How we Added Storage and Style to Our Neglected Family Room! ORC Week 8 Reveal!

7:30 AM

Guys! We did it! We made it to week 8 of the One Room Challenge™! This room includes the biggest DIY Joe and I have ever tackled, a smaller DIY I love, tons of work, aha moments (Wait! The built-ins NEED to be beige!), unique finds from friends (this console!), and so many more fun/hard/crazy moments that brought us to a completely finished family room. It started as neglected, lacking storage and style, and now? It's our favorite room in the house. As the room we spend the most time in as a family, it sure deserved the attention we lavished on it over these past 8 weeks. There were times I didn't think we'd make it- I feel like I painted for like 1000 hours, Joe was running up to the loft during work breaks, the kids were feeding themselves... you get the idea. But here we are and I couldn't be happier with the result. I'm not going to chat much because I know you're here for the photos of our completely renovated family room! So let's get into it!

But first, if you want to catch up, here are the previous weeks:

Week 1- A Fun Family Room Loft that We'll Want to Hang out in

Week 2- Plans and Progress on the DIY Built-Ins

Week 3- How to Install Vertical Shiplap and What's Hidden Behind Ours

Week 4- We're Halfway There- Snafus and Progress

Week 5- How to Hide your TV Cords in the Wall

Week 6- The Cutest DIY Fluted Game Table and How to Stain Wood with Craft Paint

Week 7- The DIY Built-Ins are Done!

First, let's start with the Apt2B Tuxedo Sectional. I was grateful for the chance to start fresh with a large, comfortable sectional that fits our family so well. The Tuxedo Custom Built sectional is the perfect mix of casual and refined. While comfort is of the utmost importance, I'm not the type to totally sacrifice style and with this sofa, I didn't have to! It's comfortable without feeling like you can't get up and deep enough for mine and Joe's 6 ft. frames. The kids love it and since I chose the almond performance fabric, I'm happy to let them love it. ;) Within the first two weeks of owning it, I got blood out of it and breathed a sigh of relief that I'd made the right choice.

How we Added Storage and Style to Our Neglected Family Room! ORC Week 8 Reveal!

There are so many elements in the room I love (the woven accessories! the mod dramatic sconce!) but can we just talk about the Loloi Layla rug in Mocha?! There's a purplish tint to the rug in pictures but in real life the colors are just perfect- warm browns, a blue/black, and a fun dose of pink. Honestly, it's what got me excited about the room. When I'm designing a space I'm searching for that item that gets me giddy and gives me all sorts of ideas on where to go from here and this rug did just that. I love that it's a flat but feels soft underfoot. If you're not familiar with Loloi Rugs, many of them are printed. This is a fantastic option for those of us on a budget (you get the unique, vintage look without the price tag. Can I get an amen?), and for those with kids or pets. Seriously, it's nearly indestructible. I've had this one in my girls' room for the past 18 months and it's held up so well so I knew a similar type would work well in the family room.

Loloi Layla in Mocha | Marble Coffee Table

Next, let's discuss the DIY fluted table flanked by the amazing Chavez chairs. The table itself (I shared all about it here) is pretty dang cute but when paired with the sexy but totally family-friendly (wait, those are two adjectives I never thought I'd use together) chairs, it's creates such a moment! Much like the sofa, the chairs are gorgeous AND comfy- a combo I always strive for. And the table has my heart. I can't believe I made it with my own two hands. I love the fluted detail and it's the perfect size for a cup of coffee, a card game, or my laptop. Or to kiss when no one is looking.

Chavez Chairs | Curtains

The lighting was another one of those "Ok, now I'm excited!" choices. A statement making light adds a layer of sophistication to a room, doesn't it? This one is the Nomad 3 Light Chandelier from Hudson Valley and like, they can do no wrong. It feels tribal, modern, classic, and bold all at the same time. I'm here for the texture and the fun round bulbs. It pairs really well with the rug too. Joe is no electrician but was able to install it and customize it (we didn't use hardly any of the chain) to make it the right length. There are other variations of it I loved which you can check out here.

The art was another major source of inspiration and helped me outfit the built-ins as well! Minted has so much to offer and I truly appreciate a curated selection because I can get overwhelmed when choosing art. I will list the title and artist under the appropriate photos, but the large piece is called "Rise" by Robin Ott and is so lovely and soothing. It gives off a calming effect that I love.

Rise by Robin Ott Courtesy of Minted

A Note about Sponsors

All of the above are official sponsors of the One Room Challenge™ (as well as Handy Products who sponsored week 6) so I wanted to walk you through why I chose the items I did. There were many sponsors 'on the table' and I was grateful to offset the price of this renovation but I was also careful to only select items I loved and that truly felt like they belonged in the space. Thank you to Minted, Handy Products, Loloi, Hudson Valley Lighting Group, and Apt2B- all companies I happily stand behind and recommend- for sponsoring my One Room Challenge!

The Details

Ok, let's see some details and then get to those built-ins, shall we?!

White vase | Coffee Table

Pillows all from here | Black Sconce (spray-painted a matte black)

down to earth | Bone Beads | Tray, box, and candle from TJ Maxx

A note about the pillows- other than the kilim, they are from Xasmin Interiors and I just adore them. They're well made with swoon worthy vintage and ethnic fabrics. And the owner Jasmine is the kindest person you've met and will put together combos for you (like she did here!) for free! Local ladies, she's working on creating a shopping spot in her Raleigh office that you're going to love! I can't wait!

Pillows | Kilim Pillow (similar) | Throw Blanket (or similar) | Art

Tribeca art | Frame | Wall Hooks | Planter

Pink plaid throw | Black plaid throw | Lamp | Faux Rubber Tree | Console

The Built-In

It's kiiiind of the star. Between Joe and I, we probably spent 200 hours on this thing. And it was worth every minute. Let's take a look!

DIY Built-Ins in our Warm and Cozy Family Room Renovation

Why do I enjoy styling shelves so much?! As usual, I used a combination of old, new, and new-to-me (if there's a shelf in my home, I guarantee it will have something thrifted on it) plus meaningful touches.

Marble Book Ends | Leather Wrapped Vase

glass jar filled with sand from our last trip to the beach | brass pot (so pretty and cheap!)

Let's talk about this beautiful art from Minted (below). The image of the woman (she's brown! that means so much ♥) is "Festooned" by Marabou Design. The image beside it is called "Linen" by Deborah Velasquez. I love its bold and graphic design paired with the sweet and soft Festooned.

art (see above) | black catchall | wood beads

The teak ball is another meaningful item- I grabbed it from a store we always visit when we hit the beach. It's so beautiful! (But here's an online option!). I chose the book "The Dynasty" to represent our love for the Patriots. ;) #sorrynotsorry