When Erin and her husband Ben sent their before-and-after photos, we were eager to share their stunning transformation. Here’s the letter they sent:
I read your blog every day and love your style, your thriftiness, and your wit! My husband and I have lived in a 1925 Arts & Crafts bungalow for almost two years, and have been making it our own one room at a time. After three and a half long months of our entire first floor being in total disarray, we’ve finally finished our family room project and wanted to share the before and after photos. We’re proud of our handiwork and thrilled to finally relax in our new space — we’re taking a short break before our next big project. It was long and hard, but we managed to remove the old built-ins and build new ones, strip the original oak woodwork, and tile the fireplace with ledgestone veneer over the course of about 70–80 hours (we lost count after a while). Thanks so much for letting us show it off! Sincerely, Erin & Ben
Here’s the room before their makeover:
And here it is now in all its beautiful after glory:
For readers who asked for details, here’s a concise source list used in the makeover: fireplace ledgestone veneer: Dutch Quality Natural Blend Ledgestone from a local dealer; paint: Valspar Martha Stewart Signature Barn Door Red and Valspar Churchill Hotel Wheat; new blinds: Levolor real wood blinds from Lowe’s; floral curtains: Pier 1; leaning media center: Crate & Barrel; overhead lighting: Two-Tier Round Chandelier from Restoration Hardware; bookshelf lighting: IKEA; sofa: Crate & Barrel; chairs: IKEA; coffee table: Crate & Barrel; red side table: Target; rug: carpet remnant from a local warehouse sale; pillows: Crate & Barrel.
The result is an impressive transformation — especially considering how much of the work Erin and Ben completed themselves. The stone-clad fireplace and the refreshed woodwork give the room a warm, lived-in elegance while preserving the bungalow’s original character. Their combination of bold paint choices and classic furnishings balances color and comfort, creating a space that feels both stylish and welcoming.
Thanks to Erin and Ben for sharing their before-and-after photos. Their project is a great reminder that thoughtful updates, patience, and a bit of elbow grease can yield dramatic results. We hope they enjoy relaxing in the new family room before tackling their next renovation.