Oh, I've got some BIG news, people! If you follow me on
Facebook, you might have seen my status about my date night with Paul this past weekend. I wrote about how we discussed making some changes with our home (I know, a guy who likes to talk about this kinda stuff - I picked a winner, right?!). It all started with our monster sectional breaking (oh, DARN!
-sense sarcasm). The hook that attaches the chaise part completely broke off - it's happened before, but Paul's been able to reattach it, but this time it's shot. So we started talking...and it was my husband - not me, shockingly enough - who suggested knocking down the wall between the family room and office! This got me SO excited, and I instantly started reconfiguring furniture, what I'd need to get rid of (most of it;), what could stay (aka: get painted), what was going on Craigslist pronto. You'd think, since we're such a family room kinda family (we don't have a living room, so this is our main place to hang), it would be decorated exactly as I'd like, but not the case. It's probably my least favorite room right now, so the thought of a makeover put me over the moon! You see, when we moved in here 6 years ago, I had a different "look" with my decor. I was into the deep golds, maroons, greens. And nothing is wrong with those colors, in fact, my house always felt very warm and cozy to me, but our tastes tend to change after a while. Now I'm more into the neutral walls, different pieces of furniture that you have to hunt for and can paint an awesome, unexpected color. And bright. Lots of bright.
Kinda Exactly like this room:
This is MY DREAM family room. Yet, what we have now looks more like this...
Not quite on the same page, are they?!
If you've followed ND for a while, you know I've been updating our home, first by
working on the kitchen. (Which, by the way, still working on some finishing touches, which is why I haven't done a full reveal yet;)
And then there was the
dining room. (Almost done that one too;)
Now we're headed in the family room direction, and I could use your help. I'm reaching out to YOU, my fabulous readers, to give me your input...I'm going to show some pics of our existing family room and office, and see how YOU would design it. I've got some ideas up my sleeve that I will share, but I'm oh-so-curious to hear what ideas you come up with. We spend a great deal of time in our office (my hubs blogs too!), so we have to incorporate a mini-office in the space, not just a huge family room. Ok, I'm going to shut up now and get on with the pics....
Perfect example of the 2 worlds colliding...if I'm sitting in my family room, I'm staring at the bright, white dining room, and AQUA china cabinet!
Here's the view of the chairs, which are on your right when you walk in the room. I'm thinking of a small couch or loveseat under the window, with some small end tables on the sides.
This is taken from my favorite corner of the couch. So. Much. Brown.
This entire space has driven me batty since Day 1. The fireplace (which we'll be selling), has always been a thorn in my side (you may have seen those posts on how I despise/can't decorate that 3 inch space I have to work with under the tv). And since there's no room for the DVD player and cable box, we have that (again, BROWN) table, next to the (BROWN) leather chair. I'm thinking a longer, lower dresser for under the tv, one that will house the two boxes.
View from the entry...See how that gold striped chair juts out? Do you agree a small sofa/loveseat would be better there?
Here she is. My navy monster. She's been so good to us, but it's time to let her go. As odd as it sounds, I'll be sad when we replace that couch. So many memories of the kids, so many milk stains...
That gallery wall is the one that will be taken down. My vision is a sofa with a small chaise along the wall where that left lamp is hanging. That way we can still have that awesomely comfy corner, but not chop the room in half. Or maybe a sofa along the wall, and a chair facing where the main part of the navy monster is facing (like in my DREAM family room pic above;). I've already decided I'm going the white or natural slipcovered route. I know, I know, what the heck is a mom of a 5, 4, and almost 3 year old thinking with a light couch?! But I've read blogger upon blogger (who are moms of young kids and SWEAR they "live" on their couch, feet up, snacks eaten on, etc.), and they not only love them, but recommend them. I mean, what's better than getting to wash your couch?! And the ones who have white say it's so great, because you can bleach them too, and no harm done. This is what I have in mind...
Ok, now that I've flooded you with family room pics, let's move onto the office...Here's what you see when you enter the room:
The left desk is Paul's, and the one on the right is mine. That's the other side of the family room, so that wall will be gone.
Another shot of the wall that will be taken down.
There's a closet in the corner, which I have been envisioning as a mini office for me. Take a look at some eye candy I've pinned...
Oh. My. Word. I LOVE.
Great idea, right?
And since we use the heck out of our office, one desk would not be enough, especially with the kids growing up, needing computers for homework, etc. I'm thinking the other desk could be incorporated into the room, like it is on my favorite show, Parenthood:
That's kind of what I mean about the chaise too - maybe not that big though? But see the desk along the wall, with shelving? I like it. Here's another cute desk idea that would definitely NOT be offensive to look at in a family room:
WHEW! That was a lot of pictures! So to recap:
1. wall gone
2. TV stays, fireplace gone and replaced with long dresser/piece of furniture. Maybe painted a fun color?!
3. small sofa/loveseat under window, and get rid of chairs.
4. main couch with chaise under stairs, or couch under stairs and chair next to it.
5. desk in closet
6. small desk with lots of shelving for Paul
I'm dying to know...what do YOU think? Anything you'd do differently that I hadn't thought of? I'd love your input!
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10 comments:
Eeeeek!!! How exciting! I can't wait to see what you do! Whatever you decide will be fabulous I'm sure! Love your ideas!
Love the sofa you are considering. If you find one at a yard sale or goodwill, I do slipcovers. My email is bwatson1216 @charter.net. I've covered dozens in white duck, twill, and denim. Love my white chairs in Kitchen. I do wash them
about every other month. I have a cat.
I'm so excited for you! I can't wait to see the process and the end result!! :)
Do it! I love all your other updates and am super-jealous of your productivity! We have a desk/office in a former laundry closet, and LOVE it! Lots of shelves, nice desk, and room for a four-drawer file cabinet that is tucked away nicely in the space. That is a definite! Have you thought about the chaise in front of the window?
have you thought about using a large picture frame around the TV? I have seen it before and it looks really groovy...
I have a white slipcover couch (Ikea) and dinning room chairs (also Ikea) with 3 boys (7,5 &2) they get washed all the time but they look great! Totally love them!
Whatever you do, I'm certain it will look fabulous! My only suggestion is to keep one thing in mind: your family! If you create a space that is comfortable and functions WELL for your little group then you will love every second in that room! :)
Your blue sectional almost looks like our old one, but it was brown & more round. It was in 4 sections & it would not stay together every well with hardwood floor. We now have a sectional that can go into a loveseat & couch, but now we are thinking in the future going to a loveseat & couch or recliner & couch.
I want to tear down some walls, too. Go for it! I can not want to see the end results! That wall where your husband's desk is you could make a desk that is the entire length by plans on Ana-White's website (search her name & it comes up). If your husband does not want to share with everyone, then go with your plan. But, Ana-White has the most amazing plans. Once I get the 1 item I am getting made (if I had my husband make it, 5 years would pass) by this carpenter, I will post photos & the link he use off of the site. He loved the plans & what I wanted it for (mudroom). I also have plans I want to use for my son's room, & more!
I can not wait to see what you come up with!
I would make a built in on the wall where you want the love seat. If you can make some floor-to-ceiling cabinets or shelves on either side of the window (though not the entire wall space) and leave about a 4-5 foot section for a bench with a hinge so the top lifts for more storage (or open storage on the bottom w/ decorative baskets). I can't tell the exact dimensions of the room, but I'm guessing that wall is about 12 feet long by eyeballing the furniture/picture frames... :)
ALSO - I'd definitely incorporate office space into the closet. Use built-ins again ! Great for storing a printer/scanner out of view ! And Go with the curtain instead of a hard door. You can switch out fabrics for different seasons or taste/style changes.
You can keep a sectional, but keep the long end against the wall and the short end coming out from the wall. This way, everyone will have a view of the TV and each other in close-enough proximity, and the seating coming off the wall will create the illusion of a separation without making the room feel closed in (purpose of removing the wall - duh !).
IDK, I bet if I had the dimensions of your room and all, I'd go to town with that bad boy ! LOL.
I'm sure it will look beautiful, though, no matter what you do !!!
HAVE FUN & GOOD LUCK <3
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