Hey Guys! This post is part of The Weekender Makeover Series. A DIY Makeover web series in partnership with Lowe’s Home Improvement. You can watch Season 1 + 2 on your streaming devices or by subscribing to Lowe’s YouTube channel.

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Meet Taylor and Johnell– this adorable newlywed couple from Nashville who recently settled on their very first home together. When I say recently, I mean like 2 months ago. With new construction also comes new challenges, like how to start making your house a home.

Lucky for Taylor and Johnell, they had a completely blank slate, and sometimes that’s half the fun of a makeover– getting to imagine what it can be! Taylor is totally into glam, while Johnell on the other hand… not so much. So making this room a perfect fit for both was going to be a bit of a challenge, but nothing we couldn’t handle of course!

Taylor and Johnell’s style had some crossover, but Taylor definitely wanted some glam in this space, and Johnell was just looking for some sophistication, and I think we hit that nail on the head with this design plan. Starting with a base of neutral, adding pops of muted color in the ceiling and in some furniture we could definitely give both Taylor and Johnnell the sophisticated, slightly glam space they’ve been wishing for!

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The great thing about new construction is that it leaves you with a blank slate to work with, and this wall in Taylor and Johnell’s living room had everything to be the perfect accent wall– two symmetrical windows, outlets for a tv (and surprise fireplace!), and plenty of space for some planked texture and storage.

First step for this accent wall was adding some planks. We got some 1×6 interlocking boards and started stacking them vertically on the wall. The interlocking feature of these boards make it easy to stack and snap into place, and also creates a nice seam once you go to paint the boards. We wanted a nice, clean finish to this accent wall, so we painted the planks with HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams Dover White which really kicked this room up a notch!

Since this wall was such a great size, we decided to utilize the space at the bottom of the wall for some built-in storage. With some plywood pieces cut to size, we used the length of the wall for the length of this built-in. With some simple door hinges and hardware, we were able to add some pretty awesome custom doors to this storage unit. We also painted this built-in the same white as the planked wall.

This MASSIVE mantle is one for the records… legit 16 feet to span the length of the wall– Talk about custom! The coolest part about this project is that we used lightweight pieces of pine board, then stained them to look like a thick, chunky, super heavy piece of reclaimed wood. We basically built an open faced box with these pine panels and attached them to the wall with some heavy duty screws. Might not be a real fireplace, but that mantle is a looker!

A living room that also doubles as an entryway can be a bit tricky, but this DIY drop zone project gives some organization and style to any entryway. We cut some plywood boards down to make a rectangular box which is the outer frame of the drop zone. Add some vertical separators, you’ve got yourself a few storage cubbies. Add a lip about 5-8″ below the drop zone for some hooks to hang your purse or jacket. It gives the whole unit some extra stability when you attach it to the wall.

Okay, so this wasn’t the typical Weekender project build, but it’s one of the most asked questions– How do I pull this space together? It’s all about the styling and furniture arrangement! A great space is an awesome asset to have, but when you have zero idea how to make it come together, that’s where this project comes in handy!

When it comes to picking furniture, I say dare to mix it up! Colors, patterns, textures– it’s ok to go a little atypical… that’s what makes a room unique to you! Adding some personal touches like photos, artwork and special keepsakes give a whole new level to home decor and definitely make it feel more like home.

Shelving is a great way to add some organization and style to a room. This Monarch Specialties Shelf Bookcase was the perfect blend of both for this space. Add some books, artwork, decorative vases and more! The possibilities are endless.

Holy coffered ceilings! This stunner feature was one of the built-ins Taylor and Johnell wanted when building their home, and I planned to keep it that way… well, at least add some paint to it! We used Valspar’s Smoky Pitch Reserve Interior paint for great coverage and long-lasting wear. This subtle pop of color in the coffered ceiling panels was just the right amount of emphasis that really draws your eye up to these killer ceilings.

And this Quoizel Industrial Tiered Chandelier was the icing on top of this awesome project– a lotttt better than that old ceiling fan, sorry Johnell!

This room was chock full of goods, but here are some of my favorites!

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1. Moe’s Home Collection Canal Sofa

Oh so elegant and super stylish! This gray color went perfectly with our neutral-ish theme, and it’s great for mixing and matching with some throw pillows and blankets.

2. Touchstone Electric Wall Mounted Fireplace

Who says you need a real fireplace to feel cozy? This Touchstone electric fireplace is the perfect alternative to a classic stone-faced fireplace.

3. Quoizel Brushed Nickel Industrial Tiered Chandelier

Sorry Johnell… but that ceiling fan had to go, and this Quoizel chandelier was the perfect modern upgrade this space needed.

4. Worldwide Home Furnishings Faux Cowhide Chair

Mixing and matching prints is a great way to add some personality to a space. If cowhide’s your thing, get this chair! It’s comfy and cute!

If you’re one of those people who’s afraid of a little empty space, I hope this makeover gave you a little inspiration to start a Weekender project of your own.

-Mon

Don’t miss a single Weekender Episode of Season 2- You can watch all Season 1 + 2 Episodes right  HERE!

*The Weekender Series is a paid collaboration with Lowe’s Home Improvement. I’m thankful for the brands that believe in the mission of East Coast Creative and support my work!*