Family Room Reveal: Before and After

I was perfectly happy with my family room.

I loved the red check curtains,
the cottag-y slipcovers, and my dad's pine trunk.

I loved it even more when I got a new grey couch!
And it looked great with everything that was already in the room.
No need to change anything!

But one day, just for fun, I hung up some grey fabric
to see what it would look like instead of the red checks.

Then I just happened to find this great rug when
I was shopping on vacation.
I wasn't looking for it, it was just there!

Well, one thing always leads to something else,
so I made new slipcovers in a navy ticking
and new pillows to keep a pop of red.
(Plus, I wanted to keep the little red dresser in the corner)


I also brought in an old over-stuffed chair and painted it grey,


traded the heavy, dark trunk for an airy, white table,


and made new pillows for the couch,
including some red-checked ones!

Fall Tour Complete, I Promise!

This will be the last post on Fall Decorating
as we move on from the living room, into the dining and family rooms!

 This is where I start to add a little color with pumpkins and gourds,

but I still keep a lot of white.

 

 More of my music sheet leaf garland works well with all my white dishes.

 

 I started with a banner as well, but decided it was too busy,

so it was moved into the family room.

 

 I love to use chalkboards, so I added one to the top

of the Welsh Dresser,

 

 and I always keep this one on the door.

 

 This year's basket of gourds, corn and pumpkins.

 The family room is already full of fall colors,

so not much needed in here!

 I like the banner much better over the window.

 Lots of pillows!

And some more random shots:

Happy Fall!

Joining a new party this week:

"Summerizing the House"

I don't know if "summerize" is a word, but every year, when the weather takes a turn towards summer, and you know this time it's going to stick, usually sometime around Memorial Day, I get an urge to clear out all the heavy, dark accessories that are still left after the Spring purge.

Things like quilts and dark pillows and too many chotchkies.

 In the dining room, I went all white with just a little color.

 I brought in 6 white chairs and 2 turquoise chairs for the ends.

A white cloth on the table with white candles and a 

white pitcher filled with lavender keeps it simple and fresh.

In the guest room, I replaced the pink quilt with one that feels like summer:

Grandmother's Flower Garden in reds and yellows and blues.

 The mantle felt too heavy, so I lightened it up by 

removing some of the stuff.

Much more "summery"!

Pillows and quilts were removed or changed out

in the family room as well.

Maybe it only makes a little difference,

but to me it feels lighter and less cluttered and ready for summer!

Kids' Room Redo

Since we have lived in this house, almost 4 years now, this kids' room has already
 had three different looks.
Each new grandchild required some new accommodations!

 There are now 4 children, with more soon to come.
So, now we can sleep at least 4.
(More when you consider how little they are, so 2 can easily share 1 bed!)

 Top bunk.

Bottom bunk.

Temporary mattress on the floor, waiting for the new bed.
(There's also a trundle under the bunks that can be pulled out when needed.)

On the opposite wall is a large world map. I bought it from Amazon and I guess I didn't realize there wasn't much color to it, so I made a colorful banner across the top.
 

Under the map, I set up an art station.
 I spray-painted some tin cans to hold pencils and other items,
bringing in more color.
(Red was specifically requested!)

 
 In this corner, I combined a small chest and bookshelf, painted them both red.
 On top is a ship that belonged to Grandpa when he was a boy.

 It's hard to tell it isn't just one piece of furniture.

 I added some other details: Grandpa's Boy Scout lantern;

a star chart that was once in their father's room;

a globe and favorite books inside old Carnation crates;


 row boat shelf  and oar

small red chair and hand painted star pillows.

Cute corner!

Little red lantern and western vest that belonged to their great grandfather
 hanging from one of our quick little projects:

 just a piece of wood with some cute knobs screwed into it;

We put this room together in 2 days, using whatever we had,
and I can't wait for the next visit!

I think the kids are going to love it!