It’s finally here! I’m thrilled to reveal the completed spaces in our home renovation, including photos taken just this week. For those following along on Instagram, you’ll know we’ve been refreshing various areas over the past few months. A pandemic indeed provided a unique opportunity for a major home project: balancing minimal visitors with not wanting to uproot our lives while also working and schooling from home posed its challenges. After 11 years in this house, we knew it was time for significant changes.
We adore our home but wanted it to mirror our evolving aesthetic: lighter, earthier, and more expressive.
We’ve finally tackled the endless tasks that accompany a renovation (especially since I took on the role of general contractor, haha), and I'm eager to unveil the fresh spaces to you. We’ll showcase them room by room here and on Instagram in the coming month. In this chaotic year, creating a sanctuary at home has never felt more important. Loving where you live can significantly affect your mental well-being since home truly influences everything when you spend so much time there.
We’re kicking off with the living room, the heart of our home and the first area you see upon entering. I maintained my signature neutral palette, but I’ll share plenty of neutral living room ideas that are anything but dull. Scroll down to find lessons learned along the way, along with links to my favorite pieces.
The Background.
As many of you know, Adam and I live in Austin with our two kids, Phoebe (8) and Henry (5). We built our home in 2010 right after getting married. It’s been the backdrop for countless gatherings: dinner parties, Thanksgivings, Christmas mornings, and birthday celebrations. My sister even said her vows on our patio! Both kids were babies here, and for years my entire team worked from our home. I never thought I could feel this attached to a house, but it feels like a part of me. Over a decade, we've grown and evolved together. (Don’t worry, no conscious uncoupling here, hehe!) Recently, we felt it was time to update our home to better reflect our style.
Check out the "before" home tour here.
The Project Shift.
In the fall of 2019, we met with architects to plan an extensive renovation. After applying for permits, we were ready to start when Covid hit and changed everything. During the enforced break, we reflected on how much we loved our home and realized a complete overhaul might not be necessary. Instead, we could focus on a few key elements while keeping costs down. Our goal was to achieve the most impact within a smaller budget.
We refined our plans to prioritize essentials, allowing us to stay put during renovations. Here’s what we settled on, along with my insights.
Textural Walls Transform a Room.
I’ve long admired textured walls like plaster and lime wash that add an old-world charm. Researching options revealed many possibilities! I envisioned a matte finish that felt earthy and didn’t highlight trowel marks. The team at Champion Drywall introduced me to American Clay, a natural earth plaster from New Mexico. Its soft, organic vibe was exactly what I wanted, plus it’s a sustainable choice.
We coated the entire downstairs in American Clay’s shade Forté White. The result is stunning, and I find myself wanting to leave some walls bare to let them shine. This DIY project isn’t simple; either practice a lot or hire a professional. It took about three weeks for base and top coats to dry and be applied evenly.
This is one of my favorite neutral living room ideas, subtly adding depth and character without introducing color.
Honing Stone Floors: A Budget-Friendly Upgrade.
Throughout our house, we have classic travertine tile. While I appreciate their durability, the sealant's yellowing and shiny finish have been disappointing.
We considered replacing the tiles, but the cost was shocking. Moving all our furniture for such a lengthy process seemed daunting. Then, we discovered honing, which involves lightly grinding the tile's top layer for a smooth, matte finish. This quick process transformed our floors, giving us a fresh look for under $5,000—only a fraction of new tile and installation costs.
Sometimes, Your Ideal Couch is Already Home.
My old couch had its issues:
- Despite its textured material, it was quite dirty from years of wear and tear from two kids. And yes, we broke our “no eating on the couch” rule.
- The color leaned too yellow, and the bouclé fabric was pilling.
- The cushions were uncomfortably firm. I wanted something inviting.
I began searching for the perfect couch but faced many disappointments. Many options were either too large, too soft, or too messy. We almost purchased a Restoration Hardware Cloud sectional, but the price was beyond my budget.
Then it hit me: the couch I already owned was just right! I contacted a local upholsterer to recover it.
Pro tip: If you love white couches but worry about stains, choose an indoor-outdoor fabric. I selected a durable Perennials material that’s stain-resistant. The tweed I chose has a whiteish tone, adding cozy texture with colors “Whippersnapper / Sea Salt.” To enhance comfort, we wrapped the cushions in down for extra softness.
Consider Unique Coffee Table Shapes.
Our almost-black square coffee table had served us well but felt too harsh for our airy living room. The angular design didn’t fit with the soft, earthy vibe I wanted. When I saw the organic oval shape of the Aliso Natural Coffee Table from Dear Keaton, I knew it was the perfect fit, evoking beachy vibes with its white oak wood.
Mixing various wood tones adds interest to a neutral space. The combination of white oak, warm tones, and dark espresso wood creates contrast and drama.
Layer Affordable Rugs for a High-End Look.
With kids still young, expensive rugs are not practical. They’d quickly become casualties of snack time, plus I don’t want to enforce strict shoe policies. I prefer a laid-back atmosphere.
My solution? Buy budget-friendly rugs in neutral colors and layer them creatively for a chic look. In the living room, I layered these three rugs:
- NuLoom Ashli Solid Jute Area Rug (currently just over $100)
- A similar indoor-outdoor rug from Target, coming soon, akin to my existing one in Adam’s office: Savannah Moroccan Fringe Rug
- Faux Sheepskin Rug
For layering, select rugs with varying pile heights—layer the flattest on the bottom and plushest on top. High-traffic areas like living rooms benefit from denser rugs for durability.
Rearranging Furniture for an Instant Refresh.
I enlisted the help of designer Claire Zinnecker for fresh layout ideas. She drew up alternative arrangements that helped me rethink my furniture placement. I decided to add two new chairs near the large steel doors leading to the patio, transforming the room’s feel—it was the finishing touch we needed.
I’m in love with these woven leather armchairs from an Australian brand, Barnaby Lane. The Rose Blush color acts as a neutral. Adam was initially skeptical about “pink chairs,” but he adores them now. The white oak frame complements our coffee table perfectly, and their low profile is ideal for cozying up with a book by the fire.
Open Shelves as a Style Showcase.
This project inspired me to take risks, especially with our open shelving. I used to stick to a single arrangement for ages, but now I see the shelves as a dynamic place to express my style. Rearranging shelves has become a satisfying weekend project after long work weeks.
Recently, I shared a video of my shelf styling, and they’ve already evolved! Chanel joined me for a styling session just before this shoot, challenging me to step out of my comfort zone with new arrangements. Plus, the turntable I gifted Adam for Christmas turned out to be a perfect decorative addition.
The basket under the bottom shelf is the Briarwood Large Rush Basket from Dear Keaton.
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I’d love to hear any neutral living room ideas or tips you’ve used in your own space. Stay tuned for a shoppable post next week featuring links to everything shown here. Next up… the kitchen reveal!
Architecture: 787 Design Studio, styling: Chanel Tarlo, design layouts by Claire Zinnecker.
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