Redoing My Living Room in Time For Guests!

Guests were coming over and it kicked me into gear!
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Check out Leena: / @leenanorms
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☞ Website: www.arielbissett.com
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☞ My name is Ariel and I’m a Canadian writer, poet, and KZbinr. I organize my shelves by genre and then colour and my favourite book is Animal Farm. I've been making bookish content online for a decade and love spreading a love of reading through videos, panels, articles, and more!
☞ Thanks for watching! ☜

[@lorenebell9420]

Am I the only one just waiting for the creepy attic to finally be turned into a dope master bedroom with an ensuite ?!

[@pepaghrari1109]

I’m more excited about the kitchen 🥹

[@pamelas9]

Judging from the mountain of books behind her she needs a cataloged library more, lol.

[@Justbeeadi]

especially when those high ceilings are finished… STOKED

[@spookyhouses]

Yes!!! I hope it comes soon.

[@judygranberg4018]

Hi, we renovated an old farm house with beautiful but uninsured floors--- what we did was to take them up, insulate, then put them back down over the insulation-- can have your cake and eat it too!

[@tallgrasslanestitches6635]

It occurs to me, being the type of person that only really tidies up when I’m expecting guests, that cleaning up in preparation for guests isn’t about impressing them. It’s about freeing up the mental space that clutter takes up in my brain so I can actually enjoy the visit!

[@Kaivijs]

I am the same! And for me it is about guests feeling comfortable. I know how akward it can be sitting next to my pail of clean laundry lol

[@cruelaz]

@@Kaivijs hey at least it is clean 😂

[@iamtheglass3744]

[[[aaaand … Getting the dust bunnies to exit the building, just a bonus! ]]] 🐇💨

[@Shatterspeed]

If I see a cobweb behind a guest in my house, I'll hyperfocus on that and not enjoy the visit. 😅

[@carlathelibra4228]

Such a good point! I’m the same, come to think of it.

[@sallypark9139]

When you said all the original carpets in the house are gone, I cheered!!! Congrats on your hard work 🎉

[@alignthestars]

It is SO WILD how much better that living room looks with just a coat of paint! Nevermind the carpet removed! Wowza

[@iamtheglass3744]

A real celebration!

[@rclark7393]

wish she'd showed it for longer, love her decor style!

[@howroydproductions]

U dont know how much serotonin i get everytime i see there’s a new video in this series!!!

me 2!! hoping Ariel's friends come to visit more hehe 😁😁

[@iamtheglass3744]

❤

[@aadilamoolla4068]

The pure joy when you said there is no longer any carpet in the house. This is such a journey, thank you for taking us along! Really happy for you & all of these upgrades look great!

[@xingcat]

The living room looks so much cozier and brighter! Your parents are really such unsung heroes in this video. Reminds me of "Reissued," where a guy in Georgia has an old house that he's renovating and his parents help with a lot of it as well, and it's just lovely to see.

[@moda78z]

I watch him to! They make a perfect trio 😍👍 I absolutely love his style! I love that he hung up a painting on the porch 😍

[@mariettedemarest5173]

I like his videos too.

[@biteofdog]

Oh, Georgia the state, not the country.

[@rocioiribe5841]

i love Reissued!

[@rosacanisalba]

Stroup Mansion too. Her Dad pitches in as well. He also shows her how to do stuff/use the tools so she can do it herself.

[@tammyw-w4294]

The cat purring over the microphone was so cute!!!!! ❤

[@sweetberryjello]

My only complaint is that we didn’t get a good view of the new living room but loved the video ❤️

[@lulufune1489]

That’s exact what I thought. I kept watching and waiting and thought…” ok, it’s coming…. maybe at the very end???” I kinda feel ripped off 😂😂😂!!

[@annstansel9971]

Yes! We need a good view of the living room, and pleeeeeeeease don’t cover the window with a tv!

[@gabrielleg.1347]

Came here to say this!

[@cjanney3592]

Yes, same! I thought it would be at the end. Maybe she didn’t think of it since it is a temporary upgrade, but still would be neat to see!

[@winnielou8206]

Yes, gimme that before & after!

[@amandafreeman4586]

You may be able to put insulation under that section of the house (in the crawlspace they stuff it up under the house and secure it there) so you would be able to keep the floors! Just an idea if you wanted to keep the floors but also have insulated floors 😊

[@pnhnut]

We are a big fan of spray foam under drafty floors here in the north east US. A really nice side effect was that the squeaking stopped too, lol.

[@theinfinitymachine9610]

I'd thought so too, those hardwood are lovely. I have the same yellow oak in my old home and the floor is not insulated. We did have a crawl space so it was possible to put insulation but it is the mid Atlantic so it's not that cold.

[@kaybee7860]

painting over the fake wood walls is SUCH a good idea, i would have never thought of that. it’s a quick and simple temporary solution that makes a huge impact. really good bang for your buck ratio 😂

[@dawnsfields]

I’ve moved SO many times in my life for my husband’s job. I plan a dinner party or house guest one month after I move in. Of course not everything is always done but it sure does motivate me to unpack, organize and decorate. I usually get more done in that first month than I get done the rest of the year!

[@ChannelCreator]

That’s a great hack. Having ADHD, I need some sort of external pressure and sense of urgency.

[@Alaskan7Redhead]

Thank you for starting off with the reminder that we shouldn’t have to stage our houses for our friends. It’s something I struggle with thinking it needs to look spotless whenever people come over. You are an inspiration in all the ways ❤

[@mundanemornings]

There is NOTHING like guest coming over to get your house in order!! I would love to see some full-shots of the before and after of the rooms you did! I know they are not done, but I feel like the "small" changes you made had a huge impact!

[@nancychestnut8928]

I just finished 95% of a to do list I started about 2 years ago. It was overwhelming at times but now I can breathe again! Most of it was stuff no one would notice but me. So glad it's done! And I feel happy for you too!

[@lorrainethomas241]

You're so right... we live in our homes with that 'silent to-do list' of smaller improvements that would make such a difference if only we'd just do them. I'm inspired.

[@vernieplummer5148]

My husband and I retired and sold our big house five years ago. When we had the big house, it was the meeting place for all sides of all of our families. We would have Fourth of July parties with 10 or 15 people staying with us for a week. When you mentioned the guest room drawer, it reminded me of something that I always did. I had a basket for each guest, and I would put toothbrushes and a towel and a washcloth and their own soap, and nice lotion, and all kinds of great things in those baskets. When the guests would arrive, each one would have a basket on their bed and they could take it with them to the bathroom and then bring it back and put it on their bed when they were done. It just made me feel so Martha Stewart.

[@calypso3850]

I'm so glad you got to get rid of all that gross/temporary flooring!!! And it sounds like you made HUGE strides in the overall vibe of the house with how you freshened up the living room and the bathroom. And those details, like the switch plates and the tape residue! This was such a satisfying video to watch, thanks for sharing!

[@AmandaF]

It just kind of shows that we should treat ourselves like guests ❤

[@puffmaggie]

i truly appreciate these little task videos you've been doing lately! while i'm sure not all of them are super easy stuff to get done it just shows how small things make such a difference - not everything needs to be a huge amazing transformation! that said... CANNOT wait to see the new bookshelves :P

[@jessi330]

This was great but seriously no living room tour with the after! I'm dying for it.

[@Ottersauce]

Your videos are one of the shining points of my KZbin videos. They are unique and I can definitely see your personality and charm in these videos. Thank you for the vid.

[@brackalack1]

Ariel and Leena? Perfection personified ❤️

[@karenholmes6565]

I love your thoughtfulness to your guests. I have been doing research on how to be a standout for guests with a bed and breakfast, and here are some other items that people often need that you can easily provide so they do not feel like they are asking you for stuff and they won't have to go to a store to get it themselves. A toothbrush, floss, a small sewing kit, safety pins, hair pins, a couple of unused rubber bands for hair, a small flashlight, a small basket with extra pillows and an extra blanket in case they get cold, alka seltzer, pepto bismol tablets, and band aids. In fact, a small first aid kit can be a real treasure when you are staying with other people so you don't have to trouble them for first aid stuff. I love your guest book. My cousin has a house in Yosemite that she lets everyone stay in and we always filled it out year to year when we would vacation there. We'd read other people's entries as well.

[@user-gd5ln2ov3n]

Love a good old fashioned deadline. Hopefully getting those tasks done now will make it so that you can enjoy some rest/ cozy time this winter.

[@brennagreenglasspeacock]

It’s funny how we can just come to live with certain things as they are but when you take a moment it can make a huge change! It’s also so funny what motivates us sometimes 😊 Kinda metaphorical really. Lovely changes Ariel❤

[@mandisamoonz]

agreed! big metaphors here, espesh because it was her dear friend that spurred the change ☺️

[@localbestie]

Ohhh, I've been having a really rough week and said to myself multiple times that a new Ariel Bissett reno video would be exactly the thing to lift my spirits! And here you are! Thank you!

[@adriana4animals]

Wow, have been binge-watching all the renovation videos for the past few days and now there's a new one! Yay 😍😍

[@marthab1875]

That guest drawer is so lovely and thoughtful! All these upgrades look amazing, and I can imagine they feel wonderful too

[@moda78z]

Hallelujah! God save the queen! May the force be with you! No carpet anywhere!! 🎉🎉🎉 You had a lot done!!

[@ArielBissett]

🥲🥲🥲

[@hellodayanaa]

I found your channel today, already binged watched your videos lol I love your content and love your personality much more! don’t let the stress of social media get to you. You are doing amazing! Keep up the great work at your own pace. ❤️

[@moda78z]

She’s so lovely 🥰

[@shayq5463]

Every time I watch one of your house videos, I immediately need to work on a project at my own house. You inspire me!

[@dylanainge2324]

Ariel and leena?! What an iconic duo ❤

[@pretentioussunshine]

Didn't know they were friends but as soon as Ariel mentioned it I was like yeah that makes so much sense

[@SarahcBee]

I screamed when I saw the screws on the little chair. I loooove the tiny furniture

[@rhondahoehne9143]

I love a good todo list especially when everything has been checked off. The living room and the bath look so much better. I think that most of us are guilty of putting stuff off and then when we finally do it… it’s like “ why the hell didn’t I do this sooner?”. I always look forward to when you have a new video up. I love me some renovations… even the small ones.

[@Mothman_In_a_T-Pose]

The more that's revealed in these renovations, the more questions I have for the previous owners. Wtaf were they thinking???

[@ArielBissett]

Thank you Birch Living for sponsoring! Click here birchliving.com/ariel to get 20% off your Birch mattress plus two free Eco-Rest pillows. 🍂 after spending a month doing projects for my lovely guests it’s been wonderful crashing into this plush new mattress every night 🥲 #birchliving #ad

[@ashannhow]

your birch living links are not working in this comment or in the caption :(

[@lancasterose]

I really wanted a proper before/after of the living room! Even the temporary changes make a huge difference, congrats on your progress :)

[@javabeanstudio]

I'm the same way with my house and guests! My husband always tells me to not stress out and that no one cares how our house looks, and I KNOW that, I just like the kick in the pants it gives me to actually get things done. I have friends over about once a month for a craft day just to keep me in line lmao.

[@thebookstamp9976]

My southern hospitality twitching at the idea of having someone over to a non staged house.

[@elizabethduplat5998]

IKR I haven't lived in the South since 2005, but it never leaves you...

[@lollypopliz4]

The story about the back bathroom was hilarious. I'm so happy for everyone who enters that bathroom that there is flooring. And only $150? To pay that in order to have flooring for the next 2ish years is worth it. I can't wait to see the other improvements with that space.

[@indemne3302]

I miss the full videos about the little detailed chances and small projects but still glad to have content

[@jcimlas210]

okay- that hall way is ridiculous 😭♥️ and twinsies! We have a birch mattress too- makes me feel like I “passed” 😂

[@seriouslyinsanediva]

I have a request. Could you take us out shopping to some local antique, second hand, and thrift shops in N. S.?

[@jameydupuy9280]

Re: having company stay so you are forced to get stuff done. When i first got married, my mothet in law suggested i host 2 events a year- spread out- at my house. She always did Christmas and fourth of July [American]. She said it forces her to severely deep clean, organize, and finish all projects. Best advice ever- that and always change your air filters the day the electric bill comes in! Just a reminder to do it once a month and you dont forget. 27 years later and i still do it. ❤ congratulations. I just found your channel and subscribed. My dream has always been to find an old house to fix up so i am vicariously enjoying watching you! Thank you.

[@MichelleB_96]

Oh my goodness, that sconce in the hallway….🥰! Beyond words.

[@jessannmarie1]

Oh my gosh I love the idea of a guest drawer! So cute ❤

[@celestemudrich5798]

Thank you for sharing a nice blend of trials and tribulations. I am renovating a 1965 house with it's own quirks. I am appreciative when you share struggles because oh my word it is it tough. So worth it but tough. I also love your use of color and creative solutions.

[@leahk9943]

This makes me think of how they say your house is never as clean as 10 minutes before guests show up. 😂❤

[@Justbeeadi]

Im so thrilled to watch this video! I’ve been sick all week, and consequentially binge watched pretty much the entire reno series😂

[@nicoleadel]

Thank you for blessing us with the kitty purrs while speaking about the living room ❤

[@liubovliubov]

The laminated floor boards you got are usually not water resistant and are not recommended to put in kitchens and bathrooms (at least my contractors advised against it). But it makes sense if your flooring is temporary. Great job on renovating!

[@jarcha4200]

Sounds like you had a great visit and are now enjoying the fruits of your labors. Jus a thought? You may want to consider hanging the television and moving that MCM console from in front of the window to up against the wall. The TV currently blocks all the light and looks rather odd there?

[@bimsdawns]

I love how genuinely ecstatic you became when you made the official announcement of there being no more carpet!!! HAHAA! So happy for you, Ariel! Best of luck with all the future home projects!!

[@PLM0721]

Lowes sells different sized switch plates. I have the exact same ones you purchased in my house. The green wall would benefit from a Large sized plate to cover the holes from the current one. 👍

[@originalseason]

But where was the final shot of the new living room? I thought I missed it but I went back and there wasn't any footage of the living room completed.

[@graceom6872]

I just realized that I’ve been watching these house videos from the VERY start. This progress is so beautiful.

[@loganberry30]

I've just marathoned all of your reno videos and am so impressed with the work you've done. The creativity and tenacity is so admirable, and you've absolutely retained and enhanced the historical feel of the house while still making it your own. Also, in complete awe of that tiny toad at 2:43

[@PaulaStueckendamm]

I can't believe your guest was Leena. This totally took me by surprise in the best way possible. Love both of your channels so much 💕

[@andreabenson2491]

Wow check off all those jobs - well done! I like the temporary fix in the living room👍👏😊🤸

[@everausten]

Congrats on getting all the carpets gone!! I love having friends over because it makes me deep clean! ✨

[@babs9495]

Love your style and love you content! Thank you for being such a light!

[@heidibarlow6687]

You didn’t show us the finished product(the living room) 😢 I love having guest for the exact same reason, just refreshing my space feels good! Thx for the video

[@harryathornton4463]

I absolutely love thesee types of reno videos, where you get a bunch of small tasks done. A brilliant shot of encouragement to get my own annoying, little things sorted, too!

[@Len--]

yayyyy, congrats on being the owner of an old-carpet-free home! 😂

[@malenejensen2995]

Guests is such a good motivation to get small (or big) necessary tasks done ✅👍

[@amiam8998]

It's the small upgrades and tidying up that sometimes makes the biggest difference. Congrats on having a proper floor on your bathroom, having a tarp as flooring for years sounds awful!

[@lindametcalf9169]

Nice work! My guest arrives next weekend. I am busy putting up blinds, doing some Xtra cleaning in the guest room and completing a list of "to dos" that I meant to get done all summer! Thanks for your motivation and to my guest for theirs! 😉

[@Nataliecj]

I love this series so much! I know absolutely nothing about home repairs/building so I’m so impressed by everything you do, and I love how your personality is so visible in your house - as it should be 💖

[@marciareagan2718]

There’s the saying company keeps you honest. How else would I think to clean the baseboards 🤣

[@cheskydivision]

Looking good. I’m sure the carpets were used to keep the house warm.

[@brendasnow8255]

Great work! Guests are a great incentive to fix the house up a little. I’ve been in mine a long time, but I do that, even if it’s just new area rugs and a plant or two.

[@Kayla-ib1ln]

By far one of the best videos recently. Absolutely loved it. Would liked to have seen the living room after putting it back together.

[@LaurenOliviArt]

Aww I wanted to see an “it’s finished” picture !!

[@tiffanybrantley23]

Nothing is prettier to me than painted panelling! And that wallpapered hallway is absolutely EVERYTHING!!

[@emilyhthompson]

Having guests is truly the best motivator for all those little projects you can't be bothered to do just for yourself. It turned out great! 🤍 I also love the blue toile sheet set in the bedroom. Those are the exact type I've been trying to find for my own home. Do you happen to have a link for them? Thanks!

[@ArielBissett]

I got them at urban outfitters a few years ago!!

[@bisma9899]

girl i love ur videos so much....i've been meaning to put wallpaper up and u might be giving me the motivation to do so! (also u have been GLOWING lately in ur videos! drop the routine!)

[@wirkaswirka]

Wow! These all were big projects deserving separate videos😄 I also make improvements or fix everything mostly before guests. Not because of the shame or to impress them, but I'm so concerned to make their stay comfy and easy. It's hard for me to make the mental shift and to realize that it's ME who lives here every day and that I also deserve living comfy and easy in my own house

[@josephinejo44]

Here I am, watching your video while I'm FINALLY deap cleaning my kitchen because the visit of my familiy tomorrow gave my the last push to finally do it not for them but for myself, but it's still nice when they get to see a clean kitchen😅

[@Scereyaha]

I'd be taking this opportunity to paint whatever I wanted on the walls, if I knew it was temporary, like painting a fire into the fireplace for fun, painting stuff on the wall and ect, under the understanding it would be coming down

[@lazygardens]

I stripped out the 1991 carpet from my 1870shouse and lived with the painted OSB subfloor for months. But it was smooth and could be kept clean.

[@reginasatchellkelly271]

I love that you use classical music as the background music. 🎉

[@NinaBobina3]

I absolutely love these task compilation videos!

[@debrabell2604]

It always feels good too get tasks done. It also makes you want to do more because in the end it is so satisfying. I was a bit of a shock that your chose white paint I love the colors you have used in the past. I understand you wanted to brighten the space just unexpected. You all did a great job getting it done everything looks wonderful! 😃

[@jenwylie4093]

Great job! Everything looks so much brighter and fresh!

[@lauramitchell6725]

Every year I take a ton of photos of the inside and the outside of my house as if I’m going to post it for sale on Zillow,then I pour over them with a critical eye,as if I’m shopping for a new house. Really helps me to see the bushes that need trimming,etc. Then I do it for me and any future company just gets a side benefit!🤭

[@quinnhen2325]

Just a suggestion. If you use a mattress pad it will keep your mattress protected and it’s washable. I always use a100% cotton pad.

[@user-wp5bp1mo6m]

The only time a KZbinr has literally made me laugh out loud “I can’t believe we had a tarp floor for 2 years” 😂😂😂

[@Brook.Gonzales]

I NEED to invite someone over at my house like this so that we get the random old house things done too! lol ADHD is quite the beast for me sometimes. Also can we all talk about what a game changer a can of paint is for a space?!

[@Erinnestatic]

It all looks amazing!!!

[@patriciacole8773]

I’ve often said, we need guests once a month so we don’t let things slide🤩

[@meh_im_a_sheep6018]

Your channel really taught me patience. You have so many things to tackle and i desperately wanna see it all done. See how you'll make it and how beautiful it all is. Literally the only thing in your entire house i didn't like all that much was the entry (all green. I'd prefer the floor and stairs to be wood). The rest is exactly my style.

[@ricardaseven6083]

omg so excited for you that all the carpets are out now!! very much looking forward to the full living room renovation, I'm sure you'll make it a wonderful cozy space

[@mplotusflower]

Congratulations on getting rid of the carpeting! I know how you feel. I have moved in to a townhouse last December and there is carpeting on the stairs and upstairs bedrooms. I absolutely dislike carpeting and love a hardwood floor! I cannot wait to get it updated!

[@Sinikettu]

I love that you show us how long the ads in the middle of the video are. Thank you!

[@mguilly]

omg, such a satisfying watch!!! Love all the details, and how you took us through the big and the little :)

[@Loifez]

I found your channel through Leena, so this is truely a full circle moment 🙆🏽‍♀️

[@merrimcarthur7198]

Such a satisfying yet hilarious video! YAY! NO MORE CARPET!!! All the little fixes done! The living room not looking terrifying anymore! (that orange was just ugh) No more tarp in the bathroom! And a nice little dresser for guests. You and your family accomplished a LOT. Guests can be soooooooooo useful. My place is really small and jam packed with useful/necessary stuff...BUT!...I do a similar thing by planning a party. Bringing in people equals getting crap DONE! Thank you for the reminder. (wanders off planning a party for next year) 😎🤓💖

[@SuzaGotye]

As usual, I truly enjoyed spending time with you x

[@sarawithoutanH]

the sconce in that hallway is gorgeous. I live for nothing more than your house videos