Painting A Dated Brick Fireplace & Hanging A Mirror

That is right, we have after pictures for ya! We are over the moon about Eve’s stunning dining room makeover and we are here to share her remarkable transformation. Back in February, Eve contacted us for some decorating assist with her dining room, so we supplied paint color suggestions for the fireplace, wall, and trim around the room along with a few accessory ideas for the window and the table that would truly make all the difference in her space (without breaking the bank). Here is her letter:

When I first contacted you for assist I promised myself that not only would I implement your recommendations immediately, I would also immediately send the after pictures. Here I am three months later – but I have an excuse… I cannot believe that such a plain thing like paint color can have such a grand effect. I ENJOY MY ROOM NOW! The change was so immediate and so wonderful, I wish there was a way to capture the feeling of the room in my pictures. The new curtains made quite a difference too, and a swift trip to the basement helped me to uncover a white mirror I had purchased for my daugther’s room and never hung (it found a home on the fireplace wall). The paint colors you suggested are colors I would never have chosen, even as I made the purchases I was nervous of the end result. I am so glad I trusted you. Walking into the house now gives me a sense of peace and order. At first my family and I felt like we were living in someone else’s house. Now we want the whole house to feel this way! You folks are excellent, THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! – Eve

Here is the before picture of Eve’s dining room (she hoped our assist making it more “glamorous and luxurious”):

And here is the especially fabulous after thanks to a few straightforward and affordable recommendations:

The difference is night and day, eh? But if you look closely you will see that it only took a few inexpensive changes to totally transform this room: painting that dated fireplace, bringing in a new wall color, adding a larger mirror above the fireplace, hanging new curtains and blinds on the window, and bring in a fairly tan runner to break up the large wooden table. And because we enjoy a good budget breakdown, here is Eve’s:

• Wall paint (Glidden’s Silver Plum): $23
• Fireplace paint (Glidden’s Ready Mix White): $23
• Mirror: free from basement
• Curtains & blinds (Ikea Ofelia Rund curtains, Target clearance jute blinds): $33
• Plants & planters in window (planters from Ikea): $28
• Tabletop accessories (from Pottery Barn & Ikea): $50
• TOTAL: $157

If that is not proof that style is accessible at any budget, I do not know what is. Fabulous job Eve! We in fact also suggested that Eve stain or paint the table more of a mocha color but she has yet to tackle that project as she feels it is a bit more involved than painting the walls or hanging new curtains! And although a darker table would truly polish things off nicely in the future, we enjoy the room simply as it is- and we are so thankful that Eve sent us the fabulous after pictures!

What do you folks think? Did Eve not do an remarkable job executing the big dining room transformation?

Update: We sadly can no longer find the time to take on client commissioned mood boards (we now whip up general inspiration boards instead) but if we ever reinstate them we will make a big announcement!