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We have lived in our house for over four years.  That is a really long time for our family.  😀. We have decided that after four years we really need to do a big clean out and we needed to replace a few things that are worn out.  

One of the things that needed replacing was our family room couch and love seat.  In October I found the perfect custom sofa in the clearance center of a furniture store in town.  I really appreciate quality furniture and was trying to figure out how I could afford a custom sofa that would look great and be durable.  When I found this sofa for a great deal we bought it and ordered some chairs to match.  They finally came this week!  I have been rearranging the room and trying out different options!  It isn't completely settled yet, but here it is so far!  

Design Process

This is an old post I wrote last year, but decided to publish.

This is a before picture of our family room.

We use this room for four main purposes:  practice the piano, read, and we gather as a family for family home evening and scripture study,  this is also the room we are in when people come over.

When we moved into the house I put the TV in this room.  It didn't take long at all for me to realize that I made a BIG mistake.  It was loud and the TV was the focus.  We moved the TV downstairs and brought the small bookshelf with kids books upstairs.  It worked like magic.  The kids would be waiting for dinner or have a few extra minutes and they would grab a book rather than turn on the TV.  The same is true with our piano.  If they have a few extra minutes they sit down and practice because it is conveniently right there.

There were many things about this room that worked, but I was tired of all the brown.  I decided to lighten and brighten this room.  I started pinning things on Pinterest that were the general "feel" of what I wanted for our family room.  Overall, this is what I took with me shopping and the "feel" that I wanted to acheive:

I wanted the final room to be described as "Clean, Bright, and Light."  

I wanted to keep the couches, would you believe we have had those couches for over 10 year, they have lived in 6 states, and we have 7 kids, but they still look fabulous thanks to two rules:

-We take our shoes off in the house.

-We only eat food in the kitchen.

Anyway, I would like to keep the couches for a couple more years so I was looking for new pillows to brighten the space.  I also planned to paint the walls a lighter shade of what they already were and paint the fireplace white.  

My first stop was TJ Maxx (Homegoods) and Marshall's. 

Shopping at Homegoods and Marshall's is usually a jackpot.  Here are some of the amazing things that saw:

When I went to Marshall's I found exactly what  I was looking for quality down filled pillows with zip closure made from beautiful thick designer fabric. . . on clearance! I pick up a cute pouf for a foot rest and some other accessories.

After Pictures

The Family Room Now

 BEFORE:

AFTER:

I will be posting about the design process and sources soon. . .

Family Room "After" Pictures

I love how it turned out!  Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of how the family room looks now.  

Family Room: Before Pictures

Here are the "Before" pictures of our family room.  It is nice, but it felt very brown.  I wanted to lighten and brighten the room without buying new furniture.  Tomorrow I will show you the after pictures!  

* Just for fun:  Have you ever wanted your house to look like the photos that you see in Magazines?  I love this post by Emily A. Clark.  She shows the behind the scenes photos of taking pretty pictures for magazines. . . maybe everything isn't as perfect as the pictures :)  Emily has a beautiful house, I love that she shared her experience!  

Favorite interior designers.

When I am looking for inspiration I have a few favorite designers that I turn to for inspiration:

Jennifer Stagg

with Heart

Sita Montegomery

Sita Montegomery Interiors

Kirsten Krason

6th Street Design School

House of Jade Interiors

Caitlin Creer

Caitlin Creer Interiors

Caitlin Wilson

Caitlin Wilson

Project Time!

(Photo from Caitlin Wilson)

Love this design style!  

I love a good project!  Our family room is fine, but I have been bored with all the brown.  I decided it is time to freshen things up a bit!  I am in the midst of refinishing, finding new pillows for the couch, and rearranging.  I can't wait to show you the finished project!  Here are some of the pictures that are inspiring me:

Homegoods is my favorite place to shop!  

 before photo:

Sharing a Room

Before our baby was born our two youngest children had their own rooms.  If possible, I really like the baby to have their own room so before she was born we moved our 3 year old daughter and 5 year old son into the same bedroom.  Being a boy and girl I knew that they probably wouldn't share a room long term, but it has worked out really well because they are close to the same age and go to bed at the same time.

I will admit, I have been surprised how much they have enjoyed sharing a room.  They are good friends!

When it came to decorating, I wanted their room to look nice but I didn't want to spend a lot of money because I know eventually I would like to have our 3 year old daughter share with the baby sister.

Twin beds- we purchase from Pottery Barn (I bought the floor models at a discounted price)

Nightstands- both kids have their own nightstand for their own personal things.  One was free the other was $7 at a thrift store, I refinished them.

Duvet Covers- I made them out of flat sheet and ribbon (less than $20 each)

Pillow Shams- Bought the blue one at Homegoods, sewed the pink one.

Accent Pillows- Pottery Barn and Homegoods

Lamp- Our 5 year old wanted an orange lamp.  He picked it out at Hobby Lobby.

Rug- Pottery Barn

Nightstand accessories (boxes and mailbox)- Hobby Lobby and Pottery Barn

Big letters- clearance from Hobby Lobby, I painted them white

Their room is small, I didn't want to add a dresser.  We put the clear plastic drawers in their closet and they work perfectly for their little clothes.

Celebrate Good Times

Today is an amazing day, this is the first day in 2013 that I feel great!  I am not nauseated, I don't have a headache and I can think straight!  I am 17 weeks along and hope that I am over all the morning sickness!

I actually feel so great that for the first time in a long time I can think about things other than basic survival.

I am wondering what I can organize or redecorate?  So in celebrating that  I feel great I thought I would include a few amazing pictures that inspire me to decorate.

These pictures are from the 2013 Parade of Homes in St. George, UT.  Hoopes Construction built this amazing home. The interior was designed by Heritage Home and Gardens.