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!

Map Table

I had this little end table that I painted turquoise and then forgot about.
(actually, I think it got lost in the garage!)

I had added a map at some point, trying to add some pizazz.

I then promptly forgot about it again because it just wasn't very exciting.

Fortunately, I remembered it when I was redoing
 my grandkids' room.

 Painted red, it would be perfect!

 The room is all about adventure,

filled with maps and globes, ships and planes...
well, you can see it here.

 I left some of the turquoise because I love red and turquoise together!

Happy Day!!

Christmas House Tour: Family Room

My family room at the back of the house is a lot of red and yellow,
so this is where all my old red and green Christmas things live during the holidays!

 
Quilts and pillows.

The red checked curtains look like they were put up just for the season!


Nutcrackers and Christmas books!


Snowmen and snow globes!

This year I had a 4 and 6 year old helping with the decorating,

thus, some interesting placement of things!

Santas on shelves!

Santa with his horse!

Even Santa on a picnic basket!

Merry Christmas Links:

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!