Our plans for to create the coziest farmhouse family room…
Well hello friends!
Welcome back to Week Two of this crazy One Room Challenge journey!
Still feeling like we’re totally nuts to have taken this on with so much else going on at the moment, but…
We are officially down an entire wall, so I guess there’s no turning back now.
I chatted a bit last week about my lack of organization (or any sort of plan really) this time around.
I also mentioned how much I truly dislike the space as it is now and how impractical it’s been.
But, I think I’ve finally come up with a design that will work better for our family.
I’m sure you’ve guessed by now, this involved the removal of a wall.
We actually plan to move this wall in about a foot (right where that line of green tape is sitting), stealing some space from our awkwardly long family room and putting it to work in what will eventually be our mudroom/ laundry space instead (though for now, it’s just going to be a big fat mess of a space). That way, when we enter the house through the garage, we’ll walk into our mudroom instead of the family room. Pretty excited about that!
Once it’s built back up, I’m hoping to create a beautiful focal wall with some vintage green chalkboard paint.
We’ve loved the fact that this space has a door to close the TV noise off from the rest of the house (AKA: the toddler that’s supposed to be sleeping soundly upstairs), though the door itself wasn’t exactly my favourite. I’ve been dreaming of a sliding barn style door for years now and can’t wait to finally have the chance to put one to work in our own home! I think a sliding wood door would look so perfect hanging in front of that chalkboard wall!
The rest of the walls are covered in this awful texture treatment, but just the bottom half because doing the whole wall would have been weird right?! Seriously though, why would anyone ever think that was a good idea? Obviously we’re going to need to cover that with something, so I’m thinking that’s a pretty great excuse to #shiplapallthethings! Planning to paint them all the same colour as our hallway too and of course, trim it all out with the same farmhouse style trim.
We also need to move (and remove) that lovely ceiling fan because putting a ceiling light right in the corner of any room is about as weird as those half-textured walls. I haven’t actually chosen a new light for the space just yet as I’m having a hard time making any of the lights I’ve fallen in love with work with those 9ft ceilings. I’d love to hear what y’all think of this one from Wayfair, or any other options that might work!
While we’re at it, we might just end up planking our ceiling too … you know, if I can talk hubs into adding that bit to the ever-growing list.
I actually don’t mind our fireplace, you know, aside from the fact that it’s tucked into a corner, making it super awkward to decorate around, but that is not something we’re willing to take on at the moment, so we’ll just have to work with it.
And, though I’m not really in love with our laminate floors, we’re going to hold off on changing those until we’re ready to tackle the rest of our main floor. Instead, I plan to cover them with this pretty rug from Rugs USA.
And of course, my very favourite part … actually decorating the space!
I’m SO excited to have the opportunity to work with The Brick to design our own custom sofa for the space! My Canadian readers are surely familiar with The Brick, but if you’re like me, you probably had no idea that they offer custom design services … friends, this is going to be incredible and I cannot wait to share more about it all next week!!!
Plus, how cute would a big old sectional look piled high with these gorgeous pillows from Tonic Living and So Vintage Chic!
You may remember that green tape all over our floors last week as well – after weeks of playing around with furniture placement in this awkward space (that corner fireplace is no joke friends!), we’ve finally settled on the rest of our furniture for the space as well:
And, though I’d love to pretend that we’re the sort of family that spends every evening enjoying family game night while sipping lemonade, truth is, aside from that comfy couch, the TV will probably be the most used part of this space. Though for the record, we always wait until C heads off to bed. Considering our current TV is nearly 10 years old, I’ve got to say, we’re pretty darn excited about movie nights with this baby!
I cannot wait to hang some beautiful artwork from one of my favourite rustic sign shops, William Rae Designs, including a ginormous custom piece that will hang right above our new sofa!!!
And finally, because I just cant help myself, let me just break it down one more time (yaโll know how much I love my lists!):
– demo and rebuild wall
– paint chalkboard wall
– hang sliding door
– remove ceiling fan and move to centre
– plank walls and ceiling
– paint walls and ceiling
– install new light
– replace trim and paint
– hang art and decorate
Oh my goodness โ it may not look long, but I have absolutely no idea how we’re going to pull this all off!!!
We are SO incredibly lucky to be teaming up with some AHHHHHMAZING companies as we take on this crazy renovation! Sending out SUCH a big thank you to the following companies for sponsoring this makeover (and making it so easy to recommend them and their fabulous products!):
Rugs USA | The Brick | Wayfair.ca | Tonic Living | William Rae Designs | HomeRight | So Vintage Chic
Be sure to follow along with us on Instagram for all sorts of updates and sneak peeks!
Now, you’re going to want to pop over to the One Room Challenge page to check out all of the other incredible room makeovers that are just getting underway too!
Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!
Wowzers girl, you do not mess around! I’m so excited to see this major transformation! Just beautiful!
Thanks so much Laurie! I still have no idea how we’re going to pull this off!!!
Oh a vintage green chalkboard wall?! Such a great idea. And all the pretty accents will make it just stunning. Can’t wait to see the planked ceiling, too!
Thank you so, so much Sarah! Here’s hoping we can get that wall back up this week!!!
I love what you have in store for this room!! Going down to the studs is something I haven’t done yet!! I’ll have to learn from you!
Yay, the ceiling fan is on its way out! I am also struggling with a light fixture for our entryway…the ceiling is 8ft tall, and I’m so scared to buy something without seeing it in person!
I know just what you mean Brittany! It’s SO hard to choose when you can’t actually see the size and finish in person! Wishing you luck!!!
Love all of your inspiration and ideas! Can’t wait to see!
Thank you so, so much Amanda!!!
Just a quick idea for your corner fireplace. Since you are building walls anyways….you could build a small wall above the fireplace on the 45 degree angle leaving only the mantle part to butt out. then you could do the shiplap treatment on the angled wall above the fireplace, paint the oak, and you would have a totally different Farmhouse look. My sister did this to her corner fireplace. It is so much easier to decorate and it looks built in rather than just placed in the corner. just an idea……love everything you do.
Brenda!!! You are brilliant! Thank you so, so much! Will definitely have a chat with hubs to see if we have time to work something like this in! I totally agree that it would help things look much more like they were meant to be that way! Thank you!!!
We have that entertainment console and love it. Lots of room for DVDs, CDs, etc. I am looking forward to seeing your completed room. Congrats!
Oh good!!! I love that we’ll have a bit of extra storage and the details on it are right up my alley! I can’t wait to see it in the space! Thanks so much Jeannie!
I LOVE where your plans are going, Kristi!!! And yes, shiplap all the things. I’m so with you (we’re at 3 rooms with shiplapped walls already in our house)
Thank you Thalita! I don’t think there’ll ever be enough shiplap in my life! ๐
Kristi! I just love what you have picked out for your “new” family room and can hardly wait to see it all finished! The sliding door will look so nice — love these doors! The light fixture you have picked out from Wayfair is perfect and will look great in your family room. I’m a Wayfair shopper, too! Just love that place! It’s good to have them here in Canada now! It’s great to be able to shop in Canadian dollars! However, I still do order a few things from Wayfair.com that I can’t find here. Now, if only Kirkland’s would open stores here in Canada — out west! This reno is so exciting for you — even though it’s so much work — to see this room coming together! Great ideas! Enjoy! It will soon be done! Have a great day, Kristi!
Thank you Mary-Ann!!! I’m so happy to hear that you’re loving it all, especially that light fixture – I’ve really been having doubts about that one, so it means the world to know that you think I’m on the right track! I couldn’t agree more about finally having Wayfair up here in Canada and I’ve definitely got my fingers crossed for a few others I’m hoping make their way north too (Hobby Lobby would be high up on that list too!). Thanks again!!!
Yay for progress!! And I’m loving all those cozy pillows!
Ahhhh, I wish it actually felt like progress! Right now it feels like we’ve walked backwards instead, but I know it’s going to be worth the extra work. Thanks so much Bre!
Your living room pallet looks fantastic. And, who knew the Brick had such great pieces. I’m going there (on-line) right away. I am looking forward to this new challenge. I have loved all the previous ones.
*Smiles*
Thank you Pamela, you are so darn sweet! It had been a while since I shopped The Brick too actually, but I’ve been so pleasantly surprised to find such gorgeous options that so perfectly suit my style, it’s the first place I look now!
Wowee, look at that will go! I love your ideas, and I can’t wait to see them come to life. So excited for your custom sofa, too!!
Thank you so, so much Christina! I have to say, I feel like we’re moving backwards right now – here’s hoping we can pull this thing off in time!!! And I cannot wait to see that custom sofa come to life!!!
LOVE!! Cant wait to see it finished! And this coffee table is what Ive been on the hunt for!
Oh, thank you Tiffany! I’m already dying to see it all come together! And I’m SO thrilled you found what you’ve been looking for – I love the extra storage it brings to the space for us and think the chunky look will be a perfect match for us too!
Your design plans always blow us away. This is a big project and we are sure it will be fabulous!
Awwww, well thank you ladies! I’m absolutely dying to see it all come together!!!
lots of progress, you got some nice sponsors which helps emmensly. see you next week,
Maria
Thanks Maria! It really feels like we’re moving backwards right now, but I know it’ll be worth it in the end. And yes, great sponsors are EVERYTHING! We couldn’t do this without them!!!
Brit from House Updated reminded me the other day that I was tackling a space that I didn’t like in the first place so wherever I end up … It will be better than where it started. I loved that and just want to encourage you with it too! You got this. Can’t wait to see.
What a clever idea to move the wall to accommodate a mud room and I’m sure you won’t regret the extra work to make that happen. Love your design plan and can’t wait to follow it’s progression. We are all too familiar with The Brick. My Mom grew up next door to the founder’s and my cousin is a major buyer for them. You have a great list of brands working with you. Loads of work in just six short weeks but keep your eyes on the prize – a beautiful room to decorate and enjoy for the holidays!
Your mass destruction of the wall looks soooooo clean! Love the look. Can’t wait to see more!
Hahaha! Definitely not a clean process – everything is still covered in drywall dust, but I just keep telling myself that it’ll be worth it! Thanks Kyla!!!
With that out of the way, the fun begins!
Agreed!!! Thanks Ariel!
Look at all that hard work you’ve done already!!!! And I am loving the inspiration, especially that barn door! Where is the heart eyes emoji when you need it?!?!? ๐
Hahaha! Well thanks Nicole! I cannot wait to see how it all comes together!
All the hard work will be worth it! The direction you’re heading looks lovely!
Thank you so, so much Jessica!!!
Is this a more complicated or involved rehab than your incredible farmhouse bathroom was? When you look at long list of things it will naturally look formidable, -but – you got thru that on time, why not this room? Look at your list, tackle one item at a time, before you know it there will be more done items crossed off than not. You’ll be amazed how well you do and when you get done you’ll have an awesome house and very nice furniture. Mission accomplished.
We bought ourselves a 50″ flat screen for Christmas. After living with little 32″ was quite an adjustment, now if I could keep hubs from surfing, changing channels it would be perfect. We won’t get a bigger tv as our living room is only 14’x16′ with 3 doorways so no room but new tv is quite a luxury for us, ours was old 32″ flat screen. We gave it to our son in law to watch football in their little tv room. They have 65″ in living room which is quite large.
In the spring we switched a 6v drawer thrift store dresser into tv stand, painted it light gray like our walls in l/r so it wouldn’t be this huge looking piece of furniture in our little room. Turned out pretty good, spent more for paint than we did the dresser. Put new knobs from Hobby Lobby on it and casters to move on carpet, they were little pricey even getting them at Harbor Freight.
I am so envious of your wonderful awesome bathroom, enjoying it? Sure hope so.
Have great weekend, even if you’ll spend it working on house.
Hi JaneEllen!!! You are SO right – focusing on on item at a time definitely helps keep things from getting too overwhelming! Sounds like you have a similar space to ours – not too big and lots of doorways to work around. LOVE the idea of using a dresser for the TV! Wishing you a wonderful weekend as well friend!
Kristi, if anyone can get it done it’ll be you, and it’ll be amazing!! Love the plan, and can’t wait to follow along for more updates!!
Thank you so, so much Iris! I sure hope you’re right my friend!
Whoa Kristy! This space is going to look STUNNING! I’m SO excited to see it all come together!
Thank you Lindi!!! Here’s hoping we can pull it off in time!!!
Your design plan is seriously darling! I can’t wait to see how this turns out!
Thank you so, so much Crystal!
It’s looking wonderful! I love fireplace and mat.
Thanks so much Kerry!
WOW Kristi I had no idea you were moving the wall, this is so impressive! That barn door is going to look fab and the light fixture! Can’t wait to see your progress my friend! XOXO, Sarah
Ahhhh, thanks so much Sarah! I’m still not sure we’re actually going to be able to pull it all off in time, but a gal can dream!
The barn doors are all the rage. Our local hardware store and the Rural King have the hardware to put them in! I was so surprised they carried it. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Oh fun! I haven’t come across any barn door hardware locally, though we’re in a pretty small town. Thanks so much Sherry!
That is quite the project! The laminate falls are beautiful, I don’t know why you would want to change that. Love those farmhouse pillows, especially the truck one.
Thank you! We only hope to change the floors down the road to tie in with the rest of our main floor, but definitely don’t mind living with this laminate in the mean time. ๐ Thanks again!
I cannot wait to see the finish line, it is going to be amazing!! I am getting a serious crush on that barn door…Thank you so much for joining us at the DI & DI Link party also. I hope you found some new friends and had fun!
Awwwww, well thank you Christine! Here’s hoping we make it in time!
That is going to look great!! I love those rolling doors. ๐ Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Thanks so much!!!
Sounds like a great plan! I want a barn door.. But I really don’t have a door for it. Good Luck! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on Twitter! Have a great week!
Kim
Thank you so, so much Kim! I’ve been wanting one for ages too and am SO excited to finally have a chance to put one to work!
Eeeeek… I LOVE all of your ideas! ๐ I’m so anxious to see how it comes together. Just keep swimming! You can do it.
Thank you SO, SO much for the words of encouragement Chelsea! They’re very much needed right now! ๐