Design Alchemy

It’s hard to explain to someone who’s never experienced it just how transformative a room makeover can be especially when it’s done using what you already own. Suddenly, you’re standing in a space filled with things you love, pieces that reflect who you are but now it feels finished, and elevated. A quick shift here, a slight movement there; and let’s try the chair from the bedroom in this corner. What if we swap the lamp and clear that cluttered shelf? This kind of makeover isn’t about buying more; it’s about seeing clearly. It helps you focus on what the room truly needs, and what it’s been subtly missing. Finally, with just a few specific additions, a mirror, a plant, a pop of color, suddenly the space clicks into place. That’s when the real magic happens. That’s when the process becomes alchemy. Let’s peek into the living room of a Gardenia model to see how a few shifty changes created true magic somewhere in the heart of The Villages.

  •  Paint
The homeowner was ready to repaint but had a deep love of color. In the original space, a lime green accent wall stood alongside creamy yellow side walls, with fabric cornices in shades of blue and green. She adored green but wanted to shift toward blue as the dominant wall color. We chose Windowpane 6210 for the main area of the home. This soft, light blue carries a subtle green undertone and feels almost like air in the space. It complemented everything the homeowner already owned, creating a cohesive backdrop. Since the green-blue cornice boards were staying, we began using green as an accent throughout the room, in artwork, accessories, and décor. The result was a fresh, balanced palette that honored her love of color while bringing a sense of calm and clarity to the space.

  •  Group artwork
The homeowner was a serious and gifted artist with a remarkable collection of her own work. Many of her pieces had been tucked away in a closet because she worried that displaying them in groupings might feel overwhelming. In the living room, much of the wall space had been given over to ornate metalwork intended to complement the art, but in practice, it competed with it and distracted from the beauty of her paintings. We began by selecting pieces that naturally complemented each other and created small gallery groupings throughout the space. The process was time-consuming, like assembling a puzzle. Each piece had to be moved, tested, and repositioned until the layout revealed itself. Over time, it became clear which works belonged together to create the strongest visual impact. Every piece in the room was painted by the homeowner, and she was thrilled to see how what she had feared might be too much actually brought a sense of calm and cohesion. The space felt elevated, personal, and complete as well as a reflection of her.

  •  Flip chairs
The room originally had three blue recliners which was a comfortable setup, but it needed a change. Out on the lanai, we discovered a hidden gem: a vintage high-back wicker recliner just waiting to shine. We brought it inside and placed it next to the TV stand, and the effect was immediate.
The white wicker added texture and contrast, while the navy-blue cushions echoed the existing palette in a more dynamic way than the trio of matching recliners. The color now moved through the room with purpose, and the space felt more layered, more alive.

  •  New rug
Every decorator has a stash; it’s part of the lifestyle. We’re creatives, always tucking things away for a rainy day. And sometimes, that day arrives right on cue.
I had a stunning 9×12 rug in storage, just waiting for its moment. I was only weeks away from using it at my mom’s house when, just in the nick of time, it found its forever home. The bold punch of blue instantly grounded the space, while the large white pattern echoed the room’s existing white accents. It was the missing piece that had been with me all along.

  •  New lamps
Good lamps in a space are an imperative! Through the years in so many of my room makeovers we always need new lamps because the old lamps are usually underwhelming. Once again, my stash came to the rescue, I had tucked away one last pair of green pineapple lamps, and they were spectacular. What was the accent color in the room? Green! We placed the “I would have never picked those!” lamps in just the right spot, and like a perfect pair of earrings pulling an outfit together, something clicked. Magic happened and room was complete.

  •  Selling Short
So often, homeowners look at the things they’ve owned for years through a cloudy lens. They’ve lived with it so long, the sofa that never quite fit, the lamp that’s always felt off, that they assume the only fix is to start over. But more often than not, the solution isn’t a full reset. You already have most of what you need. It just takes a fresh perspective. Flip the script. Rearrange the room. Shake up the space. You might be surprised by how much magic was hiding in plain sight.
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Before and After Pics Below