Living Room/Dining Room Makeover: From Gutted to Gorgeous

The room was really just one big space, so I had to create a sense of flow. I managed this by dividing the room up into various zones: a foyer, a living area and a dining room.

I started with the foyer. I wanted to create a little entrance area, but without walls, I had to get creative. So, I fashioned a funky privacy panel out of silver ball chain on a track that separates this area from the rest of the room, and added a shallow armoire.

Next, I got to work on the living room. The room has one very long wall, so I decided to make it multi-functional and installed a modern stainless steel raised fireplace filled with polished pebbles. On either side of the fireplace, I created a rustic statement with dark wood shelving, and with cork and foil wallpaper that has the look of birch bark.

For furniture, I chose a charcoal, three-seater sofa. The sofa sits opposite two modern lounge chairs in white leather. They all sit atop a graphic area rug that incorporates the various colors in the room.

I then got to work on the dining room. The area boasted a gorgeous bay window, but it looked smack dab onto their next door neighbor’s brick wall. I created some focal interest with blinds that have a geometric pattern and put up some beautiful charcoal drapes with an organic stripe.

In the dining room, I married the traditional and modern with a new barn-board table and several white swivel chairs. In addition to a ceiling full of recessed lights, I also put up a conventional chandelier with a contemporary twist that helps define the dining room.

After a few final accents and accessories, the room was completely transformed. By delineating living zones, combining modern and traditional finishes, and installing a host of fabulous and functional touches, this room went from an empty shell to a wonderful home sweet home. Now that’s divine!

To see where Candice shopped for this episode, you can find the resource guide at www.divinedesign.tv.