Transforming Victorian Living Room Into Modern Dream | Design Inc | Abode

Annabelle has just purchased an Old Victorian Town House which has been a costly renovation project. She’s asked Sarah Richardson and The Design Inc Team to help her complete her renovation by helping with her living/dining room transformation. Annabelle wants splashes of colour, nothing “too girly” with a space that partners well with her neighbouring zen garden. Can Sarah and the team help bring this home from the past to the future?
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[@jeezumcrow8655]

Ugh. What a nightmare client. Why hire a professional designer of Sarah’s caliber and spend all that money if you are so controlling that you’d rather make all the decorating decisions yourself?

[@isadoradurso9491]

maybe because you are the one that is going to live there?

[@christineboone2850]

This story illustrates how difficult the process of working with clients can be! This woman was a difficult client!!

[@mapleleaf0]

I think it's clear Sara doesn't like this room. When she says at the end that "there's room for growth and change and development and lots more interesting things to happen," that tells me this did not turn out the way she liked. I think I don't like the layout of the living room. It's a tough space because it's so long and narrow. I think I would have created a seating area around the fireplace and a club table area for playing cards or chess at the far end. With both sections set up with seating, it seems like a bit of a hodgepodge of too many chairs without purpose to me.

[@skdoremi6666]

It did turn out beautiful......but the client was too picky, I mean it sounded like she knew what she wants but in reality she had eclectic taste, Sarah team did amazing!it looks expensive yet not boring or untouchable....cosy is the word.

[@Kevin-sm8pn]

I mean, the client is paying for it. She SHOULD be picky and have a say every step in the way. If Sarah was paying for it, then yes, I would say she was being a spoiled brat princess but not in this instance since it was on the homeowner's dime. This isn't Sarah 101. Sarah can't go, "Oh, the homeowner doesn't like it?! Well, too bad, I'm putting it in anyway AND she has to pay for it and she will like it! And if she doesn't like it, then I will take it back and charge her anyway! Bwahahahahaha. I'm Sarah Richardson, damn it! I'm the Beyonce of design!"

[@michellepereira2328]

I feel that this room was a little boring with too many chairs. I would have liked a carpet with either color or pattern.

[@pollutingpenguin2146]

What a surprise - everything is white and beige. I’m sorry, but why are people paying money for this? This is not creative whatsoever, this is just buying everything in the same shade and lumping it all together.

[@CarlaLR74]

Monochromatic has always been Sarah’s style.

[@MsCristina38]

Because its luxurious and relaxing at the same time.

[@Kevin-sm8pn]

I mean, you're talking about color essentially. You do understand that color is like the easiest thing to add to a design, right? Especially with a neutral room like this. You want color? Change out the curtains, the pillows and some of the accessories, and voila. Color. You're not going to get a lime green sofa and a coffee table painted pink leopard with orange stripes. Don't be ridiculous. Your furniture is always going to be neutral anyway. So if you want color, just change out the accessories and stop being a drama queen. You're not Beyonce.

[@risamcadey9]

I would like to see how your house is design wise

[@pollutingpenguin2146]

@@risamcadey9 brown leather chairs, place mats, wood objects (drift wood), dark greens, bras/brushed gold, dark wood furniture with leather or velvets in greens and golds and black objects. I don’t have anything in white, except lampshades and beddings.

[@CC-si3cr]

WOW!!! Annabelle was a whole lot and then some. WOW!!! That dining room table she picked out was entirely too big for the space. There's no way she has that many friends to fill that table. Plus the style she wanted ended up being the complete opposite of the final result. She said she didn't want anything too precious when the entire space looked really luxurious. Sarah only had two rooms Can you imagine what she put the architect and general contractor through when they remodeled her entire home? Yikes!

[@jeans3190]

I would love to see Sarah back on HGTV. She was my favorite!

[@jmpe.5289]

I'm thrilled that ABODE keeps offering them!🥰

[@nancyowens8414]

Me too

[@inolagranville7832]

I think it turned out fabulous but looking at it, I don’t understand the two rug thing from the living room to the lounge area I would’ve thought that it would’ve been one big rug that would’ve taken care of the whole area. To me it doesn’t look good😮. Just that, everything else is fabulous🎉

[@karenross3457]

Whatever your commission was, it was not enough. What a difficult client!

[@nighatkhan356]

what a fusspot why doesnt she design the room herself

[@christineh5790]

I soooo love Sarah’s style!💖💖💖

[@jmpe.5289]

heehee this was quite the interesting episode (!!). The 'challenges' were apparent (& I don't mean with the rooms), which made things definitely interesting! BUT regardless Sarah, Kate & the Design Inc. crew made for a lovely overall living and dining combo (oooo I especially love the chairs w/ the striped cream & black... beautiful result!)

[@juliananton7800]

I really hated this entire episode. The only other time a client was sooooo extra I refused to watch again was season 4, kitchen of the architect who was ridiculously full of himself and cringe worthy. I won’t watch it again it was such a difficult client and attitude. This was the female version. And Kate yawned once in a scene telling Sarah it was boring. I kept waiting for her to do it here. This room is so boring. Nothing about it was special or wowing. I could have designed it. I could have picked out everything myself and it been that boring and ho hum. What a waste of time.

[@bobinabuddy]

I liked the clients choice for rug, all those colours, and she ended up with beige?? The room did not turn out at all hip but reserved and boring, think if Sarah had just been given the colourful rug and said go with this ….the room would have been hip happening and not trendy

[@rna8tive881]

Exactly! She started out with that colorful rug and in the end got traditional and boring!🤷

[@cunajo1]

As The Washington Post once said of Leona Helmsley, "Rhymes with 'Rich'" ...

[@CarlaLR74]

The picture above the sofa is wonderful and that end table is a great piece.

[@justice2255]

Now that is a living room I could love forever. The dining room is also amazing. How dreamy and elegant. Show stoppers for the most discerning guests. Wow.

[@nancyowens8414]

I love the couch.

[@deborahunger4974]

It looks like an upscale resale showroom now. And not very comfortable.

[@jhutch1681]

Do I see two rugs side by side, not stitched (and not quite meeting) in the living room?! I like how she got her colourful barcode feeling in some of the art without having the actual inspo rug.

[@laurelherman3342]

That woman is a control freak. I would love to know what they were saying when the cameras were not rolling...

[@maggievalois300]

When these videos start I close my eyes so I don't see the after design before it is done. I like before and afters but not before I see the process.

[@rhondaivory3009]

The client is nuts. Sorry she doesn’t know what she likes.

[@paularubina3778]

Oooh this client would make me nervous.

[@Asdfhjkl998]

How beautiful the see old programs and Yong Sarah ( how old this video 20 years I believe ? )

[@divinesignatures6225]

Judging from the outfit, possibly 2005.

[@deborahflello2316]

Fabulous 👌

[@scooter2473]

Nightmare client! Most people would be happy with a simple design.

[@irinafensel365]

Perfekt 😍👍👏🥰

[@shannonwilley5246]

hate the music

[@judyshallstrom415]

Nice to see a customer who really knows what and why she likes something.

[@juliananton7800]

She also had no idea how to put it all together 😂. It could have easily been a garage sale if Kate and Sarah didn’t put their foot down. Tommy NEVER would have seemed like the ideal personality to work with her 😂

[@treegreen941]

I appreciate that the owner was involved with how her personal space would feel, and collaborated closely with Sarah and her team. Her involvement made it even easier for the designers in some respects - they didn't have to agonize over whether the owner was going to enjoy living with a particular fabric sample or paint colour. The team worked well with the owner's wants/dislikes, and she absolutely loved her updated room. Another great project, as always!

[@marilynbarlow8978]

Definitely did not like this room

[@awalker5195]

That sofa is incredible.

[@michaelmcintyre9179]

no concept whatsoever about incorporating electronics into the so called re model t, speakers ,proper distance for stereo listening, audio equip .all the pillows made in china not going to help you