    The whole room is stunning and your view is gorgeous. I can see you being very happy in your new living room. It's very 'Maria' style. :O)

    BTW, I just posted photos of re-doing the whole sewing/office because I inherited a new Ikea u-shaped desk. It was an organizational triumph to make room for it in my tiny room.

    I love how spacious your living room is! I'm feeling a desperate need to declutter in my living room. It's pretty tight when the family and guests all squeeze in. Happy Thanksgiving! And thanks for the reminder. If I want to get everyone in, I'll have do some work in that living room. :o)

    xo
    Donna @ Comin' Home

    PS. Love that artist work. I'm sure it would look great on your wall.

  • lulumusing says:

    Stay with the raspberry. You will find it a very easy color to live with, and touches here and there will make you smile!

  • AB HOME Interiors says:

    Happy Thanksgiving! Your room is really coming together and looks great! Can't wait to see you next week in highpoint!
    xo
    amanda

  • Anonymous says:

    Maria, your room looks great, and I love the drapes! I also love your sofa table. I notice you have a lamp on it…I'm curious about where you have it plugged in and how you dealt with the cord?
    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Jan

  • Maria Killam says:

    Hi Jan,
    The cord is just underneath the sofa, and then the end table beside it, but I agree sometimes it can be hard to hide the cord when the sofa is in the middle of the room.
    Thanks for your comment!
    Maria

  • Pinky says:

    I just LOVE the pattern and color of your new drapes! What a difference they make as you said. I clicked on the art and WOW!!! Your home is so lovely, bright and ENERGIZED!!! Can't wait to see what art you do decide on. Love your sunny yellow sofa too!!! And fresh flowers just add SO much! XO, Pinky

  • traci zeller designs says:

    Love, love, love!!!! The room looks fantastic. I totally need a pair of Barcelona chairs.

  • elise says:

    Wow, I love your rug. Makes the space just fabulous.

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