When Melissa sent dramatic before-and-after photos, we had to share them. It’s incredible what a can of primer and paint can do. Here’s her note:
Could these living room colors have been any darker and more dated?

After primer, three coats of paint and some precarious ladder work, the dark, dreary look was gone. Fresh, crisp aqua walls now fill the space with light. We installed beechwood laminate floors, which made the room feel modern and clean and were well worth the investment. One weekend while browsing Cary Street in Richmond, I discovered EQ3 and ordered the sofa, loveseat and an eclectic lounge chair. The tables, ceiling fan, sheer curtains, artwork and floating shelves came from Ikea. Rugs, a lamp and accessories are from Target. I later updated the pillows with neutral dupioni silk and added pops of hot pink to bring lively contrast. Skylights bring abundant natural light, so the wall color shifts beautifully throughout the day. It’s a fun room that always gets a wow-factor when friends see it for the first time. We still dream up new ideas, but our wallets might prefer that we swap items from other rooms for quick changes—at least that’s the plan! —Melissa


What a transformation. The lighter, brighter wall color opens the space and creates a welcoming atmosphere. Great job, Melissa—thanks for sharing your before-and-after photos!