How to Create a Rustic Modern Living Room with high ceilings
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Today I am finally sharing our living room since we renovated the fireplace and added the new rustic beam mantel. I wanted to show you how to create a rustic modern living room with high ceilings as it took me weeks to figure out how to style it. I have never had such an open space with incredibly high ceilings to style before so it was a challenge.
Keep reading I am going to share an update on my grandfather too at the end of the post. Even though he is still with us, I really miss my old gramp.
Here is the living room before.
This was a joint project with Homegoods and Homesense! For those of you who are not familiar with Homesense, they are are the sister store to Homegoods and are known for their large furniture pieces, lighting and rugs all while offering the same affordable prices as Homegoods. This was such a fun project!!
Mantel Mirror | Chair | Mantel and Hearth accessories – Homegoods | Similar Accent Chair
One of the biggest challenges was figuring out how to create warmth in such a large space. I decided to go with a neutral wall color (Westhighland by Sherwin Williams), a neutral rug with basic brown, white and gray tones and mix in a collection of wood tones and greenery.
Rug | Coffee Table – HomeSense
Fireplace Candle Holders | Coffee Table basket Tray | Faux tree – HomeGoods
How to Create a Rustic Modern Living Room with 50 foot ceilings
Removing the old granite mantel was by far, the game changer in the space. The chocolate brown stained beam, that is a 100 years old by the way, add the amount of warmth needed to create a cozy space around the fireplace.
Another challenge that caused me a little anxiety was the windows. The ceilings are 50 feet high and while I didn’t want to cover the windows, I felt like they needed drapes. I started with the two smaller long windows on either side of the fireplace and then moved to the larger windows on the other side of the room.
The 40′ high window overlooking the backyard literally dumb founded me for weeks. I couldn’t figure out if I wanted drapes or not. In the end, I decided to try them regardless so I could see the difference with and without. Needless to say, the drapes are now a permanent fixture and the room looks so much better with them.
blue + brown + geometric pillows + throws – Homegoods
Shop This Room (click images below)
I am learning to love the stained wood trim and the wrought iron stair balusters. At first, I wasn’t loving them when we moved in but I have to be honest, they are growing on me! I read an article about a month ago and how stained trim is making a comeback. Now wouldn’t that be something!
Updated April 2019, my grandfather passed away.
Before I sign off, I wanted to give you all an update on my grandfather. I haven’t shared much because honestly, he has failed a lot this year and it’s hard to write about him. He is not mobile at all anymore and can’t even get out of bed or his special chair without a lift. His brain is so mixed up that he most of the time, is living in the past and often times, confuses his family members with family members from the past.
The other day, he looked right at me and asked, “where did Jessie go?” He was talking about me “to” me which was so strange. I must say though, he is still in there as I get his funny side often and his silly sense of humor. Just when I think he is lost forever, he comes out with the funniest remarks that remind me, he is still around ;).
This was a task indeed, this room. How to Create a Rustic Modern Living Room with 50 foot ceilings caused me several idea changes and a lot of shifting furniture and decor around. -ha. The TV is coming back to the room this week as football season is here! I think I am going to move the mirror into the dining room (that is the current project we have going on) and will see how the TV looks above the mantel.
I am not loving the idea of the tv above the mantel but am willing to try it , to keep the peace with the husband ;).
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Homegoods and Homesense. All opinions and words are 100% my own. You can find more of this space on the Design Happy blog!
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
Beautifully done!
Thank you!!
You did an amazing job! I can’t get over just how cozy and inviting it looks. I think the television above the mantel will be fine because you can see the fire and have the TV on at the same time and get double the pleasure. You have to give in to the men sometime, just enough to keep them happy, lol. TFS
Thanks Jaunita!!! haha yes, men they are a pain sometimes ????
Very nice,love watching things come together so nicely and have the courage to try different things
Thank you Diana!!
Dearest Jess,
Can’t tell you how much you were missed. The last post I saw was the one featuring your new office space. So last night at (4 am), I began thinking about you and yours. My thoughts ran from wondering about how the barn turned out and then to the building to house the equipment for your pool. My next thought centered about the pool area and its landscaping; and if indeed you got to enjoy the pool this season. Next, I wondered about your grandfather. (My husband asks me every week if there has been any posts from you and especially, if you messaged info about your grandpa.)
So glad to hear a bit about your son and your step-daughters as they too are often in my thoughts. In case you are still wondering if your post gives joy to your followers, I’m here to say a resounding YES!
Blessing to you and yours.
This has to be the nicest comment ever! Thank you so much for your kind words and I apologize for being MIA! It’s been the craziest summer ever. Between trying to do all the new landscape (never mind keep up with it) and building the new pool shed, it’s been a whirl wind! -ha. I haven’t had much extra time 🙂 I am glad we were missed! 🙂 I tend to share daily over on instagram (stories). Do you have an instagram account? A lot of my personal FAcebook page is public too so you can find me there @ Jessica LaRock Bruno and Four Generations One Roof 😉
You are the most talented hard working woman with so much energy. I hope your son is doing well in middle school. Thank you for the update on “gramps”. He is blessed to have you as a granddaughter. Hang on to the memories that you have w him. I love your pics of your home and seeing everything that you do.
Thank you so much Beth!! I appreciate your sweet words ❤️
I LOVE this room and that mantel is everything!!!! I can attest to the coziness of this room… I want to wrap myself in a blanket and watch the snow from those gorgeous windows!!!
Thank you Maura!!!! 🙂
Thank you Maura!! Hope all is well in Cali
Oh wow! That room turned out so beautiful! It’s still nice and bright and the colors you choose for the walls and furniture definitely make the room warm and inviting. It looks like a great place to sit around and chat. Thanks for the update about your Grandfather. I’ve been wondering how he’s been doing. I’ve mentioned to you before about a teacher that I know who is going through the same thing with her mom. When her mom talked to her, about herself, she would just go with and talk about herself like she was another person too. She said it was hard, but seems like the easiest thing to do for her mom.
Thank you ! Yes, it is the strangest visits sometimes with him. I often wish he would just pass in his sleep peacefully. That sounds so sad to say and I will be heart broken when it happens but the way he is living, is just so wrong :(. Thank you for sharing about your teacher friend. It’s always comforting to hear others stories too ;).
Room looks very cozy and inviting.
Thank you!
Thank you Sue!
Looks amazing Jess!!! And that seemed fast! I hear you on the stained trim. We have the opposite problem where we have low ceilings so the darker trim made it seem too busy and cramped. Although I too sorta slowly warmed up to it I’m finally getting my way and painting it white and it has opened things up drastically. I think it works in your home with the high ceilings, and if it’s making a comeback then that’s awesome. Love the mantel, makes me want cozy up to a fall fire there! Well done!
Yes, stained trim can definitely make a space smaller so you are right to paint it if you want an open look. That is great you are tackling that project!!! I am sure it’s daunting but you will see a big difference 🙂
Well you did it! You made that huge space into a place I wouldn’t mind sitting and drinking a hot cup of tea.
Like Brenda I had wondered about your Grandfather. I am know it is difficult to witness and then write about in your blog.
Prayers for you and your family.
jessica, you achieved your goal of creating a beautiful modern rustic space…with or without the tv. always praying for your gramps …and you.
Thank you Laura!! I hope you are doing well 😉
To make the TV over the fireplace a little easier to tolerate 😉 there is a mount called “mantle mount”. You can easily move the TV to a lower position for viewing. And it also telescopes and swivels.
Oh nice!! I will check it out 🙂
Such a cozy & beautiful room! Can you tell me which sectional that is or where you purchased it?
Hi, thank you !! The sectional is on the wayfair site http://bit.ly/2pdRVei (this is my affiliate link) 😉
First, I love your home and your decorating style! Second, continued prayers for your dear grandfather. You are amazing for keeping him with you at home as long as you can. Lastly, one question, where did you find the drapes? I hate heavy drapes and love letting the outdoors in wherever possible. Thanks for your blog! Happy holidays to you and your family!
Thank you Sherry!!! THe drapes are from Crate and Barrel ! We have the 108″ length. Here is my affiliate link http://bit.ly/2QBHfSC to the drapes!!! I love them as they are sheer but have a linen texture so they add great visual interest to a room without being heavy and hard looking 😉
I just found your blog again, and love your new living room! I think one of the last posts I had seen previously was about your grandfather. My dad had dementia, and I know it’s a difficult journey for everyone. Sending you a virtual hug.
Hi, thank you! Sorry to hear you went through this with your dad. It’s a horrible disease.
Hi there: I love your fireplace and the mixture of stones used to construct it. Do you know if it’s veneer or real stones? If it’s ‘cultured stone’ could you plse let me know the brand and colour. We’re about to do our fireplace cottage and yours is the nicest I’ve seen. Thanks!
Robyn
Hi they are real stones and were here when we bought the house so I’m not sure on the name.