ROOM MAKEOVER 2025 *on a budget* mountain cottage edition (& wolfdog DNA results!)

[@stevesundermeyer4139]

When I first started watching you and you invited me to feel less alone, I was skeptical. But now I know what you mean. It took a while, but I embrace what you are saying. I lost my wife of 38 years recently and getting used to life without her is going to take a long time, but know that beautiful souls like you help the journey. Thank-you!

[@REGRETLYSS1]

It’s comments like these that keep me going. It’s an honor to be a part of your journey, and for you to be along for mine. I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your wife. Sending you deep love from Colorado. You have friends in the mountains cheering you on. Thank you for this encouragement. ❤

[@truckingwithtobee]

@@stevesundermeyer4139 I'm so sorry for your loss💕

[@frankledesma8466]

I truly enjoy watching your videos, thank you. As for what color to paint the door, I like the blue that's in your profile picture.

[@tdhawk167]

So sorry for your loss. Lost my family, as well. Life w/o them has been challenging on good days

[@deastover898]

Sorry can’t even start to cover a loss as this. But knowing you have support will ease some of the pain. We are here for you and rooting for you. I lost my dad at 18 and had to take on the role of caregiver for my mom and brothers. My mom fell apart. I swore not to ever let myself live that deep to never get hurt that bad. I regret it. I have now l, at 46, realized that love is all we have. I now am learning how to love myself and others without fear. It is an honor to love someone who loves you back. I also thought that my dad was gone forever. But I know he is with me every second. I talk to him and he leaves me signs and answers all around me. I felt silly at first but now I do it without even thinking. Try it. Talk to her. And wait patiently for her response. It will come. You just have to believe it and be willing to accept it. Time doesn’t heal the pain but it does make it easier to heal a bit❤

[@stevensegan]

Here's an idea for your brick. Years ago I was in a relationship with a woman. I started fixing up her brick home from late 1800. Around the front window someone slopped white paint all over the brick while painting the window trim. I took a sample of the brick to my local paint store and had paint mixed to match he color of the brick. When i was finished no one could tell the brick had white paint smeared all over it. Good luck,really enjoy watching your show.

[@zolaburgess8344]

Love it.❤

[@radioactivebanana6774]

Yep. I would paint the bricks red to match the outside. Paint stores can really do a great mixing paint. Adds a great warmth to the room but white does help the plants. Very nice! Love your discussion on audacity!

[@truckingwithtobee]

I love how happy you have been since Ben came into your life! I have watched you for several years and this is the happiest I've ever seen you❤ SO HAPPY FOR YOU! Leave the switch cover gold!

[@seascape185]

Consistent whatever you choose

[@charoraimondogarcia]

Strip the door and stain it a rich wood colour! If you stain the shelves too, that will give the room a warm feeling

[@Krysb107]

Yes! I agree

[@Dovejep]

Stain the door to match the couch and the shelves too!

[@davidhorwood6741]

Absolutely yes!

[@stacysims8215]

Agreed!

[@jennifferhurlburt642]

100% agree with this fantastic idea!

[@tessjones5987]

Ben has Mad Skills. Plus kind and cool. He is so uniquely handsome.

[@MissSothePeacefulObserver]

Paint the door a similar color to the couch. Room looks great. Nice job.

[@kerrie7210]

Paint the door black to fill that wall and add beautiful brass hardware!

[@BigV96220]

I agree 👍

[@conniemitchell3245]

Agree

[@sherryacox65]

Black looks good with all the green plants! The door might be pretty in a cinnamon color

[@Sarah-xw2ff]

Paint your door a dusty sage green to compliment the plants and give a vintage feeling. The sunroom turned out excellent!

[@karissa586]

this

[@elizabritton4039]

Girl. Same. When I was 32 I moved from Northern Virginia to Souther Louisiana. Family and friends thought i was crazy. I had gotten a loan and a large Ryder truck with my car in tow with my 2 cats on the front seat with me. No gps. I lived there for 13 years. I dont regret it one bit. The world is a scary place right now. Its ok to have a safe happy bubble. I do that too.

[@shannone1830]

I absolutely love the black! Yrs ago my son begged and begged to paint his room black and I kept pushing back until one day I decided, heck it’s just paint and went for it. Turned out to be my fav room in the house. Love your style. Keep doing what brings you joy and ignore the haters. Maybe a rich burgundy for the door?

[@rhondamastropoalo2237]

Maybe stain the door and shelves a rich brown ,the plants will pop even more and will warm the space . The room looks good.😊

[@angelaodonnell4142]

Yes there is a lot of darkness in the world. It has been there all the time, we are seeing it for what it is right now. Seeing the darkness NOW we can see the LIGHT more clearly. Laughter, Joy, Compassion, Integrity, Music, Singing, Dancing, Creativity, brings so much Light into our lives. You are a Magnificent Bright Light Being right now. Move as you are moving as you bring so much to so many. ❤

[@crmouse64]

Would love to see a small heater or wood burning stove small one. I can just imagine going out there on chilly mornings or snowy days sitting with a mug watching it snow but being warm and toasty. Love the stained glass idea… you could have one of the dogs made or having your tag regretless. Love the plants. And the black too. Couch perfection.

[@karylm23]

Wood stove... Great idea!

[@jedcurry8560]

Well,...i was a little apprehensive about the black paint at first but you know,......it works so bloody well !! Lyss,..you've got such wonderful visions with things and it's always so so good to see you getting excited about your projects and the sheer happiness on your face once you've got it completed. It's a total joy watching your videos and also seeing you two working so well together. Rock on girl. Love and hugs to you, xo.

[@rickgrant5844]

I’m so glad that you have someone in your life Having been Alone my. Entire life now at 64 it’s not any better so happy for you guys It’s a lot more fun I think with someone at least it looks like it is Thank you to you and all the others here on KZbin who give me the opportunity to live vicariously through wall thank you

[@jillr759]

I’m starting my life alone at 64😮

[@Cre8sumthing]

The grass is always greener. Still, just grass. They say, better to have loved and lost, than never loved at all. Technically, true? But the loss is so much worse than anyone will tell you. Here's me trying to be supportive. Yeah, I'm bad at it. Anyway, just embrace the life you have. We all die alone. There's a price to be paid for the fun. At least we're in the woods.

[@thinkplanetearth2946]

You are wonderfully infectious. Ben is lucky to have you (and you him).

[@mariacasella6474]

I love the black ceiling and black brick especially with all be green plants and all the windows!!it’s beautiful

[@MelissaMalzahn]

Absolutely looks beautiful. Yes a stain glass window would look beautiful too. The sofa looks very soft.

[@ladeanlombardi8638]

Never would I ever thought to paint ceiling & brick black...but you hit it! It really looks awesome with all that plants!!! It looked like a cottage before but now with all the brick it looks like a brick cabin! So cute!!

[@SharonCullenArt]

I think natural wood for the door. It will. It will tie in the couch. Personally I would not have chose black, but hey it’s not my house!

[@striketochill]

Oooh, I would have left the ceiling wood and stained it a warm color. But it's your place so do whatever you want of course! You definitely need a colorful area rug in that room - some sort of Persian style one with rusts, sage green and navy would look gorgeous!

[@Rwtw1]

I loooooove the black. I would paint the door black too. If you could find a stained glass that is dark green/mustard color it would look so good. The plants in front of the black really pop. My toxic trait is I would color drench the whole room. Great job guys!

[@Cre8sumthing]

I see a red door and I want it painted black...your idea about the stained glass is 🔥. (And, at least, you are self aware about your "toxic trait" 😂)

[@SamanthaGuttman]

The black looks great. You did a beautiful job. I am so happy for you. Love all the plants.

[@gmle843]

I saw them painting the brick white and I thought, "Lyss no... don't paint brick!" and then I thought, "okay, don't panic... I basically never disagree with her design choices, have and open mind..." and THEN she said BLACK paint and I got excited. And THEN she said there would be "no beige or white in the room!" and balance was restored to my world again. Phew!

[@annapacatang5079]

Kenai looks like Siberian Husky to me. My guess is that's his most trait. #2 would be German Shepard, followed by Malamute Huskey. I see a trace of Gray Wolf, also, but he's a handsome boy!💙 Great work on your improvements to your selarium. I love all those plants. They add so much life to that room! Blessings to you and Ben, Ken, and Rio🙏🌺💖

[@nolalove8909]

He is a kind man and it’s so refreshing to see the way he treats you. You deserve it luv

[@suecorrigan1216]

I love the black wall, personally would have left the wood ceiling to match the plant shelves, which I love!! And all the plants... perfect!! Hope the stained glass works out, that sounds amazing!!

[@StephanieSmith-b4s]

I'd refinish the door and stain it to match the couch with brass knobs maybe a brass kick plate. The room is definitely turning out beautiful

[@susiekelley2286]

Looks amazing! I would strip the door back to the original wood. I think it would look really nice next to the couch and the black wall. I hope you find a stained glass window for the transom window, that will be stunning.

[@heavenlyvilla8681]

Love the black paint. The floor needs some dark wood planks and then a rug to go with the sofa. Some indoor heating and you can enjoy a nice winter day there too.

[@heathermachala7623]

I love how helpful Ben is!! Such a sweet man!! You both scored!!

[@jillr759]

Are they a couple now? Missed a lot. Seems like PDA is off limits.

[@racebanning6390]

An idea on the brick wall, is to try to match the Green and Brick of the outside . Bring that inside. Shouldnt be too hard to match a accurate red brick color of paint. 🤙🤙... jus an idea. Be blessed Alyssa🙏🙏💙 Its such a beautiful unique Old home.🇺🇸

[@cricketgoddess1978]

I totally agree with you that your life is extraordinary. It feels very rare that we as humans actually get to life the life we want or need. It is so heartwarming to see you living your life as you see fit and spreading the love and joy as you go. Thank you ❤

[@amylilleydesign]

EVERY PART IS THE EXCITING PART, your joy is so infectious🙏🏻😇🕊sweet blessings🌹

[@haileymartin2997]

Love how it’s coming along! I would paint the door a beautiful burgundy/maroon color! I think It would go so wonderfully with the leather couch and have a good balance of warm tones with the cool tones of the black brick/ceiling and green plants!

[@the_mum]

When I was a teenager, my mother was away for a few days. With my dad busy working I found some of his paint which was black and meant for painting the inside of truck beds. I painted half my bedroom black (and no doubt did a horrific job). My mother was furious and decided my punishment was to paint over the black with a quite small brush. What took me a day to paint originally ended up taking up several of my weekends. In my heart of hearts I still desire a black room :) Or...I would settle for a room like your library. (I love that room!) It is great to see Kenai fit right in with your family and big sis easy with him. We all know how big sisters can be. 😁

[@trailingarm63]

It's your house, so if you like it that's what's important. Personally, I think the black looks bloody awful but each to their own, we don't want plain vanilla everywhere. I like the couch. I like the high-level shelf too, but I'm not sure the plants on it will get enough light. Overall, I think your house is going to look fantastic and the dogs seem to like it. The wolf is beautiful and seems to be settling down.

[@nicothenatural]

I LOVE the black 😌

[@trailingarm63]

@nicothenatural It will look good on Halloween, you could decorate it with spray-cobweb and a nice skeleton.

[@AnBanan515]

Strip and stain the door or paint it a dark green🙌🏻 it’ll complement the room and also the stain glass one day. 🤩

[@lisalehwalderyogalifestyle]

LOVE IT! The black wall & ceiling looks amazing. Great job!

[@Meris_life]

It looks amazing. Paint door black to blend in with room, because stain glass will make it pop. Don’t forget the area rug! You have great taste

[@davidbladen5667]

Paint the door the same color as the couch. You have imagined a great transition for this room. Yay!

[@katebriggs9301]

Ok…I didn’t see how the black paint would work but I stand corrected! I love it! It gives the room a classy/cozy vibe! You have a great eye for detail! 😊

[@knightsatin]

Your enthusiasm and happiness shines from beginning to end and the transformation of that room is amazing. Think about painting the door in a colour that would match the settee. Look forward to seeing the update on Kenai 😊

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Good morning all happy Monday morning to all of you guys and I enjoy your channel and you all amazing supporter

[@jacquelineg3987]

I’ve followed your channel for two or three years now. I’ve really enjoyed your perspective on life. And I am happy for you. I like what you’re doing to your home and actually look forward to seeing you every week. That’s the gift of a KZbin Contant creator. You get a little family rooting for you!

[@colleenbalch328]

Alyssa, the only thing that matters is that YOU (and Ben) love the paint. Delighted you’re happy. ;)

[@henryschutze98]

I think a sage or hunter green would be pretty with all of your beautiful plants.

[@domwatts8314]

LOVE the black! Excellent choice! I would make the effort and bring that beautiful vintage door back to natural wood. The wood will echo the natural vibe with the plants and also the color and richness of the couch beside it. I would also think about placing some art (or better yet, pics of all you love) in some fancy Vintage gold frames on the black wall in a collage fashion, which will tie in with your switchplates. Very Boho/Natural vibes

[@markfrancis1316]

So happy you have Ben in your life. I've been a fan for a while and I can see you're very happy.

[@tomas5376]

Looks like a green or red door! I love the vibe of the room. It will be a great place to enjoy a good book! Waiting for a few hugs and cuddles!❤️

[@oliviakahlo1]

Aaaw the little girl doggo is so patient with her new sibling. I hope they have the best relationship going forward❤❤🐕🐕 All your hard work is astonishing and I LOVE seeing women step into new skills- and men secure enough to share them and support us as we learn. Your home is gorgeous. 💫

[@Skynyj]

Maybe strip the door and do a natural stain. I do like the black brick..though I would've left the ceiling the natural color so it added to more light for the plants.

[@mowilson5588]

Love your paint color, love your room! The ceiling turned out awesome and couch is super cute. Since you’re asking, I’d paint the door black and when the stained glass goes in, there is where you can have fun with pattern and maybe color too?! I’d paint the whole room……or maybe use a cool very organic”ish” patterned wallpaper with mushrooms or something with similar theme. I like the gold switch plates. I need simply plants for my daughter Sam. She lives plants but forgets to water them! 🥹☠️😆

[@kimpeasester]

I love the warm and cozy. I probably would've painted it medium green or terra cottage or dark beige.You have the warm color of the couch then the cold tone black wall. Black and brown combination isn't my favorite.. you and your help did an awesome job building the room. You've done an excellent job on the house so far. It looks great.

[@marshafranklin]

maybe paint the door black so it blends in with the wall. then the star can be the stained glass once you find it.

[@REGRETLYSS1]

This is a great idea

[@karylm23]

I agree, or make the door smoky glass eventually?

[@carolyncoulter4116]

Leather is great for dogs. That is who will use it most, so it won't smell dog paw like. The color is great. I bought a cherry red couch and 2 matching chairs . We had a large oriental rug, so the red was great. BUT, when I got it in the house I was like WHAT WAS I THINKING! But as I sat in the room I loved it. Not conventional, but great.

[@nancyheneghan4760]

My husband being a woodworker would have a heart attack over painting the ceiling and not staining it😄. Black is not my thing but with all the plants it makes the room.😊

[@deborahdawson2489]

Ben is such a cutie, I have to agree with the others. You Too look like soulmates. You work so well together and have so much respect for one another. And look how you've already added another member, another beautiful fur soul baby. I've been watching you for a while.I don't normally make comments. But you two just radiate beautiful vibes through this channel. I'm so happy when I see others happy and you seem so very happy compared to when you first started. You are an inspiration for people all over the world and even more so probably for the women/girls of this world. Please continue to be your true self as I know you will.Because it is definitely the best sides of ourselves when we can be vulnerable. Blessings to you and Ben both for the journey that you are on. 😊

[@kimlittle9683]

I love love the black paint on the ceiling, just not on the wall, but the door would be gorgeous if stripped down to the natural wood and then stained a dark walnut, and if you put the stained glass window in, now that would be stunning.

[@dinawhite5175]

I can not believe how beautiful your home looks imagine all that stunning classic brick underneath I’m so happy you brought it back to original style love it

[@arbousiersles7381]

Well done! So nicely painted... black is not my favourite color, but it's a perfect match. I love plants. And so happy Kenai is getting used to your place... your love makes him feel safe.

[@MannyWC]

Love the cognac colored couch! Door… a type of green that blends with the plants or cognac…🎉 The world is only getting better~ ❤

[@deborahdawson2489]

Like the couch color, it looks very vintage at the same time rustic. When you add your planters on your shelves, maybe some of the plant pots are in that same color, and then it will bring it all together in that room.

[@simonehickling5776]

Love the black ❤ Id paint the door black, to create a colour drenched wall. The stained glass window will look so stunning if you manage to find one. Well done to you both xxx

[@deastover898]

I knew!!! He has husky and shepherd written all over him ❤ as for the house, it looks amazeballs so far. I love the solarium. It is a dream ❤❤❤

[@GiselaRemsen]

I would not leave the other walks wide but a very warm color. The same for the door. A warm color that suggests coziness. But the black is really nice.

[@melindamarie6139]

Stunning!!! I am in love w interior design and i 100% approve!!! 😊 I would do the door either a hunter green to off set the plants or a dark smokey grey to blend w the black. Or stain them a warm, rich brown and maybe do ur trim and shelves in the same. Maybe even a fireplace 😉!! So excited to see the finished room! ✌🏼💚

[@deborahritchphotography]

Love the black. Paint the door a similar color to the couch. Love this room! Looks great ❤

[@shelleywalker6225]

Great video. The length of your videos allows for you to complete each project while also talking about less tangible parts of your life. Love your family.

[@scott-ft4in]

yup, the color looks great. I wouldn't have and would have missed out on how good it looks. The windows bring lots of light. Sofa matches perfectly.

[@InsideouttrainingWB]

Paint the door, French blue and get a beautiful glass door knob. That would be gorgeous in that space.

[@pw3985]

Reo loves the couch😂 Love the room! The plants and all of you will enjoy it!!!

[@fresnokidsr]

Love the solarium. It has just enough plants. I actually like the white door maybe you should just give it a fresh coat of paint. I gotta say the Sheppard part of Kenai surprised me but i was guessing the other two besides the wolf part. Thank you Lyss for sharing this video with us. May yall have a good one. Have fun take care

[@MightyManifestors]

The main wall in my living room is black too and everyone loves it! Great color choice! Love the plants! You and Ben are adorable adorable!

[@dianadaughterofthemosthigh2610]

I'm loving how the room turned out. I'd paint the door black as well. Thanks for taking us along for the journey!!! 🖤⚘🐾🏠🐾

[@TheTentHippie]

it looks amazing I love the black and the white so much it is awesome I love how the couch looks as well keni is a beautiful dog so happy he has found a home.

[@hunkerdown]

20:07 ✨ I love the gold plates. Love the cognac leather couch (gorgeous). Hmmmm, paint on the door…I see a nice deep moss green, kind of like the color of your sweater in the beginning of this video…but, I can’t see the tile…yet 😅 I love the feel of the solarium. Funny, I want my master room like that…with all the plants around. That soup looks & sounds delish 🤤 I have made a pumpkin soup like that…you bake it all together, then puree it & add cream. So easy. So good. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work with us 🙏✨🫶

[@onanadventure151]

Love it. And love the message today. Try painting the door the same soft green as in the leaves of the plants. I vote that the light switches need to be black within the gold frame.

[@girdygolden7041]

The whole room looks amazing!! The black ❤! The plants POP against the color.

[@phoenixx4574]

Wow, I admit to being a little hesitant about the black color choice, but then I realized it would look amazing against the green of the plants. That couch is so pretty and is such a great color match to everything else. Very strong choices which match the choices you made in your study. Looks really pretty, Alyssa.❤

[@robync7358]

Love the black paint. I’d paint ALL the walls black with a rich wood coloured door. Stay brave

[@marychavez4552]

Love the black wall, and ceiling ❤ plants look good on the shelves and they beautiful.

[@nancysc]

The room looks awesome. Not sure what you are planning for the floor, but I think a colorful rug would add a lot of interest and playfulness. You could add some complimentary pillows on the couch and maybe pull a colorful rug from the rug for the door. Just have fun with it and make it yours. Lots of great feedback to consider, b

[@allisononeill5265]

Awww, love the black on the walls & ceiling, I feel like if you painted the window trim on that wall and door the same colour as the couch it would bring some more warmth into the room. Stained glass above the door would look so pretty! Love how the room is turning out! ❤

[@tashabenson8027]

1st of all LOVE LOVE LOVE the patio room 💚💚💚 Suggestion for the door, paint it green to bring out the plant colors more. Plus dark green and black next to each other is super elegant. Can't wait for more updates on the house and Keani (did i spell it right?)!

[@dkFoster-p4d]

Thank you for the love and kindness you spread ..

[@colleenbalch328]

PS, thoughts on the door? A strong contrast is a lovely thing. I've been eyeing the colors of the pots on the kitchen windowsill. You and I have really different aesthetics so I'd trust you to pick the one you like. If it were me, I'd go a color one step off the couch in either direction on the color wheel and look for a colorful plant container to match it for the windowsill (ie a fraction of a step more RED than the couch OR a fraction step more YELLOW than the couch since the couch is a tonal variation of orange). Anyway, I'll look forward to seeing what you gravitate to. And PPS, the cognac of the couch is gorgeous, I think you did a GREAT job.

[@artistsmeetfilm6491]

Id paint door black and trim everything else out in white, use a gold hardware with maybe a jeweled knob, then paint the plant shelves in color similar to the couch.

[@marykaren7542]

I love the black and the couch! The plants are perfect.

[@rebeccatruman9148]

For a room, you usually want a minimum of three colors and a maximum of five. Painting or staining the door And other wood The same color as the couch would look wonderful.

[@richardbeee]

When i was in my teens, my mom got a Siberian husky,wolf mix from Alaska. We bred and raised them and actually sold the pups to the police depts in the state. Nice job on the room.

[@erink4685]

Blaaaaaack! Yes! Black makes green plants and outside nature, as well as beautiful lamps or artwork or objects, look amazing! I painted the tin sheds of my first house black. Then my second house I painted the whole front back and the front internal sun room which is really similar to your solarium! It looked fantastic too, like yours, with the green plants , timber antiques, and green ikea curtains. Now my third house I’m painted the entire thing deep red wine colour with black trim. Everyone always thinks I’m crazy until They see the vision with my plants and landscaping and then they realise it looks incredible! I’m in Australia so I plant my gardens with Australian native plants and their burnt organic olive tones and the red brown natural gravel of the pathways look so good against the black on timber weatherboards. The heat isn’t an issue because the walls are insulated :) and the boards expand and contract a bit but you just touch up any bits that appear and you never have to do it again. I LOVE what you’ve done! I did my front door of my second house with the black from cherry pink red! It looked awesome. Any colour will look so good!

[@markfrancis1316]

Love the black and the plants. Paint the door white and go with black on the outlets

[@donnam4612]

I was skeptical about the black, but it looks FAB!!!! A nice addition would be a nice colorful big rug

[@ofthenearfuture]

The black looks awesome! Especially with the gold accents, brown couch, green plants, white, etc., it's such a cool vibe. And it adds a lot of texture to the brick which I like. For the door, I think you could paint it the same green as your house trim and keep it cohesive, or do something like a burgundy or navy... or heck even metallic gold haha why not

[@DonnasWonderland]

Not a fan of the black brick myself but I do Think it’s looking great with the plants I’d say go for black switches too it would just elevated it a bit and make more of a feature of those beautiful switch covers. The Ceiling looks beautifully smooth. ❤ glad you’re loving your space after all it’s yours so your happiness is what matters most ❤ that soup looked amazing

[@reneecloyd6114]

Depending on if you add more furniture I'd match the couch color for the door. Or the color of other furniture. It ties the furniture to the room and it's an easy makeover if you change furniture later.

[@michaelamaestas4950]

A Dark Red Door , I love the black

[@patriciag.6395]

Ar first, my thought was wth. But I like the black. I would use "Retique It wood Technology" for the door. Whatever wood color used for the door, use the stain to match the plant shelf. The contrast of the black, leather couch, tole, and wood is going to look absolutely amazing.

[@mitzithomas8346]

I love it all ....I love that you are so happy with Ben and the fur babies....Looking forward to next week's video !!!