The living room.
The heart of our home.
One of my biggest, most challenging projects to date.
The room I’ve been the most excited about.
It’s finally ready for us all to enjoy and getting to this point has made it all worth it.
Where We Started
This is where we started when we bought the house. The fireplace and built-ins were center to the room including the hallway and not the living room itself which made it really difficult to design around. I knew I wanted to center the fireplace in the actual living room (minus the hallway) but initially that seemed like too big of a job.
I sat on this decision for a bit – should I hire it out? Should I just go for it? In the end, I knew I had to try. It wasn’t without a lot of bumps along the way and a TON of late nights and early mornings before kids needed my attention, but I DID IT!
Ready to see the reveal photos that make my heart sing?



The Monarch Revival Living Room






We hired someone to help me dig out the hearth, but after that, it was all Craig and I! This room is a culmination of all the tutorials I’ve put together over the last few weeks!
- How To Hang Drapes That Look Custom
- DIY Panel Moulding Tutorial
- All About Our Frame TV (and gold frame!)
- 9 Stunning Chandeliers For Your Space
How We Transformed Our Living Room
- First, we removed the built-ins and the hearth
- Removed the tray ceilings from the entire room
- Framed in the new fireplace so it was center to the wall
- Moved the electrical to accommodate new lighting and the frame TV
- Install drywall over the new fireplace to rebuild the wall around it
- Then it was time mud over the drywall to create a paintable surface
- Re-install the mantle that was a part of the existing built-ins
- Trim! Trim! Trim! I installed several layers of trim all over the room! Tutorial linked here.
- Remember when we tore out the hearth? The floor needed to be patched, repaired, and stained to match the existing floor. I installed a herringbone pattern with solid wood floors!
- Once all of the trim was installed, I painted the entire room
- To finalize the trim, I added gold gilding on throughout the room
- Time for furnish! We added new drapes, installed all of the furniture, and put the final details with decor

MONARCH REVIVAL LIVING ROOM SOURCES
- Sofa
- Sectional – custom through this shop!
- Coffee Table – custom through this shop! You can use the code MALLORY for 10% off!
- Rug
- Louis Vuitton Coffee Table Book
- The Beauty of Home Book
- Chanel Book
- Marble Statue
- Faux Fur Pillows – HomeGoods
- Candle Snuffer – Similar linked here
- Drapes
- Chandelier
- Olive Tree
- Frame TV
- Gold Frame for TV
- Wall Sconce
Update: We Got A New Couch!
It has been YEARS since I updated the Monarch Revival Living Room and to be frank, it’s for good reason. I absolutely love every part of this living room design-wise. I look around and see countless memories in this space. That being said, we needed a new couch.


White couches are a tough no matter what kind you order. Even though we went for machine washable covers, 5 boys make stains that sometimes just cannot come out. I’ve been loving materials that look a little more luxe, so I went for something completely opposite of white – brown velvet.
The added color, even though it’s a neutral, adds way more depth to the space. I just love the shape of it as well! I wanted a classic couch, but really deep so we can just snuggle into it. Overall, I love the addition, but think it’s going to be the last change in the living room for a while. This space just makes my heart sing, so why would I mess with it!
It’s beautiful! I’ve learned so much just watching you thru this progression. Even though my home is much smaller the same ideas will work! Just excellent! Can’t wait to see what you do next!
You’re the sweetest. Thank you!
LOVE IT! Is your ceiling medallion linkable?
Yes! Ceiling Medallion: https://rstyle.me/+Pz6g4tJa71K5gi9_JLhp2Q
It is all so lovely. I admire you. It’s like you have a one room school house. So proud of you. So glad to hear you have some help. Enjoy your children this is such a special time for your family. Our happiest time were when our children were young and at home. Now grandchildren what a blessing
Well thank you so much for the kind and moving words. It means so much! This is such great insight.
Simply stunning! What colors did you use to achieve this look?
You’re such an inspiration and I’ve got some projects going that are inspired by your choices! Just wondering what your coffee table dimensions are, because the one listed on the Etsy site is small. Will that company make a custom size? Thank you in advance for your answer!
Yes, I believe they will! I would send them a message! They were great to work with.
Such a beautiful masterpiece; your home! Can you link the crown moldings?