Extreme Budget Living Room Makeover | Traditional Chinoiserie

[@GracefullyUnraveled]

It is so light and refreshing now! You have turned your space from a 1 in 10 living room to a 1 in a million living room! I look forward to seeing all of your home projects be completed for 2025.

[@Dulce_Domum]

Simply lovely, Jennifer! I grew up always feeling like I had to have my mother’s approval of any and all decorating choices that I made. Last year, I saw a KZbin video of a beautiful decorator’s home (Skye McAlpine) who finished her home in gorgeous “ice-cream tones” (as she put it) - pinks and yellows mainly. It was stunning. But the thing that changed everything for me was that she so simply stated that she made those color choices because they were her favorite colors. They happen to be my favorite colors, too. I looked around my home to assess the sad truth: not a speck of pink or yellow was to be found. I realized that I didn’t need my mother’s permission to decorate my home the way I wanted to. Thus began a long process of truly discerning my own style, which to my surprise is not as “safe” as I always thought. Enter: soft yellow wallpaper, rose filled chintz chairs, chinoiserie wallpaper, and even pink curtains. It may not be for everyone - but it’s for me! And it is so happy and cheerful looking. It has been liberating and transformative process. It looks as if you have been enjoying a similar process by stepping out of your safe-zone - and your results are beautiful, unique, and personal. Bravo 💕😊

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

I love this for you! It must feel so liberating! ♥️

[@emily28038]

For the longest time I envied the ring and hook curtain hangers. My curtains are a light color and have been abused by our pets and kids when younger, but I realized you don’t really notice the damage unless looking for it. So to save money, I found clips I liked and changed them out and it’s very satisfying for me. I can wait to invest later in curtains. I, also, saved money by sticking with a ring that matched my rod and rest of finishes in the room. At first, I tried a different t color, which took me down the worm hole of changing rod etc. I was proud of myself for going the practical route, and they look so good.

[@landlockedsailor]

In our era of mass production, it's so refreshing to see a unique and artisanal work of art in the home! Bravo! You're inspiring me to find a muralist to paint clouds in my son's sky blue attic room like I've always imagined.

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

Thank you! And I love the ceiling mural idea. It will be beautiful!

[@downtoearthsewing]

It's amazing what some paint can do! I love how you recycled and reused the furniture. Of course, the possibilities are endless, but it is great to use what you already have as a starting point. I love the lighter paint in your living room. I don't think I could commit to a mural, but good for you that you had a vision and you went for it. And down with the shutters and curtains!!! We are blessed to have enough separation that we don't really need any window treatments so most of our windows are bare. The living room is the hardest working room in my house and keeping it simple and neutral helps when there's already so much going on.

[@GreenVolley8-d6m]

I love the mural! I have several what my designer friend calls “builder inflicted niches” like your TV nook. I wall papered one TV nook and added a low cabinet from Ballard Designs and hung the TV like you were mentioning. The other 2 identical niches I made into “reading nooks” with the wallpaper, a bench and a sconce hung on the inner wall. Wall paper has a pear pattern to it. It was a risk but I’m so glad I did it. Love your channel!

[@lindabarrette]

Jennifer, your living room looks like a room of magical joy and your face lights up when you talk about it. Thank you for showing us the makeover and beautiful mural.

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

Thank you!

[@BunnikissesMonica]

Just a thought. I think you could take the entertainment center out and have the contractor install more shelves to turn it into a book shelf to display your favorite books and nicknacks. Move the tv over the fireplace and either frame it yourself or get the very chic framed tv. That would offer you some storage and still have the option to watch tv.

[@fundamonium]

This is an excellent idea. It would balance that area very well.

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

Thank you for the suggestion! I don't like the idea of the TV over the fireplace but I think adding more shelves or moving the tv up with some sort of cover would be a great balance to that idea.

[@adriennenagy3524]

I was going to suggest exactly the same thing - turn the entertainment center into a bookshelf and move the TV over the fireplace. I normally don't care for the TV over the fireplace, but the Samsung frame TV is just stunning and you can have any piece (or rotating pieces) of artwork with a beautiful gold or silver frame around it so that it looks like a painting rather than a tv.

[@erikaadams9730]

@@adriennenagy3524I agree!! I’m in love with my frame tv. The art on it just makes my living room! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@erikaadams9730]

And Black Friday is the perfect time to get a good deal on a frame tv and the frame. That’s how we purchased ours last year…

[@katkat521]

I have been redecorating my home, room by room, for almost a year. I retired and do everything myself-paint, wood trim accents, wallpaper. I take my time as it's really something I am doing to fill my time rather than a race to complete, if that makes sense. The results make me so happy! It's a win-win!

[@marionopisso212]

When your spirit is set free to express itself, it seems to dance!!

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

I hope you enjoyed today's video! Thank you to Blumene for sponsoring. Blumene Face Pro 2.0 (Reduced wrinkles/jowls or full refund): blumene.com/connoisseur (For the first 100 people.) I would love to know if you've redecorated any rooms in your home and what you did. Let us know in the comments! Thank you for watching, as always. Love, Jennifer

[@bryzalpha]

I’m so glad you shared your beautiful mural! It really elevates the space.

[@adriennenagy3524]

Jennifer - thank you for so generously sharing your home with us. I love all of the updates you've made. Everything is not just in beautiful and unique taste, but also intentional and so authentic to you. It's really beautiful. I'm so sick of seeing the same things over and over so that everyone's home looks exactly the same. It's so wonderful to see someone's true self come through in their home. Just stunning! Wishing you and yours a Blessed Thanksgiving! :)

[@HarpistJoanna]

“Coming out of my safe era” 😅 I love this! Inspiring to me, as we prepare to build our own home for the first time. For me it’s always a dance between classic, proven and yes, safe, and having fun with color and style knowing it’s a risk, but so much more delightful to express your true style!

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

Thank you!

[@andreiadetavora8471]

The mural is stunning!!

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

That's a great idea. Thank you!

[@palomahealing5073]

That Mural painting is Stunning! Wow🎉🥰👌😉🌸🌿🌳

[@colleenheffron1175]

Jennifer, you’ve inspired me. I love how you worked with your budget. Thank you for being real and not going overboard!👏🏼

[@Miriam-qb4cr]

I love your livingroom mural, as well as the one in your powder room, it’s so dreamy and beautiful. Thank you for sharing ☺️

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

Thank you so much! We are so happy with them too!

[@shellysbitsofteaandbeauty4953]

It’s stunning! I recently stained my brick fireplace. I was so scared to do it, but it’s so lovely that I wish I had done it 20 years ago. Enjoy your beautiful space.

[@christinakasper9471]

Absolutely beautiful space! ❤ When you started this year and talked about chinoiserie, I had no idea what it was. I watched through this year and started seeing it pop up in different styles I liked. Now I am completely obsessed and can’t wait to add some chinoiserie elements to my home😄 I too am going slow to make this affordable. 😊

[@jtgirl7]

The pool nook would be such a good card playing room!! A round table and puzzles, board games and cards

[@leahmanderson298]

Or one of those game tables with like, ping pong, foosball, etc.

[@sdenkewalter]

That is really lovely. Congratulations having the courage to step outside your comfort zone. I too have historically stuck with what is safe.

[@dennise9517]

Please bring back the Gems series again. Thank you

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

Thank you for the request!

[@thebeautyofflavor]

So beautiful! About three years back, we did something very similar with Oxford White below and Lacey Pearl (Benjamin Moore) above. I love the colors and feel so nurtured every day in our home. I know you'll also be so happy with these tones for years to come with our similar decor styles. Enjoy and Happy upcoming holidays!

[@lauraellen189]

Hi Jennifer! Well done! I absolutely love your mural and updated family room! I have bits of whimsy scattered around my home. I have never been afraid to use color or decorate outside the realm of cream and beige. I always wanted my home to be an expression of me and not what is trending or sell on the housing market. Have a beautiful week, and Happy Thanksgiving!

[@Rositasparks]

Home is where the heart is and I really like that sherwin williams cultured pearl paint.. I’m going to use that in our main bedroom and en suite..thx for the lovely video ❤ 🏠 🎨

[@kellieliacopoulos8005]

Jennifer!!! Ohhh my GOSH, sweetie!!! You look STUNNING in this video!! You are so glowy, sparkly, magical and effervescent!!! I am SO happy for you that you love your makeovers!! There is nothing better than blooming where you are planted and you, Ben and your children are a garden!! I can't wait to see the powder room update, your Christmas videos and what you do with the pool room!! ( wasn't that where you worked out in the past??) This will come as no surprise to you, but peacocks are my FAVORITE bird, too! I have been to China many times and have some lovely peacock pieces around my home! I hope you have a wonderful week and holiday! I am very grateful for you, Jennifer. Happy Thanksgiving!! With love, Kellie

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

Thank you, Kellie! I love peacocks too! Even though they are very loud I dream of having some as pets one day! haha

[@moniquelacroix1706]

Hi Jennifer! I absolutely love your mural! It must feel so nice to be in your living room with this wonderful and unique work of art, and it must give the space an atmosphere of both comfort and whimsy. I imagine that you can sit on the sofa and dream to your heart’s content all day long (providing you have the time to do that! 😊) Thank you for explaining your process for decorating on a budget, it will prove very helpful to many people, I am sure. My last decorating project was when we moved in the two-room condo apartment we are living in now, and it has not been finished to my taste 10 years later! It is in a recent-built, very modern building, and all of our furniture was more in the country style! We gradually replaced everything, and since it is a much smaller space than what we had previously, we chose smaller-scale furniture. The result is a bright, white and somewhat minimalist space with a style that is both modern and elegant, but it still lacks small touches here and there to my taste! My work is not finished! I wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!

[@tcb1672]

Dear Jennifer, this is beautiful! I love your sense of style, thank you for the inspiration. 💕

[@debbiewood3819]

Thank you, Jennifer...

[@believeingood]

Lovely video. I love cream and browns but recently I made over our family room. We bought a gorgeous ochre velvet l shaped sofa and I painted the wall behind a rich dark blue. I was very lucky that my daughter in law created some large pieces of art to go behind the sofa. I am going to steal your idea of battery operated sconces! I love that room now and feel a small thrill inside every time I see it.

[@dawndawn6946]

Hi, Jennifer! The mural came out beautifully!❤ I'm the biggest fan of my own home.😂 I always encourage my friends to make their homes their sanctuary; make it their own! Good for you!

[@adriannamurillo8980]

It’s lovely Jennifer. Great job!

[@beatasol4447]

I love that soft sea foam/sage colors for the majority of mural paintings, your hallways and small accents like chairs and pillows. It is definitely becoming a theme.

[@ruthgreen2014]

Absolutely lovely and absolutely you!

[@anadelwrites2144]

It’s gorgeous! The mural especially, though I’m not sure how a custom mural could be budget. In the U.K. that would really come with a hefty price tag.

[@-Beauty-at-Home-]

I love the mural, how lovely and beautiful. It gives a very posh feel. I love it all the colors, the mural painting, the green paneled walls, wallpapered dining love!

[@karenejkleinfineart]

Hi Jennifer, Your living room looks beautiful. The mural brings the outdoors in. It reminds me of something Jane Austen would have in her house. Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving! xoxo Karen

[@mollymay8998]

We painted our fireplace with a creamy white flat paint 6 years ago. It still looks great and I am so glad we did that right away. Yours looks great too! What an improvement when you get rid of all the brown and go for a lighter color.

[@MoneS-x7j]

Wunderschön !

[@JP-nl4dp]

I love your living room! The mural is gorgeous. I love your decorating style.

[@Esther-bi3vj]

Lovely home!! I really like the changes you have made. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. ❤️

[@dsmith9796]

Jennifer, if you like your sofas consider having slip covers made. Use fabric that can be washed - works well with young children in the house. I'm looking forward to your Christmas season videos.

[@leahmanderson298]

Also, these days, you can buy slip covers in just about any size inexpensively.

[@midlifemom5829]

Beautiful! I will use your link to amazon sconces😊

[@nikkiwitt9475]

It’s PERFECT and so YOU🩷

[@kaeros5521]

It’s lovely! Thank you for sharing Jennifer. Enjoy in good health with your family.

[@teresafinoalchemy]

I absolutely LOVE the mural! The peacock really makes it.

[@airstreamer]

Thank you for sharing your updates on your beautiful home! It is very unique and feels very much like you and your family. 😍 - Michelle

[@deannab9511]

I love the living room, it's beautiful and whimsical! I appreciate you taking time to find exactly what you're looking for, I've made purchases in haste and have sometimes regretted it. I learning to take my time. Thanks Jennifer, have a wonderful Thanksgiving ❤🍽🥮🥧

[@HLB512]

Beautiful..... if having a mural done is extreme budget then you are definitely in the 1% lol

[@dianaholbrook]

Absolutely lovely! Always great to take your time as you have😊

[@katharinamorea9449]

Jennifer it’s beautiful OMG the art “ chef kiss “ ❤

[@designsgood]

The change is phenomenal and very charming 🤍

[@angeldawson]

It looks so beautiful, Jennifer, and is so inspiring! Ever since you returned from England and revealed your mural I've been wanting a mural too!! 😆 I love it - I'm going to get/paint one too. 2025 seems a good option for that!! 😄🌺

[@tinabisaga9222]

Your house looks beautiful! You always give me decorating ideas! Thank you

[@MtHa-yu2sf]

It’s a beautiful room and i wish you many more happy memories there!

[@Blomsterranke]

That muriel is so beautiful. So refreshing and relaxing at the same time ❤

[@marilynsteele3306]

The Chinoiserie is lovely. How did you go about finding someone who did this? Were you able to view any of this artist’s work in any homes? Please tell us more about how you chose both artist and visual ideas of what you wanted and how you passed your thoughts and ideas to the artist. Thank you.

[@yolandasilverio1205]

Hi again, I would also add a classic chandelier (not a large one) in the living room instead of the ceiling fan.

[@karmakomodia]

Lovely ♥️

[@KR-fb7gm]

Makes me wonder what a muralist charges. Timely video, I'm also re-decorating! So fun 💛

[@sandrawyrick]

Enjoyed it!

[@yolandasilverio1205]

Hi Jennifer, I would have put an Armoire in the entertainment area so that it can go all the way to the top. Truthfully, Facebook Marketplace is great to buy.

[@KarenDGobsmacked]

I *LOVE LOVE LOVE it**! I'd like to find a muralist near me.

[@roxannemalott7799]

Happy Thanksgiving Jennifer

[@ashleynicole9423]

Wow you consider the before kitchen 90’s?? 😂 I would say more like mid-2000’s. It’s gorgeous now but it wasn’t bad before at all ❤

[@Varykino1917]

Could you be meaning that the green room is the living room and the white room is the family room? The green room seems more like the living room. There is a history behind those names. So, if you don't mind, I would like to share how the living room got it's name. I read somewhere or heard this story and it sounds true. Up through Edwardian times (WWI), people had to lay out their dead at home because mortuaries where this could be done were scarce. The front room (parlour) was kept special for visitors and for laying out the dead. But the term parlour had become associated with death. During the 20th century, mortuaries, where the deceased could be kept and put on display for those wishing to pay their last respects or to mourn, became more plentiful, and so consequently, people no longer needed to display their dead at home. There was a social, concerted effort to move away from the name parlour (death) to living room. I bet your green room is the real living room. ; ) Also, the English have a name for those little rooms that seem too small to be of any real use - I learned this off the KZbin channel "Kirsten & Joerg: 2 Germans in Britain," which is a very interesting channel. You might like them if you have not seen it yet. They call these small spaces "snugs" and that name seems to fit. Your whole house is gorgeous! You must be thrilled! That white on white color scheme is dreamy! Best wishes!

[@elizabethdavis1696]

Have you ever tried cashmere pants or cashmere skirts?

[@DorisG232]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@margesherwood5103]

You need builtins and built-in furniture

[@margesherwood5103]

The tree leaves need more detail, birds are beautiful, background needs to be darker, toolight

[@BeautifulSunShine777]

I noticed the same issue. The background walls should of been painted with soft, warm colors as opposed to only white. The white walls appear too stark and empty making the mural look unfinished and kind of like finger-paints on white paper.

[@sailororion7836]

How much does it cost to get a mural that size painted?

[@BeautifulSunShine777]

French inspired chinoiserie oftentimes has a lighter more delicate design. This mural leans more to an Asian feel with the bonsai-like trees that are reminiscent of the Chinese designs that originally inspired European chinoiserie. I’m not sure how budget friendly a custom painted mural is but we should aim to design our homes with what makes us happy, splurging on some things and saving on others. It seems that you are pleasantly surprised with how it turned out so that is what matters. I would consider hanging a pretty pleated drape/curtain from the top of the tv nook that can be closed when the tv is not in use. A French inspired dresser would also make a nice tv stand in the nook.

[@Chopstix5]

I agree with the curtain idea. I personally think the mirror over the fireplace looks odd. It obviously takes away from the mural and makes that area look too busy.

[@pamelamullins8729]

My first thought for tv area was a lovely curtain that adds to Jennifer’s vision for the room. I would also add as many shelves as work with the TV to maximize storage in a covered area, which the curtain provides.