'I'm doing something I’ve never done before, we’re going on a journey together,' is how designer Amber Lewis starts her Instagram video. 'We are standing in an after. That’s right, not a before, you’re in an after. I’m going to walk around and tell you what I did and why.'
We all love a before and after and this one does not disappoint. Amber, founder of Amber Interiors, is known for her chic, modern, organic, a little bit rustic style – it's a design style everyone wants, and she nails it time and time again.
So actually being able to see her walk through a step-by-step process of how she got to her end result is a lesson we should all pay attention to. Here she shares exactly how she took a drab and dreary living room and turned it into a light-filled, sophisticated, yet welcoming space.
Changing a room's structure can sometimes be the best choice for overall improvement. The height of a space can drastically alter its appearance, so Amber increases this by moving up the ceiling in the living room. The result is a bigger room that allows plenty of light to flood in.
Amber explains, 'First things first, you’ll notice I’m in a much larger room than I started with. When I first got my hands on it, it was very low, cold, and kind of dreary in here so we popped this (the ceiling) up.'
Another structural change that Amber makes is the beams. 'Another thing we did was add these beams, they’re so stunning, they’re so gorgeous, they were structural so we had to sort of use what we were working with and clad them.' Amber explains that whilst this feature was always in the house, she enhanced them by cladding a new type of wood around the structure.
Amber continues, 'I was blessed with the original wood fireplace, however, it was really low and not really doing anything so we added this amazing mantel shape.' Okay, this step isn't quite as easy if you don't already have a fireplace in your home. However, even if your living room doesn't have an original hearth, you can purchase a fireplace and add it in (with some hands-on help of course).
Amber's contemporary fireplace has been created by building an extended mantle over the front and finished with plaster and white paint. The result is a combination of modernity and coziness, as she has kept the traditional element of the space and added a fresh twist.
Sadly, we aren't all blessed with a living room that comes with a built-in home bar, but Amber's hidden door trick is handy when transitioning any two spaces together.
Talking us through, she explains 'There was an original bar behind here but how are you going to get to it? Well, folks, you put in a hidden door.' Amber brings the bar into the living room with the help of concealed double doors that seamlessly blend into the wall. 'I just thought it was fun and cute and a cool way to be like "bartender, hand me another", she adds.
'Windows and doors are something we changed throughout the entire house.' Continues Amber, sliding the doors open and showing how they act as a transition between the interior and exterior of the house. 'We added floor-to-ceiling doors that completely open and pocket so this whole space becomes part of your outside.'
This is a great step if you're looking to bring light and serenity to your living room without making any large structural changes. They bring both a modern and open-plan feel while giving you a full view of your backyard. Remember that sliding doors can also be used for internal walls, acting as an in-between that both connect and divide.
Shop the Look
Fear not if you've got major furniture envy, you can buy Amber's living room pieces via her website and recreate that laid-back, modern feel.
Armchairs are a living room staple. This Jude Armchair is available in multiple colors and fabrics, making it a versatile piece for any style of room.
