Friends!! November Seventh has come – the One Room Challenge Linkers are sharing their spaces and while I’m super late to the party, I’m so fired up to jump in!
A really yucky before is always fun, right?? When we bought our house, we had an unfinished basement (perfect for ripsticking and scootering, but not much else.)
Our first big project in this house was to have the basement finished as a space for our ever-growing kids to hang out with friends, and for family movie nights and what-have-you. We were SO happy to have this new room (particularly since it’s the ONE space in this house I didn’t renovate myself!) but seeing as the whole house above needed cosmetic surgery, the basement remained like this – the insane asylum – for THREE.STRAIGHT.YEARS……
Finally, thanks to Linda at Calling It Home and her One Room Challenge, I finally tackled one side of this room!!
Have any of you ever photographed a room with pretty much ZERO natural light? It’s ridiculous. Please excuse my lame photography.
I included a few of my favorite travel quotes.
The latitude/longitude sign I made for our kitchen is perfect on this wall.
I printed this free chalkboard-style Irish blessing from Sweet C’s Designs, and mounted it, like I did a lot of the photos on this wall, with gold foil photo corners.
That’s my baby, walking up the same hill in Galway, Ireland that generations of family before him have walked.
This “frame” is actually a kitchen cabinet door that I removed to create open shelving. I’ll share the details of this DIY soon.
Across from the postcard board, the gallery wall has plenty of room to grow over the years 🙂
The Destinations sign I made definitely needed to be on the gallery wall too!
My kids requested that I not hang anything on the walls that was breakable, because they have a record of breaking.everything.
I figured the TV wall was already off limits for sailing balls and pucks, but for the rest of the space I will try to accommodate them, starting with the map I showed you last week.
The end table – well – you know the one. The honey pine everyone seems to have a piece of from way back when. I still haven’t decided on hardware, but already I’m loving this piece so much more with a fresh coat of paint.
Are you in?
Thanks for stopping by to check out our basement. Although it’s far from done, it’s 1000 times more interesting and cozy than it was six weeks ago!
***A special THANK YOU to Linda at Calling It Home, for opening up the One Room Challenge to linking participants this season! It was so motivating, and I’m inspired and amazed at the 20 designers who took the One Room Challenge, and for all the linking participants who transformed a room in just a few short weeks!!***
Linda is hosting the ORC once again next spring, so look out for Part II of this basement!
Stacey {steward of design} says
Lisa, I love what you've done. Great color on the tv wall! And I just love all your travel photos and postcards. I really love how so much of the space has special meaning to your family. Great job!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
oh my lord i love it!!!! i am about to paint some black walls up in here today! WAHOO!
Traci Hutton says
You did an amazing job!! What an awesome,warm family gathering spot, full of history and objects you love. Love all of your artwork. Well done!!
Jenny says
Lisa! I love what you've done here – it's so warm and welcoming and even better, it tells a story about your family. I think if I came over, I would stop and peruse your wall for quite awhile. 🙂 Also, as further proof that we were somehow separated at birth, my husband did some research about his Irish ancestry, and found that he is a descendant from the "Galway Tribe". 🙂 And for your destinations artwork, Sanibel is one of our absolute favorite vacation spots!
Also, can't wait to hear about that uber-cool coffee table! Lovely!
Well done! I need to jump on the wagon for one of these challenges to light a fire under my butt to get some of my unfinished projects DONE!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Oh my gosh Lisa, I can only imagine how many hours and hours it took you to plan and hang that amazing gallery wall. It is fabulous and I love all of the creative ways you found to frame things – I will have to use some of your ideas when I finally get around to doing my guest room gallery wall (I didn't 100% finish my room either!). The coffee table has the most beautiful finish – need to hear more about how you did that! You obviously worked super hard and it looks awesome! Now spend the day relaxing in front of a movie down there because you deserve it girl!
Dana Frieling says
My favorite thing about your basement is how your love for your family shines through in every single detail. Great work, Lisa!
Kerry Steele- Design du Monde says
I love how meaningful everything in your gallery wall is and the wall color…Hello love!
Denise @ frazzled JOY says
Looks absolutely fabulous Lisa!! Great job!
Korrie@RedHenHome says
Lisa, it looks WONDERFUL! The travel gallery wall is amazing. Great work!
Linda {Calling it Home} says
Lisa, your gallery wall is fantastic! I can't get over all of your creative ways to have meaningful art. So many great ideas, the destination sign, the longitude…brilliant. I also love that you have room to grow it. You have taken some wonderful trips and this is the perfect way to show it off. Hide and seek in the dark, never made it to our house…thankfully. This is such a great hang out space. Thanks for all of your kind words, you rocked this space.
pam {simple details} says
First, I burst out laughing at 'you're looking at it now aren't you?' Of course I was, curious if they were trying to hide in there! 🙂
That AMAZING gallery wall is truly a labor of love!!! I know how much work that is. It truly speaks of all that's important and I love that it's timeless and can grow with your adventures still on the horizon. All that and what a cozy and FUNctional space for your kids and their friends!! I didn't even mention the beautiful charcoal walls, more love!! Can't wait for round two!
Kim @ Plumberry Pie says
First, if I were you, I'd probably just sit on the couch and stare at that awesome gallery wall for hours on end. I love how there are so many meaningful moments and can't wait to hear about Art's Market. That table turned out fabulous. This is definitely a space I'd love to have in my home. Can't wait to see what you come up with for the rest. Thanks again for your encouragement!
SHERRY HART says
Lisa….great reveal! Love the dark wall and that coffee table is great. You really updated it and the end table also. Great choices….Such a warm space now:)
Carol says
Absolutely love your gallery wall! It is so much more meaningful when you display things that are important to your family isn't it! (oh, don't worry – kids will be kids and they grow up so fast! No worries with the door – I'm sure you'll be able to fix it!)
Cathy Wall says
Love it Lisa! ANd don't feel bad about the door of the console, the only reason any of us looked at it was because we could total relate! Your travel awl on the deep gray is so fun and ILOVE how you DIYed the coffee table. What a fab family hang out. And your son was probably all like "Mom… wrap it up, I've got important xbox games to play with my friends!!!"
Sherry Calamia says
Love your travel gallery wall and the dark color looks great! You did a great job on painting the coffee table and the end table. Well done!
Nancy {at} powellbrower at home says
Fabulous makeover Lisa. What thought you put into that gallery wall of your family's trips and treasures. Love your coffee table makeover, it is really great.
Enjoy!
xo Nancy
Calypso In The Country says
The dark wall and the gallery wall just make the space! I love the room and I bet your family does too! You must be so excited!
Cheers to you! – Shelley
Vel Criste says
Aaaaahhhhh! In love with your gallery wall Lisa!!!! I knew you would come up with something fantastic!!!! Travel pictures and some keepsake and mementos is perfect for a family room and you nailed the perfect mix on this one for sure!!!!! I love the coffeetable too, can't wait to read the story.
Sorry for my late comment, been preoccupied with some other things like the major storm back home. Luckily, seems everyone I love is safe, but still. . Anyhow, wonderful job dear! CHEERS!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
Whoa, that is one awesome gallery wall! I love how you have collected all of your special travel memories in one spot. How fun to re-live each trip every time you see that wall! The black wall is fabulous too, I'm sure your kids are loving their new space!
Michelle Woeller says
You're off to a great start! Love the gallery wall and the fresh coats of paint on the tables. A great family hangout place!
Kim says
Oh my Lisa! It looks gorgeous, that dark wall is soooo moody and good!! I am loving all your destination art. So clever and personal! And nice to know that my family isn't the only one that breaks things!! xo
Layne @ The Room Journal says
I really love how you transformed your furniture! You room looks wonderful. Great job!!
Tricia says
The room looks amazing! I love everything about it – especially your gallery wall. I can't believe you have more to do! Also love that you are including your Irish heritage in your room – I've hitch hiked (in Galway) biked & run a marathon in Ireland and can't wait for my next adventure there. My relatives are still in Tipperary.
Can't wait to see what else you do to the basement!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
I love it! I think the gallery wall turned out so great and I love that those are all pictures that mean something special to you and your family. Well done!
Andrea says
Lisa, I love it! That wall color is gorgeous. So perfect for the gallery wall backdrop. Smart move to keep things kid friendly. They can be so darn destructive, can't they? I bet you are all loving this space now.
Vel Criste says
Hi Lisa! just needed to let you know that I have your room as one of my ORC faves featured today in my blog! http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/11/my-orc-faves.html
Lisa Rozario says
I love how the basement turned out, Lisa! And the gallery wall is so meaningful to you and your kids and all will enjoy for years to come. I love the destination sign, too. Great idea!
Carmel - Our Fifth House says
It's looking so great girl! I'll bet you spend tons of time down there this winter – so comfy and cozy!
Lobster Meets Peach says
Oh I just love it! And just to make you feel better, we too have a broken entertainment center in our basement:)