Consider this a bird call for all you birds who love The Nester. In the middle of her Tour de Rental 2008, her computer came down with a chronic illness. She asked me to post a note to her readers on her blog, which of course I did…adding a little link of my own because I’m the little sister so what did you expect?
Since I am the keeper of all things Nester for at least another 24 hours, I decided to take one of her commenter’s advice and post a few updates of my house that maybe Chatty and Nester readers alike can enjoy. Besides, since she was posting house photos this week, I’m keeping with the theme.
Let me start by saying I’m the worst at remembering to do this. We’ve been at this house for 2 months and still, no finished fireplace wall to show. Some of you have reminded me, saying “HEY! We wanna see that fireplace wall!” Nicely, of course. Well, today is the day. After all, you helped me get there. This was our living room before we moved in. Remember all that brown paneling?
I’ve posted about this room a few times. I asked for your help in knowing how to paint it here. You can see the progression if you follow that link. This is what it looks like now, complete with a cute little four year old girl coloring on the floor.
It is hard to get a feel for the wall color here, as I didn’t use my flash in this photo. It is Tobacco Road. Here’s a closer view to give a better idea.
This is the room where we do life, for the most part. The Nester came up a few weeks after we moved in and did the mantle, basically. I took the suggestion of many of you and removed the doors from the built-in shelves.
We haven’t decided what to do with the fireplace. It is wood burning now and that’s what we’ve always had. The man loves to build a fire and I really like having a real one. But we have a guy who has offered us a great deal to run a line for gas logs. It would be nice to flip a switch and have fake fire. Any thoughts? Real or fake?
As soon as I find the boxes containing all my favorite hardback books, I will put them on some of those shelves. For now, it’s fun to look at all the black and white photos of the family.
Speaking of photos, this is the wall opposite the fireplace wall. I love having a table in the family room, as our house was built in 1963 and the open floor plan was not yet invented. So our kitchen is at the other end of the house. But having a table helps it seem more hang-outy. I’ve started a photo wall of white frames here that I may add to as time goes by. I can’t get enough of the white frames.
Thanks for stopping by to peek into my world. I hope those of you who flew in from my sister’s place got your nesting fill for the day. Here’s to hoping she comes back soon.
Hey Emily-
I love how it turned out. Where did you get the cute rug? I am on the search right now!
LOVE it all!!!!!!!!!!! See, now we need more of your beautiful nest!!! Any mis-treatments you can show us???:-)
it is so cute!! (just like you ;0)
You’ve been MIA over at my place {hint hint}
Tell big sis hi for me.
xo ~K
I looks so fabulous! I love it all. You sisters sure have a knack for the decorating. Do you hire out?
Can’t wait to see more!
I say keep the wood burning. Some day, when gas is too high to buy and there is a power outage from a storm or whatever…and your house is cold…you will thank me. LOL!
As for how the room turned out…WOW!!! is all I can say. So pretty. I wish you and your sister lived closer. I could totally use the help.
Have a wonderful day!
Susan
Pink Portuguese Roses
I love it! We also had the horrible brown paneling in our house when we moved in and was one of the first of many things to be ripped out. It would have been less mess if we painted over them like you did. I really had no option but to rip mine out. Our house has 9 1/2 foot ceilings and paneling only goes up to 8 feet. So we had 1 1/2 feet of that stupid cottage cheese/popcorn ceiling stuff on the walls!
I love how your living room looks very warm and inviting.
I also have our dining table in the livingroom. Our house is nearly 100 years old and there simply isn’t room to have it in the kitchen. I actually hate having my table in here because it turns into a hot spot for mail, dh’s briefcase, laptop, etc.
Really cute! Very homey! Love it! I like real wood burning…gas is really nice though. Can’t beat the smell of wood burning though…sorry, I’m no help
SOOOOO, WHEN DO WE GET TO KNOW HER NAME????!!!! Hey, I was also gonna tell ya, although I’m sure you already know about it…since you love Real Simple so much…her blog is Adventures in Chaos and such a funny thing to read! Love YOUR nest and hope Your Nester is up flyin’ around real soon! Send her all of our bloggy love and tell her we’ll take up donations to get her computer fixed if she needs it:) I can’t imagine my life without Nester now!
Thank you, Emily!
Here’s my question though…did you have to clean your house to take these pictures or did you already have the pictures taken….or, for goodness sake, is your house always this beautiful?
I love your living room – so homey and welcoming. You’re two peas in a pod Nester and you!
What did you name the nest?
Blessings!
Wow!! That’s amazing…see now why can’t I do stuff like that!?! Hubby and I have been looking at houses in a swanky neighborhood where we can only afford bottom of the barrel. I just don’t think we’re capable of turning bottom of the barrel into THAT! Amazing.
Absolutely beautiful. I”m in love.
Oh. My. Gosh. I can’t believe that turned out so good. We just recently did some remodeling on our Parsonage at our church where we painted paneling and it made a world of difference. I think alot of it has to do with the decorations too. You guys did an awesome job!!
I have been visiting your blog for some time now. I found you via chickadee. I wanted to tell you, you are a good writer.
It looks great! Very cozy and homey. Such a transformation from the before pics!
I vote for keeping it wood burning. While gas is convenient, nothing beats the smell you get from a real wood fire burning on a chilly night. I also like the ability to clean it out during the warmer months and put a collection of candles inside to add “atmosphere” in the summer. Let us know what you decide!
Your house is lovely. I do have a different opinion about the fireplace and I have had a home for 26 years. We had always advocated a wood fire because my husband loves them. But I don’t build them, they are messy, and he rarely really built one, and wood was hard to come by. We decided last winter to get gas logs and have never looked back. My siblings and I got some for our mom for Christmas, because I love them so much qne knew she would, too. And they are great for ice storms and power outages.
Very cute! You have a warm and inviting home!
) Thank you for showing pictures of your home’s transformation. I have a few rooms left to paint and I have been collecting paint samples and taping them to my walls. 
) Thank you for standing in the gap for The Nester. ~Tricia Anne
beautiful! just beautiful! i love it!
Love the transformation. Just beautiful. I bet the previous owners would be kicking themselves. Is Tobacco Road Behr or BM? I wonder if it would be a good color for the outside of the house?
Susan
Your room turned out beautifully! What a wonderful room to hang out in with the family!
WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! is all I can say. Your family room looks amazing. What a comfy place to hang out. I may need to do something like that to my dining room.
I’m sure Nester fans won’t be disappointed–your new home is every bit as lovely. Wish you lived closer so you could come and arrange my black and white photos for me. Love the way yours look!!!
Hope Nester gets over that nasty virus soon!
I love it! I miss you and thank you for helping me out!
Post tomorrow?
sister, at the library.
It looks great! i say if your man likes to build a fire, keep it wood. kelly
Wow, your room is BEAUTIFUL! I have a wood burning stove and it makes a large mess, but is so warm and cozy in the winter. Anything that puts out heat and ambience works for me!!
Wow! This is an amazing transformation, Emily! I love it all. -Julia
Wipin’ drool off of my face.
Just simply stunning and thanks for sharing your lovely home with us. Play nice with your big sister!
I’m glad that you linked yourself on your sister’s blog… I love finding new blogs, that are real and fun to read. Love how the room turned out. I say stick with the wood burning… It might be a little bit more of hassle but when the gas doesn’t work, you’ll still have a warm fire to sit by.
Oooh, this was worth the wait! I just love it. I would hate to overshadow my appreciation, but I sure would like to see what you’ve done with the sunroom/Florda room, 4-seasons room! Your house is coming along beautifully!
I almost forgot. In my opinion, gas fireplace is the way to go. I get that “ooh, a real one smells so good” stuff, but who wants to worry about building a fire (or waiting for your husband to build one) when you’re freezing! Flip that switch, and it’s done! I love mine, and I’m sooo glad I didn’t do real wood.
I love that room. The kids and I will be over with popcorn for a movie later this week.
Tell the Nester that we miss her, but I’m glad you took this chance to show your room. MORE!
*GASP* Oh Emily!! I gasped audibly when I saw the “after” shot of this room. It is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
God bless.
Phew! What a relief! I will be missing your sister for sure but I really appreciate that you’re trying to fill the gap so to speak while her computer’s out of commission. Thank you!
I love what you’ve done with the room, such an improvement. As for the fireplace question. My family just moved from a house with four “real” fireplaces. (built in 1811…very small) It was nice to have a real fire but my new house has two gas fires and I must say, we are loving them, no mess, no wood expense or storage, and they do generate a nice amount of heat. I know the real thing is nice but the gas is SO easy, I have to say I really prefer it. Just my humble opinion of course.
Very pretty. Talent obviuosly runs in the family! I’ll be stopping by again! Jen r
It looks very, very nice! Congratulations.
I love your blog (and your home!). I love your sister’s blog and decor too. And I have a little sister who is just like you! You two crack me up!
I think my house is the only one left with a real wood burning fire place. We don’t burn a fire very much in Dallas but we can have an occasional bitter cold day and there is nothing quite like a real fire. Some of my favorite memories have been spent in front of a fire.
I love it. I have almost the very same color on about half the walls in my house, and I’ve never gotten tired of it.
keep the wood burning…i have gas and wish i had wood burning!!! isn’t that always the case? you want what you don’t have. i guess that’s just a little of “the grass is always greener on the other side”, huh?
Love the transformation! What an improvement. And the shelves around the fireplace are the perfect fit for that space. How hard was the wood paneling to remove? We had some and it was glued on so well I think it supported part of the roof. Two thumbs up for that gorgeous room.
it’s wonderful! i wish i had a decorator sister.
LQQK at you, Kid! You’re doing well this evening!
I just LOVE your room…no, your whole home!
I’ve said it before: your sister AND YOU!!! have great talent in the area of interior design!
Kudos – LOVE it!
And re: fireplace…hmmm. Ours is a gas starter which is AWESOME. But I’m torn …
It is so pretty! I can’t believe the transformation!
And if I might add my opinion…GO WITH THE REAL FIREPLACE.
We’ve done both and I hated the gas logs. Yes, it is easier. But it is not the same.
What a lovely transformation! I love to see before and after photos.
Yes, I see your Fleur di Lis here now…it definitely kicks my Fleur di Lis’ hiney…wow, where did you get that??? Thanks!!!
Your room turned out beautiful! It’s amazing what a little paint can do for icky brown paneling.
We have a gas fireplace in our current house and are putting a wood-burning fireplace in our new house. I do love the ease of the gas logs. Flip the switch and poof! Fire!
But my in-laws live out in the country and always have a fire going in the winter. We love it so I think we will actually use ours. I’m kind of thinking it will be a fun family activity when our boys get to be a little older and won’t set themselves aflame.
Oh my stars! You should submit before and after pictures to a magazine! That family room is incredible, especially after seeing what you had to work with in the beginning. Nester doesn’t have anything on you, “little sister.” The two of you ought to team up and have your own decorating show- I am so NOT kidding!
About the fireplace, we have a real one and while it’s nice to have real blazing fires, it’s also messy. If had a beautiful room like yours I think I’d opt for the gas logs.
WOW!! What a transformation! I love it! I keep meaning to ask you or Nester, what brand is Tobacco Road? Benjamin Moore? Sherwin Williams? I gotta get some for my bedroom and master bath.
Emily, I LOVE how it turned out. Hard to believe it’s the same room!
Tobacco Road is a Duron color but its from their old formula wheel. So when you go to get it, you just have to tell them its from the old formula.
Could I be any more redundant?
Another great color that is similar is Restrained Gold from SW, but it is more, well…Gold.
I love how you transformed your family room!! Sooo awesome. I found the Nester just a few weeks ago and have been totally hooked…now we have you too! This is a wonderful thing! I’m totally loving your style of decorating!!
Oh, as far as the firepace goes… we’ve had a gas fireplace for the last 10 years… I would give anything to have a wood fireplace…especially if you live in a place that has power outages during the winter.
Have a wonderful day!
Jackie
Oh you too have a fabulous decorating style just like your sister…it obviously runs in the genes!! Your living room looks soooo cozy and inviting. I love it!! Thanks for showing us.
Wow, what a difference!! It looks beautiful!
wow. That’s an incredible change from when you first moved in. Hard to belive it’s the same room! You did a great job, and I”m happy to see part of your home!
Your living room is gorgeous. I love the arrangement and the color AND the table and chairs. What a great room. I also loved your post today over on your sisters blog!
Beautiful room, and as someone else commented, you both have a true gift for decorating. And your nursery is gorgeous!
I am always just amazed at what you do with paint. I wish you lived closer then you could come decorate my house.
Emily, that room is so cozy and beautiful! Where is my tea and afghan? And, a movie would be good. Or, even better, just chatting! Thank you for sharing.
Oh, I love how this room turned out!! So beautiful and cozy! Love the tobacco road color!
I really want to do what you’ve done w/ the white frames on the wall, but I’m nervous about placement and how you decided to start it?? I have a wall I would love to do this to, but not quite sure where to start?? Any suggestions? Thanks!
How lovely…..You must post more of your new nest!!!!!
Absolutely beautiful room! Warm, homey, and elegant all at once–not an easy thing to accomplish. I have a few questions. How difficult was it to paint the brick fireplace? Did you prime it first and did you use a roller or a brush? What gloss paint did you use? I have a red, brick fireplace in my livingroom and am thinking of painting it a creamy white. We rarely use it, as my husband has asthma and can’t tolerate the smoke, so upkeep would be easy. I know if I paint, there is no going back, so I would appreciate your input.
Thank you,
Miss Kris
Emily,
I am wondering about the baseball cards in the frame from your post on the Nester’s blog. Where did you find the right mat size for the cards? I LOVE it and want to do it in my three boys’ rooms!
Thanks!
hi Anon – I actually went to Hobby Lobby and had the mats cut for the cards specifically. It didn’t cost much that I remember. You could probably cut them yourself but I am lazy.
Thanks for the tip on where to go for the mat! I’m headed out to get it!
Love your blog!
Love how the room turned out. The mantle is awesome. Looks like such a comfy room to hang out in. Can’t wait to see the rest of the house and all the yummy ideas you have to share. Great inspiration to get me to switch some things up in my house.
Okay Emily….I am Robin…have been conversing with your sis, and I wanted HER black chairs in her house, but I just saw YOUR black chairs and I want THOSE instead of the NESTER’s…where did you GET those?!?! Can I have them!!!! I need them…they look very, VERY comfortable!
Robin
mistackL2@aol.com
What a transformation! Absolutely beautiful:>)
Beautiful! WOW. Love it.
Fireplace – we have our first gas fireplace and LOVE it. It has great blowers and can heat up our living room 5 degrees in just minutes. My oldest son used to always get watery eyes when we would use wood so this cuts down on his allergies.
Amanda
Wow, what vision you had in transforming that room. Beautiful!