The Family Room Reno.

Granted, it is an improvement from where we started:

But we have recently started talking about putting kitchen plans on hold for awhile and tackling this space asap.  As in, start knocking down walls as soon as we can clear the space.  It's a hard decision.  We both really want to get our kitchen more open, but the kitchen is usable now and isn't a total eye sore and we are anxious to have a true area where we can gather and relax (for more details on why this space is so uncomfortable read this post from last week).

So, we set a budget of $4000.  That includes everything.  And there is a LOT we want to do:

Our plans include:

1.  Find a new home for the piano.  *Tear*  Unfortunately, it doesn't get used much.  When Chris starts to play, Greta always comes and bangs on it.  When Greta is asleep, Chris can't play.  We have also had to start locking the piano bench in the laundry room so Greta doesn't climb on top of the piano.  So yeah, time to find a new home for our "second baby".

2.  Sell our sectional and our large ottoman.  If you are local and interested, here is the listing for the sectional and here is the ad for the leather ottoman.

3.  Take out the half wall behind where the couch currently sits.  It jolts into the room a good 8 inches and is weird to us.

4.  Rewire the cable to the other side of the room.

5.  Remove the ceiling fan (we never use it) and install 6 recessed lights on a dimmer.

6.  Get new carpet!

7.  Install new baseboards.  Tall and simple like the ones in our guest room.

8.  Build (Buy?) some sort of media unit.  It will go on the wall where the couch now sits. The white storage that is currently hanging out under our tv is causing issues.  Greta can now reach the top of it which means she likes to hang on it.  It isn't good for our blood pressure.

9.  New Furniture!  We are on the hunt for a deep couch/sectional.  We want the inner depth of the cushion to be at least 27"(not the overall depth).  We love the idea of an L-shaped couch and a separate large chaise in a bold color for a set up like this:

10.  Make sure there is plenty of storage for Greta's toys.

11.  Bonus points:  New french doors leading out to the patio and maybe knock out a window on the far wall above the sectional like we dreamed about here.  These things will of course depend on how the budget is lookin' once we pick out carpet and furniture.

We are excited about this new project.  I hope that we can get it all done by the end of March--for no reason other than I love a deadline as much as I love a cozy living space.  Everyone on board say, "Woot!"