Family Room, Before
You may be gathering that my house came with a fair amount of oak. While the family room cabinetry isn't oak, it's oak colored. One whole wall is covered with it. I love the storage and I love the window seat (it's a window seat now, anyway). This is what the family room looked like when I bought the house in 2007.
Here's a wider angle of the wall of wood.
Of course, we can't forget the enormous wood stove. It may not seem that large in this picture, but the room is quite large. Let me assure you. This thing is mammoth! It dominates the room and makes this corner unusable. We also can't use it to heat the house. Well, we could if we wanted the family room to be 427 degrees and the rest of the house freezing.
I digress.
For fear of being too negative, let me say that there are lots of things I love about this room. It has great light, great views to the garden, great storage, great space and great potential. So there. I mean, I did buy the house, after all! :-)
Had enough oak? That's good. Because next we continue our parade with the Coral Parade. My favorite.
P.S. Just joining in? I'm having a "Before Parade" -- sharing all my before pictures. First up was the master bathroom, then master bedroom. Feel free to join the fun! :-)
Comments (25)
That is a lot of oak.. but I know you will do magic!
Posted by Jen R Sanctuary arts at home | February 12, 2009 9:03 PM
Posted on February 12, 2009 21:03
Ya know I love, love wood, but those cabinets are rather ugly. I look forward to seeing your after pictures.
Posted by Gail | February 12, 2009 9:35 PM
Posted on February 12, 2009 21:35
nice!
Posted by cherry | February 12, 2009 10:01 PM
Posted on February 12, 2009 22:01
I bet the transformation will be amazing! What fun-I love doing projects like that! Have a wonderful weekend~Smiles~Tam!
Posted by Tam | February 13, 2009 12:47 AM
Posted on February 13, 2009 00:47
I am enjoying your pictures, I've updated several houses in the past few years and am working on my current house now. I am not a fan of oak and boy you have a lot of it in that house. You had some good vision when you bought it, a lot of people can't see past the present to the possibilities. I've learned that you can paint anything, absolutely anything! xo, suzy
Posted by GeorgiaPeachez | February 13, 2009 3:09 AM
Posted on February 13, 2009 03:09
i'm seeing white paint, louvered doors, and a nice corner fireplace....how am i doing?? LOL.
Posted by pdudgeon | February 13, 2009 8:23 AM
Posted on February 13, 2009 08:23
cannot wait for the pics of the "afters". i DO love going into a house and determining if it is workable. even with the parts that don't work, it is wonderful to have a house and to be able to make changes you love. jkj
Posted by Anonymous | February 13, 2009 5:59 PM
Posted on February 13, 2009 17:59
We had a very similar family room in our house (but smaller) and we Kilzed and painted it cream and paid an enormous young coworker of my husband to haul the woodstove out, and it is amazing how transformed it is. I also have similar photos of the transformation of our finished basement, that I'd be happy to email you. I'm blogless at the moment but it's an incredible difference. Kilz rocks!
Posted by Thirkellgirl | February 14, 2009 11:35 AM
Posted on February 14, 2009 11:35
what fun!
enjoy making all the transformations!
i now can't wait to see your after pics!
thanks for sharing!
kisses and cupcakes,
amy
*
Posted by amy | February 14, 2009 9:54 PM
Posted on February 14, 2009 21:54
Great spaces! Large rooms, lots of light, and built-ins!
I can't wait to see the "Afters".
Kimberly :)
Posted by Niesz Vintage Home | February 18, 2009 5:49 AM
Posted on February 18, 2009 05:49
Wow! That's a lot of wood, but I can see the potential. I cannot wait to see what you do with it! I know it will be incredible...
Linda
xo
Posted by Linda@ Restyled Home | February 18, 2009 6:18 AM
Posted on February 18, 2009 06:18
You know, Miss Magpie...I am glad to see you had enough intestinal fortitude to purchase this home. I do see what you see, its all behind that oak, faux brick and cabinet heaven.I completely know what your saying about that monsterosity in the corner, sitting all cornered like that..like shes some hot number-literally, our first house had a stove like that-ouch..Burnt my lungs breathing the hell like heat of air when I walked in that room.But that was long ago, and a few homes ago for me.I can already see your beauty..That room will be lovely..totally,I am reading between the lines and waiting with much anticipation to see the grand transformation!
me, Im on to the laundry room. The before photos are posted and I have great plans..which dont include ANY oak!
xoxo
from the beach!
Posted by Lisa | February 19, 2009 9:18 AM
Posted on February 19, 2009 09:18
What neat builtin's and I love the window seat. I always wanted one of those. Can't wait to see how you decorate the rooms.
Posted by Joy | February 20, 2009 2:26 PM
Posted on February 20, 2009 14:26
I love before and afters! So happy I found you. Can't wait to go through them all!
Posted by Lazy Mom Leslie | February 21, 2009 7:24 PM
Posted on February 21, 2009 19:24
Hi Angela! I just now found your blog, and I'm loving the 'tour'! I'm dying for the after pictures, though...cannot wait to see what you've done. We are also doing quite a bit of redecorating...I'm about ready to show pictures of my studio and living room/den, but I'm still in the middle of the gameroom.
I'll be back!
Posted by Lauri | February 22, 2009 1:23 PM
Posted on February 22, 2009 13:23
Hey, there! Just checking in on you to see if you were back yet. Missing you on Twitter and on your blog, etc. Hope you'll return to us soon! :-)
Posted by Julia @ Hooked on Houses | March 5, 2009 2:31 PM
Posted on March 5, 2009 14:31
hi angela!
i love a good transformation!!! enjoy the process, or at least enjoy some take-out. LOL
xo
Posted by elyse | March 6, 2009 9:15 PM
Posted on March 6, 2009 21:15
Hey Angela. Just checking in on you... hope all is well.
Posted by Liz | March 9, 2009 10:47 AM
Posted on March 9, 2009 10:47
I LOVE all those cabinets:)
Posted by Maranda | March 17, 2009 7:46 AM
Posted on March 17, 2009 07:46
Can't wait to see the afters!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
Posted by kari & kijsa | March 20, 2009 9:22 PM
Posted on March 20, 2009 21:22
Hi Angela,
Just checking in to see of you are back. We miss you!!
Linda
Posted by Linda@ Restyled Home | March 25, 2009 11:33 AM
Posted on March 25, 2009 11:33
Hi Angela
Just saying hi and wondering how you are. Hope everything is okay with with you?
Hugs, Rhondi
Posted by Rhondi | April 12, 2009 5:39 PM
Posted on April 12, 2009 17:39
Hi Angela,
Just checking in with you and hoping that all is well.
Bella
Posted by Bella Casa | April 13, 2009 5:57 PM
Posted on April 13, 2009 17:57
Hey, where are you girl? Hope all is OK!
Posted by melissa @ the inspired room | April 23, 2009 8:55 AM
Posted on April 23, 2009 08:55
HELLOOOOOOOO!!!!!
CM--where are you? I miss you! Me needs the Magpie!
miss you hope all is well!
Posted by Nester | April 25, 2009 12:44 PM
Posted on April 25, 2009 12:44