Hello lovelies and welcome to the One Room Challenge finale week!
After making over our fireplace this winter, for this round of the ORC I challenged myself to finish all the details of our family room that I could drag out forever – The Last 20% – because I’m a great starter but not so strong with actually bringing a project to completion.
Our family room has been on furniture rotation since we moved here 6 years ago. Nothing from our old house fit and the room was filled with odds and ends, so this ORC was also a challenge to give new life to what we already have….namely a brown leather couch that I’m exhausted by, and two tired floral chairs.
We ripped apart our fireplace right before Thanksgiving………
….and here is the newly remodeled fireplace with marble tiled surround and herringbone marble tiled hearth.
Ripping out the old mantle and building a new one allowed us to mount the TV over the fireplace and hide all the cords. The TV isn’t my favorite element in the room but really this location makes the most sense for the layout of the room. Eventually we’ll update this “old” plasma screen with a thinner LCD and hopefully it will be less obtrusive. For now I can work with it!
From our inspection to today……this remodel made our home feel so much more like us.
So, great, the fireplace is done, now time to finish up the rest of the space!
I based the design for the room on a picture I took with my phone at a Cape Cod beach, and a Pottery Barn sectional even though I have a couch, because I love the blues with the brown leather.
This is a super neutral room because I have been enslaved by patterns and colors in big pieces like couches, chairs and curtains for a long time, so now I’m gravitating towards a neutral color palette so that I can change up my house easily with art & accessories when the need for change strikes!!! So you might see a SEA OF GREIGE – but what I see is DECORATING FREEDOM!!!! And it makes me so happy!
The most daunting tasks where reupholstering the two chairs that have roughly a bazillion nailheads, and the styling of the built-ins (not my favorite way to pass the time.) I am beyond ecstatic to have these both behind me!
The reupholstering went pretty well – they’re not perfect but overall I’m happy with how they came out!
Here’s where they started…….
I stole the linen drapes from my living room and hung them wide and high. The blue linen-like ribbon on the leading edge was added with iron-on tape.
The rug was 70% off and now I wish I got the biggest one. It’s super soft and comfy.
These painted pillows bring some blue to the brown leather.
I swapped out the lamps in our bedroom. These are thrift store ginger jar lamps that I spray painted white a few years ago.
I love how the built-ins came out……simple and not too cluttered. The bottom two shelves will have cabinet doors installed soon.
I painted the back of the upper shelves a dark teal blue (BM Gentleman’s Grey that I added some white to.)
On Mother’s Day I noticed the kids all looking at my parent’s wedding album (I “borrowed” it years ago and my mom is sweet enough to let it live at my house 🙂 ). I love love love having it out where the kids can look through it! This treasure made the cut for the shelf styling along with our wedding album. What’s the point of having special things if they’re hidden away in a drawer or box?
Seeing as most of our books are in our living room (another One Room Challenge project!) I wanted to use some objects in this room but not make the shelves too busy.
We are enjoying this space so much more now.
A few big things I am still working on:
1/ Building cabinet doors for the bottom two shelves of the bookcases. So excited that I figured out how to make them flush-mounted (or inset) – now I am waiting on the right hinges to arrive.
Inset doors are flush with the cabinet face. These will be trimmed out with boxes like the fireplace surround.
Can you imagine it painted white? All that delicious storage space that doesn’t have to look nice and tidy?
2/ The coffee table is on hold because we decided we really want to shop around and find something we love that we can see in person and touch before we buy. I am leaning towards the PB Parquet Top one but we’ll see.
3/ The other BIG piece I am waiting on is the art for over the couch! My Instagram photo that the whole room was based on:
I’ll be sure to update you when those pieces are finished! In the meantime I’m so happy to have finished most of my to-do list!
My One Room Challenge:
THE LAST 20% HIT LIST
Finish reupholstering the two chairs
Lighten up and bring some blues to our brown leather couch
Finish the art project for over the couch (ordered!! stay tuned….)
Figure out what else is going on the walls
Build or buy doors for the lower shelves of the bookcases for hidden storage (in process! yeehaw!)
Style the bookcases
Rug
Pillows
Curtains
Buy a new coffee table (still considering options)
A HUGE thank you to the One Room Challenge creator and fearless leader, Linda at Calling It Home! What a wonderful motivation to finish a room, and such a fun event across the whole blogosphere! Be sure to check out the 20 Featured Designers who shared their reveals yesterday, as well as all the linking guests today!
Thanks so much for following along on this mini-room makeover. It wasn’t the most dramatic room makeover of all time but it has made our home feel so much more pulled together and finished, a great space for my family to enjoy time together in front of that ginormous TV 🙂 
Cheers to another ORC in the books!
This was my fifth time participating in the One Room Challenge. A couple of my previous challenges…..
MOODY•MASCULINE•MIGHTY TEEN BEDROOM
Have a wonderful day friends!
Stacy Connolly says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! I can’t decide which is my favorite in the room. It’s all my favorite!
Great job!
Lisa says
Stacy thank you so very much, you are so sweet!!
cassie @ primitive & proper says
everything looks awesome – that fireplace takes the cake, but i love all the blues in here, too, mixed with the leather!
Lisa says
Thank you Cassie! The blues definitely help with all that brown going on with the leather!
Gina says
It looks great!!
Lisa says
Thank you Gina!!
Roxanne says
Amazing! I lov the fireplace wall & the color combination…great job!!
Lisa says
Roxanne thank you so much! I am loving neutrals after many years of a colorful house!
Iris Nacole says
Such a beautiful makeover! Congrats, and enjoy!
Lisa says
Thanks so much Iris!
Pam @ Simple Details says
What a gorgeous, fresh neutral space you’ve created for your family, Lisa! Holy cow, no wonder you weren’t thrilled for the last 20%! In my book reupholstering two chairs and DIYing cabinet doors count for major elements I’d avoid for eternity! So excited for you to get to sit back and enjoy your fireplace and beautifully edited bookcase! 🙂
Lisa says
Yeah I kind of underestimated how much time these little projects could take! Thanks for your ORC support my friend!
Kris {Driven by Decor} says
Yay! You did it!! I am still in total awe over you reupholstering those chairs – that alone made a huge difference in your space. And that fireplace is seriously to die for. Can’t wait to see you DIY those cabinet doors. Your bookcase styling is perfection and as I’m seriously loving the paint color (gotta check that one out!). One of my favorite takeaways is how you left the wedding album out – how much do I love that? I’m digging mine out today 🙂 Congrats!!!
Lisa says
Thanks Kris – I’m pretty sure I have the most boring room makeover in the ORC but all this neutral-ness is heaven to me. So glad to have tackled the chairs and be done with fabric I wasn’t in love with anymore!
Vel says
The fireplace makeover, though not completely done is still a big WOW factor in your wonderful space Lisa! I love how you styled your bookcases flanking it, and that gorgeous blue backing, perfection! I also love all the little details you added in the room, be it sentimental or not, it’s like it was meant to be! Congrats for another job well done! Cheers!
Lisa says
Thanks so much Vel! Cheers to another round of the ORC!
Tiffany says
You did it and it looks amazing!! I love the painted backs of the bookcases and I think the chairs look amazing. I love all of your details. You are so talented!
Lisa says
Thanks so much Tiffany!
Sarah Sofia Knepp says
Oh Lisa this might be my favorite ORC room of yours yet! That fireplace and built in’s are STUNNING! What a transformation! You amaze me with all your DIY’s and those re-upholstered chairs look so fab! The cabinet doors will look great, but I love the look now! I also love that you enjoy showcasing family photo albums like me in your family room! I agree, this is the room where they should be out on display for you and your family to see everyday! BRAVO on yet another beautiful ORC my friend! BTW, loving the new blog look! XOXO, Sarah
Lisa says
You are always such a wonderful cheerleader for me Sarah, thank you so much! XO
Justynn says
The fireplace transformation made the whole room. I’m sure it was a TON of work, but it was totally worth it. Amazing Job.
Lisa says
The fireplace makeover changed the feel of the whole house. A ton of work but I’m so glad we tackled it! Thanks so much for your kind comment Justynn!
Doreen says
Beautiful room!!! Great job… love the neutral palette too!
Lisa says
Thank you so much Doreen!
Traci Hutton says
I just love your space…so calming and relaxing!! Sometime people “overdo” it, but yours is just perfect! Well done!!
Lisa says
Traci thank you – that means so much to me!!
Stephanie says
What a beautiful room! The fireplace turned out great, and I love the navy with the leather sofa! Those chairs are to die for too. Great JOB!
Lisa says
Thanks so much Stephanie……glad it’s done-ish 🙂 Cheers!
Tricia // Suburban Bitches says
Congrats Lisa! I absolutely love what you did with your fireplace! It really transforms the space and gives you such great storage. And I definitely wouldn’t call this a mini-makeover! you did so much to this room. Love your photo. That is just lovely!
Kudos to you!!!
Lisa says
Tricia thank you! It’s not the most dramatic of room makeovers but it finally feels done(ish)…..like the design had some intention vs. just being thrown together! I love love love your room and hope you’re enjoying it!
Denise says
Yay Lisa! Your room looks awesome! I love how the chairs turned out! For me I love the neutral. This is where I have been headed too. I had so much color for so long and I agree that the neutral palette on the big things allows for decorating freedom! I love the color on the back of the built-ins and I can’t wait to see how the doors come out. Great job friend!!
Lisa says
Denise thank you my sweet friend! I am loving decorating freedom, it feels so good!! Woohoo! Hope you are enjoying a stress free week now that the ORC has wrapped.
Jessica says
This is really stunning! You did so I much work. I live the chairs and that fireplace is perfection!!!
Lisa says
Thank you so much Jessica! The ORC is such great motivation isn’t it? Hope you’re enjoying your beautiful new room!
Jenny@EvolutionofStyle says
GREAT job Lisa! Seeing all of these amazing reveals makes me wish I had the time to participate this round.. The idea of having another room done is making me a bit green with envy! It looks great – enjoy it with a nice glass of wine. 🙂
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
Beautiful makeover, Lisa! The fireplace and built in shelves are beautiful!
Lisa says
Thank you Kendra! The fireplace was a fun and gratifying makeover…..it makes such a difference to our house!
René says
It all looks so pretty Lisa! Well done
Lisa says
Thank you Rene!
Suzanne says
Love, love, love……
Your ability to execute
from the starting point
of the Cape Cod photo
was brilliant, Lisa, and I’m
enamored of every single
detail! Brilliant!
My mom’s wedding dress
was very similar to your
mom’s. I wore it in my
wedding, too : ) Different
veil, though, as my mom
wore a little tiara with hers.
Happy Weekend, sweet friend!
Enjoy relaxing in your gorgeous
family room!
xo Suzanne
Lisa says
Suzanne, how special that you wore your mom’s dress! I tried my mom’s dress on when I was about 15 and even then I couldn’t fit into it. Looking back I wish I had modified it because it was so beautiful. The tiara that your mom wore seemed to be very much the fashion in that era….a few of my aunts wore them too. Thank you so much for your kind words on my mini-makeover. Trying to use out every single thing we own instead of throwing it into a landfill and buying new sounds like a good idea until I am in over my head with reupholstery! 🙂
Katie says
Lisa, this room has turned into such a fabulous space! I am still SO in love with your gorgeous fireplace- filing that one away for our future slate fireplace makeover! The shelving is beautiful and you will love having the doors below for storage. We use one of ours for all electronic parts, cameras, etc and it is so handy! The other one we use for my seasonal decorating stash 😉 The artwork will be the perfect finishing touch!!
Lisa says
Katie, the electronics is exactly why I need doors, we already routed the cable box down through the shelves so it can be hidden, yay! I love how your built ins came out next to your fireplace, so inspiring. Hope you are enjoying your baby girl’s room as you await her arrival!
Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says
I still can’t get over the fact that you did those chairs yourself! I love how the whole room turned out with all the beautiful blues mixed in. I am the same way as you with not finishing the last few things. I did the ORC in my office a couple years ago and still haven’t hung a couple pictures over my shelf! You must be so happy to use your family room now. Enjoy and cheers to you!
Shelley
Lisa says
Thank you Shelley. I am terrible at finishing 100%. I get sidetracked so easily! The ORC is great motivation to get a room finished or close to it, isn’t it? 🙂
Carol @ CAD INTERIORS says
Lisa, your room turned out so fresh and inviting! I love how it has evolved with the updates you made to existing pieces, and mixing in what you already had to style and decorate the room. The fireplace makeover alone really freshened up the space. All your DIY projects and personalized treasures brought the family to the room. Great job!!! 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks Carol! We are really enjoying our fireplace. It’s breathed new life into our house! Hope you are enjoying having crossed the finish line of the ORC – your dining room came out so beautifully!
Sam | Away She Went says
The last 20% is always the hardest for me too! I love everything that you pulled together in the room. The fireplace is beautiful and those chairs are so impressive. I can’t believe they are the same chairs as before!
Lisa says
Thanks so much Sam. I loved the original fabric on those chairs for a long time, but it’s SO nice to have the big pieces in the room be neutral so I can change up pillows once in a while! Congrats on another successful ORC! Hope you’re enjoying your beautiful bedroom!
Jenny Kavanagh says
It’s really pretty. Your chairs look so good and that many nailheads are a challenge for sure. Im loving the color scheme too. It’s refreshing without being stark . I wish this was my family room! Have a great weekend – Jenny
Lisa says
Thank you so much Jenny! I am enjoying our very neutral palette too, it has been so much more challenging to pull off than I imagined but lots of textures and the navy blue seem to give it some life!
Arielle says
Lisa! It’s all so good. I LOVE the navy pop in the shelves, and those chairs look killer! It honestly took me a minute to realize I wasn’t looking at your inspiration shots but your actual family room. Congrats on another ORC!
Lisa says
Oh that was very sweet to say, thank you Arielle! If you told me ten years ago a sea of beige would make me happy I would have cried laughing. Now it feels like a bit of order amidst chaos in our crazy house! 🙂
Kate Collins says
It looks awesome!! What a transformation. The fireplace redo is spectacular as is the rest of the room. Great job reupholstering the chairs – I’m impressed!!
Lisa says
Thank you Kate! We love the fireplace, it really changed the whole feel of our house!
Sharon says
Hi, Lisa! Everything you accomplished looks wonderful! I’m in awe of you tackling the upholstery of 2 chairs. I’m sweating just thinking about it. I’ve got a brown leather sofa that won’t quit, too, so I loved seeing how you were able to make it look so fresh and bright. The shelves look perfect and I can’t wait to see them with the finished doors. Well done yet again!
Lisa says
Thank you Sharon! I love the functionality of the brown leather but decorating around a massive brown thing can be tiresome after a while, right? Then I get the Pottery Barn catalog with their beautiful styling around brown leather furniture and love how it looks. So like my tv over the fireplace I love it & I hate it. 🙂
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
Lisa, you’ve come so far in that room! Those chairs are just unbelievable… I can’t believe you took those on. They turned out so, so good! Your cabinets will look perfect finished out, and I sit and stare at your new fireplace and mantel. Way to go, girl, you’re almost there!
Lisa says
Thanks Jennifer! It’s still a work in progress but its a lot further along than it was 6 weeks ago 🙂
Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says
You really knocked this one out of the park, Lisa!!!! There is so much to love in here. Still completely mind blown with those nailhead chairs. The fireplace area is to die for. I love your idea for closed storage on the bottom. And I a love, love, love the personal touches with your shelf styling. Our wedding album is tucked away. I’m not even sure our daughter has seen it! So special to have those things out for everyone to enjoy 🙂
Lisa says
Thank you my friend! I do love having the wedding albums out. I bet Izzy would love pouring over yours!!
Emily says
It looks great! I love the blue color you chose for your built-ins.
Lisa says
Thank you Emily!
nancy says
amazing Lisa! simply amazing. love the blue and white touches throughout and you know how i feel about the fireplace 🙂
Cristina says
Lisa, what a gorgeous room you’ve put together! It’s bright, comfy and welcoming. The chairs makeover left me speechless, wow! A magazine worthy room!
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins Living says
Lisa!! Amazing work! I adore the shelves and the special sentiments on the shelf. I laughed when you said you stole the curtains from another room. Lol. Eagerly awaiting the rest of the room, but you did so much already. Cheers!
Lisa says
Thanks Stephanie! I am constantly stealing items from one room to finish another…..which is why no room in my house is ever “done” for long! 🙂