BUDGET DIY LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER | masking all my problems with paint & decluttering everything

I think it's hilarious that 2 weeks of work can be cut down to a 14 minute video 🥲
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[@kaydeebenda5237]

I would 100% rather see a progress update rather than no video at all! ❤

[@gbanksky]

I love seeing your progress! No need to wait until there is a full makeover. Sometimes all I have time for is a short little 10-15 minute video and it’s great to watch content I enjoy. ❤

[@clairebucknell8666]

Add a mantle and a mirror or some art work over your brick fireplace- it help hide the different bricks and putting up something you like will help you relax in your new room.

[@purplewombat1923]

The room looks so bright & fresh now. You should paint the gold on the fireplace black.

[@kaylaross9977]

Happy to see another mom working after bedtime 🥴. The struggle is real.

[@genniejefferson6588]

Please do a home makeover when you finish. Love the painted paneling. We painted our paneling a few years ago. Fireplace looks fine painted.

[@danacobb2229]

I agree, paint the gold on the fireplace and then paint the bookshelves the wall color and between or around the books, add some deco pieces! 😊

[@gbanksky]

You could find another beautiful mirror to hang over fireplace-it would break up the different looking brick (which really doesn’t look bad at all btw) and a mirror would also have the added benefit of reflecting more light in the “dungeon”. (Lol)

[@chillibird2511]

The fireplace looks great in that the light colour brings light in . Love the idea of videos in progress. It helps us to see someone going at a realistic pace. The children have super parents ❤

[@beahealey6752]

You could take the brass fireplace screen off and do a cute DIY cover to keep the girls from climbing in. I think it all look great!

[@tamarabakenhus1794]

Allison, I always get so excited when I see you post a video, no matter what it is. It’s amazing what a little paint can do. It looks so much nicer now. An idea for the mantle is to paint the rougher bricks in a taupe color. Just a suggestion. But I bet you just have a different feel for the basement environment now that it’s a light and bright color. Thanks for posting.

[@susankempczynski8340]

I think once you put a wreath or picture above fireplace you won't notice the 2 different bricks. I love the swiss coffee color. The basement is looking good.

[@melissablackman6368]

Updates look really good! If there really is hardwood on the treads, a runner would look really cute and I think can be done pretty cheaply with store bought runners and a staple gun. I saw one KZbinr do this and she also laid down carpet tape under the runner to keep it in place while stapling- genius! The risers might be plywood but if you painted them black they would probably look ok. For the fireplace, maybe paint the gold matte black. That might make it look a little more modern. The mismatched brick really does not look bad. And maybe you could diy some kind of mantle. That might make it look more intentional. And finally are those ceiling tiles in the laundry room or a closet? You could take one out of a less noticeable area and replace the missing one above the fireplace. I LOVE watching your videos! Post anything, I am here for it!❤

[@gumybearss]

Add a wood mantel separating the two brick textures

[@gaillangford280]

I would leave the carpet on the stairs. Allison you are doing an amazing job. Love all your ideas on decorating. Always look forward to the next video even if it’s a simple one. Have a great day.!

[@helenaschwartz4402]

I would paint the brick a light pastel accent color, like a super light cornflower blue ☺ or whatever color you like. Then it's still light and not too contrasty but still more appealing to the eye!

[@markbergen6946]

Maybe dot sponge paint the fireplace brick with the creamy mushroom color you used on your trim upstairs? Then mount a TV there?

[@haileymckeever5522]

You could put (secured obviously 😀) toy storage shelves/units on the hearth to make it actually functional. Like IKEA pax etc. The space on it is useless so that way you can store more toys and free up floor space.

[@kandydyle7574]

Hi guys just checking on you to make sure that everything looks good with your family and friends and everything

[@debbiejohnson1796]

Room looks so much brighter. Great job

[@kimberlyakers5923]

the white looks so good. try painting the brass surround black .

[@mrsanchondo0528]

For your books maybe you could do a color blocking type thing? Same colors with same colors and make either like a rainbow or something out of them?

[@user-dg6wy5yo2t]

I would paint rough brick and metal black and add a wooden mantle to fireplace

[@kerryannedesigns]

That was my thought too! Then it would also tie in the black book shelves

[@cynthiaPs63.7]

I've learned that when there is an elephant in a room, rather than avoid it, just paint it and add some jewelry. Then it, at least, becomes something interesting. I agree with those who are saying to dress it up--a large mirror, clock, wreath or artwork, a mantle, some plants (you have plenty of light coming in) would be a great addition and take the focus off the size and the mismatched brick. Also, you might think about toning down the brass fireplace trim. That might help make it not stand out.

[@meganzambo2403]

Definitely do progress videos! That white paint really brightens up the room, you’re going to need a new nickname! Idk about the fireplace, I do wonder what the brick would look like against the white paint. But the whole area looks way fresher. I’m also curious if your toddler notices the renovations

[@abigailjensen3850]

The space looks soo good/improved, nice job!!! It looks really bright and nice to hangout down there!! Love the couch. I personally think the fireplace as you did it looks great. The brass standing out against the white is beautiful. I would neverrr have noticed the brick texture difference haha

[@Morganjenkins0422]

I think the white paint looks great. I know you don’t want to draw attention to the fireplace, but since it’s all white and you don’t really like the brick, maybe you could put a big piece of artwork, to cover the brick. Unfortunately, you’ll have to use a cement drillbit, but you and Christian could get it done. Great job!! Love your videos!!

[@Morganjenkins0422]

Also, I wanted to mention. Have you heard of the paper Brown sack floor treatment. It’s very easy and it’s very cheap. It almost looks like marble on the floor. With kids and big dogs we didn’t want to invest in carpet and I didn’t like tile so we did that on our floors and it turned out great. We literally got all the brown paper from Dollar tree, you tear up small pieces and then you throw it in a bucket with water and Elmers glue use rubber gloves and then you just spread it all on the floor and overlap give it 24 hours to dry and then you come back and you stain it with like one of those buckets that has a sprayer on it that you use in the yard And I use two different color stains and it turned out like marble and then I use probably three coats of poly on it. It’s been 10 years and it’s still holding up and I have great Danes. Go to Pinterest and look at it. You could use any color of stain.

[@markbergen6946]

Would you want to mount a TV screen on the brick above the fireplace?

[@chillibird2511]

I remember those book shelves. They look gorgeous on the wall with some toys ❤

[@billierichards8093]

Maybe a cool mantle would break up the difference between the brick and tile. Worth a shot! Good luck!

[@truthfullyme7416]

Love this video. My basement is wood paneling as well and i was never confident about painting it until now.

[@sallycroft2191]

What's difference the paint makes to the basement. Brightens it tremendously. Much more pleasant for you all to spend time there. Most of us can"t afford to renovate the whole house and it takes times. These smaller Reno's allow us to use space until we can do that area. I put my bookcases in a rainbow sequence. I love the whimsical look of it. Definitely adds interest to the room.

[@kafka494]

I think it would have been nice to maybe do an acid wash on the brick so it still brightens up the room but isn’t the same color as the rest of the room. And maybe sanding down the paneling and doing a light stain. That could add some modern feel to the fireplace area.

[@marifreese2049]

I love seeing the progress, always. An idea for the fireplace: you could hang a curtain rod with some curtains over it! Or hang some sort of textile over it, a chunky macrame of some sort that fits the measurements of that space between the wood paneling where the brick and fireplace is.

[@joshuajones5197]

Great job of taking care of what you need work on around your premises Allison.

[@marjiemadlena5871]

I love a progress video!

[@Theresarose328]

Fireplace looks good for now.

[@lorizielinski227]

Looks great Allison!❤

[@abbywheatleymusic]

Journey over destination! ❤

[@crystalkirkland781]

I think working on the in between is super important. It shows consistent progress!

[@normajoskenbeamora4747]

OH! MY GOODNESS ALLISON! I WANT IT TO BECOME INVISIBLE 😂😂😂❤

[@leitalarson4482]

Looks great! I would have left the brick but painted the paneling around it. I know you don’t want to draw attention to the fireplace but it would have given the space more character.

[@christinevelsen526]

great improvement .good for you

[@madzabinga8382]

It might have looked nice to simply brighten up the grout lines of the brick with paint. Oh well. I do think you should add something above the fireplace to add back in some warmth to break up the white. Maybe paint the gold fireplace trim black?

[@marystrenke3050]

Looks great 🎉

[@aileenbell6750]

Can you put some kind of fire safe drywall over the brick? I don’t have any better suggestions, except painting the entire fireplace a darker color so that the different textures aren’t as noticeable.

[@user-tc3uv7ps8m]

Looks awesome ❤❤❤

[@tinaharris3115]

I know you don't want to draw attention to the fireplace but if you painted the gold thing a bronze or black it would update that area some. Maybe hang some art on fireplace.

[@theresawhitehouse]

Looks great! How about a colorful, oversized, frameless picture/painting above the actual fireplace, to fill the space and add some color. Either way, it's a nice improvement. Thanks for sharing.

[@pilar8207]

Hola Allison!! 😊 El espacio quedo muy iluminado con el color, eres una gran mamá Saludos!❤

[@joaniewhite7573]

I know the fireplace bothers you but what about something above it so it drawers your eyes to that not the different bricks but you are amazing!

[@flhJisL2500]

If you're not going to use that fireplace you could put it use and cover it altogether with your bookshelves making it pretty like a wall giving you room where they sit right now, I would rip the carpet out and paint the steps or something instead of cleaning the carpet

[@rudi-leegibbs5853]

Yes! I love progress videos it’s so realistic :)

[@julielefevre4184]

It is a lot of hard work and juggling to get things done with little ones. When they go to bed at night it is hard to keep going. The white really brightens and freshens it up. My only concern is using flat paint on the wood for trim and doors. It will mark up much easier and be harder to wipe down. We have a rental home that we redid completely 4 years ago. I used flat on only the walls and can't even use a magic eraser to get off scuff marks. We have to repaint almost the whole place. You probably already know about paint sheens. You are really making your older home look so fresh and updated one room at a time.

[@Ionelaanamadosa]

Its looks amaizing😊

[@LoveeLizaa]

For the fireplace, would you be able to just block it off with some plasterboard and make it “look” like a seating area??

[@graciecakes1039]

What if you painted the gold decal around the fireplace black to match your bookshelves right next to it?

[@cheryldekoevend6626]

Hi Allison. Did you find you had to clean or prep the wood paneling and did you find you had to use a primer before adding the Swiss Coffee paint? Does the paint already have a primer in it? Thank you for answering my question. I love your channel. ❤

[@rubiaschofer6381]

I love this song ❤

[@christinekleingardner7102]

I think the brick right around the fireplace would look nice black i love black with the gold , i do not like paneling at all it looks very nice and much brighter painted !!!

[@chillrobinsonstyle6173]

Paint the gold on the fireplace and the rough brick black, and then it will not stand out so much

[@FosterJen91]

Maybe consider doing a larger picture over that fireplace and hide the brick some...

[@tiffanyfurmage9707]

The reason why the fireplace area looks "off" is because of the scale. The gold part where the actual opening is, is very small compared to the white part and bench area. If you do not plan on using it as a fireplace paint over that and it will become as close to invisible as possible.

[@theresawelsh4573]

Put a wood mantle on fireplace where the rough brick is. It will hide it and give it some character.

[@haileymckeever5522]

Or you could cover the fireplace with MDF or something and paint it black to make a blackboard for the girls to colour on

[@Yuukitsu]

Cant you take out the panneling? And leave just the brick portion?

[@bevalexander5897]

I think people forget how freakin hard it is to get from awful room to magazine worthy. I would have left the brick, not because it’s really nice, but it gives a place to rest your eyes in the middle of the white. But I understand why you painted it. I would have pulled the carpet as soon as I finished painting. I prefer concrete to carpet. Especially after what I’ve seen when I’ve pulled up old carpet.

[@Amanda-lk5jo]

It looks great but I would have maybe left the brick around the fireplace and not painted it white. It stands out and doesn’t blend but it looks great.

[@cindydean1840]

❤

[@mellamomeghan21]

Personally I loved the brick before you painted it but can understand that it wasn’t really your style. I just love brick in that pattern. Since you aren’t quite happy with it, maybe put art or a tv up there to cover it a bit?

[@LindseyBolger]

I love watching your vids. But I've never messaged. I don't mind fire place. I'd suggest a mantle. Similar to your living area with a mirror above so it looks more defined. You are funny...when you say you ramble etc. I don't think you are. I used to follow Denise bangiyev but she's not on anymore.....and I come across ur channel. Timing was perfect. Love your videos. Sp therapeutic xx

[@patticake6032]

Mount a TV and add a mantle

[@user-oj5eh7fn9j]

🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@normajoskenbeamora4747]

👍🏻❤👏🏻🙂🙏🏻