This post has been a long time coming. It was February, nine months ago (!), when we decided that we wanted/needed to completely renovate our family room. We installed new carpet, baseboards, built-ins, bought new furniture, installed recessed lighting and even a new window! This has really been the room of the year, and while I'm sure we'll continue to tweak things like throw pillows and art, we're sticking a fork in this room and ready to look back to see how far we've come. Get ready for lots of photos and a few words. (I know that's how you prefer it anyway *wink)
Looking waaayyyyy back, on move in day the room looked like this. Less blurry, but generally a poop color with lots of junk in it:
However, our starting point 9 months ago, looked more like this:
At that time, the family room was our least favorite room in the whole house, mostly because we imagined it should be the most comfortable, cozy, play-inducing room and it felt so opposite that. So we put on our work gloves, gutted the room of carpet, old tile, the ceiling fan, the wall on the left side to get rid of that weird ledge that housed the home's foundation in it and rebuilt it around it how we envisioned. Here's how she's looking today:
Here's a peak at the other side of the room before:
And now:
I even snapped a couple shots of the family room last night, since that is when we really enjoy the room--in the evenings when things are the MOST cozy.
We'll call this the official "Before and After" shot:
It's cozy, and family-friendly and there's no place we would rather be as a family in the evenings. So, our place for movie night?
And if you're interested in reading back on this whole project, here's a slew of links that will get you there: Introducing the renovation plans. The Mood Board. Tabula Rasa. Demolition. Our new plans to include built-ins to disguise the foundation. Settling on a Sofa and Hollywood Stairs. Framing the built-ins. Plugging along in Sheetrockville. Moving our ceiling vents. Textile Teaser. Re-texturing and patching the ceiling. Fresh Paint. New carpet! DIY Recessed Lighting. ORBing the banister. New Window! Built-Ins Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. The Chaise. Styled Built-Ins. Installing new baseboards. Bamboo Blinds. DIY Double-Trim Dropcloth curtains. New couch! Lamp swap. Restyling the Built-Ins. New ottoman bench. Family tree gallery. Chalk House drawing.
(^that just took me 45 minutes.)
What do you think?
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I love the whole freaking room, but I SUPER love the built-in fake out idea! Also, I want to roll around on that carpet. In the most uncreepy way possible (too late?)
Your family room looks beautiful - you've done a fabulous job!! I've got this linked to my family rooms post too today, for DIY family room reveals!
Excuse me while I pick my jaw off the floor... WOW. LOVE IT!! Awesome job!
Hi Julia! I just had a chance to really check this post out and I just have to say...I LOVE LOVE LOVE the window! Completely changes the room. Looks awesome :)
What a fantastic makeover! The new wall colours and built-ins are stunning - love them. Looks gorgeous with the yellow National Geographics too :) xx
What a transformation! It looks awesome!!
It seriously looks so amazing! Turning that weird ledge into built-ins was an excellent idea!
Room looks great and very cozy! Just out of curiosity, where did you move the piano to?
I am COMPLETELY in love with your ottoman/coffee table. I've enjoyed reading the progress of your room, and really like that you shared the ups and the downs of renovating a space.
girl i cant believe this is even the same room!!! Absolutely amazing!!!!
Aw thanks Kelly. We are definitely about trial and error around here. Thanks for tagging along and seeing us through it all.
Dozing for sure! :)
Thanks Caitlin!
Hahaha. I can't believe I typed that.
Thanks so much Dawn.
I broke out the measuring tape. It is definitely long and narrow. 10 ft 8 inches wide and 18 and a half feet long. We sprung for a bigger couch because we are so tall and we wanted something super deep--so this was the perfect couch for us. Long and narrow is a challenge but doable. Good luck, Kathy!
Julia, it looks so fantastic! I have loved seeing how you have worked away it...and fixed things that didn't work. It's always nice to see bloggers that admit things don't always work. I bet it's a super comfy place to watch tv now.
It looks great! So cozy for sure. I can imagine lots of snuggles and dozing on that couch...!! :)
Love, love, love it! It looks so comfy and cozy :)
generally a poop color with lots of junk in it. That's my favorite line.
Amazing!!! It looks awesome!!!
Oh Meagan, I fall asleep on it at least 3 nights a week on it! Anytime we watch television, I'm out within 20 minutes.
Thanks Ari!
Julia, how wide is this room from the sofa wall to the TV built-in wall?
I'm asking because it looks a bit on the narrow side, like our den, which we are having the hardest time deciding on the renovations (let alone actually doing it) because of its funky shape (super long and ridiculously narrow for a den). I love the couch you guys selected, but was hesitant about putting anything hefty in there; however, it works so well in your space!
It IS cozy at night!! I kept saying in my head "that couuuuuuch!!!" That baby was worth the wait for sure!!!! Have you counted how many times you've fallen asleep on it because I have a feeling it is a LOT! The before and after shots are incredible!! You guys are gooooood!! (Yep I'm flying you out to help me when I'm in our house ready to decorate!!
I love this room! The couch is amazingly comfortable! Gorgeous and comfy room.