family room-the big reveal

Call it a Family room or Den, it is the center of all family activity in the house.  Growing up this is where we gathered to watch TV at night.  Its where my mom served cut up hot dogs (hor d'oeuvres) before dinner and the adults had a cocktail.  For me it is where I began my career as an artist.  Right there on the den floor!

 Here is the way that the room looked when I got it.

My Mom occupied the recliner just as my Dad did years before.


The pictures hanging on the wall were just as they had been in 1963 after my parents trip to Europe. So, when I took them down.....

This happened!

So for the reno I had to have the wood wall painted. I replaced the two sliding glass doors  (yes, they had two sets on top of each other) with one efficient siding door. I also decided to change the whole layout of the room making the TV wall the wall opposite the window where the sofa had previously been.

One of the most noticeable transformation in this room is the window treatment on the sliding glass door wall.  Thank to Gail Schaeffer at Window Concepts for helping find these modern solar panel track shades, which transform the room.

I found this gorgeous rug at Dolnick's going out of business sale.

Great accessory tray from Home Goods.

This bunny pillow is from Local St. Louis Artist. Maggie Weelock.  I got it a Urban Matter in South St. Louis.  The sconce is from West Elm.

And my bright green painted student desk that was rescued from my brother's old bedroom is tucked away in the corner.

my upstairs office

This the story of how I turned a useless space into an important, functional part of my home.

 This is basically how it looked before.  But It was usually filled with junk and things I just wanted out of the family room.  Oh, and the sink dripped 

I had the bottom cabinet, sink and mirror and sink removed and a shelf added.  I painted the whole alcove turquoise, found this awesome metal tanker desk on Craigs List for $30.  Found a chair at a second hand office supply store for $35 and had it recovered in orange vinyl at an auto shop.  Added a few bright accessories and the results is a super cool office!

 

My Home 

Office