Do you have a favorite room in your home?
I do-and it’s one of the first things visible when anyone walks through my front door and looks to the right.
This space could also be considered a “formal living room” but we’ve never used it that way.
Instead, it’s a casual, comfortable combination music room and small library.
Throughout this post, I’ll share why this is my favorite room.
Ahem, yes… I’ve got a little bit of everything crowded onto this sofa chest-but it works for me.
I’ve got a thing for small bird cages and I enjoy incorporating books into home decor too.
The mirror was a flea market find that I re-finished and you can see that transformation from a previous post HERE.
The floral stems, stone love birds and vintage garden girl all give this vignette a whimsical, nature-inspired sensibility that just puts a smile on my face whenever I see it.
Let me tell you, this room underwent quite a makeover.
When I look back at what this room used to look like, I can hardly believe it’s the same space.
At the heart of this room transformation were two key elements… paint and built-in bookcases.
Those two things made all the difference in the world.
Let me take you back several years.
This is what the room looked like right after we first moved into the house.
Initially, we didn’t really assign a purpose to the room and despite it’s prominent location near the foyer, it ended up getting neglected and serving as a bit of a catch-all for all things bare and mis-matched.
Needless to say, this room needed a little love and attention.
You can see from these three photos how the makeover came together.
- I decided to make good use of the empty wall space on either side of the French doors. It was fun to watch the new bookcases take shape.
- The built-ins really started to come alive after shelves were installed and the crown molding was added so that it tied-in seamlessly with the existing ceiling molding.
- Fresh paint on the walls made the room transformation even more dramatic. Book cases and shelves were painted glossy white after the room was painted.
The wall color looks like a muted, understated olive green even though it’s called Hancock Gray (Benjamin Moore HC-97).
Big difference, huh?
It’s like these bookcases were always there and if I didn’t have that “before” photo, I don’t think I would even remember what the room used to look like.
Look around your own home and I’ll bet you’ll spot a few blank wall spaces that could use a good built-in.
My husband, Boris’ home office is on the other side of the French doors and this is the view he gets when he sits at his desk.
The office is painted the same Hancock Gray with white trim and I added the same khaki-colored, linen window panels so that both rooms flow easily from one to the other.
The white sofa and love seat used to be Boris’ bachelor furniture… more than 20 years ago-and it’s held up really well.
As his girlfriend at the time, I was able to successfully influence his furniture choices and sway him into my way of thinking (I’m sure Boris would not have gravitated toward all-white furniture… without some romantic prodding).
Over the years, the addition of colorful and varied throw pillows has helped keep the white sofas modern and fresh.
Speaking of throw pillows, I love incorporating them into home decor.
When I couldn’t find the precise throw pillows I wanted, what do you think I did?
Oh, you know me so well.
Of course, I made them myself from zebra-striped fabric and a paisley print fabric I found on sale on a clearance table.
You can see how I made my “cheap” paisley, fringed pillows with an embroidered twist from my previous post HERE.
I picked up a set of these velvet applique pillows after spotting the same gorgeous pillow on my friend Shirley’s blog over at Housepitality Designs.
With its perfect blend of all my favorite colors, I had to have them.
Even though I picked up the two pillow inserts around the Christmas holidays, I think this deer and dove pattern is quite timeless so, I’ll be keeping them on these sofas year-round.
Plus, they match the room colors perfectly.
Here’s a view from the music room looking out into the foyer.
I tried to use the same color palate so that these two areas flowed from one to the other in the same way as the home office.
The foyer wall color is a rich, neutral color called Lenox Tan (Benjamin Moore, HC-44).
Natural light streaming in makes it look like the two columns are different shades but they’re actually the same color on this side of the room.
Since you can see the distressed credenza in this shot, allow me a quick diversion from talk of my favorite room so I can tell you more about this piece of furniture.
This was the first major furniture makeover I ever completed and it made me think I could paint just about anything.
I’m already looking for a new, similar (albeit, smaller), paint project to take on.
I found the cabinet at a thrift store for a bargain basement price and knew right away I wanted to change the existing dark burgundy wood color.
This color is the same Lenox Tan I used on the foyer walls but I topped the paint job with dark wax.
You can read more about this furniture makeover HERE.
As pretty as this room is, it’s a space that actually gets used.
The kids practice piano and guitar and sometimes, they study in here too when they want to get away from noise in the rest of the house.
I make use of the large area rug to spread-out magazine clippings when searching for inspiration.
Often, I just kick up my feet and relax in this space with a good book, magazine or sit in here when I’m chatting up a storm on the phone.
I think it’s important that the function of a room be on par with its fabulousness…. and this space delivers both.
So, that’s a look at my favorite room.
What’s yours?
Thanks for stopping by.
See you back here next time. ♥
Very nice!
Thanks, Valerie.
This room is beautiful and I love the fact very usable as well.
That’s my type of decorating.
Love everything about this room.
I saved all the pictures.
very well done. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, so glad you love the space, Shirlann.
I enjoy this room so much for reading, chatting on the phone and just relaxing.
It’s one of my favorite rooms because after all these years, it’s still the only room that’s actually completely finished-lol.
Happy holidays to you.
xoxo
May I have a key…I’m moving in! Beautiful on all levels.
I appreciate that, Vicki.
Hope you have a great week.
Thanks for popping over too.
I love your taste!!
Thanks, Melinda.
Easy to see why that’s your favorite room, it is beautifully done and looks very inviting.
Pat
I’m glad you like the space, Pat.
Thanks for taking the time to take a look at it.
I love the inviting feel your room evokes. We just returned from a beach trip with 7 other couples and at the end of the week, the most inviting room in the house was the Media room. Large screen TV, bar sink and frig, comfortable sofas that invited curling up, recliner and side chair….not to understate the ocean beyond the balcony. The room had low a ceiling, whimsey and a certain coziness. It ended up being the room that drew in those who found it appealing. Love your soft pillows!!!
Donna, your trip sounds like it was fun and that Media room sounds super marvelous.
You described it beautifully too because I can totally imagine it.
Thanks so much for your sweet words about my space.
Happy week to you.
Your room is exquisite! You have a beautiful home.
i appreciate your sweet words, Peggy.
Thanks for popping by and letting me know you visited.
Lisa, you have skills! Seriously! Mad skills! I long for bookshelves like those. Your home is gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Dana.
I’ll bet you can find a few areas in your home that could fit a few nice bookcases too.
Have a beautiful week.
Beautiful! I love the open rooms and the natural light is gorgeous! I certainly can see why you love the room. Do you take your coffee in there and just relax and enjoy? Do you play the piano? I haven’t played in over 40 years. That used to relax me. Your taste is impeccable, Lisa. Big hugs!!
Thanks, Marisa.
Actually, the kids are the musicians in the family but I love to sit in this space and listen to them perform.
It’s a perfect reading room too.
Glad you like the space and you’re always so sweet to let me know what you think of what I’m up to.
Happy week to you.
What a lovely room! The built ins are perfect.
I appreciate that, Penny.
Happy day to you.
Love, love, love it! My favorite colors as well. Just beautiful.
You just can’t go wrong with greens, creams and khaki colors, right?
Thanks, Teddee for stopping by and letting me know you love the space.
I appreciate that.
You have impeccable taste and your house is a labor of love and grace. Thanks for sharing it and inspiring us.
Happy to inspire and thanks so much for your sweet words, Martha.
The built-ins made a world of difference! This room is inviting and looks like the perfect place to spur creativity. My favorite rooms are the living room and kitchens.
Thanks, Sandra.
It was so nice to get so many of my books out of boxes and onto a bookshelf.
I love kitchens too.
Have a wonderful week.
Oh, what a most beautiful room!… Now, you did good advising your “hubby to be” of that classic white furniture! Now a guy agreeing to white furniture is called love and listening to someone who has good taste! Love that the room has a great purpose…it truly is a room of both beauty and function!….Love the built-ins…I think it gives such character to a home…..and so love the PB pillow…has to be one of my favs!!!! Have a great week friend!
Yes, Shirley, when Boris agreed to white furniture… I knew he was hooked-lol).
Thanks for the inspiration on the applique pillow.
You know I love that set and of course-they look gorgeous in your home too.
Lisa, this is a gorgeous room! I pinned the first picture as soon as I saw it! You may think there is alot on the table but I love the combination, may just try to recreate it! I am so happy to follow you now. I LOVE your gorgeous home!!!! Happy may!
Thanks for pinning my music room, Pinky.
You’re so sweet to let me know how much you like this space.
Happy week to you.
You have the touch! This room is beautiful.
Thanks Sherrry.
I’ve never thought of myself as having “the touch” but I sure do appreciate you saying so.
Have a lovely week.
Your home is so beautiful!
You made this room so warm and cozy and homey. I can see why you love it!
Beautiful, useable spaces are the best!
I have a thing for throw pillows too! 🙂
I totally agree, Deborah.
Spaces should definitely be used.
Happy day to you.
Beautiful! I love how you styled the table with the bird cages and other items. I love the look of bookcases – they warm up any room.
I appreciate that, Patti.
Bookcases are everything, indeed.
Right after I had these bookcases installed, I searched my house for other blank spaces too-lol.
Lisa, if I walked into your home, I would immediately feel warm and comfortable. I love your style! You certainly improved your music room by adding bookcases. It would be my favorite room too, just because of the French doors. (I had French doors in my bedroom, as a child.) I love books and paisley and the non-color white, and I gravitate towards British Colonial/Caribbean style so of course I like the greenery, your fabulous vignette, & pillows, and the palm frond detail of the white sofa & chair fabric. So smart of you to choose something timeless! (I’m amazed that it survived children.) I am also a fan of birdcages (but not birds in them) and I have several for “architectural” interest. I think a birdcage on a swooping stand would look wonderful in the corner. I cannot see what you have on the wall behind your sofa, but if you haven’t hung any instruments on the wall, that might be interesting. I can easily see myself curled up with a book or magazine in there. But this is your home, so enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Thanks so much, Rebecca.
I love the idea of a birdcage on a stand in the corner.
I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for just the right one.
So glad you like the room too.
Yes, bookcases make all the difference in a room and they really transformed this one.
Have a wonderful week.
Wow, I wish I had a music room like that… it’s beautiful. Maybe a few remodels in the future I can conjure up something like that!
Love it Lisa
Absolutely beautiful! You should have a show on HGTV.
Awww, thanks so much, Regina.
I appreciate that. From your words to HGTV’s ears-lol.
Happy creative day to you.
Thank you. I hope HGTV or other networks take note. Soror and fellow Alum, you have always been so talented and so kind. Wishing you much continued success!
Thanks so much for the good wishes, Regina.
I’m glad you enjoy my blog and I hope you’re inspired to try a few recipes or projects.
Have a wonderful week.
Absolutely gorgeous taste!!!
Thanks so much for that, Sue.
is it possible to have the color of the Panel in the room?
Hi Sylvie, I’m not sure what panel you’re referring to, but if you want to know the color of the walls in this room, it’s called Hancock Gray by Benjamin Moore, HC-97.
Let me know if you need a different color.
Good luck with your project.