A 1928 Milwaukee Home Gets a Living Room Transformation Anchored by a Deep Green Fireplace

Homeowners Maudie and Ronnie Francek tackled their 1928 Milwaukee bungalow room by room, starting with the living room to create a comfortable retreat during renovations. They refreshed the space by painting walls a bright cream color, refinishing wooden shelves and trim, and letting the original fireplace become a focal point with its striking deep green tone. The project demonstrates how strategic color choices and restoration of original architectural features can dramatically transform a dated space.

The Franceks prioritized their living room as the first renovation phase, recognizing the need for a functional retreat while undertaking improvements throughout the rest of their 1928 bungalow. Before beginning work, they refinished the home's original hardwood flooring, establishing a foundation for the subsequent design choices. The couple selected Sherwin-Williams "Snowbound" paint to replace the pervasive beige that had dominated the interior, deliberately choosing a cream tone that would brighten the darker areas of both the living room and adjacent dining space while complementing the newly restored natural wood on shelves, trim, and French doors.

The fireplace transformation proved pivotal to the room's overall impact. After thoroughly cleaning the original hearth tiles, the homeowners uncovered hidden design details in a rich green-brown shade. Rather than strip the previously painted brick, they elected to repaint it entirely in Sherwin-Williams "Andiron," color-matched to the restored tiles. This decision allowed the tile pattern to become visually prominent and established the dramatic focal point that now defines the renovated space.