I surprised myself the other day. I said something I've never said before, and didn't think I would be able to say for years:
"Wow... I like the family room! I really like it!"
Last month I explained why I've never really liked my family room, and showed some 'before' pictures detailing things I wanted to change. You can read about it here.
Since then, you've seen the family room's new pretty pillows and summer mantel. Here, now, are the rest of the family room updates.
My top priority was to brighten the family room, and, by using a lot of white paint, white accessories and white fabric, I now have a room that looks much more airy and fresh.
The walls have been painted with Benjamin Moore's Ivory White in eggshell. It's a lovely, creamy, warm white.
Mr. StyleBurb and I have long 'debated' the size of the area carpet that used to be in this room. I felt that the carpet was too dark and too small - he thought it was fine....
I removed the carpet when I painted the walls and unfortunately, it is now 'lost' somewhere in the house, so I can't put it back (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). But look how much larger the room seems without the too small rug- and I didn't spend a penny to make this change!
I'm loving the bare wood floors for the summer. I may put an area carpet back when fall comes, but for now, the floors are carpet-free and the room feels cooler- perfect for our hot, humid summers.
I bought a SureFit slipcover for the navy wing chair. Before, the navy chair and green sofas looked uncoordinated. Now, the new white pillows on the sofas and ivory slipcover on the wing chair make the furniture look pulled together.
I think that the slipcovered chair looks casual, relaxed and beachy- a great look for summer!
The single black wall sconce to the left of the sofa irritated me daily because of its anti symmetrical powers...
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| Here is the wall sconce in my high-tech paint booth. |
... but was neutralized with a lick of Heirloom White spray paint.
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| Painting the wall sconce white makes it blend into the wall, while still providing much needed light. |
I placed a framed print and a small table with two white pillar candles and a shell ball underneath the sconce which balances the dresser and lamp on the other end of the sofa. I already owned the shells, pillar candle holders and the framed print- they just needed some spray paint.
Again, I didn't spend a penny!
I lowered the large picture above the sofa by 4 inches so that it doesn't look like it's floating. I also tucked a basket of magazines (a la Pottery Barn) underneath the table.
Continuing with the beachy look, Mr. StyleBurb found a couple of pictures of our kids at the lake last summer. They look wonderful printed in black and white and framed.
The wooden frames are garage sale finds, also painted with Heirloom White spray paint.
To recap, this is what our family room looked like before...
... and after
I've still got my eyes open for a coffee table, but you're probably out of popcorn, so we'll have to wait for the next installment in my Family Room series.
Coming soon to a theater near you...
I will be joining these link parties this week:
