There’s nothing like sisterly love, amirite? Which is why when Kelsey’s sister Jenna requested a living room refresh, we jumped at the chance to design her space. We’ll tell you all about how we updated Jenna’s living room from sparse and simple to cozy Scandinavian vibes (with a few simple yet chic DIY’s thrown in!). This was her space before. She’s definitely got style, but she needed help pulling the room together and making it feel cohesive and personal.

BECKY’S DESIGN:

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So I know that this design has to be somewhat renter friendly, which is why I plan to build this amazing faux-wainscotting moment in a beautiful steel blue as her accent wall. I want to add some storage with a file organizing unit, and switch out her desk so that the wood stains in the room match a little better. I also want to add a new ottoman in the middle of the room to replace her glass coffee table, so that she has somewhere to rest her feet. Finally, I want to add in a big rug and a gallery wall above her TV since she is a photographer and has so many great photos to choose from, and then put up some shelves for her to put some simple decor on.

KELSEY’S DESIGN:

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My first thought is to do a deep forest green accent wall not across the back wall, but where her TV will be mounted. I love the jut-out here and think that it will add some great dimension to the room. I want to add shelves above her current desk to house her many photos, and then lay down a giant rug across the whole space. I’m going to work with her existing furniture because I think it’s in great shape, but I am going to get some poofs that she can pull out when guests come or when she wants to relax a bit so she can have some cozy foot rest options. And then I also want to add storage by putting in a filing unit beside the TV, and decorate with some great pendant lights, two big framed photos above the couch and of course, plants galore!

While Jenna loved both designs, she had to go with Kelsey’s - and she’s not just saying that because she’s her sister! She loved the green accent wall above all else, and that helped her make up her mind. Jenna headed out and we got to it, starting with painting the accent wall. This is really going to warm up the room and give us a colour to build the rest of the space around.

And let’s not forget, we did say DIY earlier! Jenna was dying for some organizational tools to help with the overflowing files on her desk, so here’s a quick and easy IKEA hack to help. We bought the HEMNES shoe cabinet and assembled as instructed, but we left off the knobs for the drawers. Then, we used some screws, screw caps, and some faux leather to make faux leather pulls for the drawers. To do this, you cut out 4 rectangular pieces of faux leather, and use black edge kote to paint the raw edges. Then, fold each rectangle in half, slide one side down slightly, and then fold over the opposite end to make an overlapping edge, hiding the raw edge. Now, using a leather punch, punch a hole through all three layers. Finally, push a screw through the hole on the pull and the drawer, and secure with a wing nut on the back, adding a black screw snap on top to hide the screw head. This quick hack adds so much character for such an inexpensive price, and it really made this piece come alive in this beautiful space.

We added a few finishing touches, like a rug, some pillows, a beautiful reading lamp (thanks Article!), some of Jenna’s hand-painted art, and her many film cameras as decor.

The only thing left to do was show her her new space. Take a look at Jenna’s comfy and cozy Scandinavian dream living room!

We’re so pleased with how this turned out, and if you love it too, check out the full video and peep the links below to make your own makeover dream come true!

STEAL JENNA’S STYLE:

Article Hira Rug (Natural Ivory 8x10): https://www.article.com/product/3290/hira-natural-ivory-rug-8-x-10

Article Willo Floor Lamp (White): https://www.article.com/product/12080/willo-white-floor-lamp

Article Lucca Pillow Set (Balsam Green): https://www.article.com/product/2860/lucca-balsam-green-pillow-set

Article Stitch Pillow (Black): https://www.article.com/product/13215/stitch-black-pillow

Curtain rings: http://bit.ly/2NNCBBI

Curtain rod: http://bit.ly/38yFYEF

IKEA HEMNES shoe cabinet: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/hemnes-shoe-cabinet-with-4-compartments-white-60156121/

IKEA pendant lamp shade: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/klockrike-pendant-lamp-shade-glass-10462670/

IKEA gallery shelves: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/mosslanda-picture-ledge-white-90292103/

IKEA poofs: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/alseda-stool-banana-fiber-20033919/

IKEA large frames: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/ribba-frame-white-30301624/