All Grown Up

I have been wanting to update our family/informal living room for a while.  It felt dated and crowded with toys.  I really was tired of the curtains.  I was tired of the all-dark furniture, but I can't afford new things right now and it didn't make sense to get new furniture when I live with two little boys, one big boy, and a new puppy!! 

So... I recruited the help of my friend, Kelley, and we set out to update the room on a budget.

Before:

After:

Not too shabby for two [non-decorator] lawyers! ;)

We first removed the train/Lego table. Buh-buy train table!! We replaced it with a small seating area featuring two new chairs that lighten the space and really updated the look.  The paint took three samples, but I love this color (Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige).  The curtains were from Pottery Barn (on sale), and we picked up a few new accessories at Marshall's and Hobby Lobby.  My favorite are the six framed prints on the sizes of the television (which is new, but that was Mike's purchase so it doesn't count in my budget - ha!).  Kelley had the poster prints she picked up from Barnes and Noble on clearance for less than $15.  I took them to Hobby Lobby, had custom mats cut for $10 a piece because the prints were an odd size.  I bought off-the-rack frames half-off, and voila! 

We still have a toy area in the corner because it is still a family/play room, after all. :)  But, I feel like simply moving the train table de-cluttered the room, and it is all grown up now!  The original artwork we moved to the dining room, and replaced it with a family portrait to make the room feel more family-ish.  All in (minus the TV), this was less than the price of a new couch. 

Thank you, thank you to Kelley for helping me pull all of this together. I LOVE it.  Now on to the rest of the house... 

This has nothing to do with the new family room, but aren't these roses gorgeous?!  My friend, Whitney, grew them and cut many dozens from her bushes yesterday.  I put two arrangements up in my house, and took smaller arrangements in Mason jars to the secretary at Cole's school, Cole's teacher, Tate's teacher, and to a friend who needed a little cheering up.  I was glad she shared her blooms so I could pass on a little love to others yesterday. 

Finally, I leave you with Cole-Man playing his current favorite practice song.  His piano recital is next weekend, and I cannot wait until I post the video of his piece.  It is like a beautiful cursive that makes this song seem like chicken scratch.

(He looks mad, but he really wasn't -- just was concentrating!)