True Confessions (of a House Gone Bad)

Hi Angela,

My kids are all grown now but I remember living out of a laundry basket ( for years) You know..wash, dry, dump in basket (unfolded) and when we needed clothes we picked out of that basket. Repeat.
Seems funny now but I was overwhelmed...on many levels.

So I'd like to share that it will change if you do to : ) It just takes time.

Okay...for your home. I love your posts and think you know how to photograph small sections that show extremely creative ideas!

My advice is not for one room but for overall.
Pick 3 colors. Stick to them everywhere your eye rests ( excluding kids rooms!)
It could be brown, pink, white ..whatever you like.

Your collections ( dishware) are lovely but too small for the top of that cabinet.
Clear out the glass sections and ONLY keep the pottery there...anything else goes.
They will look great at eye level or just above.

Top of piano should have 3 well scaled items.
Start fresh...clear off and live with nothing for awhile. Then place the items that have significant meaning to you.

There is a book that is great...called "Its All Too Much!"
We are all guilty of squirreling (taking home the nuts)
A bargain is a bargain till it crowds out the beautiful things in our lives and ultimately takes over our creative thought process.

Hoping you get some great advice and so happy that you trusted enough to share : )
You are on the road to what comes next.
I cant wait to see what happens!
Hugs,
Debra

First of all, Angela, I so admire you for putting yourself out there. I, myself, have a lot to do in my own home, so I know how frustrating and totally OVERWHELMING it can be! In looking at your photos though, I can see that you have many, many wonderful decorative things, and you have lovely furniture too. Your problem is MY problem: too MUCH stuff around. I am going to come back when I have some time and I will write you with some of my thoughts, ok? Sometimes it takes an outside person to see the forest through the trees if you know what I mean. You are right there, and everything has some meaning to you. So I know it is hard to make decisions on what to keep, what to put away, what to give away, etc. I will be back again when I get some time, OK?
Best to you,
Gloria

Hi, I am back again! I just took another look at your photos, and the first thing you can do is this: Do your front patio first. Take the little white wicker chairs from the front of the house (front patio) and put them in the basement (or garage). You can spray paint them next Spring. Second, take away that big urn on the left, put that in the basement (or garage). It is one too many urns there. Take two of your wrought iron chairs from the back porch, and bring them out front and put one on each side of that little table. Bring one of those little white lanterns from the desk on the back porch and put it on the little table in front (front patio). Move those remaining two big urns closer in, to the edge of the big window (like RIGHT to the tip of the outside of the bottom of the window. Take away the hose and put it in the garage. I don't know what that wooden thing is in the lower right-hand corner of the photo, but remove it if you can. If you can afford it, buy a new welcome mat for your front door. It will brighten things up and make you feel good when you look at it. Get ready to buy or make a nice Christmas wreath for the front door. And I am sorry if I sound like I am ORDERING you to do this stuff. I am not, these are only suggestions! It is just that I wanted to get all of my ideas out QUICKLY before I would forget what I wanted to say! LOL! Well, good luck if you decide to take any of my hints. I will, as I said, come back to give more on the other rooms -- that is if you still want to put up with my ideas! Ha-ha!
Best,
Gloria

Angela, your home is so pretty and truly I mean it when I say it looks loved and lived in - not messy!! Your craft room is amazing and I wouldn't touch a thing. It looks inspiring. If I had to choose, I'd pick focusing on the kitchen and breakfast nook. I personally love waking up (or coming home) to the kitchen being my zen spot - pretty and tidy. I don't have suggestions, since it should be to your taste but I think that once you do those spaces and get started the rest will snowball from there.

I admire you for posting this, love that you shared, and can't wait to see what you do.

xoxo
Emily

ok, let's take the smallest space first,
which would be the laundry room.
My suggestion would be to find a hanging wall cabinet in your sleuthing where you can keep your laundry supplies. it could even be an old kitchen cabinet, minus the doors. Hang that on the wall above the washer/dryer,(in place of the shelves that are there now) and then wallpaper the rest of that wall. put a long rag rug on the floor in front of the w/d.
Line the cabinet shelves with paper,and transfer as many of the cleaning supplies as possible to old glass jars or tin canisters.

most of your furniture is good,just in the wrong rooms. my suggestion would be to move the old desk on the back porch into your master bedroom to replace your bedside table, and cover it with a Bandenburg lace runner.
and yes,sand and pickle the bedstead with white paint and the closit doors as well.
paint the walls a medium blue,or toast(color the bedstead is now). add old throw rugs on the floor around the bed, or consider taking up the carpet (if there's hardwood floor underneath).

Move the living room coffee table into your little girl's room as a play table, and transfer the table that's in the family room to the living room. slipcover the floral couch and chair in a navy blue fabric, and throw the quilt that is in the craft room on the back of the couch. add a couple of pillows.

replace both overhead lights in the family room/dining room with matching lighted ceiling fans w/ wicker paddles. it's a start.

Hi Angela,
I loved this post, because it reveals the human side of our hectic lives. So don't worry. Like Gloria said in her comment above, I so admire you for putting yourself out there. I see my problem in your rooms too, except you have much nicer pieces of furniture than I have.
I would second what she says about having too much stuff around. As a whole I would maybe start with a sorting/putting away/clearing out project. Take one room at the time and go though the house on your time and your schedule and weed out the non-needed, non-wanted stuff. That always helps for me. After that I usually am able to see a much better vision for a room and what I would like to do with it. Right now like you said it has you overwhelmed.
Keep at it, post your progress. This is a great idea that I would love to join you in, but I am not sure I am as brave as you:)

Hugs
Trine

Your are a brave lady, my friend. Thank you for sharing the reality of life - life for so many of us. I'll be back to read the comments and suggestions. Looking forward to watching the transformation. Your last home was wonderful! But you have added another precious little person to your life and your schedule and your attention. Don't be too hard on yourself - it will come together. You have what it takes. I believe in you and I know you will find the right way to pull it all together. Take one room or area at a time - don't expect yourself to go fast or concentrate as much as in the past. You have more interruptions - and responsibilities. Small steps. Baby steps. I'm preaching to the choir here, my friend. I need to hear this, too!
~Adrienne~

Angela, you house has so much awesome potential! I wish I lived by you because we'd bust that thing out in a weekend. :)
Small kids and working are the worst thing for decorating. I am finally crawling out of the hole now that some are in school. Start with your living room where you spend the most time and people see the most. You'll feel so much better. I find that if that is okay, even if the rest of the house is trashed I don't mind.

OH that last comment was me. :) Jen

Hi, Angela. I have been reading your blog for several years now.
I give you credit for being so brave, and I totally understand that it also feels powerful to let it go!
Having said that, and since you asked, I will offer some of my thoughts and ideas.
-Finish things that need finished, be it the kitchen or a bathroom. Just do the basics, you can paint or add color later. Install some cupboards above your washer and dryer. Hire some help to do that if you can, and if you need to.
-Go through the house and take away things that may be cluttering it up. Edit said cluttery things- donate, give away, store away. Find closed storage for kids things. Put tv in a cabinet if it isn't already.
-Go through and arrange furniture in a pleasing and functional way, and get rid of pieces that do not belong. Take everything out of a room, kind of starting with an empty space. Put things back in, one by one and eliminate what does not belong. Take items from other rooms in the house to achieve a look you are after. Really think it through. Just because it is a great piece, doesn't necessarily mean it will look great in the house unless you have a good spot to put it in. Think outside of the box, for instance, a hutch does not have to go in a kitchen or dining room, it might also look wonderful in a foyer or living room or bedroom, upstairs hallway, many places.
-After you've decided on furniture arrangement, decide on color-someone said choose three and I agree with that idea. Use those three colors throughout the house or at least in the main rooms like the kitchen, dinngroom/den, living room. Paint furniture, slipcover or reupholster, to pull it together. Add accessories.
-Apply the same ideas to the outside.
Keep in mind this is an ongoing process, it may not happen overnight, and you might need help along the way. Also remember that beautiful homes in magazines are just pictures. As much as I LOVE and ADORE decorating mags and blogs, I also know that day to day life is messy and it really takes daily tending to keep a house looking good. I just hate that, wish I had a magic wand!
I have the feeling you already know all that stuff i just said. I just think you have been very busy with life in general-family, work, etc.
I know you will figure it out and it will be wonderful!
All the best! I am staying tuned. : )

Hi there,

I'm in the same boat as you are! I just moved to a new location leaving behind a beautiful, custom built home. I miss it terribly. This new house is much smaller (since now I have TWO houses, thanks to the stinky economy) and needs lots of work. Let's start with your front porch. Let's do something quick and fabulous. Paint your front door something truly fun...like Sherwin-Williams SW6842 Forward Fuschia. Get a new and BIG light fixture. Go for a clean contemporary/traditional look like this.... http://www.lightingdirect.com/sea-gull-lighting-8468-williamsburg-2-light-outdoor-wall-sconce/p506523?source=TREML_TrackingNumber.

Change out the smallish table and chairs and get something from another part of your house (maybe an inexpensive round table with a glass top and a tablecloth. Put a small lamp on it and some small somethin'somethin' (rabbit, plant, etc.)
Lastly, cluster your plant containers together for more impact and cohesion. Plant with fresh mums and pansies and cabbage.
Hope this makes you feel a little better.

Per your request to choose just one room I choose the guest bathroom. The first word that came to mind when I saw it was....drab. I think all you need is some new towels and accessories in a brighter color, this will make this room someplace guests will LOVE to visit and one that you'll be proud of!

Good luck!

OMGosh, you guys are so awesome! All these ideas are great! Thank you thank you thank you thank you! Keep it coming -- I am taking copious notes!
~Angela :-)

Hi, Angela. I came back, as I said that I would in my previous comment, but I see that you did not post my other follow up comment that I immediately posted about your front patio, so I think that I might have overstepped my boundaries! I apologize for that! I am sorry for writing my, what seemed like 'orders,' of what you shoud do... I just had to get the ideas out quickly. As I also mentioned, I have the same problem as you do, so I was not trying to be judgmental. Please forgive. You have a lovely home, as the others have said, and I am sure you will get it to your liking very soon.
Best regards,
Gloria

Gloria (and everyone), please, don't be shy! I love all your comments! My blog software is being picky about posting comments, I don't know why, so many of them are going pending instead of showing up right away. But it's not you! It's the software! They'll all be here as soon as I can get to them and publish them all!
Thanks again! I love everything everyone is saying, it's SO very helpful!
~Angela :-)

Ha, you kidding right? Because that's what my house looks like AFTER I clean. Well, except for the kids bath. ;)

Ha, you kidding right? Because that's what my house looks like AFTER I clean. Well, except for the kids bath. ;)

Bravo! I'm so happy you're taking this approach! Lots of good ideas here for you to work with. My suggestion is to figure out which space bothers you the most. Start there.

And bear in mind that your house is cleaner than mine. You haven't been in it for a couple of months so I can assure you that it is much worse than the last time you were here.

Hi Angela,
I know exactly how you feel. I just moved from a large house to a smaller place, and let me tell you the big house was a pain to keep organized and clean, especially with kiddos. Pick one room to start, I would start with either the living room or family room, the place that your family uses the most. Pick 2 or 3 colors and stick with them. I use white, cream, and blue-gray in my house and I only buy things in that color scheme. You have fabulous pieces of furniture. Sometimes taking a piece from one room and putting it into another will totally transform your whole decor. I love your craft room, looks like you just need a little more storage. Don't focus on the house as a whole, this would definitely overwhelm anyone! Pick one and start to work, and it doesn't have to be transformed over night, also look around in magazines, and blogs for inspiration. That's what I do. Your house is actually fabulous, you just need to be inspired.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and thank you so much for becoming a new follower, it is such a pleasure to meet you!
I can't wait to watch the transformation!
Have a lovely day.
Sincerely,
Melinda

YOU ARE A ROCK STAR! ;} Love this! Love you! Life is messy! Why do you think all my pictures are CLOSELY cropped! I don't have it figured out either! I bet, if you had a linky party...there'd be TONS of people showing shots like yours and not "photo shoot" ready! ;}

m ^..^

Angela, I have read your blog for a long time and admire what you have posted here. That took great courage! I know you can make changes because your last house was just so awesome, and you have talent! I'm not very good about giving suggestions about other people's homes, although I know exactly what I want to do in mine! But I think I am repeating some advice already given when I suggest that you first spend some time completely decluttering your home and streamlining it a bit. I think that alone will alleviate some of the stress and overwhelming feelings you are experiencing. Learn to adopt the practice of "one thing in, one thing out." (I actually take out two things for every one that comes in.)

Then I would concentrate on one small area at a time as the budget allows. Perhaps a room could be painted or a piece of furniture updated with paint. Things are going very slowly at our place because of tight finances, but I DO try to do something, however small. It makes me feel like I'm moving forward. But I guarantee that reducing your possessions will make life easier and less stressful for a busy working mom like you!

I'm going to vote for the dining room. I think you can get the most bang for your buck in there. It looks like you might have some molding/chair rail on part of the wall?

A little bit of molding, paint and fabric will do the trick. Paint those bookcases maybe. Line the back of them with paper or fabric. Put a dramatic color on the top part of the wall, and a light color under a chair rail. Hang up some linen-y simple curtains.

I just see that dining room as being a pretty quick-fix type of thing. Organize/get rid of some books and choose some great paint.

And - I just learned the power of green frog tape - that stuff is amazing for painting crisp lines.

Angela, what a wonderful post. I don't think it's brave, I think it's just totally real. Thank goodness for at least one person who isn't pretending they're living in FRANCE!!! HA.

Your home looks real and I can tell that people actually live there as opposed to some of the staged things on other blogs. I agree with what most of the other commenters have said. Just like MY house....there's just too much stuff. This is something I think we all struggle with. I've become Goodwill's best friend, taking loads full every week.

My take on the living room. It looks like a great space with plenty of light and I love that chandelier. But, there's too much furniture. I can see a sofa, piano (with bench) cabinet, two wing chairs, coffee table, occassional chair, a table next to that chair and there's something in each back corner that I can't make out. And I count three or four different shades of wood.

I agree that you should put that coffee table somewhere else and bring the family room table into the living room. Move the sofa under the front window and put the two wing chairs flanking the tall cabinet. Find another room for that occasional chair. Can the piano be moved into the family room?

The family room - I count five chairs! All different styles and wood tones. A bookcase and hutch - again in different wood tones. The sofa could stay where it's at - just find two matching chairs and place them directly across from the sofa. The wood stain on the bookcase more closely matches what you have in the dining room so I'd keep that and find another place for the dark hutch.

I am in the same boat as you with unfinished projects all over the house. As someone has mentioned, I've made it a goal to work hard to finish one of those projects and then move on to the next. I won't even tell you about my master bathroom that I call the "Ghetto Spa". My husband ripped it apart when he thought there was a leak and I've lived with nothing but studs on the bottom half of the walls for YEARS now. It's sad but it's real. HA.

The best advice you can take is to empty the room, paint and then put one piece at a time back. Edit, edit, edit!!

Good Luck. You've gotten a lot of good advice here.

Oh I so love this post. It's wonderful knowing not everyone has the perfect house. I read blogs to get ideas but my house is far from perfect as well. I'm hoping these pretty houses rub off on me. Anyways, I'd like to see the master bath loose the changing table. I see lots of potential there.

So, I have a couple of suggestions. I think there's too much furniture in the living room with lots of different patterns and an awkward arrangement. I'd probably take out the one little mismatched chair, move the couch so it faces the fireplace, then either put the plaid chairs on opposite sides facing eachother (one where the little flowered chair is), or together on that side. I'd clear out all the clutter and put down a small area rug to anchor the room. Keep it to the coffee table and just one side or end table.
The other thing I'd work on is the kitchen. it looks like there are unfinished walls in there. I'd try to finish them and get all the construction type stuff done. Then, the next thing I'd do is paint all the cabinets white and change out the hardware. That's a big project but it would make a big difference. Including the breakfast nook cabinets. Then paint walls. Some colors I just used and really really love: manchester tan- really light creamy beige. Silver sage- beautiful gray green. Both really light.
Overall I'd say: declutter and lighten up! Maybe even paint some furniture white too, like some of the mismatched chairs so it looks more cohesive. I'll be interested to see what you end up doing!

Yay for you for keeping it real!!!!! That takes courage! For me... I would choose the room you and your family spend the most time in. And think about budget... doing the kitchen would cost more than painting the family room. I am excited to follow you on this adventure Angela! Oh... when I saw the kids bath it made me chuckle! Stay real. :)Thanks for visiting Sweet as June.

I'm a big believer in the concept of setting low goals, the accomplishment of which gives you an energy boost so you can tackle the next easiest thing, and so on. So I'd like you to start with the laundry room OR the breakfast nook. They both seem to just need a little cleaning, decluttering, and minor spiffing. Oh, and.... make the beds, that will help. :)I like your house even messy. :)

Start small...Some of the smaller rooms just need organizing/cleaning, and maybe some purging..Which is my favorite things to do. A simple coat of paint can REALLY transform a room. Once you've got the smaller one under your belt...You'll feel more "oomphed" for a bigger one.

Hi
I can't imagine how busy you are with tiny children and a job. It would perhaps help to give your hubby a short chore list every A.M.
I would start with the living room. A unifying color and some slip covers.
I would keep all the kid toys in another area, but all in the same place.
Before I went to bed every night, I tidied up the living room. Every morning, it empowered me; I had established a beach-head to launch out and attack my day.
Don't get discouraged. Remember how you eat an elephant; one bite at a time!

I say focus on one room and try to get it as done as possible. That way, you can always retreat to it when you need inspiration to keep going. By keeping it in room-sized chunks, it will eventually all be done. Just relax, breathe, and know that you are raising a family, which totally trumps a shelter magazine fantasy any day.

You're the reason that I have been able to DIY my house, thanks to your pillow tutorial. It totally gave me the confidence to try bigger projects on my (previously unused) sewing machine. Thank you.

Having only recently moved into the first house of our own, I can understand your feelings. At first one is glad to get all the furniture into the rooms and then afterwards you start thinking that somehow this all looks so ordinary and drab and so not like the stuff other bloggers show of their homes.
Don't be afraid. As ppl said here before, start with one small project and go from there. Start with the laundry room or the guest bathroom. These are both projects that can be finished over a weekend and afterwards you feel geared up to tackle bigger projects and rooms.
This way we are doing our house. Finally we have the downstairs ready ... well ready as it can be for our every day life. We still need to put up the cornices in place in the living room and hanging the picture frames, and the hall ceiling needs to be sanded and painted, and the kitchen needs a table and two chairs BUT ... it is homely and friendly and it has colour themes now that we like and can live with for the next couple of years. Walking up stairs that is a whole other thing ... drab walls, carpet instead of wooden floor boards and a grey/orange painted hell of a master bedroom (good thing we sleep with our eyes closed). We are getting there ... one tiny bit at a time and I'm sure so will you.

Honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with your house. It looks like a house. It looks like people live there, which is how most everyone's house looks! You've got it decorated nicely. The only thing I'd be worried about is the bathroom that's obviously in the early stages of a remodel. I guess maybe just sit down and try to figure out what your end goal is exactly. Are you trying to make it nice for you and your family, or for an audience? Figure out what exactly is bothering you, maybe go room by room and write those things down. Then, go over the list and pare it down to the things that annoy you the most and go from there. Shoot for easy and cheap fixes. For me, I figure if everything works and it's reasonable tidy, I'm doing okay. But then, I'm also deeply lazy when it comes to house stuff (which explains why so much needs fixing around here)! Good luck! Hope you guys are doing well! :)

Well, I have nothing to say but I'm proud of you for being so open and honest! Your house looks like my house... lived in. Like you, I just can't seem to find enuff hours to get it all done. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Angela:

This is the first time I read your blog.
As for your home - I love it. Many of us live in similar size/style homes as yours... some of us have even smaller homes .. like me :)

I agree with Debra's post - pick 3 colours and stay with them. The only other advice I give you is to paint, paint, paint anything that is not an antique. Speaking from experience, a warm cream colour goes a long way in masking different types of wood... and creates the cottage look/feeling that some many of us love.

Thanks for sharing your home with us.
Have a great day!

Chiming in rather late here, but thought I'd offer my 2 cents: I think a little instant gratification might get you off the dime. If you don't already read it, check out Young House Love blog. Their "look" is more minimal than yours, but they have great adaptable ideas and wonderful "before" and "after" photos. http://www.younghouselove.com/photo-gallery-2/

Start small, as with your laundry room. Make a handy folding surface with a sheet of plywood covered with oilcloth and lain on top of the washer & dryer. You clearly need more shelves for better organization, maybe a cheery paint color and rug. Then hide all the necessary clutter with this trick from Young House Love:
(Before) - http://www.younghouselove.com/wp-content/uploads/housetour/final-laundry-nook-before.jpg
(After) - http://www.younghouselove.com/wp-content/uploads/housetour/final-laundry-nook-after.jpg

In your master bedroom, paint your closet doors and trim white or ivory. Add door pulls/handles with a cottage-y look--I saw some Anthropologie knock-offs at TJ Maxx Home Goods. If the chest beneath the window fits wall-to-wall, paint it like the closet doors, as if it too is a built-in type of cabinetry. Use taller bedside lamps or swing-arm wall lamps for a neater look. If your bedside tables don't match, don't match the lamps either--just make them the approximate same height, even using a book(s) as a riser if need be.

Since the breakfast area cabinets don't match your kitchen cabinets, take away half the crockery and paint the cabinets a distressed white or black. Add cottage-y hardware. If you want to conceal the upper cabinet contents, lace or old worn kitchen linens could be gathered on the inside like sash curtains.

Just some cheap, quick suggestions to get the ball rolling. Good luck and let us see the changes you make!

Angela, Thank you SO much for sharing your thoughts and pictures. I am in the same boat and am ashamed to say that I was relieved when I read your post. It feels better knowing I'm not alone.

This weekend the hubby and I are going to tackle our house, because I just can't get motivated to work on this house alone.

Thanks for being brave and being real! We will get our homes in order...sooner or later!

Michelle

"If I have something I haven't used in 2 years, the 3rd year it goes "on trial", if in that 3rd year I don't use it~ I get rid of it".

I do not own an Avocado Fondue pot! (O.K., Laugh) I got rid of mine when people were still buying them, (Yes, this dates me, but there is a lesson here).

My point is to make the best use of what we have or get rid of it. Every Spring I have a yard sale. It is an unseen fund that many overlook. I have paid for cruise vacations, bills or bought what I truly wanted.

I have never missed anything I've sold. Always looked back and thought if I did, I could easily replace it from the money I got from the yard sale. Never had to.

If you haven't used something in three year, believe me; you NEVER will in twenty years!

Every February I start spring cleaning with the kitchen. I place a large box in the garage and place anything I haven't used in 3 yrs. in it. I clean room after room. By June I am ready for a sale. I'd ask my kids if they had clothes they didn't want to put them to one side of their closet. That way I could just re-hang them out in the sale.

Think of all the New things you really want for your home....this is a way to get them without breaking the bank. And maybe your in-laws will contrive to your cause too.

Spend 15 minutes after the kids are in bed cleaning out one cabinet and by Spring you'll have less clutter and cash to decorate. Declutter and make room to display/use what you love.

~Happy Trails 2 U~

My dad once told me:

"You spend the first 1/3 of your life wanting things;

the second 1/3 of your life obtainting them

and the last 1/3 of your life realizing that you will never live long enough to use them".

This was a quote from a true Depression Era pack rat. I guess that's why I created the "3 year trial rule". I don't want to wait until I'm old to enjoy things nor do I want to surround myself in what I'm never going to use.

I love your new home and it has great possibilites... everywhere!

Remember your first impression of your home? All the ideas and changes you were going to make? Write them down now before you become confortable lving with them. You won't regret it.

Oh just look around my house next time you are over. That should show you just how far along you are.

~Living Room~

Place the two wing chairs in front of the tall cabinet closer to the fireplace. Turn the small table to fit in-between them unless you have a small dark table. Opposite of them, place the sofa so its back is to you as you walk into the room. Find a sofa table or improvise with one that meets the height of the back of your sofa. On the sofa table place one “candle” lamp and display a collection. This will “open” up the room as your eyes will flow past the sofa and upward. The idea is to make the room “flow” so your eyes do not stop at any one thing. Place the chairs and sofa so they line up just off the edges of the fireplace when seated. Someday, add an area rug under the surface of the two wing chairs and sofa or do a painted one. Take the two fabric dining room chairs and place them against the window in the living room with a small table between them if there is room to walk through. Without seeing this space it’s hard to know what else can be done. If not, then perhaps another sofa size table under the window to display a collection (this is opposite of the fireplace wall)

There is a dark breakfront in the family room. Can this be placed on the other side of the fireplace to even out the dark wood piano? We need to see the entire room. Or is it possible to switch the large oak cabinet in the living room with this dark one in the family room? The oak one is modern while the dark one is more traditional and would suit your living room style ~ More “French Country”.

Try finding an artificial plant or a fichus tree for the corners next to the tall cabinet. Or cut a small tree with branches. An up light or plant light will add interest and transition to the corner by the cabinet and piano. Or use white Christmas lights, hidden in a topiary tree. I made topiaries by cutting a small birch tree to height needed, anchored them in quick plaster, added two grapevine “balls” then covered with ivy plants and lights. These are good outside with red bows at C’mas time.

Vinyl lettering with a family saying would look nice above the piano with a small collection of family photos. It would help break the “heaviness” of those two walls.
http://www.wallwritten.com/CollectionPages.html?gclid=CJvzmJ2ewaUCFRhzgwods3DcXw

You might also try Bed, Bath, Beyond with their coupons at 40% off; they have some sayings. If you don’t choose the lettering; the piano needs some “transition: height to the corner side of the room. Something delicate: Pussy Willows or spray some “branches” with white paint, place in a glass vase with colored glass pebbles. (You don’t want anything “heavy” here. Forsythias in spring would be lovely.

If you choose to keep the large oak cabinet in the living room, white wash it and the small table to match, try finding room in the family room for the piano.

Third option:

The oak cabinet (presumably from your remodeled kitchen) suits the family room and kitchen areas but I don’t know your usage of it. Perhaps it would work in your craft room/office ~ by removing the doors and adding shelves. Or remove the center panels of the doors and add wire similar to the hutch that is already in your craft room. Paint to match or compliment that one. Another alternative is to cut cork board to fit the insets (openings or frame) then add thin batting, wrap in some great fabric and staple to the backs. Criscross ribbon in diamond shapes and glue to back to hold cards, notes and projects Make a finished inside to each door out of fabric. Essentially, each door will have an inset of padded fabric/cork board (like a fabric bulletin board for creative “stuff”. You can then use the storage for freeing up things you now have in boxes. More on the craft room to follow.

The hutch that is now in the craft room can be placed behind the two wing chairs in the living room. Display dishes and collections with the side doors open. Add a floral bough on the top of the hutch or ivy with some of your houses.

Wish there were a floor plan so we could see square footage and placement of your walls. I know you probably don’t need more work other than the remodeling you have now. I see you’ve moved walls, sofits and cabinets. I know it takes time but it’s all worth it in the end. Quite an accomplishment you’ll be proud of for years to come.

~Family Room~

You have enough projects going…… but the chair rail is placed too high on the wall making one feel as if your pants are pulled up over your head effect. It cuts the room in half instead of letting your eyes gaze upwards making the room’s ceiling appear higher. Chair rail was designed to protect the wall from the backs of chairs hitting it in a dining room. Someday, lower this to approx. 36” and you’ll be amazed at the difference. Sorry, you must hate me by now. Dare I continue?

If this dining table is used for home school, then it should go all wood chairs. If not; the fabric chairs blend nicely with the style of the table. Take the wood ones and make seat covers with ruffles or paint them. Place the tall bookshelf the corner at a 45* angle to the corner, and then place the short ones on each of the walls next to it.

The two craftsmen’s style chairs are my favorite but there are too many “lost” chairs in this room. Without seeing the other walls, it’s hard to place them. I’d like to see them on the back porch in a resort style setting. Take advantage of that patio as an extension of your family room. You can always reupholster the cushions in a weather proof striped material; add matching floral throw pillows to your wicker rocker and it will “pop”. You could paint the table to match, make placemats too.

This frees up space in the family room. Place the large blue leather chair and ottoman in the corner of that room, away from the wall or book self. Position the sofa opposite, facing the sliding doors. On the “room” side of the sofa place the back of the end table against the fabric so you see wood on all three visible sides, If you need one of the craftsman chairs then place it opposite of the window, next to the end table. Coffee table stays in front of sofa. If extra sitting space for kids is needed, consider using small stools or make wood boxes covered in foam and fabric that will fit under coffee table. (Maybe utilize the wood doors you removed from the kitchen cabinet if placed in the craft room)

Craft Room~ My favorite place!

I too have converted closets into “working” space. But I do see a need for out of the way storage in this room. You need to free up space so you can make best of the space you have. You might try something different. Take the computers out of the closet and make shelves the Depth of the closet. Most people make the mistake of making shelves 12” deep when they can make them 24” deep and fit “Xerox” boxes head on! All the shelves can be the depth of the closet except for the very top shelf. It needs to be the width of the boxes you are putting up there. Take all the “stuff” off the floor and use the two closets. It is better utilization of this space.

Working computer area~

Go to “Habitat for Humanity Resale Store” in your area. http://www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore_detail.aspx?place=81&tgs=MTIvMS8yMDEwIDExOjQyOjIyIEFN

They have interior and exterior doors for approx. $10. - $15. These come in 30” and 36” widths. Buy three and hopefully you can fit one against the wall and two off from that forming an “L”. The L that extends into the room will be for both computers; each on opposite sides. The door knob hole works perfectly for computer cords.

You can also buy or find file cabinets cheap at Habitat to use as legs for the door table tops. Paint them all white so they don’t add weight to the room... If you are short or can afford those, use your full boxes of “stuff” in the meantime. Or perhaps a leftover kitchen cabinet will do nicely on each end and double for storage. The “lazy Susan” cabinet works well for the corner of the “L”. Paint all thee white to blend into the rooms walls. This will get all your things out of those boxes and free up valuable working space.

If you don’t use the kitchen cabinet in the living room for the fabric bulletin board/ storage; then make a bulletin board on the wall above the L computer station. You’ll have an Idea board, To Do board or Project board that will be an asset. Your file cabinets underneath and plenty of free workspace on the table you now have.

Front Porch

You have a Lovely home! Great "bones" with lots of potential. The front door color is really nice and has great curb appeal. I don't think there is room for shutters, which have been mentioned unless you relocate the porch light. Otherwise door shutters would be more attractive than window shutters since the window is already wide.

If you can move the small tree and replace it someday with a Japanese maple~ for a Wow factor. Then the area of dirt with the Maple tree can be enlarged as a Focal point

Perhaps flagstone path can be extended along the same curve line you now have. Or take a garden hose and outline a new one outside of the dirt's edge, from the front step to mid driveway. An additional “first step” can be added with a few bags of “quick concrete.

Create a round patio of flagstones in front of the small tree; add the small table and chairs. Install a pole light. near the extended path at the driveway or walk way lights. Place seasonal flowers in the bed….bulbs, mums, etc. Mulch the area with dark red chips to accent the color of your door.

If you don’t choose to make a flagstone path, then add Boxwoods (small shrubs) in front of the concrete step to hide it from street view. Add two topiary rose bushes on each side of them to frame your front door. The star is popular in Texas but your home is California Ranch style; it’s a bit distracting since that’s where you eyes go first.

One caution: watering pots next to the foundation of your home will eventually cause the concrete sidewalk to sink and crack next to your foundation. Water can also cause foundation problems and lead to hidden mold under your siding.

Hope you might find an idea to use. Remember, nothing in life is permanent. Enjoy your family have fun and make memories!

Spring is just around the corner……..