The other day as my daughter was happily chattering away to me about all of the latest in her 2nd grade world, my ears perked up when I heard a familiar phrase. She was describing how a friend felt about something (obviously my mind was wandering just a bit!) and she said with great emphasis “Mommy, she doesn’t just love it. She LOVE loves it!” And I had to smile.
Everything comes full circle doesn’t it? I vividly remember those years when as a young girl we were all trying to figure out how to decipher our feelings about boys. We’d be at a slumber party, giggling and dancing to ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’ and plotting out who’s bra was going to end up in the freezer in the middle of the night, when inevitably a boys name would come up.
And everyone knew what question to ask…”Well, do you mean like, that you LIKE like him?” Because we all knew what it meant if you LIKE liked someone.
So, I’m going to giggle and blush and maybe even threaten to put your bra in the freezer and tell you that not only do I LIKE like my family room makeover, I LOVE love my family room makeover!!
Here it is BEFORE the great painting extravaganza of early 2015…
And here it is AFTER!
Before
After
Do you LOVE love it as much as I do?
We had planned to have custom shelves built to sit on top of the existing cabinets but after getting a few estimates and reviewing the budget we opted for these instead which we installed ourselves. I actually think they keep the space feeling more open than true built-ins would have.
Everything in this room just feels so much lighter and brighter.
When it came time to add accessories back in, I had a chance to start fresh and that included mixing in a few new pieces with old pieces. Faux mercury glass lamps from WalMart were topped with shades that I had stored in the attic.
And white scroll-y iron sconces (also pulled out of storage!) helped fill in the big wall and look perfect next to new framed art.
And I’m in total LIKE like these polka-dot drapes.
It was really hard to get to the place where I was ready emotionally for this change.
I had to break-up with my cherry cabinets and fireplace. I told them “It’s not you…it’s me.”
And then there was room for a new love.
But not just any love.
This is LOVE love! 😉
P.S. Wanna see what else was part of the painting extravaganza of 2015? Check out my built-in china cabinet makeover here!
It’s fresh and bright and beautiful! And I just love all the styling! I can see why you LOVE love it!
Thank you so much Gilly!
i love a girl who loves! You took me back to not such fond memories of childhood sleep overs when I found out my bra was targeted, when i found out I pretended to be sick so i can leave. Not my bra!! 🙂
LOL Laura!
Oh it is gorgeous Vanessa! What a difference paint can make! Your room has such a beautiful “airiness” about it. Perfect for welcoming the warmer months. Thanks too for the memoies of those good old slumber party days. I remember doing the freezing bra thing as well.
Wishing you a wondefrful week!
XO Barbara
Thanks so much Barbara!!
Vanessa – so pretty! But most importantly, I love that you LOVE it!! Take care friend, Laura
Thanks girl!
Yes, I do love it as much as you do!! Fantastic job! Love, LOVE!!
: )
Thank you Peg!
Took my breathe away when I opened your post today! Gorgeous and so light and airy. Love all the little details too and the fun accessories. So happy that you love your decision to break up with the cherry. It was beautiful before but wow your room just really pops now.
May I come for tea?
Awww thanks so much June! 🙂
WOW! This is just beautiful!!! I love everything about this room, and you did a beautiful job:) I’m really liking that buttery yellow on those chairs. I just might have to rethink my game plan for the Great Room.
Thank you Cindy!
WOW Vanessa I LOVE LOVE this makeover too!! The lighter and brighter look is fabulous. Beautiful!!
Thank you Martina! 🙂
Wow! What a difference a little (lot!) of paint can make! So fresh and bright! I LOVE love it right along with you! Life to the full! Melissa
Definitely A LOT of paint Melissa!! Thanks girl!
It really does look so fresh and bright. Great job. Gorgeous room and beautifully accessorized.
Thank you Marty!
Beautiful! I am a freak for polka dots. Love the drapes and the shelving!
Holy moly! It’s fabulous!
So very, very lovely and comfortable for the family. I love, love, love the polka dot drapes, too. Great redo!
totally amaze.ing!! looks like a completely different space!
WOW, Vanessa … it’s gorgeous! I love your new shelves … and the lighter and brighter feel. Your vignettes and “goodies” are always beautiful! A wonderful change for the new season! LOVE!
B E A U T I F U L !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very well done, such a clean and crisp feeling 🙂
Looks Beautiful Vanessa! Your family room looks so light and bright and ready for Spring!
Wow! I for sure love LOVE it. Looks beautiful Vanessa!!
Ooooh yes, I LOVE love it, Vanessa! : ) It looks fantastic lightened up.
Very pretty! I really like the soft new look (I’m not saying love because I don’t want to infringe on your new love relationship lol.)
I’m seriously in LOVE, not just love, but LOVEEE hehe with the way the white looks & the polka dot curtains with the cute painted furniture !! I love the bright white, cream & yellow accents most of all! This is my new favorite spring living space for sure!!
Paige.Rose
From,
http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com
Seriously LOVE love what you’ve done! Everything looks so fresh and clean and AMAZING! Pinning and sharing!
Awww..thanks so much Jane! 🙂
Looks beautiful. I love all the changes you’ve made.
hugs
Sissie
Thank you Sissie!
While I love the beautiful wood it does look light and bright and those polka dot curtains are so fun and go so well with your painted cabinet. I did notice in the photos that the lower shelf is sagging in the center so you may want to add a supportive corbel underneath that one as well to avert a disaster! Nice job and certainly inspirational for those of us trying to decide whether to paint wood or not.
Thank you so much De! Yes we definitely need to add another bracket there like the other shelves but since there is an outlet we’ve been having a hard time finding just the right one to fit. LOL! It’s on our ‘to do’ list though for sure! 🙂
I totally LOVE love it. It is so bright and cheery and welcoming. Just like you!!
I LOVE love all the new decorating touches too.
… and don’t you just LOVE love this weather we are having? (lucky us!!)
YES!! The weather has been so amazing Shannon! Thanks for the sweet comment my friend. 🙂
It lightens and brightens the entire space. I absolutely love it. Great job, my friend.
Thanks sweet friend! Was thinking the other day about our NYC adventure. Would love to get to see you again! 🙂
I LOVE love it! Everything… the soft white, the polka dot drapes, the accents and your transformation! What a beautiful, fresh and fabulous room! LOVE! sigh!
Thank you so much Yvonne!! 🙂
Love the dark wood painted white. Huge improvement!
Thanks Kim!
I am in true LOVE, love with your makeover….so, so BEAUTIFUL, beautiful….there is no room for a “like” here…just love…amazing job, amazing transformation!!!
Ohhhhhh, I don’t love it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It is so bright and cheery and relaxing! GREAT JOB!
Hi Vanessa. Yes, I do LOVE the transformation! I’m sorry about your breakup with the cherry, but wow – how gorgeous!
wove, this is soo bright and beautiful living room makeover. Love it 🙂
Sooo much work! I can’t imagine . Looks fantastic.
I can see why you LOVE it! It looks amazing and you made me laugh about your breaking up with the cherry cabinets. It’s true that it is an emotional thing when you paint your cabinets. We painted our kitchen last summer and even though I didn’t like our oak it still was weird how emotional the change was. Life is strange sometimes. 🙂 Enjoy your beautiful new family room!
Love, love, love the white! It looks so refreshed, big and bright! Isn’t it crazy what a little paint and some accessories can do to a room! Enjoy every minute in your “new” room! xo
Really wonderful room. Can see why you “LOVE love it!” Could you share the source for the polka-dot drapes. Smitten:)
What a beautiful room! Love everything about it.
Can you share where you found the polka dot curtains?
Thank you!
Thank you so much! I found them on Amazon. 🙂