Makeover Takeover: Living Room
Country Living teamed up with North Carolina–based Victoria and Marcus Ford to update their 1970s Dutch Colonial–style home, one DIY-filled endeavor at a time. This installment: transforming an outdated den.
“Growing up, Victoria and I were library kids,” says Marcus Ford (@marcsford), referencing the couple’s love of reading. So when it came to overhauling their home’s lackluster living space, having a cozy spot to curl up with a good book was a top priority. “We wanted to have a room that felt like the best library you’ve ever been to,” says Marcus. But the likely spot for this endeavor was the bowling alley–esque 25-by-15-foot living room. Awkward space aside, its underwhelming architecture was far from warm and welcoming—hardly the ideal spot to get lost in literature. But a few smart updates (built-in shelves, a tufted leather sofa) take the space from boring to bookish. Take a look at the amazing transformation...
Before: Living Room
An outdated-looking brick fireplace left one end of the space feeling lackluster.
After: A Luxe Library-Living Room Hybrid
Thanks to their go-to carpenter from Joenate, Inc., Victoria and Marcus's vision of a wood fireplace surround, open shelves, and striking floor-to-ceiling firewood nooks—“we figured go big or go home,” says Victoria (@prepfordwife)—came beautifully to life. Brass sconces provide a library-like touch, and a custom frame has the TV looking picture-perfect above the mantel.
Get the Look:
Wall and Trim Paint: Endless Sea by Sherwin-Williams
Ceiling Paint: Oyster White by Sherwin-Williams
Sconces: “Ochre” in Brass from Brooke & Lou
TV Frame: Antique Gold by Deco TV Frames
Kilim Pillows: Handmade by Res Ipsa
Rug: “Sara” from Rugs.com
A Mood-Setting Blue
The room was already blue, but Victoria chose a deeper, dapper shade (Endless Sea by Sherwin-Williams) that lends the room more gravitas. It’s Marcus, though, who gets credit for the impactful coat-it-all-one-color approach. Varying finishes (satin on the walls, semigloss on the woodwork) offers more dimension.
Curl-Up-In Seating
Neutral large-scale wing chairs are the ideal perches for page-turners. A mix of pillows, including some made of bold kilims, round out the richness.
Get the Look:
Chairs: “Portsmouth” by Arhaus
Worry-Free Materials
A perfectly worn leather Chesterfield sofa (Victoria’s all-time best Facebook Marketplace find) welcomes their dog Remus without any worries. “Leather can be wiped off really quickly, and it just gets better as it ages,” says Victoria.
Before: Living Room
Just off the front entry, this end of the living space was far from ready to welcome guests.
A Relaxed Sitting Area
With the cozy and casual gathering spot established at one end, the Fords created a secondary sitting area at the opposite, starting with a plush patterned rug to define the space. Victoria layered the pair of wicker club chairs with salmon lumbar pillows and an heirloom family quilt. Behind, the wall features a trio of collected vintage favorites: a flea market painting, a framed nautical flag, and a brass bell.
Get the Look:
Blue Wall and Trim Paint: Endless Sea by Sherwin-Williams
Ceiling Paint: Oyster White by Sherwin-Williams
Wicker Chairs: Dorchester “Bonsun” from Paynes Gray
Lumbar Pillows: “Sheila” by Minna
Rug: “Viola” from Rugs.com
Before: Powder Room
The tiny brown room was far from inviting.
After: A Small Room With Big Personality
All spiffed up and ready to welcome guests, the petite powder room now features a space-saving pedestal sink. Brass sconces and a burnished brass rimmed mirror provide polish against the cork wallcovering.
Get the Look:
Sconces: Hudson Valley “Sidney” from Paynes Gray
Mirror: Feiss “Kit” Oval in Burnished Brass from Burke Decor
Wallcovering: “Cayman Cork” by Serena & Lily
A Story-Telling Gallery Wall
A gallery wall shows off a happy assortment of vintage finds, including a “Ford Road” sign spotted at the Raleigh Market, framed life vest, a signal flag, portrait of opera singer Marian Anderson, and a giant bobby pin.
Get the Look:
Toilet: “Tresham” by Kohler
Take a tour of the rest of Marcus and Victoria's house and see all their amazing room makeovers: the front exterior, entry, and dining room; the bedroom, bath, and laundry; the backyard; and the kitchen.
Jennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.
Get Inspired by These Small Bathroom Ideas
The Best Outdoor Rugs on Amazon Are All Under $100
The 7 Best Blackout Curtains for 2023
20 Best Backyard Chicken Coops
