Living Room Transformation

I enjoy decorating. Neither to the point that my house can’t be lived in, nor anything fancy that would become a burden, just good old fashioned decorating. The creating of a space that is special yet livable for the entire family. However since I have several children and home educate my budget for decorating is very limited; OK almost non-existent. So over the years I have trained myself to always be on the lookout for thrift store items that could be given a new lease on life. Something new for me but definitely not new, as I really do not like paying full retail for anything! Nothing in my house matches and my style is very eclectic but it works for me.

For a while now I have wanted a cabinet to house the stereo system in my living room. I wanted something painted and vintage looking. My husband is a carpenter and agreed to make me a cabinet since I hadn’t found one in all my treasure hunting. However I found one of solid oak for very little money on craigslist. My husband couldn’t even build one half the size for the money so he told me to purchase it. It was HUGE!!! Once we moved it into the living room I thought I had made a mistake. It is 8 feet tall and has a lot of storage, which is why I bought it, but now what do I do? 

The New Cabinet-minus the knobs as they are shiny brass…I will replace them and maybe some day distress and paint it. But for now, here is the monster cabinet.

Time to redecorate! This is a great experience for your children by the way, to assist as you make something work that looks like an eye sore. Here are some before and after pictures of the transformation. I didn’t purchase anything new but the cabinet. The only things I added to the room was a kiva ladder with quilts to tone the height of the cabinet down, a plant from another room, a table lamp and a wooden bowl with a pumpkin. I did take down the curtains to open things up more. It was fun and the children were pleasantly surprised. They like the hidden stereo and so do I!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is amazing that up against a wall the cabinet looked terrible. But once I moved it in to the corner and got a good balance between it, the couch and the rest of the furniture it fit right in. The key was balance and openness. I moved the piano back against the wall which opened the visual clear through to the dining room. Then the logs themselves helped the balance to work. It was fun. So if you have a room you do not like. Take everything out (or at least move it), take everything off the walls and start over. My family loves it and it only cost me the price of the cabinet.

 

I still have new valances to make and a few items for the wall, but I thought it turned out pretty good. I want my home to be a comfort to all who enter in.

Welcome to my newly transformed living room!