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LaTanya’s Feel Good Makeover Reveal!

After months of planning, we completed this Feel Good Makeover over 3 days. Continue reading for all the before and afters! This post is in collaboration with Amazon Home.

LaTanya in her Chicago home before the makeover! // via yellow brick home.
LaTanya in her Chicago home, before makeover

It’s Reveal Day!

We couldn’t be more excited to share with you the reveal of LaTanya’s Feel Good Makeover! This project has been months in the making – from planning to execution – and in the end, we pulled it all together over the course of 3 days in LaTanya’s home. From start to finish, this has been the result of many FaceTime calls, Zoom meetings, online shopping sessions and early mornings (and lunches and dinners) with Casey from DIY Playbook, and it has all been worth it to give LaTanya the gift of a home to call her own.

LaTanya in her home on reveal day! // via yellow brick home.
LaTanya on reveal day!

We could not have completed this head-to-toe makeover without our team of volunteers during the install weekend, and of course, our co-collaborator, Amazon Home! Every single item you see was purchased from Amazon Home, from the furniture to the textiles, artwork to decor, electronics to lighting. These are our mood boards for the space, and we’ve also curated the items in this shoppable Amazon List.

LaTanya lives in a beautiful, vintage Chicago Two Flat, which features a living room that opens into a dining area. Beyond that are two bedrooms, one bathroom and a kitchen tucked in the back. While this reveal features the living and dining rooms, we had room left in the budget to stock her kitchen with new dinnerware, utensils and necessities (such as a toaster, pots and pans and more!), her bedroom with all new linens and bedding essentials, and her second bedroom with a desk, shelving and an office chair. Our volunteers (for whom we are endlessly grateful) not only stocked these bonus rooms, but reorganized, cleaned and styled them, too! Our goal was to have her walk in, see her space with a fresh set of eyes, and feel immediately at home.

Aaah, okay, I can’t wait to start sharing, so let’s start with the living room!

Living Room | Before

Latanya's living room, looking into her dining room pre-makeover. // via yellow brick home.

Living Room | After

Latanya's living room, looking into her dining room pre-makeover // via yellow brick home.

Living Room | Before

LaTanya's living room 'before' // via yellow brick home.

Living Room | After

LaTanya's living room on reveal day! // via yellow brick home.

LaTanya’s New Living Room

What a difference, right?! We were there, and yet I’m still surprised when I look at the photos. When LaTanya moved into her home this spring, she had only a few moving boxes, a pull out sofa, a bed and a dining table. Because of this, we had the luxury of building each room from the ground up, as we took into account her love of color with gold accents.

LaTanya's living room on reveal day! // via yellow brick home.
The view from LaTanya's dining room into her living room on reveal day! // via yellow brick home.

This paint color had all of us swooning, but it held more meaning than even we knew. From the beginning, LaTanya told us she wanted to be completely surprised. Choosing a paint color with zero input can feel intimidating, but I couldn’t shake the idea of a deep, warm mauve. It felt like LaTanya. Cozy, inviting, friendly. We landed on this color from the Prestige Paint line at Amazon Home, which is a comparable match to Sherwin-Williams Dutch Cocoa. It was only after the painters finished coating the walls (and revived her original wood trim with a light sand and gel stain) that LaTanya called me, a little choked up. She told me that when she was a child, her mother (who has since passed) painted all the walls in their family home mauve, and this color was a gift. She cried, I cried, and then I called Casey and she cried, too.

We used a handful of live plants to bring texture and life into the space. // via yellow brick home.
Coffee table books bring depth and conversation starters to the space.  // via yellow brick home.
Brass sconces play beautifully on the mauve walls! // via yellow brick home.
Hanging baskets, brass accents and large-scale art fill the space and bring visual interest // via yellow brick home.

We unrolled this soft geometric rug with the sweetest fringe details and created a seating area with a large leather sofa and flanking swivel chairs. The two-tiered brass coffee table holds a collection of all new books, a triptych above the sofa pulls you in, and greenery in varying sizes around the room makes it feel like home.

The wide, cozy leather sofa is the perfect spot to wind down with a movie after a long day // via yellow brick home.
Brass and marble accents fill the space and plants bring life and color // via yellow brick home.
Brass and marble accents fill the space and plants bring life and color // via yellow brick home.
The large Hope Philodendron anchors the corner between the sofa and cased dining room opening. // via yellow brick home.

On the other side of the room, we created a media console from this dresser, which will also double as much needed storage for out-the-door items. Think: shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, sunglasses and keys. Below, you can see that the right front door is juuust to the right of the console, so we needed a piece of furniture that could pull double duty, and this filled the space beautifully!

The frame TV doubles as a beautiful art piece when not in use and the Sonos Move speaker can be brought anywhere in the space to get the party started // via yellow brick home.

Above the dresser we hung a Frame TV, which completely fooled LaTanya! This was also a great place to include the few family photos that she had, which I enlarged, printed and matted in these frames. A Sonos Move, tabletop lamp and amber candle set the scene. We even included a cute wick trimmer, which LaTanya loved!

LaTanya loves candles, so we delivered candles! // via yellow brick home.
Framed photos of LaTanya's family flank the television and anchor the wall between the two rooms. // via yellow brick home.

Because the front door swings right into the living room, we also wanted to create a drop zone for bags and jackets. We set up a little entryway by adding a large floor mirror and a coat rack, proof that you can make any space more functional with a few hooks and a mirror to bounce light around.

Throughout the room, we were sure to incorporate everyday luxuries, such as a woven basket filled with throw blankets, stacks of books for conversation starters, small ceramics for faux or dried flowers and floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains for warmth. But perhaps my favorite stand out moment in the room is this chandelier paired with the large, ornate ceiling medallion!

We created an entryway where there was none! A large floor mirror, coat rack and dresser-turned-console offer loads of space for coats and cold weather accessories // via yellow brick home.
We created an entryway where there was none! A large floor mirror, coat rack and dresser-turned-console offer loads of space for coats and cold weather accessories // via yellow brick home.
A basked full of blankets will keep things cozy on chilly Chicago winter nights // via yellow brick home.
The new chandelier ties in nicely with the art triptych and casts a beautiful warm glow over the space // via yellow brick home.

Living Room Sources

Prestige Paints SW6032-PCM | floor mirror | coat rack | chandelier + ceiling medallion | media console | sonos move | frame tv | console lamp | curtains | side table | sconces | art triptych | sofa | gold pillows | lumbar pillow | round pillow | swivel chairs | coffee table | brass butterfly | geometric rug | large floor planter | hanging planters | woven basket | black + brass tray | acrylic tray | candle | wick trimmer duo


There is still so much more to cover! The dining room is connected to the living room, just beyond a large cased opening. LaTanya had a large glass-top dining table that was gifted to her years ago, and we were sure to incorporate it into the design. Let’s dive right in!

Dining Room | Before

LaTanya's dining room pre-makeover // via yellow brick home.

Dining Room | After

LaTanya's dining room on reveal day! // via yellow brick home.

LaTanya’s New Dining Room

To me, this room exudes charm. From the statement chandelier to the blue velvet curtains (a call back to the blue chairs in the adjoining room), the gold lamps to the dining chairs – I feel a strong pull to nestle in and enjoy a meal with LaTanya.

LaTanya's dining room on reveal day! // via yellow brick home.
LaTanya's dining room on reveal day! // via yellow brick home.

The workhorse of the room is tucked behind the table and fills the whole wall, thanks to a little DIY! We ordered two of these sideboards, with the idea to push them together and create an extra long buffet. Once we got them out of the box and put together, we realized we’d need to get creative. Scott ripped down the overhang on the sides that would get attached. We picked up some taller legs to give it more height, and after attaching them together, we had a large piece of MDF cut to length to put on top and hide the seam. Some color matched paint tied it all together, and I think our plan worked out really well!

We combined two small credenzas and added a custom top to create a huge statement piece! // via yellow brick home.

The table lamps are gor-GEOUS. We swapped out the drum shade for these pleated shades, giving them a classic, high-end feel. We accidentally (oops) ordered 16 of these aged brass candlestick holders when we meant to purchase 4, but the end result is better than what we could’ve planned for. The cluster of glowing lights will be so dreamy for a dinner party.

We combined two small credenzas and added a custom top to create a huge statement piece! // via yellow brick home.
Brass, glass and marble details fill the space. Warm neutrals were also utilized to create a cozy, inviting space  // via yellow brick home.
The new black metal and glass chandelier casts a beautiful glow in the evening // via yellow brick home.
LaTanya's dining room on reveal day! // via yellow brick home.

Inside, we tucked baskets filled with cloth napkins, extra decor, pretty water and coupe glasses, and stacks of speckled ceramic dishes. To add height and light to the room, a faux olive tree (in this basket) fills an empty corner, and the wide arched mirror highlights the large window nearby.

The large custom sideboard hides baskets, glasses and extra dishes // via yellow brick home.
The large custom sideboard hides baskets, glasses and extra dishes // via yellow brick home
LaTanya's dining room is anchored by the large table, wood and leather chairs // via yellow brick home.

To connect the two rooms, we hung this fiber art that we found from Amazon Handmade! We initially purchased it to hang above the sofa, but after seeing how tall it was, we realized it would make a better statement on this wall. It’s thick, heavy and quite stunning in person.

A fiber art piece ties the colors in each room together and unifies the spaces // via yellow brick home.

Dining Room Sources

Prestige Paints SW6032-PCM | faux tree + basket | chandelier | rug | dining chairs | vase | curtains | sideboard | lamps + shades | mirror | candlestick holders | wooden bowl/tray | ceramic vases | storage baskets | fiber wall art | ceramic dishes | ribbed glassware | coupe glasses | marble coasters


One more before and after coming at you!

Dining to Living | Before

LaTanya's dining room 'before' // via yellow brick home.

Dining to Living | After

LaTanya's dining room on reveal day // via yellow brick home.

What Did LaTanya Think?

Over the course of this makeover, LaTanya became a true friend. Casey and I checked in on her every few days and gave her project updates, but those texts quickly turned to friendly ‘hellos’ and life updates and everything in-between. The minutes leading up to the reveal had all of our stomachs in knots (in the very best way), but I’ll let the photos speak for themselves:

LaTanya's priceless reaction as we revealed the space to her // via yellow brick home.
LaTanya with her 'Dream Team Angels + Scott' // via yellow brick home.

I can honestly say that we had the VERY best time creating this home for LaTanya. As a woman who gives so much of herself back to her community, she is deserving of this and so much more. Throughout the makeover, she referred to us as her Dream Team Angels, but I would argue that she’s the Angel! Scott, Casey and I have a new friend for life, for which I am forever grateful.

LaTanya with her 'Dream Team Angels + Scott' // via yellow brick home.

How You Can Help

If you’d like to help, you still can! LaTanya works for Cara Collective, a nonprofit organization helping those in poverty to find employment through education and access to resources, while also advancing employers toward equity and inclusion. LaTanya created an Amazon Gift List of items that will help further Cara’s commitment to the community, and you’ve already cut the list in half (wow, thank you!). Anything you purchase will be sent directly to the Cara offices in Chicago. This is a wonderful way to directly help a nonprofit in assisting others.

Thank You, and More To Come!

We’re not done sharing yet! Seeing LaTanya’s reaction through photos will always warm my heart, but we also hired a video team to capture the makeover and more of LaTanya’s story. I’ll be sharing that soon, as well as all the fun (and silliness and pure exhaustion) that happened behind the scenes of this 3-day whirlwind makeover. Thank you for cheering us on, Casey for being the best teammate we could ask for, Amazon Home for supporting this project from start to finish, all the volunteers that pulled through for the install, my parents for driving in from Pittsburgh to hang out with Lucy for the entire weekend, and of course LaTanya for being a positive force in this world. xx

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  • Kevin5.25.22 - 6:44 AM

    This is great!ReplyCancel

  • Stacy5.25.22 - 6:59 AM

    That paint color with the woodwork is PERFECTION! Such a well deserved gift you were able to give to LaTonya ❤️ReplyCancel

  • Is5.25.22 - 7:09 AM

    Wonderful results! ReplyCancel

  • Brenda5.25.22 - 7:17 AM

    A true gift and stunning transformation! ReplyCancel

  • Caila5.25.22 - 7:52 AM

    Kim – the story about the color has me crying <3 Amazing job!ReplyCancel

  • Miruska5.25.22 - 9:48 AM

    WOW! What an amazing transformation. That colour is perfection and the rooms are sophisticated yet easy to live with and warm. I can just imagine how that dinning room sparkles in the evenings. Beautiful and well done.ReplyCancel

  • Jill5.25.22 - 10:44 AM

    Wow, so fabulous!!! Well done, Kim, Casey, Scott, & all the volunteers… CONGRATS on creating a gorgeous home for LaTanya!!! It’s perfect!!! ????ReplyCancel

  • Susan Androff5.25.22 - 4:37 PM

    LaTanya looked happy in the before photo and just radiates in the after images! Love this project!ReplyCancel

  • Zoe P5.25.22 - 6:38 PM

    I’ve been eagerly waiting for this reveal and it did not disappoint! Love how this all came together and how thoughtful all of the touches were–though I wouldn’t expect anything less from this team! So excited for LaTanya to enjoy this beautiful space. Thanks for bringing some lightness and joy to such an otherwise sad day in this country. ReplyCancel

  • Kim5.26.22 - 8:00 AM

    Such a beautiful transformation, and so incredible for you guys to pay it forward to someone doing life-changing work in the world! I can see the joy in all of your faces. So special.
    Those blue chairs are DIVINE — can you speak to their comfort? ReplyCancel

    • Scott5.26.22 - 9:35 AM

      Thanks Kim! The chairs are very comfortable, although a bit on the smaller size. They’d be a great fit for conversation seating, but maybe not for hours-long loungey seating. Hope this helps!ReplyCancel

  • Kathy5.26.22 - 10:22 AM

    This is awesome! It’s like… moody glam, and I love it. But um, KIM do you have a little tattoo??ReplyCancel

  • Val5.26.22 - 10:52 AM

    This is such a beautiful space and a heartwarming story. This story touched me in so many positive ways, thanks for sharing! ☺️ReplyCancel

  • Pamela5.26.22 - 11:31 AM

    who wouldn’t feel good about this room? I love the wall color! It is always fun to see something outside of the norm and this is an unexpected look. I especially love it with the sofa and the touches of navy. Nicely done!ReplyCancel

  • AmandaKB5.26.22 - 8:19 PM

    This… looks… amazing!!! It’s so great when you’re able to share the love with others and make their spaces feel more like home! <3ReplyCancel

  • Ashley - The Gold Hive5.27.22 - 12:45 PM

    What a beautiful space for such a beautiful person. I love the color palette and how well it goes with the woodwork! The furnishings look so comfy cozy, too! Great job – what a gift.ReplyCancel

  • Dianne5.27.22 - 3:49 PM

    This makeover warms my heart!  What a beautiful outcome.  LaTanya must have felt loved when entering the space; her existing dining table fits in perfectly with the chairs and other selected accessories.  I’m not a fan of mauve (born in the 60s and remember the 70s and 80s mauve) – but in this case, and especially because of the history with the colors, it’s a perfect choice.  ReplyCancel

  • Julie5.29.22 - 6:14 PM

    You guys do such great work, good job to you and the entire team! The millwork is stunning, and the things I love most are the dining chandelier and the living room art typetich. Neither of which I would have picked from the amazon photos, but your photos make them look like a million bucks!ReplyCancel

  • Jocelyn5.29.22 - 7:42 PM

    What a beautiful transformation!ReplyCancel

  • Jessica5.31.22 - 10:06 AM

    So awesome! I love those table lamps so  much, too! You all rock. ReplyCancel

    • Kim5.31.22 - 12:58 PM

      Aren’t they beautiful? The shades are top notch.ReplyCancel

  • Marcia5.31.22 - 12:41 PM

    The paint colors are beautiful with the wood trim! In the photos, the paint colors appears slightly different in each room, but the links show the same color for both. Maybe it’s just the lighting? Can you verify. ThanksReplyCancel

    • Kim5.31.22 - 12:57 PM

      It’s the lighting! The color can appear more muted or vibrant depending on the light it receives. A beautiful shape shifter.ReplyCancel

    • Scott5.31.22 - 12:58 PM

      Yes! Paint color is the same in both rooms. Different directional light makes it a bit of a chameleon!ReplyCancel

  • Lauren5.31.22 - 12:44 PM

    This is stunning! Really beautiful job, and that paint color makes the woodwork sing! I also appreciate that you included so many practical, everyday items like a coat rack and coasters. LaTanya’s home looks so loved and lived in now.ReplyCancel

    • Kim5.31.22 - 12:58 PM

      We didn’t want to leave a single thing out, items of both beauty AND function.ReplyCancel

  • Wendy5.31.22 - 2:29 PM

    The joy on her face says it all! What a gorgeous space for a special lady. Love all the small personal touches.ReplyCancel

  • Niki6.1.22 - 1:38 AM

    Wow! Wow ! Wow! What a beautiful, warm and inviting space. This is like an invitation to rest and be comforted every single time she opens her door. I absolutely enjoyed the heck out this transformation. ReplyCancel

  • Karen T.6.1.22 - 7:48 AM

    Amazing transformation! I’ve loved following along on this journey!ReplyCancel

  • Sally6.1.22 - 9:12 PM

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

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