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.
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. 🙂
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 🙂
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!
Dianthana is a dazzler for sure!
My favorite parts are the paper on the back of the bookshelves, and the painted vases - I am going to copy those for sure!!
you should sell that paper on your site. you would make a small fortune today!
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!
WOW! I can't wait to see tomorrow's room. You have set the bar very high :)
Love, love, love it! So very creative.
That Dianthana is AMAZING!! great room, great projects.
Love it! This is my favorite so far, but I can't wait till tomorrow!
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.
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!!!
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!
Hobby Lobby will probably sell out of that paper, today - nation-wide. I love their gift wrap! (Especially when it is bogo!) Have a great day!
Wow, KariAnne, this is fabulous, too. Hobby Lobby will run out of that paper. I want it. I need it. I love this room.
I love that you turned your room into a dining room ... so smart! It looks amazing. I love the paper backed book cases and the vases and ... everything.
Simply amazing! And yes, that paper totally needs to stay on the bookcases... love, love, love! xo Heidi
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
Awesome!!! I love all the little DIY touches and tweaks!!
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
You are truly a talent! Seriously, I am so impressed with your work and I keep scrolling up and down to stare at that room even more! Gorgeous room! -Shelley
Dianthana definitely has the flowing locks thing down! I envision lots of feasts - probably with hand-feeding of grapes and fanning with a giant leaf! K
I am going to Goodwill to buy my vases back. Brilliant!
Goodness! This is lovely. So many perfect touches! Can't wait to see how you transform it tomorrow!
I. AM. IN. LUV.
Beautiful! Makes me want to do a little rearranging at my house today. . . The laundry can wait :) Life to the full! Melissa
Milk glass! Oh, I've always got my eye open for some. This looks amazing!
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!! ;)
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!
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!
OH Karianne...I LOVE this room...the paper in the bookcase will have me running for a Hobby Lobby...and the vase idea is awesome!
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
SO I AM GOING TO SWITCH MY DINING ROOM AND LIVING ROOM RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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?
I am totally headed straight home to paint all those vases just like yours! Love this room!
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!
AGAIN.. I LOVE it! love the paper on the back of the bookshelves! Great job my sweet friend!!!
Gorgeous!! I love that paper you used to line the back of those shelves!! So pretty & totally makes the white dishes pop!! I might have to swing by Hobby Lobby soon!! :)
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!
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. :)
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!
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!
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
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...
Where did you purchase your fabric over your window in your now new dining room? I love them.
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
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!
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!
Oooooh, very pretty redo! And full of clever DIY here. Loving that paper, and the vases are fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing tomorrow's version. Sue xo
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.
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!
I love the paper on the bookcases! Gorgeous!
Back from The Lobster and scored the last of the wood plank paper. It's mine, Mine, ALL MINE...MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
YOU, and your Diathana, are awesome. That is all!
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.
KariAnne, your home is absolutely a dream. Love it all, especially the wall basket. xoxo's
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.
You win. Hands down! :) me
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!!
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 :)
Love the basket on the wall and the wood-look paper behind the shelves! Can't beat 5 bucks for such great impact. Can't wait for room #3 :) Jeanette @ Creating a Life
This looks like where I imagine Diathana would live, for sure. Totally striking, I just love it! ~Diane
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!
you continue to amaze. the room is beyond perfect. love it all. i am especially smitten with that bunny plate on the mantel. ♥
Dianthana is lovely, casual and country rustic perfection Yesterday's black n' white was striking Ur amazing ;)
Great space, love this look. I just keep thinking about how much work it was for you to do all this!
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!
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?
KariAnne, Lovely, lovelyyyyyyyyyyyy! Christine
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!
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
Me oh my, what a beautiful room...I wish you were my neighbor! Debbie
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
BRAVO!!!! Clever, frugal and really awesome. Lovin it!!
Amazing transformation! Love your shelves and the paper! You totally rock at this!
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
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
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!
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?
could you please b more specific regarding faux wood plank paper from hobby lobby? I can't seem to find it on the website. Please,please, please let me know!!
I love this room as a dining room and ADORE that paper on the back of the bookshelf! It looks fabulous!
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!
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
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
I found and purchased the paper at Hobby Lobby. What did you use to affix it to the wood?
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!
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
'Love what you've done here, Karianne! Dianthana is a real beauty... I wish she was mine ;) Dena