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    The Family Room Photo Shoot No One Posts

    July 23, 2013 |

    Two months ago I raided my mom's garage and she gave me these sweet antique tables that were my grandma's. My parents have had them in their bedroom for as long as I can remember, and I've never seen a side table with lines quite like these curvy beauties.

    image

    I posted 'em on Instagram, even asked you on facebook if you'd paint them. (I wasn't planning on painting them.)

    8096ea8ac27211e2ae4022000ae911aa_6

    I was EXCITED about these tables. Our couch has high arms and our old tables were a bit short, here's what they looked like:

    IMG_7701

    Only two months before, I had give the room a refresh. (more details in this post). I brought the wood tables in for that post (blogger secret). Picture this room with big honkin' black tables:

    refresh your home with a simple pillow change, love this idea! via @whbsblog

    But oh, you know how it is. I was ready for a change.

     

    When the kids and I got home that night, I pulled the tables out of the van, dusted and polished them, moved the old tables, and brought them into my family room.

    But I wasn't done.

    I grabbed the new IKEA pillow covers I had bought recently (and had wanted for a while) and added em. I swapped out the old lampshades for PB drum shades I had found at a garage sale the month before. I moved the couch a bit, brought in the recliner from the other room, and added my succulent garden.

    And then when Doug was done cutting the grass and came in with his jaw dropped, I asked him to move our old tables to the garage.

    The next day I took some pictures to share it all with you.

    That was two months ago.

    Why haven't I shared the pictures with you? because, sigh, photo shoots are tough. At least for me.

    this one's okay

    image

    and then a hand comes into the picture (way left) and I realize the clipboards are no longer centered over the couch (they're still that way)

    image

    and then everyone comes into the room and doesn't want to leave

    image

    image

     

    and they make faces

    image

    image

    And then they have a party with the pillows while I'm in the room changing the lens on my camera.

    Welcome to my lovely home, folks. 🙂

    and no, I'm not ashamed to post this because it makes me happy. This is what it looks like most of the time. We clean up and it looks good but not for long enough to take a picture because they're back and playing. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

    image

    Total cost of changes made? $28.

    IKEA polka dot pillow covers: $7 each, new-to-me Pottery Barn drum lampshades; $7 each, hand-me-down tables: free-ninety-nine.

    I think it's safe to say this room has had the most changes in the house, but then again, we pretty much live in this room.

    Do you like to change things up all the time?

    Want every post I've ever posted about the family room? Here you go. (There's a lot.)

    Like our clipboard wall? Here's the tutorial for how to make a clipboard wall gallery for under $25.

    and want to see a post with really, really old befores of the room? check out this one to see some wood paneling, ceiling tiles, and gross carpet.

    More family room

    • Tips to Create a Family Room
    • DIY Christmas Carol Wall Prints
    • How to Make a Clipboard Wall
    • Family Room Spring Refresh

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alyssa

      March 26, 2018 at 9:23 am

      Hi there! Where in the world did you get that super cute small white book case in your living room? I've been hunting the internet for it! It would be perfect in ours!

      • Ann Marie Heasley

        March 26, 2018 at 9:34 am

        Hi Alyssa! It is from pottery barn kids (affiliate link): http://rstyle.me/cz-n/cy3kudcdsi7

        Mine is an older style but similar dimensions, I bought it secondhand about 6-7 years ago and it still looks great! I’ve been thinking of buying another for our boys’ room. I loved having it in our family room!

      • Alyssa

        March 26, 2018 at 9:36 am

        WOW! I SO appreciate your fast reply and thanks so much for the link!

      • Ann Marie Heasley

        March 26, 2018 at 10:10 am

        You’re welcome!! As soon as I saw it I needed to reply, haha! The bookshelf is one of my favorite finds ever, having it in our family room helped the kids have easy access to books from an early age, but also was easy for them to help with cleanup. 🙂

    2. Jenn

      January 14, 2015 at 2:44 pm

      I took inspiration from your clip board wall and used thr idea on my fridge. I don't know how to insert a picture through my phone, but it came out great! NowNowthe side of the fridge, which we see every time we enter and leave the house, looks sleek and clean.
      Thanks again !!

    3. Amanda

      March 04, 2014 at 11:55 am

      What a happy, comfortable space!! Would you mind sharing where the white children's book shelf is from, or did you build it yourself?

    4. Tamara

      August 05, 2013 at 8:36 am

      I think it's adorable! Honestly, I love seeing the 'stuff' everywhere... It's refreshing and while I love seeing amazing put-together rooms, sometimes they can be depressing, because my house pretty much never looks like that. I'd much rather see a cute room that looks like real people live in it! 🙂

    5. Sarah McKenna

      July 23, 2013 at 11:59 pm

      I hate changing things. I am WAAAAY too lazy. I just say, "meh" and let them be mediocre. That's the truth. I love your colorful little room! Why not just add an extra row of clipboards?

    6. Angelina-JoJo and Eloise

      July 23, 2013 at 7:25 pm

      SO SO SO Cute!!!! This makes me want to come over and ring your doorbell and say HI!!!! Love the tables. Such a Happy and Cozy place. 🙂
      xoxo

    7. Kay M.

      July 23, 2013 at 1:14 pm

      I ADORE it! It's a FAMILY room! The family should be IN it!! The pictures are wonderful, and I love that the tables are recycled. They make it amazing.

    8. Christine

      July 23, 2013 at 10:42 am

      I love your new look....especially that book rack in the corner by the window! Super cute, bright and fun!

    9. Megan

      July 23, 2013 at 10:26 am

      I do love changing things!! Brings me joy :). At,east you only have to move the far left column over to the right and your clipboards are centered. We live in our living room too!! Where do you keep the kid junk?

    10. Karen @ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

      July 23, 2013 at 10:24 am

      Too funny! And, right before I read this, I rearranged my living room for, as you say, free-ninety-nine! I'm always thinking about changing things up.

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    Hi, I'm Ann Marie. I want to help you find peace in your home through simplifying your life, taking on small projects, and learning to find your style. Learn more about this site and why I started it...

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    Hi, I'm Ann Marie. I want to help you find peace in your home through simplifying your life, taking on small projects, and learning to find your style. Learn more about this site and why I started it...

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