Before and After: This Living Room’s Beauty Now Knows No Bounds
This Victorian home had so many enviable features—fireplace, hardwood floor, glorious windows—but it needed a bit of love, especially when it came to the fireplace and its “ugly brown tiles.” The fireplace and the room as a whole are now both modern and Victorian, thanks to thoughtful design choices and one brave DIY.
While many folks might not think of creating a concrete fireplace in a historic Queen Anne home, Houseologie has the vision and confidence to take on such a bold project. That boldness paid off handsomely, as the new fireplace is right at home here. Its clean lines and subtle hue allow the original features such as the fanciful molding and stunning fireplace insert to shine. In its previous incarnation, the fireplace pitted the insert, tile, and wooden surround against each other, creating a rich layered effect but also muting the impact of each of those features. By sticking with the most striking element, the insert, and framing it so simply, Houseologie pays homage to the insert while also building a floor-to-ceiling statement piece in modern yet timeless concrete.
And while this makeover is centered around the new, beautiful fireplace, the ceiling deserves a special mention. The drop ceiling has been removed, revealing gorgeous, dramatic beams that infuse the entire room with warmth.
The rest of the decor is fabulous as well, of course. The classic dripping-with-crystals chandelier has been replaced with a large, asymmetrical, modern chandelier that spreads light effectively throughout the room. The gray floor, fireplace, walls, and sofa are the perfect foundation for the rug, throw pillows, art, and light fixtures.
This is a process shot, with some of the tiles removed. It provides a closer look at the gorgeous brass Victorian fireplace insert, which was preserved and beautifully restored.
The greatest improvement in this room was obviously adding the fuzzy pup, but every touch is lovely. The matched pair of sofas is appropriately formal, while also providing tons of space for family and friends. The rug is fantastic, and there are touches of beauty everywhere you look.
If you’re interested in tackling a similar fireplace project, Houseologie has a concrete fireplace tutorial to help you out.
As if giving the fireplace a makeover wasn’t enough, Houseologie also dealt with the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling mirrors that didn’t quite fit the desired decor.
The wall is now graced with delicate, elegant molding that wonderfully suits the Victorian home. The arrangement of the molding emphasizes the height of the room, drawing the eye upward and creating a fascinating juxtaposition of the dainty, decorative molding and the sturdy, sensible ceiling. And though nothing is going to reflect daylight like an entire wall of mirrors, the new pale paint does a fine job.
Thank you, Houseologie!