Host Susan Blake introduces designer Linda Applewhite, who created an elegant library with priceless antiques from all over the world. A 12-foot French bookcase and Aubusson rug, an Italian walnut table and leather chairs, a rustic Portuguese console, natural hand-worked fabrics and carved items give the room a worldly flair.Transforming the Makeover Room
Below are the steps used to transform an unfinished and undistinguished white living room into a stately and elegant room full of warm colors and rich textures:
- Painted the white walls a soft yellow squash color (Benjamin Moore: #2160-50 - Yellow Squash).
- Refurbished a large '70s-era china cabinet with a light white wash and replaced the glass inset with chicken wire painted gold.
- Accessorized the cabinet with books, plaques, boxes and bookends.
- Hung two Indian rugs with bold stripes and fringe details over the windows.
- Hung metal candle sconces painted flat brown for an aged appearance on either side of the cabinet and anchored them with palm plants in woven baskets underneath.
- Hung three large rusted iron scrollwork pieces found by Sensible Shopper Mollie Allen for a cost of $180.
- Placed a dark-finish wood table under the window and accessorized it with two tall candlesticks, wooden pear boxes, a wood vase and stacked books.
- Hung two resin corbels with an antiqued gold finish on either side of the table.
- Refinished and repaired a round table bought at auction for the room’s centerpiece.
- Since leather chairs were too expensive, two green velvet armchairs with nailhead trim ($180 each) and two matching side chairs ($150 each) were placed around the table.
- Accessorized the table with large art books and flowers in a mustard yellow Italian glazed pot.
- Hung a crackle-finish, brushed metal chandelier over the table.
The Bottom Line
To see where the savings are, take a look at this direct cost comparison of some Inspiration Room items and the creatively comparable ones used in the Makeover Room:
French bookcase and accessories, $29,500 / Refinished cabinet and accessories, $370
Portuguese rustic side table and accessories, $13,600 / Indian wood table and accessories, $260
Antique corbel, $1,000 / Resin corbel, $19
Italian walnut table and accessories, $17,500 / Repaired round table and accessories, $300
Tuscan wood chandelier, $4,500 / Brushed metal chandelier, $120
The $500 Challenge
If you have only $500 dollars to spend on your own version of the continental library, makeover designer Stuart Piontek recommends starting with an important-looking bookcase and then adding a variety of world-traveled accessories from an import store.
iron wall art - Pier 1 Imports
metal candle scones - T. J. Maxx
small resin corbel, basket weave box, acanthus corbels, wood candlesticks - Ross Stores
faux lizard octagon box, white resin architectural piece, yellow-glazed urn - Marshalls
mango wood box - Burlington Coat Factory
bookends, boxes - Tuesday Moring
rugs - Cost Plus World Market
)
)
)
