When Frances sent these photos of her recent living room makeover, we were eager to share the result. Her thoughtful choices and careful styling turned a one-bedroom co-op in Great Neck, NY into a serene, polished living space that feels both inviting and refined. Below she shares the sources she used and a few details about the project.
I’m a huge fan of your site and what you do. For that reason, I wanted to introduce myself and submit these photos of a recent project that I completed in a one bedroom co-op in Great Neck, NY. I hope you find it worthy to feature on your site. It would be a huge treat for me.
Here are a few of my sources: Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Silken Pine, All Drapery: Pottery Barn, Drapery Hardware and woven shades: The Shade Store, Living/entry way rugs: Decora Rugs, Entry Way mirror: Source Perrier, Entry Way console: Mitchell Gold, Entryway Chair: Ballard Designs, Entertainment Unit: Stickley Furniture, Sofa and Reading Chair: TCS Designs, Cocktail Table: Hickory Chair, Ceramic Stool: Wisteria, Floor Lamp: Pottery Barn, Desk Lamp: Z Gallerie, Accessories: Target, Home Goods, Ikea, Z Gallerie, Dransfield & Ross.
Thanks for all the tips and great reading! Keep up the great work! – Frances
The transformation demonstrates how a clear color palette, layered textures, and carefully chosen furnishings can elevate even a modest footprint. The walls, painted in Benjamin Moore Silken Pine, create a soft, muted backdrop that allows furnishings and accessories to stand out without overwhelming the room. That color choice helps establish a calm, contemporary atmosphere—perfect for a living room that serves multiple functions, from entertaining guests to relaxing after a long day.
Frances combined classic pieces with accessible finds. The sofa and reading chair from TCS Designs anchor the seating area, while the Hickory Chair cocktail table and Stickley entertainment unit introduce a touch of traditional craftsmanship. A Mitchell Gold console in the entryway provides both storage and a visual welcome, and paired with a mirror and a Ballard Designs chair, the entry reads as intentional and cohesive rather than an afterthought.
Window treatments and hardware were sourced from Pottery Barn and The Shade Store, bringing a tailored feel and practical light control. Layered rugs from Decora Rugs define living and entry zones, adding warmth underfoot and contributing to the overall sense of flow. Accessories from Target, HomeGoods, Ikea, and Z Gallerie, plus a ceramic stool from Wisteria, provide personality and texture without cluttering the space.
A few design moments stand out: the large canvas above the sofa, a piece Frances discovered at Ikea, offers a soft focal point that complements the Silken Pine walls. The lighting mix—Pottery Barn floor lamp and a Z Gallerie desk lamp—creates layered illumination that makes the room functional at different times of day. The entertainment and storage pieces, chosen for both form and function, keep the room feeling organized and stylish.
This living room makeover is a great example of practical, approachable interior design. It’s a reminder that thoughtful color choices, a balance of high- and low-cost items, and attention to scale can transform a small apartment into a comfortable, elegant home. For anyone planning a living room update, Frances’ project is full of useful ideas: choose a calming wall color, invest in a few quality anchor pieces, define zones with rugs, and round things out with well-curated accessories.
The result is a space that’s both tranquil and inviting—one that maximizes comfort and style in a compact layout. Frances’ living room makeover proves that with the right plan and sources, a small co-op can achieve a polished, magazine-ready look without losing warmth or practicality.