Here is what the MLS listing photo looked like when we bought the house. Ahh yes, my beloved honey oak and brass!
And here it is on move-in day:
I loved the built in cabinets around the fireplace, but that floating mantle and high-contrast natural wood wasn’t doing it any favors.
To update it, I painted the brass fireplace surround:
And trimmed out around the built-ins, added corbels to the mantel and painted everything white:
Here is what it currently looks like:
You can see we got a bigger TV and that mantel is still decked out for the fourth of July and so are the shelves:
On the far wall I added (and updated) the kids’ artwork gallery wall:
Here is what the other side of the room looked like on move-in day. (Please excuse the photo bombing cat!)
I removed the vertical blinds and replaced them with colorful curtains. All the furniture in the room (with the exception of my new Sauer cabinet) is from Ikea. (The chairs, the sofa and toy chest turned coffee table.)
I know not everyone loves Ikea furniture, but I made this choice intentionally because all the covers are washable, and the pieces were inexpensive and somewhat “disposable.” I have the intention of replacing all of it once the kids are older, but for now, while they are still smearing peanut butter and scribbling with magic markers, I didn’t want to invest in anything that I would be upset to see damaged. It is only the playroom, not the formal living room.
Our family really likes this room. It is cheerful and comfortable, without being overly fussy. We are free to put our feet on the furniture and kick back with a snack, nobody is worried about spills or stains. It is clear that the space is a child-centric without being overly childish, which is sometimes a hard balance to find.
It has definitely come a long way since we moved in:
Do have any laid back and no-fuss spaces in your home? If not, you should definitely consider it!
On the far wall I added (and updated) the kids’ artwork gallery wall:
Here is what the other side of the room looked like on move-in day. (Please excuse the photo bombing cat!)
I removed the vertical blinds and replaced them with colorful curtains. All the furniture in the room (with the exception of my new Sauer cabinet) is from Ikea. (The chairs, the sofa and toy chest turned coffee table.)
I know not everyone loves Ikea furniture, but I made this choice intentionally because all the covers are washable, and the pieces were inexpensive and somewhat “disposable.” I have the intention of replacing all of it once the kids are older, but for now, while they are still smearing peanut butter and scribbling with magic markers, I didn’t want to invest in anything that I would be upset to see damaged. It is only the playroom, not the formal living room.
Our family really likes this room. It is cheerful and comfortable, without being overly fussy. We are free to put our feet on the furniture and kick back with a snack, nobody is worried about spills or stains. It is clear that the space is a child-centric without being overly childish, which is sometimes a hard balance to find.
It has definitely come a long way since we moved in:
Do have any laid back and no-fuss spaces in your home? If not, you should definitely consider it!
Sharing at these parties.
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