Learn to transform your room by styling what you have. The magic of pillows, drapes, a gallery wall and tablescapes.
There is nothing I love more than transforming a room with styling, and today I have an amazing before and after to share with you!
Melissa’s room had all the right basics, it just needed some magic to turn it from functional to fabulous.
Let’s take a look at the befores:
The room needed more art, a larger area rug and some styling magic.
There is something missing in the corner next to the TV, do you know what it is?
We also created some magic in the dining area.
New drapes are on the wishlist too. These ones are too short, not full enough and hung too low. It’s easy to underestimate the effect of great curtains on a room.
Here’s a sneak peek of our process! The only way to know how everything is going to work is to bring it all together. You can do this virtually too! Learn how to create mood boards for any room you’re working on here.
See how it all turned out in today’s video!
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It would be helpful if the subject window in the emails sent to her followers included the word ‘video’ so those of us not interested in the videos know not to get our hopes up.
In this case, it was quite a let down to see all the ‘before’ photos and realize no ‘after’ photos would be included. Thank you
I feel the same! I don’t like to watch the videos–I like before and after pics.
I agree. I rarely watch videos, here or on news websites. I can read faster than the video and I also don’t have the patience for advertising. In this case, I’m sure the ‘after’ was lovely, but I’ll just have to use my imagination. 😊
Thanks for your note! I’ll be sure to note that in future email subject lines so it’s clearer. Appreciate you being here!
Great video, as always!
One question: Did you remove the dining table overhead fixture? It doesn’t seem to appear in the “after” photos.
If so, what work was needed to fill the hole in the ceiling that wasn’t obvious — or that didn’t create the need for two tradespeople to seamlessly patch and paint?
I found her a new one that was not installed yet since she ordered it 2 days before I arrived. Maria
If I see another bland wall color and gray furniture I’m ready to scream
Whatever happened to having a colorful and happy vibes in your home that brings your personality out🤔
Haha, I hear you! The world is full of grey sofas—and that’s exactly why I do what I do. Most people are terrified of getting colour wrong, so my job is helping them take those first baby steps toward a happier, more colourful home. This makeover was about showing how you can start adding colour even when the sofa stays grey. Baby steps to bold choices! Hooray that! Thanks for your comment! Maria
The one thing Maria does that I find tacky is this thing of putting lamps…and a TV?!- in front of pictures! I could never relax in a room where that was done. If you have pictures, they should be fully visible. In this room, the ones that are obscured are the only really nice ones, which makes it even worse. Please rethink this. It isn’t working.
I disagree because the purpose of most decorative art is to contribute to the overall look and feel of a room. If your art is worthy of full display then by all means plan the room around it.
As much as I admire Maria’s skills and knowledge, I cringe when I see walls filled with artwork from HomeGoods type stores. We can’t all afford original art – I get that- but at least consider ordering pieces online that really fit the style or interests of the owners. I know it won’t arrive immediately- but it’s with the brief wait. Or find pictures you’ve taken and have printed at a place that does quality work.
Hi Joanne, thanks for your comment! Just a quick reminder that this was a one-day makeover that I did for free — the goal is to create as much transformation as possible in a single day, using what’s available or can be sourced locally and quickly.
Of course, thoughtfully curated or original art is always wonderful when time and budget allow. But for these makeovers, I focus on showing how much impact and warmth you can create right now — without waiting weeks or spending thousands.
And often, that’s exactly what helps homeowners start to see their spaces in a new light. Maria
Hi Jan, here’s a post I wrote about art in front of lamps that might help explain it better than I can do here: https://mariakillam.com/can-you-layer-lamps-in-front-of-your-artwork/ and I will never stop hanging art behind the TV it looks A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Thanks for your comment, Maria
Love the before and after videos and photos.
Thank you for teaching how to style a room with Home Goods and Homesense finds. I enjoying seeing you shopping in the store and putting the look together.
I think placing art around the TV is a great look. Some may not like it, and that’s ok. I appreciate learning and seeing how gallery walls can transform a space. More importantly, your makeovers are real people and their homes . The client’s already has furniture,
which dictates the color story. What you do is transform the space to create a look and feel based on the MK principles. LOVE the transformations!!
It’s amazing how you can transform a room so quickly. Although it’s not my style, I think it looks great!
Also, I like watching the videos, so please don’t stop. I however would love to see some more traditional decorating if possible. I realize that the you apply the same techniques regardless of style, but it would still be nice to see some other styles – do any clients ever reach out for traditional decorating? Thank You!
Hi Christy, I live in a part of Canada where we have very little access to affordable traditional furniture and very few vintage finds which is why you’re noticing this! Thanks for your comment! Maria
I Iike some of Maria’s makeovers but this one just has too much stuff.
Word of the day: “moment” lol.
Beautiful work, I love it.
The dining room sightline is perfect! Love it. The living room turned out so pretty too, except I would take down half the art. It’s making my eye jump all over the walls and harder to notice the lovely vignettes of furniture + decor in that half of the room. Easy fix though. Great improvements to the look and feel of the home for sure.
The eye needs a place to rest which is why there is only one in the dining room and one in the staircase wall. And when you are looking at two walls at the same time they should be treated as one wall. Thanks for your comment. Maria
YIKES. $5,000?
I wanted to like this makeover, but I don’t. It’s an improvement for sure, but overall—- meh.
Sorry Maria. The gallery wall is not right (dull, pedestrian art work). I’d like to see the gallery and the credenza walls colour -blocked in something current, like a dark green or cinnamon/pumpkin brown (then add similar decor pillows and a throw in those shades.. and not so many please. The DR needs an overhead fixture – something ‘woven’ for texture and place a woven basket at the back of the sofa with a few more throws spilling over the side . The room could use a tall, artificial plant between the two windows, under the mirror. Something wooden on the coffee table (a box for the tv controls) and a small stack of decor or art books. I’d move the picture from behind the tv (remove the the picture on the credenza wall & re-hang them one over the other- the bottom one should be lower and then hang the other one, no more than 3″ above it). My eye says the gold thing on the wall by the tv should also be moved or forgotten. Don’t hate me 🙂 Maria.. you’re sooo good at colour palettes & undertones
Thanks so much for your comment! The $5,000 budget included a sideboard, six upholstered dining chairs, a marble coffee table, an upholstered chair, plus all the art and accessories — so every dollar went into creating a complete, finished look.
And yes — anyone can refine or build on a space with more time and budget, but this was a one-day makeover completed in just six hours. My goal with these transformations is to show what’s possible in a single day with smart colour, styling, and sourcing.
It’s always fun to see how others would add their own touch — that’s the beauty of design! Thanks again for watching and sharing your ideas. Maria
“Moment” – I don’t think that word means what you think it means.
Yes if I could edit the video now I would, haha. Maria
The videos help explain the WHY something works or not. I like that advice and it has helped me re-do a room in my own colors. I love that Maria is helping people re-do all the depressing gray that’s around. I like to see regular people’s houses.
Of course nobody is gonna like everything, but I appreciate the FREE expert advice. You can’t deny Maria has an eye for color that most of us don’t.
Thanks Maisy, I appreciate your vote of confidence 🙂 Maria
Great transformation, and it’s amazing that you did it in one day!
Thanks for getting that Tamara 🙂 Maria
Dining room turned out fabulous, and I like everything in the living room except the art partially obscured by the TV. Not every wall needs to have a gallery on it. That TV is quite large, and there isn’t enough wall left to turn it into a gallery. It would have looked better with just the art on the sides.
Count me as another who would prefer photos instead of videos.
Thanks for this! It is exactly what I want to do behind my TV! I love that the grouping is asymmetric. I am going to look into taking scenic photos from trips or even from local landscapes and trying to mount them somehow. Thanks for the inspiration! Love!
I saw a high chair so I hope that chain on the coffee table is chewable!