Family_Room

I wish I had a drum roll.

I tried to type drum roll….but it came out something like this…..brrrrrrrrrruuuuuummmmmm.

Weak.

Maybe……tattttttaatttttattttatttta?

Even weaker.

Can you just tap your pencil really fast for me?

Because……here is…..get ready for it…..the first stop in the one room three ways world tour.

family-room-black-and-whiteIt’s a little more neutral.

Simple black and white.

With typography….and graphic fabrics….

…..and all the boxwood clippings from the yard.

chalkboard-calendar

I wanted to name the room.

Something sophisticated and downtown that just drove in from the city for a weekend in the country in a vintage convertible with a scarf wrapped around a pixie haircut……wearing enormously over-sized glasses and the most incredible shade of red lipstick.

That kind of name.

Maybe Blaire?

Spelled with an e.

Of course.

family-room-decorating-ideas

Want the details?

Here’s how I did it.

Mostly I shopped the house.

1.  Table from front library room.

Seagrass rug from front library room (it may have found a new home).  

2.  My one splurge for the room.  Board cut from scrap lumber in the workshop and decorated with family rules.

Vinyl family rules:  Hobby Lobby $12.99.

You could also paint your own.

Love using the board as a valence.

3.  Dice side table

Scrap lumber cut out and attached together to form a square.

Painted black and white circles cut out of white vinyl from Hobby Lobby:  $7.99.

4.  Pillows from back porch

how-to-decorate-a-family-room

1.  Sign from my mother’s attic.

2.  Plates from back porch.

Lamp has the same shade with black ribbon wrapped around for a little graphic interest.

family-room-decorating

1.  Wreath made from attaching book page flowers from dining room to a basic wreath frame.

2.  Old painter’s tray from kitchen table.

3.  Box wood greenery clippings from the yard.

family-room-decorating-projects

Here’s a close-up of the dice side table styled with the broken weather vane from the back porch.

And the boxes from the office.

marquee-letters

Behind the sofa….I attached marquee letters to the garden gate leftover from the fall mantel with clothespins.

This gate made me smile.

Actually….the whole room made me smile.

I think Blaire and I would be BFFs.

She’s sophisticated and witty and red-lipstick wearing….just like me.

Thistlewood-Farms

Yep.

That’s how we roll.

Nothing but sophistication here at Thistlewood. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Posted On: June 25, 2013

Written By: KariAnne Wood

Comments

  2. Image for Jenna Jenna

    stunning, I love anything black and white~some how you made the harsh contemporary pieces soften with your whimsical touches and vast array of textures, it all looks fabulous! I would be good friends with Blaire too :) Jenna

    Reply
  3. Image for Bliss Bliss

    Mystery solved, case closed. All of Kentucky has been wondering who it was that took that speed sign, so I can see why she had to hide it in her attic. Your mama was a wild thing. Bliss

    Reply
  6. Image for Susan Hall Susan Hall

    I just adored the black and white! I really need you as my next door neighbor here in Canada, I will bake you pies :)

    Reply
  7. Image for Beth Beth

    Another winner! Can't wait for the next installment! ...and is that the hair flipper making a guest appearance? Best, Beth C.

    Reply
  12. Image for Lisa Lisa

    That is such a fun version of your room! Love the speed limit sign and all the graphic punchiness the black and white gives the space!

    Reply
  14. Image for Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

    I'd race 100 mph to get to Blaire - she's got style - and I love her hot pink arrows! This was such a fun challenge - aside from getting 3 new looks for my living room, my arms are really buff from all the lifting and moving of furniture!! K

    Reply
  16. Image for Beverly Beverly

    Wow! That was a lot of work. Fun room. I have to tell you that I have always had a major thing for the rug in this room. Really, I have drooled over it since the first time I saw it. I would have one just like it in my dining room if I had found it when rug shopping.

    Reply
  21. Image for Donnamae Donnamae

    You really caught Blaire's style! Love the black and white...so farmisticated! (New word for you...thought Blair would like it! ). ;)

    Reply
  22. Image for Polly Polly

    Good morning!! Cool beans, you did it again! I love black and white, and now I know how to make my own dice table:) Didn't think it could be that easy but what do I know. Love the picture of the hair flipper and some of the comments make me smile:) Have a great day everyone!!!

    Reply
  23. Image for Richella Parham Richella Parham

    You and Blaire obviously go way back. :) Honestly, why have I never thought about just using REAL boxwood clippings?? Tell me. You've changed my life with this post! Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but I do love boxwood. By the way, am I the only person who loves the SMELL of boxwood? It smells so old-housey and English to me. Does that make sense?

    Reply
  25. Image for marti marti

    Blaire might be super cool and all that but I just know she doesn't have a hair flipper as cute as yours by a long shot!! Love the black & white....you really need to take your act on the road!! ---Blessings, M

    Reply
  27. Image for Laura Laura

    Okay, now I know why I got that speeding ticket. I have proof to show to the judge that the sign really was missing. Love your changes. xo Laura

    Reply
  29. Image for Sharon H Sharon H

    Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I've recently had a desire to do my main living area (open great room) in black and white....well, maybe black and cream....I have a wonderful drop cloth just waiting to be transformed into drapery panels with a bold black and cream fabric top panel! Beadboard wallpaper, black chalk paint to change up my oak cabriole-leg tables, etc....I needed some great inspiration, and voila! I really like how this turned out, but where's that 'red lipstick'...? Just like a touch of black, a touch of red can make a room pop! Can't wait to see what else you've done.....*sigh* did I ever mention I might need to move to Kentucky.....?

    Reply
  31. Image for Kathryn Kathryn

    Oh, my, Blaire totally reminds me of Eliza Doolittle at the Ascot-- prim and proper at first glance, but with a dash of unexpected sass ;) She "nearly done me in!" Love it!

    Reply
  32. Image for Regina Regina

    Ah . . . Mr. Lethal Hair made an appearance! ;) Such great ideas! I love shopping my own house . . . . but I'd much rather shop YOURS! LOL

    Reply
  33. Image for karen karen

    I am surprised you don't have stalkers roaming the back roads of Kentucky trying to find your home for a glimpse inside. I NEVER get tired of seeing the inside of your home. I love every single detail about this room, I don't know where to start! The Dice side table is one of my favorites, and the old fence, I have thought of using something similar. I love that you don't follow any specific rules. Oh, and that book page wreath? I thought I had seen it all, but I love the flowers! My favorite is the picture with the teen sticking his head in there. Can't wait to see more! PS I am with Bliss, your mama had to have been wild to steal that thing. My kind of gal.

    Reply
  36. Image for Karen Costello Karen Costello

    Your Family/Living Room looked fantastic before, but this look is so fresh and fun too! Your son is such a handsome young man, with an awesome smile! ~Karen

    Reply
  37. Image for Erin Erin

    I am lovin this blog series. Thanks for a great time. And by the way, I think you're very Grace Kelly in To Catch A Thief, scarf tide, lipstick, sunglasses, elegance (with a bit of wicked thrown in.)

    Reply
  40. Image for Brenda Kula-Pruitt Brenda Kula-Pruitt

    Love it! But Blaire (with an e) with red lipstick might want a little red thrown in... I have that same gate on my chicken wire fence. No, not for chickens. That is my yard fence! I wish I could take it down and bring it inside. But then the dogs would take off. Looking fantastic as always. WHERE do you find the time? Do you sleep? Brenda

    Reply
  44. Image for Cynthia at herlovelynest Cynthia at herlovelynest

    great series and you absolutely nailed it by making what could've been stark black and white look warm and welcoming. and hey don't we all have some road sign squirreled away from our youth? I remember a friend "borrowing" a Robertson Blvd sign for me but I was so chicken I made him put it back :-)

    Reply
  46. Image for Marty@A Stroll Thru Life Marty@A Stroll Thru Life

    Oh I absolutely love this. How fabulous are all three, I love shopping the house and this is the ultimate in doing that. I would love for you to link this up to my 170th Inspire Me Tuesday party that is still ongoing. - -https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/06/my-15-frenchy-chair-redone.html Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  48. Image for Sharon Sharon

    I have loved and been inspired by your first day. I cannot wait for the other two days. Could you answer a question? I see you have moved a sisal in your room. I am considering one for my dining room. I hear the staining may be a problem. Would you recommend it? Thanks, Look for more tomorrow.

    Reply
  54. Image for Cynthia Cynthia

    Gorgeous room with so many great ideas. I love that you used boxwood clippings from the yard. Is there anything more beautiful then boxwood?? I mean really??? Can't wait to see the next one. Cynthia

    Reply
  55. Image for Sandra Dickie Sandra Dickie

    Ok, I had to comment after stalking your blog for ever. My dear 13-year old daughter's name is Blaire (with an e). Let's hope she turns out to be as sophisticated and talented as you have imagined her to be. Love your room and all the inspiration you provide us with each time your lovely hands meet the keyboard.

    Reply
  59. Image for hello haha harf hello haha harf

    i'm crazy in love with the "i hope you dance" wall art you have in your original room photo. did you make it or purchase it? if purchased, would you be kind enough to share where you acquired it?

    Reply
  60. Image for Sarah Sarah

    Blaire and I could be friends too. I like her black and white accents. '-) Totally awesome idea to take one room and show it three different ways. Since I started with Room Three and worked my way back, I have to say I like all three. The 2nd as a dining room is probably my favorite, just because I like that you totally changed up the purpose of the room. You mentioned on Day Three that you hate to see this end, that you have other room ideas waiting in the wings. I say, go for it, KariAnne. You don't have to stop at Three. The audience is waiting! ~ Sarah

    Reply
  64. Image for Pinky Pinky

    LOVE the dice table!!! Genius. I think a tube of RED LIPSTICK sitting there would have been the BOMB:):) Love the cute guy:) Love the speed sign too. You are AMAZING my dear. XO, Pinky

    Reply

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