I Think I'm Finally Getting Somewhere
One of the rooms I have struggled with the most at my house has been the family room. We were so thrilled when we bought the house to have such a large family room, but in practice, the room has been a challenge. It's too big to be cozy, but not big enough to break into two areas. And there's never been a good spot for the TV.
I have tried several times to put the dining room in here along with the family room (you can see that in my big confessional from last fall), but I've never gotten that to work. The room always feels so crowded.
Last weekend we decided to clear the room and reset the furniture. I am finding that I really have to get a room set with furniture pieces first, and then I can start thinking colors and fabrics. It does mean I have to live with a color palette that might not be my first choice (such as in this room), but at least the room as good flow, so it feels nice and cozy even though the colors are going to get an update moving forward.
The first thing we did was setup the daybed under the window. This used to be in Baby Girl's room, but we wanted a "bouncy" bed for her (i.e. one with a box spring), so the daybed needed a new home. I think it looks great here, and I love being able to curl up and read a book or ponder the garden.
You can definitely see what I mean about the ruffle on the quilt not working in this spot, though, can't you?
Then we moved in the piano. I love having the piano in the family room -- the kids are actually exploring it! They never did when it was in the living room. We also added an armoire (thrifted a few months ago) on the other side with Rocket Boy's books in it. He loves that they are safe from Baby Girl, and I love how cute it is.
Please ignore my painted subflooring and unpainted post-demo walls. Eeep.
Finally, we floated the main sitting area in the middle(ish) of the room. I like it, I really do. Apparently so does "Grammar Gorilla." Ha. My son named him. He floats around the family room from spot to spot. It makes me jump every time I walk in the room, but the kids love him.
Please ignore the black plastic on the couch. That's a post-cat-mishap situation, waiting for the enzyme cleaner to dry. Oh yes, and my husband's forest-green leather club chair. Sigh.
Clearly I have a ton of work to do. Paneling, paint, trim, curtains, flooring, slipcovers, furniture painted... the list goes on. But the basic spine of the room is set. I'm not going to change it again. I know, I know, but this time, I'm really not! :-)
I'm so relieved to get this figured out, finally! Ultimately I want a cheery space that's bright but with a garden flavor. I'm thinking hardwood floors, pale cream walls, white trim, distressed white furniture, lots of neutrals and then an explosion of cheery quilts and pillows and things in all the cheery 1930's colors, like in these vintage quilt blocks.
I won't be doing those projects right now, since I'm still working on Baby Girl's room, but I'm happy to have a room that feels good while I wait to get to all the fun parts.
So am I the only one who works this way? Do you guys set the furniture first and then work on colors and such, or do you start from color and design and then go from there?
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Comments (5)
Anonymous:
marie:
Linden Townhouse:
angelina:
Anonymous:
I like the way your family room is coming together - think you've got a great plan. Can't wait to see more as you make the changes you plan.
~Adrienne~
Posted by Anonymous | August 22, 2011 5:39 AM
Posted on August 22, 2011 05:39
i think i have a very similiar idea for my "formal" living room... hardwood floors and everything else in white, off white, cream. and...i have that EXACT SAME RED STRIPED COUCH!! i've never seen anyone else with it...weird! i also have the matching gigantic chair. :o)
Posted by marie | August 22, 2011 5:44 AM
Posted on August 22, 2011 05:44
I like the way your room is shaping up! It's nice that it is a FAMILY room with the piano, children's books, toys, hubby's chair etc. When we moved here to a smaller place, we got rid of tons of furniture and possessions. And the funny thing is that we keep getting rid of stuff so that we have room to work! Instead of setting furniture first, we are working from the outside in (paint), ceiling down (planked ceilings), and finally new flooring in mostly empty rooms. Then our "reward" will be looking for lots of good used furntire deals and some new accessories. Patience! :)
Posted by Linden Townhouse | August 22, 2011 6:07 AM
Posted on August 22, 2011 06:07
I love how your family room is shaping up. I think I don't know how to put furniture together until I have colors on the walls. For me it all starts with color. Before that I just flounder.
Posted by angelina | August 25, 2011 10:03 PM
Posted on August 25, 2011 22:03
I like it a lot! I think you're too hard on yourself. I don't see the plastic or green chair until you mention them, I see a comfortable cute eclectic room that looks great. I also have a daybed in my dining/family/what is it? room. It started as a guest room of sorts when my mom would visit (2 bedroom house) and somebody's been reading on it for years. And it's the snoring refuge, if you get my drift.
Would you consider a shade over that window? Something cheap and organic-looking?
Posted by Anonymous | September 1, 2011 7:32 AM
Posted on September 1, 2011 07:32