Mom's Living Room Makeover: Week One

A few years ago, my mom mentioned she wanted to replace her carpet. She has the same wall to wall pink broadloam in every room--and I mean, every room including the stairs and the second story bedrooms, but, fortunately, not including the kitchen and bathrooms.

Last year, she mentioned it again.

Last month, when she said something about it, we decided that we would rip up the carpet in the living room, at least. I'd paint the sub floor if that was all we had.

We found hardwood! We think it might be Maple.

The living room is quite small, really, and awkward. (Floor plan to follow). The wall facing us in the photo is about seven and a half feet long. The front door is to the right, the door to the hallway is to the left and the open area all the way to the left is the library/office.

It's rough. It is stained. My mother has had many dogs over the years and they stained the floor right through the carpet pad (the underlay).

We were lucky with the carpet: the installers hadn't been too crazy and there weren't a million staples in the floor, thank goodness. Unfortunately, though we ripped back too far and have these two problem areas.

This is between the living room and the hallway. (Please pardon my foot.)

This is between the living room and the library office. There used to be a full wall here which was taken down. I guess since they were laying down carpet, the builders figured the 2x4 was "good enough?"


My hubby was over every night after work sanding away.

We got to a point where all the glue was off the floor and it was even. After testing a couple of different stains (Mom's decided on Golden Oak), she got a hold of the sander and started--and now she won't let go!

This quarter took her about 2 1/2 hours, she said.

I'd hoped to have the stain on the floors by now, but hey.


Left to do:
(based loosely on MG-R's Apartment Therapy)

Find some inspiration images.
Decide on colour scheme and "feel" for the room.
Create a budget and a buying plan.

Measure furniture and create a floor plan.
Create a shopping and DIY list.
Are we re-painting?
Purchase, paint and install baseboards.

Decide on pieces to be used for television/bookcase combo.

Spray paint new curtain rod. find finials to fit.

Make drop cloth drapes. Trim?

Recover chairs and couch.
Purchase pillow forms and make covers.

Figure out where lamps are going. (Make lighting plan).
Shop the house for lamps, purchase shades, if necessary

Find and purchase affordable 8x10 rug.
Find and purchase small armchair.
Find and purchase coffee table.

Collect frames, artwork, photos and mirrors. Decide where they are going on the walls. Install.

Enjoy!