A Living Room Lift for $539
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After: Modern Take on Period Charm
After: Modern Take on Period Charm
Even well-preserved period charm requires tweaking—and a little elbow grease—to bring it into the 21st century. Newlyweds Katherine and Conan Fugit found a lot to like in the living room of their 1917 house, in Wichita, Kansas.
Shown: DIY built-ins complement the original windows, and clean-lined furniture brightens the space.
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Before: Well-Preserved Eyesore
Before: Well-Preserved Eyesore
But along with the original diamond-pane windows, iron ceiling fixture, and hardwood floor came an unappealing color scheme—mauve walls with clashing golden-oak trim—and eyesores, like a prominent window air conditioner and two hulking radiators that no longer worked.
Shown: Mauve walls and an unsightly air conditioner made the room feel unkempt and dated.
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Back Where It Belongs
Back Where It Belongs
Luckily, they were able to pull out that air conditioner and put the missing window back in its rightful place, as it had been stored in the basement. The couple removed the bulky radiators as well. (A forced-air system went in as part of a whole-house redo.)
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The Project Tally (Cont.)
The Project Tally (Cont.)
Found a thrift-store coffee table and refinished it with stripper, stain, and teak oil. $26
Painted the walls and trim white for a clean, fresh look. $82
Spray-painted the original light fixture in a color called Oil Rubbed Bronze. $7
Total $539