I’m proud to be partnering with Raymour & Flanigan for the One Room Challenge and share my honest opinion and experience with you!
Welcome back to my family room makeover chronicles! We’re three weeks in, with only three to go and I’m feeling pretty good about the progress so far. Here’s the scoop on what went down this week, and what I’m still working on!
WALLS, CHECK
This week I finally decided which direction I wanted to go with the wall mouldings. As I mentioned before, I recently added battens to the existing half wall that a previous owner had installed. Our house style is very common around here (a basic standard colonial), so we’ve had the opportunity to examine the same layout with and without the half wall in our friends’ homes. I like that our half wall gives the family room a little separation from where you walk in from the garage, but what I really, really, really love is that we still get the natural light from the bathroom window, without seeing the toilet when you’re sitting in the family room!!
I did board and batten (minus the board) on the half wall because I had already installed this style moulding in our foyer and the bathroom.
The family room is so blah and uninteresting, some kind of moulding was a must!
I LOVE square board and batten and some of you may remember this Serena & Lily picture that was my initial inspiration for the bathroom.
I didn’t end up doing the grid in the bathroom and have been mulling over using this design on the wall behind the couch, so I sketched it out first on grid paper, and then onto the wall.
If you’re trying to decide on a moulding design, I highly recommend using a pencil and level to draw it on the walls first!
Once the design was on the wall, I considered the art and sconces that are going on here, and the grid design felt a little too busy after all, so in the end I decided to go with full wall battens that will be topped with crown. I totally love it so far!
In this plain, dime-a-dozen house, the moulding adds SO much to the space without being too busy.
Working my way around the room…..
I snapped this pic below last night when I was caulking my little heart out – you can see how the battens meet the wall AC unit that is the bane of my existence. I’m still mulling over if I should make some kind of cover for the AC for the months that we aren’t using it, or use some other disguise. If you have any clever ideas on what to do with this eyesore, I’d love to hear them!!
If you’re new here, our house has had 5 different owners before us, and somewhere along the way central AC was added – but only to the second floor with the bedrooms. The ductwork to put central AC on the first floor would be a nightmare that we’re not eager to take on any time soon. Also, while this little gem is not very attractive smack dab in the middle of our family room, it somehow manages to cool the whole floor really well, so truly I am grateful to have it.
CROWN MOULDING, GAH
Next up, installing the crown moulding. I’ve installed it several times before, but never seem to do so without a lot of cuts, recuts, and more recuts, running back to the store for more crown, swearing, sweating, and generally scaring the living daylights out of my husband and children with the wild look in my eyes.
For what it’s worth, despite all the anguish involved with installing crown, I love how it it came out on the built-ins when I renovated the fireplace, so one of the things I am challenging myself to with the ORC is to majorly up my game with crown installation and really learn how to do it well. I want to install it all around our house so it’s time to really learn the craft.
THE BUILT INS
We have a wall of bookcases in our living room, so I tried valiantly to style these ones in our family room with decorative objects and whatnot, but OY THEY HAVE VEXED ME SO. Too much stuff!! Too much trying to make it look pretty and not enough actual storage of things we need but I don’t want to see! SOOOOO……cabinet doors have been ordered for the bottom two boxes on each side and they should be in this week, along with some cute knobs!
I’ve long debated about the navy blue backs of the bookcases and recently tried some seagrass wallpaper in here, but even though I love sandy neutrals, it just wasn’t a winner in this space.
My plan is to use more books on these shelves, with minimal objects, and a few family photos. Less clutter! What do you think about the blue backs? Keep them or paint them white? Or do something else altogether?
CHAIRS
It might surprise you that it’s Week Three and I still haven’t ordered chairs for the room. Getting furniture ordered is kind of a big deal, yes??? Especially when you’re in a 6 week time crunch?? UGH I know!!! Thankfully Raymour & Flanigan has 3 day delivery on in-stock furniture, which is amazing for people like me who take their sweet time deciding and then want the furniture to magically arrive to the house!
They have SO many chair options! These were originally my top contenders – something comfy, a fairly decent size, in a solid, neutral fabric.
I’m leaning towards going with the skirted chair in the middle (#3) to mix things up with the unskirted chesterfield and settee. This is the chair from my original design board and I keep coming back to it. It just looks so comfy for my whole family cozying up under blankets and watching a movie. (Everyone is a little skeptical about the comfiness of the settee for movie nights but I’m thinking an ottoman might solve that issue!)
Since I didn’t give Mark and the kids a say on the couch and settee, I want them to come check out these chairs at Raymour & Flanigan before I put the order in, because, you know, I’m a team player and all 🙂
LIGHTING
As I mentioned on Tuesday, I ordered a canvas print of a piece of art I found on Etsy, and then I bought not one, but two sets of sconces to flank the art that I’ll need to decide on.
With the pieces of furniture above in mind, which ones do you like better?
The starburst…..
….or wood-beaded?
Please cast your vote and help an undecided girl out. 🙂
This week ahead is all about finishing up the walls, installing the crown, painting all that goodness, painting and installing the cabinet doors, deciding on sconces and ordering the chairs!!! Phew, not much to do here! HA!
At least I can cross a few things off the to-do list…..
Empty bookcases • order bookcase cabinet doors and knobs • install cabinet doors • figure out room layout • order furniture (couch, settee, chairs?) • find a 9×12 rug • figure out art – over couch, next to bookcases, adjacent hall • install art • choose sconces for over couch • add sconces over bookcases? • schedule electrician to remove eyeball light, move alarm box, install sconce light boxes • figure out wall moulding design • measure for lumber • buy lumber and supplies • install wall moulding • install crown moulding • caulk moulding • paint moulding • clean out fireplace • freshen up paint on fireplace and bookcases • clean and seal marble fireplace surround and hearth • find interesting Craigslist/thrift store end table(s)? • style • photograph • done!
If you missed Tuesday’s post, check out some recent finds for beautiful art on Etsy, one of my favorite sources for interesting original art and prints that you won’t see everywhere! (One of these is the piece I ordered for the family room, so excited!!)
Many thanks to Linda Weinstein, creator and organizer of the One Room Challenge with media partner House Beautiful,
and to my wonderful ORC sponsor Raymour & Flanigan for helping me share the ins-and-outs of a complete room re-design with you!
Visit the rest of the Week Three posts right here!
Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!
Susie says
Loving that woodwork on the walls, Miss Lisa! It looks GREAT. And please, pretty please…the Starburst sconces. I think I need a pair, too. Your new living room is making great progress. So exciting!!! ~~ Susie from The Chelsea Project
Lisa says
Thanks so much for your encouragement Susie! I love the starburst sconces too……….AND the other ones. I’m thinking neither is going to be returned, and I’ll find a place for both in this house! 🙂
Christine Martin says
Love the “board and batten without the board!” that’s exactly what we did this week! And the built in’s look fab!
Lisa says
Thanks Christine! Good luck on the next 3 weeks!
Monica Benavidez says
Ok, so, first of all…bless your heart for tackling moldings!
Second- the wooden sconces seem more your vibe.
Third- build a cover for the AC unit and use it to rest/lean some artwork on so it looks like a floating wooden box kind of thing. Maybe you could find a pre-built wooden crate large enough to fit over it that you can stain?
Lisa says
Monica thanks for weighing in about the AC! I am leaning towards covering it! I actually have mirrors I’ll be using on either side of the fireplace that will help draw the eye away….I hope….from that eyesore! Good luck this week and thank you for coming by!!
Kate Smith says
Love everything you’ve done! My vote is for the starburst sconces! The molding looks gorgeous and I’m sure this room is going to be stunning when it’s done!
Lisa says
Kate I think the starburst sconces are hands down everyone’s favorite! Thank you for casting your vote……I truly appreciate it! Good luck this week, can’t wait to see more of your bedroom!
Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says
You are doing great, Lisa! Love the wall treatment! I also love the navy blue backs of the bookcases. I have been thinking of doing that to mine in my office since they are all white. I need to de-clutter my shelves though…yes it’s a hard balance between having practical storage and being pretty. Oh – and I think I am leaning toward the starburst sconces. Hope that helps and I hope you have another productive week!
Shelley
Lisa says
I think the navy bookcase backs are here to stay Shelley! I’m going to see how they look when everything is in the room. I do love them, but this room is fairly dark since the front of our house faces east, and plus I’m always getting the itch to paint something 🙂 Good luck this week my friend, thanks for stopping by!
Julie S says
Starburst – the wooden bead ones look a little predictable and generic with the furniture you’re getting IMHO! Looking good though. I like the dark backs of the bookshelves as it seems to add depth, and I think keeping it fuller with books and only the occasional object is a good move… at least that’s how I like my bookshelves best 🙂
Lisa says
Julie thank you for sharing your honest opinion! I appreciate it. I agree – less objects and more books in the shelves will definitely feel a little calmer….less cluttered! Have a great weekend and thank you for stopping by!
Jewel says
Wowzers! Nice work on the walls. You have some fab options here. I like the gold starburst sconces (not a surprise based on my style). I adore the blue in the book shelves and I actually really love chair number 2. I like three, but if it were my house (granted our styles are very different) I would be tempted to put a navy trim along the bottom of the skirt. My two cents. I’m sure whatever you pick will be AMAZING!!!
Lisa says
Ooooh Jewel I like the trim idea. I have trim I used on the leading edge of curtain panels once upon a time that I’d love to reuse. Thanks so much! I like the #2 chair too by the way but I can’t get them in time! Thanks for coming by and cheering me on!
cassie bustamante says
LOVE how this is coming along and count me as one vote for starburst sconces!
Lisa says
Thank you sweet friend! I do love the starbursts….if they don’t end up in this room they will make an appearance elsewhere I think!
Gina says
I love the colors you are using! Really love the blue back of the bookcases too. I prefer the Starburst lights….they remind me of a bundle of wheat. The beaded ones seem too busy but they are pretty as well. Great job!
Lisa says
Thanks so much Gina! I love the blue too, just wondering if with the TV there is too much dark going on over there. I think the new white cabinet doors will help! And the bundle of wheat, yes, that is my impression too! I do them!
Sheryll $ Critters. says
Beautiful plans & a lot of work. I want crown molding also, but scared to take the chance! Especially with vaulted ceilings
I would choose the Starburst, it suits your room.
Lisa says
Sheryll, I have installed crown a bunch of times, but then seem to take a year or two off until the next project, and then it’s like learning all over again! It is so worth it when it’s done though, I think it adds so much to a space! Hope you try it, and thanks for weighing in about the starbursts!! 🙂
Jenny says
What a gorgeous plan you have going, Lisa! So many of my favorite things!!
Lisa says
Jenny we’re twinning with our navy velvet. Can’t wait to see your office evolution!
Kathy Baker says
I would leave the bookcases painted blue. They will look so good with your new couch. I prefer the silver starburst sconces. How about a big plant that would cover up the air conditioner when not in use. Love your living room and what you’ve done with your walls!
Lisa says
Hi Kathy, yes a plant is a great distraction. If only I could keep one alive in that spot! I’d love a huge leafy fiddle leaf there but it’s a dark corner since the nearby windows are to the east. Maybe I can find a really fabulous faux that will trick everyone and hide the AC! Thanks for your thoughts and stopping by! 🙂
Chrissy says
I think a more neutral color in bookcases would look better… the tile you installed is so pretty and I think the navy competes with the beautiful colors of the marble… maybe a soft gray behind shelves. I like chair option #1 best with the lines of your sofa and settee (just sayin 😉 As far as light fixture, I think they have different vibes so it would depend more on the picture you’ve chosen. Looks great… good luck with all of your remaining work!!!
Lisa says
Chrissy thanks so much for your thoughtful comments. I felt like that too with the bookcase backs, but the grasscloth I tried look really bland. I’m thinking of waiting until everything is in the room to decide, but I like the idea of the soft gray! I appreciate you stopping by and giving me your opinion on all these things!
Debbie - MountainMama says
Those starburst sconces are screaming “ME! ME! ME!” Lisa!! Love the direction you’re going with this, and the blue in the bookcases is perfect!
Lisa says
Debbie thank you! I think I may end up using both sets of sconces in my house somewhere (my dining room is in dire need of some loving!) so either way the starburst sconces will find a home!
Kimberlie S Pelletier says
Howdy Lisa! The room looks great!! Really liking the full wall battens. My though on the AC unit is to make a cover like they do for old radiators. That way you can still get the cool air through. I have seen these made with a simple wooden frame and the thin metal sheet with a stamped out pattern. They look really great.
The starburst scones are the way to go. They have that retro vibe with that little bit of surprise that every room needs.
And I really like the dark blue bookshelf backs. I think it would make anything you put on them really pop.
Lisa says
Kimberlie thank you for sharing your ideas. I have thought of using that metal screening for doors on the bookcase but not as a cover for the AC, very smart! The thing that has been holding me back from making a cover is that there is an equal expanse of wall on the other side of the fireplace and built-ins and I’m concerned it’s going to look off balance. But it already does thanks to the AC so I’m really considering your idea, much appreciated!
Kathy Earp says
Yes, I love the navy in the buildings. And tho I’m not usually in to that type of look, I really like the star burst style sconces. I really like your choices on the furniture as well. I am a Chesterfield Sofa fan from way back.
Lisa says
Thanks for weighing in Kathy! We’ve had the navy bookcase backs for a while and though I contemplate a change, I do love the contrast to all the white in the room. Glad you’re in the chesterfield fan club with me too 🙂
Lisa says
Your living room sounds beautiful Susan! I actually have this same blue in my bookcases on my bedroom walls and love it so very much. It’s one color I have yet to tire of! The bookcase backs are perplexing me I think because of the big black hole of a TV…..there’s a lot of rectangular blockiness going on over there! Maybe I should paint the entire inside of the shelves blue…..these are lovely things to consider when the news is too much! Hope you are well, and thank you for stopping by! I was happy to see your name pop up!
Joy says
Lisa! Amazing progress, the moulding adds just the right amount of character. The furniture choices are all so good and the sconces are fabulous, I see why it was so hard to choose.
Lisa says
Thanks Joy! The moulding really does give the room a whole new feel!
Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says
That board and batten treatment is incredible in there!!! Love the idea to add doors to the bottom of the shelves. And, I am not help on the sconces. They both would look amazing!
Lisa says
I am so much better at making decisions for other people’s houses than for my own Shelley! I like too many styles and beautiful things! 🙂
Susanne says
I vote for the starburst sconces, and I immediately thought the #3 chair looked so comfy!! I can’t wait to see what you decide 🙂
Lisa says
That’s the chair my family picked too Susanne! Definitely a great spot to curl up with a book or watch TV! Thanks for your vote on the sconces, the starburst is everyone’s favorite!
Diane Rath says
Love what you’re doing with the walls it adds a ton of interest and I’m now thinking about crown molding myself- we’ll see if there’s time for that lol! And as far as the chairs go I love option number two it’s so French ! And the starburst sconce is my FAVE!! Can’t wait to see what you choose!
Lisa says
Diane I really love those wingback chairs too, they are gorgeous! It also comes in a cream linen on the front with black fabric on the back!
Jessica | Petal + Ply says
The molding looks terrific! It really adds so much texture and interest to the space.
Lisa says
Thanks Jessica! Those boring walls were begging for some kind of wall treatment!!
Jennifer Griffin says
I like the slightly edgy mix of the starburst sconces to contrast with you traditional furniture. Anxious to see what chairs you choose!
Lisa says
I like the contrast the starbursts would bring too Jennifer! A little different and fun.
Joan says
Starburst,