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When we started building our modern farmhouse in Calgary, the living room was the space I was most excited — and most nervous — about. With soaring ceilings, dramatic black windows, and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, every decision felt high stakes. Today I’m sharing the full reveal, including the exact paint colour we used, how we achieved our venetian plaster fireplace, and every decor piece that makes this room feel like home.
The Before — Raw Construction
Here’s what our living room looked like mid-build. Hard to imagine it becoming what it is today, but this is where every beautiful home starts — a blank canvas full of potential!
The Paint — Sherwin Williams Alabaster
For the walls we chose Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) and I could not be happier with this decision. Alabaster is a warm white with just enough creamy undertone to feel cozy without looking yellow. In our space with the soaring ceilings and large black windows, it creates the perfect bright but warm backdrop.
Here’s why I love Alabaster:
- It works beautifully with warm wood tones
- It doesn’t look stark or cold
- It photographs beautifully
- It pairs perfectly with black accents
If you’re considering Alabaster for your home I highly recommend ordering a sample first — it can read slightly different depending on your light.
The Star of the Show — Venetian Plaster Fireplace
The venetian plaster fireplace was always part of the vision for this space. We wanted something that felt organic, textural, and completely unique — and venetian plaster delivered exactly that.
The plaster was applied by our team at Evenflow Painting here in Calgary. The texture adds such incredible depth to the fireplace wall — it catches the light differently throughout the day and honestly looks better in person than in photos!
A few things to know about venetian plaster:
- It’s a multi-layer application process
- Each finish is completely unique
- It’s extremely durable
- It can be applied to fireplaces, accent walls, and more
If you’re in the Calgary area and interested in venetian plaster for your home, reach out to us at Evenflow Painting — this is one of our specialties!
The Decor — Pulling It All Together
Once the bones were done it was time to decorate. I wanted the space to feel warm, modern, and liveable — not like a showroom. Here’s how I achieved that:
The Sofa & Seating A light grey sofa keeps things airy while the cognac leather accent chair adds warmth and texture. The mix of soft and structured seating makes the room feel collected and intentional.
The Coffee Table Our light oak coffee table is the perfect anchor for the space. I styled it simply with a black vase, ceramic sculpture, candle and a stack of books.
🔗 Shop similar: White Ceramic Vase | Marble Tray
The Rug A vintage-inspired neutral rug grounds the seating area beautifully. I love how it adds pattern without competing with everything else going on in the room.
The Arch Mirror The arch mirror leaning against the wall beside the fireplace is one of my favourite touches — it reflects light and adds height.
The Plants A large fiddle leaf fig brings life and colour into the space. I always say every room needs at least one plant!
The After — Full Reveal
And here it is — our finished modern farmhouse living room!
This room went from a concrete shell to our favourite place in the house. The combination of Sherwin Williams Alabaster walls, venetian plaster fireplace, warm wood tones, and carefully chosen decor creates exactly the modern farmhouse feel we dreamed of.
If you’re planning a living room refresh or new build I hope this gives you some inspiration! Drop your questions in the comments — I’m happy to help!
And if you’re in Calgary and interested in venetian plaster or painting services, visit us at Evenflow Painting.
Shop This Room
Here are the exact pieces I used to decorate our living room — all linked for easy shopping!
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