When we asked Cara Wilkerson (of Live the Home Life fame) to join our cast of monthly blog columnists, we wondered how on earth she would come up with a before & after every month! Lo and behold–with a dresser, coat rack, ottoman and now an entire room–she has FAR exceeded our expectations! She is, without a doubt, a true DIY diva.

This week, she gives us a look at her fabulous den makeover. How’s that for a transformation?

When I first moved into my house, I knew I had more than my fair share of updating ahead of me. My den was no exception. With well worn hardwood floors, dark paneling and poor lighting, this room was definitely in need of a little TLC.

To get this space started on the road to recovery, I turned to the pros to refinish the hardwoods, replace paneling with sheetrock and update the dated ceiling fan with recessed lighting…

…but what good would a Before & After with Cara Wilkerson be without a little DIY decorating? Let’s get crackin’!

A couple coats of a creamy yellow on the walls and white on the fireplace and built-ins worked its magic in giving this space a much lighter (and larger) feel than its before status.

Now an empty shell, time to furnish and turn this room into a functioning den. No room in my house would be complete without a furniture rehab or two, so with a few swipes of the paintbrush, a $7.00 thrift store side table was ready to join in on the fun.

While rummaging through my grandmother’s house a few months back I came across a pile of naval architecture prints. Tucked away for a rainy DIY day, it was high time to bring these prints out of hiding and display in my new den.

A half dozen inexpensive poster frames and a can of spray paint later, this DIY wall art project was a wrap.

Finally, topped off with furniture discarded by family & friends, a scattering of thrift store finds and few inexpensive accessories, this den rehab was in the bag

Befores & Afters