Easy weekend living room makeover on Shine

<img alt="Hallie Burton" title="Hallie Burton" src="http://img.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/May06/0506_one_easy_makeover_05.jpg" align="left" width="180" height="240">When it comes to freshening up your living room, a little time, effort, and money can go a long way. Discover quick tricks to upgrade your decor in a flash Before: The Room When Patti and Todd Bender decided to leave San Francisco to make room for their daughter, Grace, 2 1/2, they weren't looking for a modern house. On the contrary, the couple loved their city apartment's classic crown moldings and period detailing. Yet they couldn't help falling for a mod 1950s tract house north of San Francisco. Floor-to-ceiling windows and knockout views helped bring about the change of heart. "It really felt like California living," says Patti, 41, a marketing executive. When it came time to decorate, though, Patti and Todd were at a loss. Their first stop? Modernist mecca Design Within Reach. "We were looking for comfortable designs with a modern look," explains Todd, 41, a sales executive. They came back with a leather couch and a sleek armchair, hoping the pieces would update their pine furniture basics. Instead, they just made the room look hodgepodge. "We had no idea how to pull it all together," admits Patti. Or how to give it personality: White and beige ruled the roost. But with Real Simple's direction, the Benders were able to solidify their style, use the furniture they had, and transform their living room from blah to beautiful in a single weekend. And with the tips, tricks, and timeline on the following pages, so can you. See <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1178099-1041358,00.html?xid=yshilivro1">The Timeless Living Room</a> at Real Simple. The Challenges Patti and Todd's living room has good light and space to spare -- but a boring color scheme, mismatched furnishings, and an odd arrangement did nothing to maximize the room's assets. <ul> <li>No Focus: Without art or a mantel, the fireplace was lost. </li> <li>Open Shelves: Ugly electronics and messy wires were left exposed. </li> <li>Zero Color: White walls and bland hues left the room lifeless. </li> <li>Tired Table: This boring pine design occupied center stage. </li> <li>Clutter: Framed photos got lost on overstuffed shelves. </li> <li>Random Mix: A mod chair was mismatched with bulky furniture.</li> </ul> The Fixes A bit of paint, extra storage, the right accent pieces, and, yes, some furniture shuffling helped turn the Benders' living room around. <ul> <li>Add Streamlined Storage</li> </ul> These easy-to-install shelves make the most of a blank wall, adding storage without blocking light or taking up a lot of room. They are fashioned from two seven-foot aluminum standards ($25 each, www.issdesigns.com) and ten 12-inch brackets ($7 each, www.issdesigns.com). The actual shelves are made from precut oak stair treads ($25 each, Home Depot), so there's no need to break out the handsaw. Thanks to this additional storage, the Benders' family photos and sculptural vases can get the attention they deserve in an uncluttered arrangement. <ul> <li>Make a Move</li> </ul> Pulling the sofa away from the wall and placing it across from the fireplace instantly gives the room a focus. Situating the coffee table in front of the sofa and CB2's Nomad floor pillows ($20, 800-606-6252) nearby completes the seating area -- one that is centered around the hearth but also convenient for watching TV or taking in the outside view. <ul> <li>Fluff It Up</li> </ul> Throw pillows are a fast fix for a drab or outdated sofa. Here, CB2's graphic Palm Leaf pillow ($25, 800-606-6252) and JCPenney's round 18-inch suede pillows ($25, www.jcp.com) add warmth and texture while breaking up and lightening the oversize brown couch. <ul> <li>Accessorize</li> </ul> Think of accessories as icing on the cake. They might not be necessary, but what a difference they can make. Just be sure not to overindulge. Pick and choose your knickknacks so they add personality, not clutter. In a modern house like the Benders', simple, sculptural pieces work best. The shapes of the different vases play off one another, and the Michael Wainwright large blue vase ($150, 413-303-0131), pillows, and other objects echo the color of the accent walls to help tie the space together. <ul> <li>Reflect Right</li> </ul> Before hanging a mirror, consider what it will reflect (preferably not a blank wall). Umbra's Hub wall mirror ($143, www.umbra.com) is positioned across from glass doors leading to the backyard. The placement reflects the light and view, making the room appear brighter and larger. <ul> <li>Introduce Color</li> </ul> White walls do nothing to define or enliven a room. Here, the Benders applied Benjamin Moore China Blue ($41 a gallon) to mimic the sky. The color coordinates with as many shades as go-to neutrals, like beige and gray, do. Since the open-plan room has one shared wall and a windowed one, the Benders painted only two walls, to delineate the space. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1178099-1116708,00.html?xid=yshilivro2">Decorate on the Cheap with Everyday Items</a> at Real Simple. (Virtually) Instant Upgrades Decorating on a budget requires that you make the most of what you've already got. A few coats of paint and a little fabric are all it took to spruce up the Benders' lackluster furnishings. As for the new art on the wall, it may look like a Cy Twombly, but it cost only $28. <ul> <li>TV Stand Cover</li> </ul> <ol> <li>Cut Ikea's Anno Inez sheer floral curtain panels ($10 a panel) and white denim ($5 a yard) to match the unit's front dimensions, and add 1/2 inch on each side. </li> <li>Place denim on top of the sheer fabric on a flat surface. Fold back 1/2 inch on each side and iron. </li> <li>Place pieces of Stitch Witchery tape ($3 a roll, www.amazon.com) between the folded edges. Iron again to make it adhere. </li> <li>Attach Ikea's Kvadrant bottom-rail kit ($6, instructions included) to the fabric to weigh it down. </li> <li>Apply double-sided mounting tape to the inside top edge of the fabric panel, then stick it to the face of the unit.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Coffee Table</li> </ul> <ol> <li>Flip the table over and prep the base with a latex wood primer. </li> <li>When the primer is dry, paint the base. Apply a second coat if necessary. </li> <li>Cut vinyl grass cloth (Blue Grasscloth Look, $19 for a double roll, www.decoratetogo.com) to the dimensions of the top and add a few extra inches on each side. </li> <li>Place the fabric facedown on the floor, then center the tabletop on the fabric. Wrap the fabric around one side and staple it to the table's underside. Repeat on the opposite side, keeping the fabric taut. Tuck in the corners (as if you were wrapping a gift) and secure the remaining two sides with staples. </li> <li>Place the glass top (which can be cut to size at most hardware stores) on the table.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Chalk Art</li> </ul> <ol> <li>Use a paintbrush to apply black chalkboard paint ($13 at most hardware stores) to a stretched canvas ($15 at art-supply stores). </li> <li>Wait 20 minutes for the first coat to dry, then add a second coat if necessary. </li> <li>Use chalk to create your design. And remember: You can always erase it and try again.</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Bookcase</li> </ul> <ol> <li>Remove the shelves and apply latex wood primer to the exterior and the interior. </li> <li>Paint the inside the same color as the walls (here, Benjamin Moore China Blue Regal Matte, $41 a gallon). Paint the outside white. </li> <li>Cut fabric (here, a linen remnant) large enough to wrap each shelf, securing it in the back with a staple gun. </li> <li>Apply a second coat of paint. 5. Measure the front of the case. Cut three fabric panels (here, Ikea's Anno Inez) so they overlap and cover the unit. </li> <li>Install Ikea's Kvadrant triple-track rail kit ($17, instructions included) to the case's top and the top of the fabric panels. </li> <li>Attach Ikea's Kvadrant bottom-rail kit ($6, instructions included) to the bottom of each panel. Then hang the fabric panels by sliding them into the top of the track. </li> </ol> More from Real Simple: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1179471-4,00.html?xid=yshilivro3">Living Room Makeover: Timeline, Tab and Tips</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1178099-1057748,00.html?xid=yshilivro4">Easy Paint Makeovers</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1178099-1171352,00.html?xid=yshilivro5">Decorating How-Tos</a>