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Friday, November 19, 2010

Family Room

So now I can let out a big sigh of relief. For the entire 2 1/2 years that we have lived in this house, the family room as been my nemesis.

Yes, my nemesis.

No matter what I did with it, it always felt lacking, not comfortable enough, not situated right, not homey enough.

I went through 3 different sets of couches.

I only bought one of them, off of craigslist for super cheap.

The first set I already had, the third set was given to us.

The last set, a couch and chair, are this beautiful yellow. They used to be my mother in law's, who happens to have wonderful taste in everything.

So when she offered them, I jumped.

And then within a month, we had written on, spilled on, and generally destroyed what was once beautiful.

So I schemed and imagined how I could fix that.

Slipcovers are expensive, good ones.
I might be able to make some, but the material would still be 200 bucks, and who knows how it would turn out.

So then, while perusing the internet, I came upon some ikea couches that had similiar lines.
And Ikea's white slipcovers are super cheap.

So I figured I had nothing to lose.

So for 50 bucks for the sofa, and 40 dollars for the chair, I was able to slipcover the yellow couches.

And the red couch leftover from sometime in the middle of my decorating angst, I just put a white coverlet on it, leftover from a bedroom redo.


Now, I know you're saying, white? why would you buy white?!
Because I can take them off and bleach them. That's why.

And for 90 dollars total, I would have taken almost any color.

I bought this frame at Goodwill for 2 bucks. It was gold.
I spraypainted it white, and then put chalkboard paint on the cardboard backing.
Yup, that chalkboard is just cardboard.

Then I spray painted the frames on top of the red door and pulled a lamp in from another room.

The silver plate things on the wall I got at Target for 6 bucks total.
The apothecary jars were kind of a splurge at 10 bucks each, but the taller one has a bird on it. I mean really, a bird? I had to have it.

The oval silver plate was just the same white one that has always been hanging there, I just spray painted it silver.



The curtains, I made about a year ago. I loved the fabric and wanted them in the family room, but at the time they just didn't work.

But with white slipcovers and a few subtle changes, they work fabulous now.



And lastly, my one furniture purchase for this room.
We have never owned a coffee table in the 14 years we've been married.
But now that this room no longer holds a t.v., I thought it would be fantastic to have something to play board games on.

So I found this at Goodwill for 25 dollars. I primed and painted it, replaced the busted knobs, and voila!

And just so you know, I actually don't keep a bowl of baubles in reachable distance of my 2 and 4 year olds.

But a girl can dream of being able to one day, so I added that just for the picture.





So there you have it. Everything was either a Goodwill purchase and repainted, on clearance, or unbelievably cheap.

I think over the course of a year I spent 225 dollars. But that included the slipcovers and the fabric for the curtains.
It's possible to have the room you love on a budget, you just have to be patient as you look for the perfect things, and be a tad bit neurotic.

But that's me, on a budget and a tad bit neurotic. Nice to meet you!

Have a great weekend.

Oh, and Happy Birthday Maile, my sistah!


12 comments:

  1. It looks so great, Aunt Amy!

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  2. Incredibly beautiful and creative. You sure didn't get that talent from me -- the put the furniture, pictures, etc in one place and never move them for years Mom. In fact, you passed me up with your creative projects YEARS ago.

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  3. I LOVE IT! Will you come and do mine next? I want the apothecary jars, I've been looking for those for a while, where'd you get them? I think I'm going to paint my mantel white and I love ALL the decor on your mantel!! You're amazing!!!

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  4. awesome awesome AWESOME!! I just can't believe you can do these things!!!! I wish I had half the creativity and imagination that you have!!

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  5. Neurotic Decorating on a Budget.

    I'd totally watch it. ;)

    I'll ask again...WHEN are you coming to my house?!

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  6. yes, I'm dying to know where the apothecary jars came from!
    PS - just found you on location central.

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  7. The apothecary jars are from Ross. They had a ton. Who knew?

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  8. I love it! Who knew you could fit the couch and chair so beautifully. And with so little money! But the coffee table is a real score! Storage and a table! Love it all!

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  9. Amy...it all looks fantastic! Great job!

    :-)

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  10. Amy...it all looks fantastic! Great job!

    :-)

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  11. I could use a good dose of neurotic decorating - why can't you live in Canadia? Looks fab, fab, FABULOSO!!!

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