When Amy sent us photos of her living room a few weeks after we created a custom mood board for her space, we were eager to share the transformation. Below is the note she sent us about the makeover and how the room feels now.
I’m so excited to share my “after” pictures with you! I absolutely LOVE my new room and so does everyone else. I had a party Friday evening and the changes were a big hit. The funniest comment was, “Now that you’ve changed it, I just have to tell you that the brick was horrendous!” That made me laugh because I had to agree. Using your inspiration, I was able to save money and repurpose items we already owned. We already had round coffee and end tables, so I kept them. I also followed advice from your “How To” section and spray-painted the existing ceiling fan with Rust-Oleum, which gave it a whole new look.
I love the wall color you picked so much — Benjamin Moore Sepia Tan 1116 — that I painted the entryway the same color and I’m about to paint the hallway to match. We also took your suggestion of a darker accent wall near the kitchen and went one shade deeper with Benjamin Moore Classic Caramel 1118. I haven’t hung any artwork yet, but I plan to frame some of my photography and display it soon. The makeover involved a lot of work, especially dealing with the brick, but it was completely worth it. I’m actually on the sofa writing this while watching a movie. We never used to spend time in here because it didn’t feel cozy or welcoming. Now we want to be in here all the time, and my husband keeps saying how awesome it looks — he didn’t even want the brick painted at first! Thanks again so much. You’ll be hearing from me soon about my kitchen! — Amy
To refresh everyone’s memory, here is Amy’s living room before the overhaul:
And here’s the same space after our custom mood board makeover:
Amy did an amazing job with the transformation. The fireplace looks refreshed and intentional, and the patterned rug adds a cozy, layered feel to the seating area. The warm golden-wheat tones in the curtains and on the walls — especially the darker accent wall near the kitchen — bring much-needed warmth and a soft, inviting ambiance to the room. Small DIY choices, like spray-painting the ceiling fan to coordinate with the rest of the space, made a big visual difference and helped the room feel cohesive without spending a lot of money.
A few elements stand out in this makeover: the cohesive color palette, which ties the living area to adjacent spaces; the reuse of furniture pieces they already owned, which kept the budget manageable; and the thoughtful accent wall that creates depth and a focal point near the kitchen. These choices together made the room feel intentional and lived-in, rather than staged. Amy’s story is a great example of how modest updates and smart decisions can dramatically change how a room feels and functions.
We love hearing stories like Amy’s because they show how practical tweaks—paint selection, repurposing existing pieces, and tackling one DIY project at a time—can result in a space that’s welcoming and comfortable. If you’re planning your own refresh, consider starting with paint, then evaluate what you already own that could be updated or repositioned before buying new pieces. Often, a few strategic changes are all it takes to transform a room.
What do you think of Amy’s transformation? Do you have a favorite detail or a tip to share with her for future updates? Leave a supportive comment and let’s give her a round of virtual applause for tackling this makeover so beautifully.
Update: We no longer take commissioned mood board clients, as we now focus on creating general inspiration boards instead. If that changes in the future, we’ll make an announcement.