24 may not seem like enough hours in the day, unless you're designer Libby Langdon who's found her sweet spot making over homes in precisely that amount of time.
We aren't talking about a full-out overhaul, but a concept Langdon's coined the "daykeover," a 24-hour refresh that she details in the December/January issue of House Beautiful magazine.
“Not everybody can go in and overhaul a room with all new furnishings,” Langdon tells the magazine. “Sometimes you just need to add a few new pieces or rearrange existing ones -- which can be just as fun and dramatic as a complete redo,” she says.
By the looks of the three Rumson, New Jersey spaces she transformed here, we agree.
Check out these four tips from Langdon on easy ways to revamp a room in a pinch and her full House Beautiful feature (including the unbelievable before photo) when it hits newsstands on November 26.
- Don’t be afraid to block windows: Low pieces like ottomans won’t block views, even if your windows extend almost to the floor. And lean profiles—such as the Parsons-style console—let light and air pass through.
- Go for a large rug in a small space: A large faux-sisal rug makes an area feel welcoming. The indoor/outdoor material is great for the wear-and-tear of a foyer, and the subtle pattern doesn’t compete with the wallcovering.
- Use wallpaper as an accent: Lining the backs of bookcases is a neat trick if you don’t want to go for a full accent wall.
- Set up furniture to encourage conversation: Always let the activity of a room dictate the furniture arrangement. For entertaining, chairs are best to create conversation areas for guests, rather than sofas.
Photos by Francesco Lagnese.
