Family_Room

Day Two of family room decorating ideas is finally here.

Whew.

I know you’ve been waiting on the edge of your seat…..tapping your fingers and nodding your head.

Me, too.

When I’m redoing these rooms…..I’m never really sure where I’m going…..

…..until I get there.

I think this room transformation is my favorite so far.

And just for the record…..

….her name is Diathana.

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When I was little and read all kinds of books about fairy tales and beautiful people who lived in towers and with really long hair…..who wore velvet dresses and always got rescued by princes….

….I decided that I wanted my name changed to Diathana.

*sigh*

I thought it was the most beautiful name in all the world.

My mother didn’t really agree and no amount of wand-waving was successful.

So the whole Diathana thing had a very short shelf life.

But today….

…..today here’s my Dianthana.

Romantic and a little blonde with time-worn classic beauty and a handsome prince who helped make it all possible.

And a whole bookshelf of happy endings.  🙂

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Eight Family Room Decorating Ideas

Want to know how I did it?

Here’s some easy family room decorating ideas:

1.  New rug borrowed from the Gatehouse.

I took it right out from under my desk over there.

2.  I hung the basket that was sitting on the coffee table (you can see it in the first picture) on the wall.

Then I tied a wreath to the top of the basket with gray ribbon.

3.  These are the chair covers from the kitchen.

In the interest of full-disclosure….I had to photo shop out several dried on fruit loop marks.

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Here’s a close-up of the basket over the mantel.

It might be staying if I can talk all the decorating magazines into it.

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1.  I covered the back of the bookcase with this amazing paper from Hobby Lobby.

It is large enough to cover the whole back and it only cost $5.25 (after 40% off coupon) for a roll that totally covered both bookcases.

milk-glass-collection

It looks even better in real life.

It might be staying.

2.  I filled the bookshelves with pieces from my yard sale milk glass collection.

And this is only about half of the milk glass in the house.

I think I need an intervention.

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1.  These are all vases left over from the florist that I had tucked away in a cabinet.

You know….the kind you always donate to Goodwill.

I added a piece of painter’s tape to make a line….spray painted them white and then removed the tape.

They are so much cooler than I could ever hope to be.

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I was a little worried about how they would turn out.

But they totally make me want to climb up into a tower and let my hair down.

2.  The gray pieces hanging on the chalkboard are from the library.

I bought them on clearance at Hobby Lobby about two years ago.

book page flower pillow

1.  Remember those book page flowers?

I made them into a wreath on day 1.

Here are the same flowers pinned onto a pillow on the window seat.

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Everyone in the family voted and they want this room to stay a dining room.

I told them they would like tomorrow’s room even better.

And I hope you will, too.  🙂

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Comments

  1. Image for Sandy Sandy

    Dianthana's striking white vases would dazzle any Prince Charming. I added "to paint my florist vases like KariAnne's," to my 2013 summer to do list. Thank you for your creative stories and inspirations. A+ as always!

  2. Image for Lori H Lori H

    My favorite parts are the paper on the back of the bookshelves, and the painted vases - I am going to copy those for sure!!

  3. Image for Lori Lori

    I have always loved the warm wood and colors of your original living room but this dining room is really a beautiful & dramatic switch! Love the paper in the bookcases too! Wow! Well done!

  4. Image for Holly Holly

    Love the transformation! I think my favorite part of the room is the paper on the back of the shelves... how cool is that?! Thanks for the inspiration.... your creativity always amazes me.

  5. Image for shirley@housepitalitydesigns shirley@housepitalitydesigns

    I love it when a room is totally used for a different purpose other than the usual....So love it Kari...you must be having so much fun with this series....The bookcase backed paper is fantastic along with the many other beautiful details that a girl in a tower with very long hair, wearing a velvet dress, being rescued by a prince would do!!!

  6. Image for Lisa Lisa

    Oh my gosh Karianne I love, love, LOVE the wood paper!! That is so cool! And also the vases came out great! This room works soooooo well as a dining room. Such great light and those bookshelves for all your milkglass - so perfect! Look forward to seeing tomorrow's version!

  7. Image for Angela Angela

    I love that you turned it into a totally different room! Love the paper and the vases!! Don't we all have some of those that just get stashed away!! Now I wish I had the ones I donated to Good Will!!! Excellent job, deary!!! Looking forward to tomorrow! ~~Angela

  8. Image for baileywife baileywife

    That paper BETTER stay....GORGEOUS!! I tried making our front room into a dining room once....my clan made me change it back ASAP. Yours is much better!;) ~ Kim

  9. Image for Donnamae Donnamae

    Oh my Dianthana is gorgeous! I love that paper backing that looks like old wood that's been around forever...and then those vases...ooh la la! And let's not forget that basket hung with that beautiful wreath...I love that layering....beautiful Karianne!! ;)

  10. Image for dawn@joyfulscribblings dawn@joyfulscribblings

    I'm loving the paper on your bookshelf. I'm looking for something for the back of my shelves. I tried burlap, but it didn't work out too well. What section is the paper in at Hobby Lobby? Is it gift wrap? I'm loving those paper flowers as well. I've been wanting to make them for months. You've inspired me!

  11. Image for Rose L Rose L

    Stunning transformation! I love every inch of it. You are truly a talented decorator. My favorite is the the wicker tray with the wreath hung on it. All I can think of are all the gorgeous wreaths I see keep seeing on Pinterest and now having a reason to make them and a great way to show them off!! I'm psyched, thanks so much for that!

  12. Image for Gee Gee

    Luv, luv, luv!!! Dianthana is beautiful! Thought I was in luv yesterday... but today's room is making me cheat on yesterdays. That paper backing the shelves, a def keeper in my book. Hugs, Gee

  13. Image for Lori Lori

    I love this as a dining room! I know what I am doing today, buying paper at Hobby Lobby and painting vases. Thanks for all the inspiration.

  14. Image for jenny jenny

    Bless Your Heart (as we say in the south). It's just stunning. Please tell me where did you find that wood graphic hanging over the mantel?

  15. Image for Rosanne Rosanne

    Oh geez! I was planning on getting some cabinets cleaning out today, instead now I HAVE to head over to Hobby Lobby for some amazing paper. Better not forget the spray paint so I can paint all my vases and hang a basket on the wall. The room looks amazing!

  16. Image for Terri Terri

    I just found your blog through One Room, Three Ways. Where have I been? You are an amazing designer with such a great visual eye. Okay....I am NOT that talented, but would love to make those vases with all of my extra glass containers that keep piling up. Could you give us a clue...did you spray them and what kind of paint? I am now your newest FAN!

  17. Image for Regina Regina

    Oh Wow . . . OK, I'm reserving my vote until after tomorrow's switcharoo! LOVE it! And the paper at the back of the shelves? AMAZING. I honestly thought, at first, that you'd gone and put actual wood back there! When I was 5 or 6, I ran the idea of changing my name to "Susie" by my grandfather. He quashed the idea, so I let it go. Looking back, I probably should have had a wider range of opinions . .. but his counted the most. :)

  18. Image for Suzy Suzy

    Dianthana, Dianthana....let down your hair!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this transformation! I will be hitting The Lobster (that's what my fam calls Hobby Lobby) TODAY for that wood-planky paper for MY dining room (which I have decided to rename "Anastasia" in your honor). Can't wait to see tomorrow's transformation!

  19. Image for Richella Parham Richella Parham

    You're a hoot, Diathana. I would have totally called you that. Remember when Anne of Green Gables had special names for people? Like "Cordelia"? Diathana would have felt completely at home there. I like the room this way! I am so going to copy your idea of making vases with a cool clear stripe. I've been spray-painting vases since time immemorial, but have I ever thought to create a stripe? No, I have not. Thank you for thinking of it!

  20. Image for Tanya Tanya

    Casa twelveOeight wants to play dress up today instead of cleaning and grocery shopping, thank you for sharing your fab ideas Karianne! And please never allow an intervention...seriously. xo, Tanya

  21. Image for Irene G. Irene G.

    I have a formal living room that I change to a dining room for the holidays.... Mine doesn't look near as pretty. But, next year it will be better because of your post. Thanks, so much fun...

  22. Image for Dot VanBeek Dot VanBeek

    Hi! I'm new to this blog and I love it! Definitely doing the vases and the basket on the wall. The dining room chairs too! Can you tell me where I could purchase the coffee table in the first room and the color on the walls? I can hardly wait to see room three! Beautiful Dianthana! Dot

  23. Image for Michelle Michelle

    Wow I love this room. You really out did yourself. Can't wait to see tomorrows room change. I love the basket with the wreath hanging above the fireplace. I'm pinning that. What a difference some paper can make. You shelves look fantastic. Love it!

  24. Image for Karen Karen

    Bella...that's Beautiful in Italian! You are so clever! I love the paper behind the shelves, the vases and the pillow. Also the rug is gorgeous!

  25. Image for ann in inday ann in inday

    I love this! Especially the paper, what a clever idea! Just may have to consider doing a few little changes at my place. Looking forward to seeing tomorrow's changes.

  26. Image for Suzi Suzi

    I am over the moon for this being a dining room. That's what it wanted to be when it grew up! The weathered paper...the bomb. Wreath on basket on wall...luv it. The raised bunny white plate. I will email my address so you can send it to me ;-) . How did I miss seeing those chair covers in the kitchen? There is no such thing as too much milk glass. I started my collection when I was 8 yrs old and bought a dessert set for my mother , only I didn't know it then. We have some of the same pieces. It's hereditary, you know, my Aunt had it. And when she went to live in heaven I was offered her HUGE collection and said no thank you because it was the 70s and I was in my chrome glass black leather stage and I was STOO..PID!

  27. Image for Suzy Suzy

    Back from The Lobster and scored the last of the wood plank paper. It's mine, Mine, ALL MINE...MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

  28. Image for Sheryll & Critters. Sheryll & Critters.

    Wow, I love all of what you have shown us so far.... or that I have managed to see. Spray paint in white is on my list now.

  29. Image for Marcia @Gathering at the Table Marcia @Gathering at the Table

    KariAnne, your home is absolutely a dream. Love it all, especially the wall basket. xoxo's

  30. Image for Marie@InteriorFrugalista Marie@InteriorFrugalista

    Wow, your home is stunning! I just love the barn board wallpaper and until I read it was paper I thought it was the real thing. Love the wicker tray and wreath together on the wall. The painted florist vases are ingenious - great idea! Enjoyed your post Kari-Anne.

  31. Image for Zolane Zolane

    I had no doubt that I would love your room done 3 ways but you've exceeded what I thought possible. Honestly KariAnne, I'd still be standing in the middle of the room wondering what in the world I was going to do! Maybe name choices we imagined when we were little girls gave a sneak peak into creativity abilities as adults...your's - Diathana, and mine....are you ready...it was Betty or Cinderella :) Oh well. Keep up the great work! I'm off to tell my hubby we're moving furniture again! Hugs to you!!

  32. Image for Debbie Debbie

    Wow, it's incredible!! I love the look, karianne! And thanks for stopping by my blog, I'm so far behind in emails, blogging and all online browsing I haven't had time to reply to you before now. Trying to play catch-up...think it'll take a few months! Have to check out your day 1. Debbie :)

  33. Image for Sherry Sherry

    Love, Love, Love this room over! You and Diathana are just the cutest EVER! The vases are a brilliant idea and I am on pins and needles (okay, just my boring old office chair) waiting for roomover #3! Oh, can I tell you I don't have a Hobby Lobby near me? My husband thinks I'm nuts because when we travel I always make him stop at one when we cross it's path!

  34. Image for chrissi chrissi

    you continue to amaze. the room is beyond perfect. love it all. i am especially smitten with that bunny plate on the mantel. ♥

  35. Image for Jenny Jenny

    Just bought the weathered wood paper at Hobby Lobby. In my TX store, they list it as a bulletin board paper in the art department. Haha. This is definitely not going on a bulletin board. What would you use to attach it if it were going to be permanent? AND I think it needs to be permanent on your bookshelves. I love the saying you have painted on your wall. Is there any place that shows all of the words? Would love to do this for my daughter. Thanks for your inspiring decor! It's amazing!

  36. Image for Cynthia R Cynthia R

    When I was in third grade, I decided that I wanted to use my middle name one day ( I wasn't as creative as you!) Anyway, I signed each worksheet with Helen instead of Cindy. As the teacher was grading the papers, she yelled out "who on earth is Helen?!" I was so embarrassed. I love your rooms, as usual. My husband and I have talked about moving the dining table to our living room..yours looks great! Did you ever do a tutorial on making the book page flowers? Or did you buy them?

  37. Image for Janae Janae

    Hi karianne, I allays enjoy your entertaining posts, lol:). Just wondering where you purchased the pillows or the fabric for the pillows of the damask pillows on the window seat? I've been looking EVERYwHERE for something like that!

  38. Image for wendy at cozycleanandsimple wendy at cozycleanandsimple

    Love the makeover!!! I would love to get that faux wood paper you have on shelves. I do not have a hobby lobby in my area and got on website and cant find that. Could you please, please, please, give more details on that. I cant find anything like that on their website! Thanks, Wendy www.cozycleanandsimple.com

    1. Image for Tricia Tricia

      Love the room!!! Can you provide more details on the rug as I love it and think it would be perfect for my dining room!!!! Please!!! Thank you

  39. Image for Karena Karena

    So amazed at the change to a dining room and it works perfectly. Love what you did with the glass vases! Adding to my list! xoxo Karena Art by Karena

  40. Image for Lisa B Lisa B

    Dianthana turned out perfect....I adore every thing about it. What a talent you are!!! I see so many ideas I want to use. I want to run out and get the wood plank paper asap. Can you give me more specifics on it so when I ask for it I know what to be asking for? Cant wait unti today to see day 3. Thank you for sharing your creativity with us all. Be well, Lisa

  41. Image for Michelle Michelle

    Good Morning! First of alI; you? Are a rockstar. Love to see all your ideas-you have an amazing gift! Next- question: I wondered about the paper you used to back the bookshelves? Was it a roll of poster paper? What did you use for adhesive? Thank you so much!

  42. Image for Sarah Sarah

    Diathana is stunning! I love this room as a dining room. The chair covers remind me that I want to make some for our dining room chairs. Did you make these?

  43. Image for Patty O Patty O

    Absolutely beautiful!!! And yes, I LOVE the vases, the basket on the wall (you've given me an idea), the rug, the chair covers, and definitely your MILK GLASS collection!!!! Another fantastic job well done!

  44. Image for Jennifer Jennifer

    Just LOVE it!!! Ok you must spill what area you found the faux wood paper for the shelves.....I scoured my HL but couldn't find it :( You are my absolute favorite Blog ever, I just love your style! Thanks

  45. Image for Kathy Kathy

    Dianthana is my favorite - you remind me of Anne of Green Gables in this post when she asked Marilla to call her Cordelia. When I became a young adult, I wanted to change my name to Catherine - so grown up, so elegant. Dad got very angry. He named me Kathy and that's the way he wanted it! My alter-ego is still Catherine. Have a blessed day, Kathy

  46. Image for Cynthia Cynthia

    Btw- this is my first time visiting and I have to say you have become a new favirite. I love your style...and that wood I hope dance wall hanging!

  47. Image for Annette Annette

    Hi Karianne, such a beautiful home and your decorating skills are amazing! While everyone else was commenting on the new dining room (which I love), I was noticing the "Hope You Dance" plaque in your living room photo! My son just graduated from high school and I actually bought him the book with the cd some time ago and it was on his table at his grad party. I would LOVE to know where you got the plaque from if you wouldn't mind sharing, it really has special meaning to me. Thanks! Annette

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