1970s Living Room Makeover | i should be mopping the floor
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1970s Living Room Makeover

Today, I'm sharing our complete 1970s Living Room Makeover.
This is now my favorite room. It's a bit eclectic and funky...and totally us. 
And yes, we're bringing popcorn ceilings back. Boom. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
This room sat empty after we moved in. We were trying to be super cautious with the budget since, at the time, we still owned our previous home (it's sold now...AMEN!). It was super awkward for a bit...this big, empty, main room that connected the house (bedrooms on one side of it, kitchen and tv room on the other side). It was the first room you walked into from the front door...and it was empty. At night, I'd walk through its darkness on the way to bed and I was a bit sad. I knew one day that it would be a special place...it just took a little patience. Prior to moving in, this room also gave me a few minor heart attacks with all its issues. Check out its story below. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
The above photo was taken the second time we walked through this house with our realtor. That wet bar was killah. I love everything about this house to its very core...but that wet bar is one thing I do giggle about. This photo doesn't really do it justice. It had a sink too...which allowed lots of good mold to grow inside of its sheetrock (which was found upon its removal). But those built-ins, y'all (allllll the heart eye emojis!). 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
Fast forward a couple of months and we were in the thick of it. We had a contractor remove the wet bar and do some of the work in the kitchen for us. When he took the wet bar out initially, he pulled the base cabinets away from the wall, too (since it was all connected). He called me and said, "Want me to go ahead and take the cabinets and built-ins out while I'm at it? I've got the cabinets already away from the wall." I kind of died a little inside since those built-ins were a major selling feature for us. I hope I remained super cool and collected in that phone call, but I'm sure it was more like "NOOOOOOO! Don't you touch those!". He was actually super sweet about it and put it all back together. 
And yes, not only are we bringing back popcorn ceilings, we're totally bringing back paneled walls, too, y'all. This post could alternately be titled, "work with what ya got". 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
And I had to throw in the above photo. It was the second mini heart attack after the built-in ordeal. I was the ding dong that insisted on keeping the floor plugs. The only issue was that only one of them worked. I remember going on and on to my husband about how awesome they were for lamps and not having cords all over the place. Well, that one lone floor plug that was left caused so much drama, y'all. It was super fun to walk into the house that day and see the foundation all dug up...you know, in the middle of the house. And yes, we found a crack in the foundation, if you're looking closely. Sweet glory. It's *mostly* okay now. Some doors close. Some doors don't. And when the weather changes, it all reverses. The joys of a fixer upper. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
Then all the flooring went in. And my plug was still not done (I mean, I'm all about a capped 6" PVC pipe sticking up in the smack dab middle of the room, but at some point, the fun must end). The electrician came a few days later and fixed it...sort of. I'll show you what I mean in one of the photos below. Whhhhhhy did I want that plug so bad? I promise you it shaved off a few years of my life with all it put me through. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
Thankfully, things are settling down and looking a lot better.
I used leftover paint from my kitchen cabinets (yes, I have aqua kitchen cabinets...check them out here), for the back of the built-in shelves. I've already thrown some fall decor out and about, but my main thing here was silver frames and scripture art. I got all of my frames on a series of trips to TJ Maxx for less than $5 each (that was my rule on spending). We also have our snow globe collection on display. Because who doesn't love a good ol' snow globe collection, amiright?

I made the GIVE THANKS sign here a few years ago.

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
We added a desk where the wet bar used to be. My husband uses this space daily. We did pull out the chandelier that was over the wet bar and do a simple can light. Someone on my personal Facebook page asked about the rug, so I thought I'd share that with you, too. I buy rugs at Tuesday Morning. They're practically giving them away there, y'all. We have purchased two separate sisal rugs there at different times and have always been happy with their prices and quality. That old table between the chairs was from a vintage sale. It was literally sitting out in the rain. Pretty sure I'm the only one who wanted it. ;)

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
My dad came over and removed the brass fireplace screen for me. It made a world of difference. We do plan to get a freestanding screen, but right now, I'm just liking the rustic-ness of this. I loved the mantel when we first saw this house, too...it was another biggie for me. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
I love cotton bolls in fall decor. We lived in the Texas panhandle for a few years and always enjoyed seeing the pretty cotton fields this time of the year. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
The pillows on the hearth have really come in handy. We had folks sitting here when we had a birthday party here recently. It's a nice deep hearth...perfect for extra seating when we have family and friends come over. We both have fairly large families...excited for all the fall and holiday entertaining in this place. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
This is the view from the entryway. We scored that mid-century turn-table credenza in San Antonio on Hildebrand Street (a fantastic place for people who like old things). I debated about painting it. And then took it to Facebook where I was threatened with excommunication if I took a paintbrush to that piece. So, it's as we found it.   

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
The lamp is another Tuesday Morning score.
And on the left side of that picture is that ding dang floor plug. 
Y'all, this is the new standard for floor plugs...a cover that has to stay UP when the plug is in use. Just kill me now. We hate it. But kind of like its functionality at the same time. And of course, this was the biggest ordeal, ever.  

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
I put my flea market gallery wall up behind the turntable credenza...
in the hall that leads to our bedrooms.  

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
The splurge of this room was these two-fabric, nail-head trim chairs.
They actually were super affordable. They're slightly smaller in appearance than on the Joss & Main site, but they work well in this space. But the burlap & nailhead get me...in the opposite way of the stupid floor plug.

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
 Tufted buttons. Be still my heart.
Our sunroom is on the other side of those windows.

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
Everyone seems to like these drapes, too. Another Joss & Main find.
We used a 20-foot plumbing pipe as the rod at the time.
You can see how we did the one in our son's room here. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
The coffee table was my very first painting project on this blog in 2011.
I'd link to it, but I'm horrified of the photo quality back then. ;)
I made the DIY tray a couple of years ago. Check it out here. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
A little before and after to call it good on this post. 

1970s Living Room Makeover | See the transformation of this fun space in a quirky 1970 fixer upper.
What do you think?




28 comments:

  1. Wow! Wow! Wow! Your new living room is soooo beautiful! You did a wonderful job! As for the floor plug...they always seem to come with a love/hate relationship! ;) I think I would look for a wood or metal basket of some kind that would fit over it, then cut a hole for the cord to go through... From what I've seen following your posts, I know you'll find just the thing! I think I'll go shopping now to find a rug and new curtains!

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    1. Thank you so much, Mary! I really appreciate your kind words. You're right...a basket or something would be great. Hope the rug and curtain shopping goes well...heehee!

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  2. I love your living room, everything about it.

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    1. Thank you so much, Karen! I really appreciate that!

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  3. Your taste and talent in decorating is truly fantastic! I love how it all came together!!!

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  4. This is the first time I have visited and I love your blog.
    Especially the icons at the top.
    I know I should be commenting on the post (WHICH I LOVE YOUR LIVING ROOM) but your blog is really cool.
    That is all.

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    1. Awww...thank you so much, Kari! I really appreciate your kind words. I'm so happy you stopped by!!

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  5. It's so beautiful! I love the touches of aqua through the room. I need some chairs for my master sitting area and the Joss and Main chairs are gorgeous! Are they comfortable?

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    1. Thank you so much, Kim! Yes, they are, actually. They come up a little lower than the normal club chair...so they may not be as comfortable for a taller person. We're all about average height in our house, so they work well.

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  6. Wow! Just wow! What an incredible transformation!! All the little touches and DIY make it just perfect. And, oh that credenza. I found a similar one and I've struggled with painting it. Think I'm leaving it alone as well :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Jenna! I know...I really thought hard about giving it paint, but I'm glad I didn't at this point! ;) I tend to paint everything...LOL! So glad you stopped by.

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  7. Just lovely! The room really came together.

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  8. It is really nice, a sort of aged evolved look. Love the subtle aqua.

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  9. Kristi,
    Your new living room is gorgeous! I love everything about it - the color of the upholstery, the mantel with the different frames and colors, the old square table,the credenza behind the couch, the bedframe w/wreath over your desk, the coffee table and lovely tray, and your side chair! You've done a stunning remodel!

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    1. Oh goodness, Barb...I can't think you enough for your kind words! You definitely noticed details...that's actually my grandmother's baby bed headboard...didn't realize anyone would figure out what it was (if they hadn't seen my post about it from a while back...ha!). Really appreciate you stopping by and leaving this comment...it brought such a smile to my face!

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  10. Just wow...even the floor plug :) Sooooo cozy and beautiful!

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    1. Heehee...that floor plug! ;) Thank you so much for your sweet words!

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  11. Loving your living room, such a beautiful and inviting space!

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    1. Thank you so much, Christine!! I appreciate your sweet words!!

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  12. No, you shouldn't be mopping the floor; you should be doing what you do! Your living room came out amazingly beautiful. Kudos to you with regard to bringing back the popcorn ceiling; it works!

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    1. Thank you so much, Linda! I really appreciate your kind words. And yay for popcorn on the ceiling...lol! ;)

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  13. um... probably the 1000th person to ask this one... but what is the wall color? Kind of a white/kind of a tan?

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    1. I honestly should have included that! ;) It's called Sculptor's Clay from Behr.

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  14. What do I think? I think you should come to my house and redo the entire thing for me! This is incredible all the way around. And "work with what you have." is my motto :) Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!

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  15. I love, love, love the decor! BTW I am from Amarillo...born and raised there.:)

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