Friday, January 31, 2014

New Family Room Reveal Part One

Okay so we don't have the new family room quite "finished" yet, we still need to do all the trim work, but I figured you guys were getting tired of waiting so I decided I would just show it to you anyways. Please ignore the fact that there is no corner trim or outlet covers on yet:)


This is the left side of the room if you are standing in my kitchen looking into the back yard. I had many years to think about how I wanted this room to be, what was most important to me was that we had lots of windows and that it felt bright and cozy at the same time. I also always knew that I wanted it to be covered floor to ceiling with bead board. We kept the trim simple to match the rest of the kitchen. I painted the walls and the trim Glidden's "Swan White".


My goal is to find a giant piece of salvaged molding for above the three windows behind the couch.


To give you an idea of where you are seeing below is what it looked like in the summer during the rebuilding process after the wall was taken down separating the two rooms.




The picture below (that my son took) is of the wall during reno that the couch is now on.





I was really lucky to find the perfect pieces for this room, most of them costing less than$15. The coffee table and the wall unit pictured below both came from the same estate sale. Over the summer I was on my way to the mall to try on dresses for my sister-in-laws wedding when I spotted an estate sale. My son was with my mom and I actually had cash in my wallet so I figured I would stop real quick. I went into the house and I found a couple things but nothing too exciting. As I headed back to my car I spotted a garage off to the side of the property that I had somehow missed (my estate sale rule is to always hit the garage first cause that is usually where the old stuff is). I walked into the garage and it was a jack pot! I found two old tables, tons of farm goodies, totes, primitive tools, and the wall cupboard pictured below. I was grabbing stuff left and right and putting it in a giant pile, people were looking at me like "why would she want all that junk". It just goes to show you should always stop because this was a tiny 1970's house in a very residential area.


The cupboard wasn't even actually for sale but when I asked the woman who was running the estate sale if  I could buy it she said "sure if we can get it off of the wall". You should have seen us trying to get this thing off of the wall, it was filthy and had a lifetimes worth of mouse poop on it and was screwed to the wall with at least 20 screws. It took a good half hour to pry it loose but we got it down! She said it would be five bucks and that everything in the garage was half off that day!


I knew just where it would go when I bought it but I had to wait patiently for the day we could actually hang it. It looks just how I pictured it could, the women at the estate sale were so excited that I was going to make it cute. It is made with all different salvaged pieces, the shelf with the scale on it is a little door cut in half and I love the wire shelf. I scrubbed it multiple times and painted it Glidden's "Antique Beige".


The coffee table was also five dollars. It was a regular size table and I just had Neal cut the legs down. I didn't do anything to it except scrub it and put a coat of polycrylic on the top to protect it from spills and wipe downs. I left the estate sale a sweaty dirty mess, it was 90 degrees that day and on top of it I had to squeeze everything I bought into my car. I was actually there so long that the women started to refer to me as "The Renovator":) Needless to say I didn't feel oh so fresh and clean as I was trying on those dresses.


 The table in the corner under the cupboard is the one I picked up at the flea market for $15 dollars this past summer. I painted it Martha Stewart's "Sisal". The other end table is also new. I have always wanted to make a table with a sewing machine bottom and I was so excited when I actually found an antique sewing machine base at Savers (the greatest thrift store ever, you are so lucky if you have one) for $12! Someone had attached an ugly desk top to it, so I took that off and screwed an old piece of wood that I had found in the house when we first moved in to it.





And then as you get a look into the kitchen you can see that I have changed some things around in there. We brought the little cupboard down from the upstairs bedroom because I needed some more functional storage. I painted it Glidden's "Whispering Wheat" and added an antique knob that I picked up at the flea market.


I brought the desk in from the mudroom and put one of the tables I got from the estate sale in its place. I wanted something long and skinny for this space since you need to be able to walk through easily. Plus I love this table so much I wanted it in a place I would see it more.


It makes for the perfect little office space which is great because try as I might I always end up doing all of my Etsy work in the kitchen and my son always does his school work here.


I really love the way everything turned out in the family room but what I love most are the giant windows that allow us to see into the backyard from this part of the house now. It always drove me crazy that I couldn't really see into our backyard and our woods unless I was in the guest bedroom.


Seeing "my deer" come through in the morning while I drink my coffee brings me the greatest joy. Plus they let in so much light it makes such a difference in the kitchen.


We special ordered the windows from Anderson so that they would be the exact same size as all of the other large original windows in the house.


And to give you an idea of how far we have come in case you are a new follower I wanted to show you the stages of this area of our house. The picture below is what is now the kitchen but it was a small and dark bedroom when we first moved in.


If you look in the left hand corner you can use the pot belly chimney (where Neal is working) to show you that it is the same space, minus a lot of nastiness, in both the above and below picture.


And below is what you can now see when you stand in the same place (and yes I painted that cupboard, post about that to come).


I hope you enjoyed Part One, in the next part I will show the room as a whole and go into more detail about the flooring and lighting. I have been getting lots of specific questions about things lately so I thought I would start doing posts that address readers questions since more than one of you might be interested in the subject matter. For the first one I am going to address the lighting in our farmhouse and my painting techniques. Feel free to email me if there is something you would like to know more about!

39 comments:

  1. Looks so great! I just love your style!! Are you on Instagram??

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  2. Meg ~ I Love LOVE loVe every single, wonderful, farmhouse, cozy, original, fabulous detail. . . I knew you wouldn't disappoint. . . I'm calling Farmhouse Style magazine right now. . . you need to be featured and on the cover. . . .

    I have been waiting for this for forever. . . you and Neil should be so proud. . . {OK I'll quit for now but only cuz I'm gonna go look at it again} . .can you feel my love ? ? ?

    :) d

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    1. Yes Debi I can feel the love:) But seriously thank you so much, your comments always make my day. ~ Meg

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    2. yes. . I'm here visiting again. . . I have a question. . . why don't we see any pics of the ceiling. . . I came back to take another look and thought maybe I missed them . . . I'm sure you have a good reason. . . (PS its just as lovely the 2nd time as it was when I first saw it. . . ) :) d

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    3. No pictures of the ceiling yet for one simple reason Debi....it's not done:) We had to cut individual pieces for the spaces between the bead board and the ceiling planks. I am painting them as we speak...hopefully Neal will get them up this weekend. I promise to show the whole ceiling in the next part!

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  3. What a luvly 'homey' room. So calm and beautiful.. a collected look . You scored at that estate sale.

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  4. It all looks wonderful and you found some perfect pieces for your room. I can see why you love the wondows ~ I'm sure they have made a huge difference!

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  5. Oh how I love your blog. So inspiring. Thank you!

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  6. I love your blog too ... and I really love your home. You have such an eye for the perfect detail. If you ever had an estate sale, you'd have to shut down after I came through. :)

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  7. All of it looks absolutely gorgeous! You have such a good eye for all the little details that really bring a space together! Your finds are amazing...and such good deals! Love reading your blog!

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  8. It's beautiful! You have done an amazing job.

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  9. Everything looks so beautiful! So much light and warmth. That view out the window would make my day, too :) Looking forward to seeing the next part!

    Jeanette

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  10. Love it, can't wait for part 2. Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of this. It is inspiring.

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  11. Gorgeous ! A place for everything.. you make it look so easy. You really have a primitive eye for detail. Great garage sale finds! I LoVe your style & everything white, cream, wheat color.I Love your space! Thanks.M.

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  12. Love your sitting room! Those windows are perfect and I love how it has opened the space! How lucky to have such awesome e places to find stuff! We are limited here in Alberta it seems....wonderful, cozy space!

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  13. The space is fantastic! Your finds are amazing. Isn't it so exciting to find a piece that no matter how dirty it is you know exactly how you'll use it and make it shine?! :)

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  14. Love it Meg! ~Beautiful as ALWAYS!!~ Farmhouse FRESH!~ So glad I decided to play a little catch up peeking at some favorites today! ~Mel

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    1. Thanks Mel! I am sure this is the first time you have had five minutes to do as you please in a long while! I CAN'T WAIT to see your beautiful home in the magazine...so exciting!!!

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  15. Love it! Can't wait to see more!

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  16. It looks great! I am so jealous of all of your finds. I have been on a dry spell lately when it comes to great finds.

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  17. Meg - Your home is magazine worthy! Love your new family room and finds! Looking forward to you sharing your painting techniques! Thank you!

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  18. Love, LOVE, LOVE it all!! You guys have done an incredible job! :)
    Susan

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  19. Hello Megan, This is my first visit to your blog and I'm loving it! We have a lot in common...we are both renovating! I sold my farmhouse on 6 acres in 2013 and downsized to a cedar shake cottage on 1 acre. I enjoy seeing the progress and I love your style as well! I am your newest follower and am putting you on my favorite blogs list. Have a blessed and wonderful week~~~Roxie

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  20. I just came from Must Love Junk and enjoyed reading about your, your family and your farmhouse. Unlike you, I am a color girl, but it doesn't keep me from loving your farmhouse and your style. I will be back to read more about your restoration.

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  21. Hi Meg. This is my first visit to your blog at the suggestion of Must Love Junk's post today and I'm so glad I did. I love your old farmhouse and what you've been doing to renovate it. I love farmhouse style and even though my home is far from it I can still dream. You and your husband have done an amazing job and I love how you've repurposed so many things and the neutral palette you've chosen. It is beautiful! I will be following your blog so I can see what else you have been doing. Blessings, Pamela

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  22. Hi Megan,

    I just read your feature over at 'Must Love Junk' and am a new follower. LOVE your style, and applaud all your hard work!

    My husband & I have built a tiny cottage in the CO mountains ourselves, although we did get help with the concrete pour & tile floors. We have lived in it now for 5 years, but still have a lot of finishing work (trim, more cupboards, etc) to do. I look forward to visiting you often for inspiration and encouragement to keep going!

    Great "meeting" you!
    Lin

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  23. I just enjoyed reading your feature on Susan's blog and getting to know you better. Your farmhouse style is WONDERFUL! Love it!!!
    Mary Alice

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  24. Hello Megan....visiting by way of Junk Chic Cottage. What a delightful Saturday Spotlight! So happy to get to know you better. Your blog is beyond beautiful...and your Pinterest boards are so lovely too. I am your newest follower on both! Nice to meet you! ;)

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  25. Hi Meg,
    I am also visit by way of Junk Chic,
    Loved your life history and how your desire to live in an old farmhouse came true. All I can say is amazing grace, as for the beauty you have created is truly home.
    I went back as far reading your older postings where Neal was planing the layers of perfectly grey paint
    from the kitchen floorboards, I could have stayed here all day.
    I too had this strong pull to the history of living a primitive life, and turned my style from primitive 1800's folk art to my heritage of French and Irish. Loving also the lack of colour I so relate to you in the way this lack of colour moves you in the direction you are designing around. I could truly move right into your home feeling as if I belonged. You my new friend have a home to love.

    Beautiful journey to you,
    and a beautiful February.
    Xx

    Doré

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  26. I am a new follower who came over from Kris post. I love your farmhouse. What a wonderful job you did on restoring the farm. Everything looks terrific.
    Stop by and see my gardens.
    Have a great weekend.
    \Mary

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  27. Beautiful!! I love your home...you are living my dream :) !!

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  28. Megan, your home is awesome! I came by to visit from Must Love Junk, and found out I am already a follower. I think I'll subscribe via email. I love a light, neutral home as well...with plenty of vintage stuff. Stop by, and visit, and show off your style at my new link party on Thursdays - Thrifty Life Thursday.
    -Revi

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  29. Ahhhh this is beautiful!!!! You folks have done soooo much work and done it so well! Thank you for sharing with us!
    Blessings,
    J

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  30. This is so beautiful! I am wondering if you made the slipcovers yourself? I love the loose hang, particularly on the armchair. I would so appreciate any tips or maybe where you purchased them? I have an oddly shaped chair, and I am not a seasoned seamstress!

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