Hooray! It’s One Room Challenge reveal day and this room came together even better than I envisioned.
Casual. Comfortable. Classic. Functional.
These are all words I had on my mind as I set out to makeover our family living space- the den and dining room- during this spring’s One Room Challenge. I am SO delighted to report that this space achieved all of that… and so much more.
Let me back up a bit and give you a quick overview of the history of this space. When you think of a 1950’s ranch style home, often times you think of choppy rooms and closed off kitchens. Our home was built in 1952 and while the flow is generally good, it definitely didn’t have the big open spaces you see in newer homes that is ideal for today’s family and entertaining. Here you can see the original view from the kitchen- we had an eating area and a closed off sun room.
When baby boy number two was on his way, we decided to turn our formal dining room into a 4th bedroom and removed that brick wall to open our sun room to the kitchen which really opened up this area of our home. While this change didn’t take place during the six week ORC, it definitely sparked this room transformation! Here you can see how it looked with the wall removed.
The existing sun room space would quickly become a dumping ground for primary colors and plastic toys. It definitely served it’s purpose and I loved having my young boys nearby when I was in the kitchen cooking dinner.
But come on, one can only look at this every day for so long before going crazy. As the boys got older, their toys got bigger and this mama was ready for a change.
The Big Sweet agreed and we discussed several options for how these rooms could evolve to serve our family best. Since the boys are older now we decided the toys could all be moved down to the finished basement which would become the new playroom. Out of sight, out of mind! Once the toys were removed, the old playroom would make a perfect informal dining room. The existing dining space would become a family den where we could casually sit as a family or entertain guests while cooking. As you know, people love hanging out in the kitchen, and I LOVE that these rooms are now an extension of the kitchen! So, now we have a dining space and a family den all attached to our kitchen. Pretty much a dream for a 1950’s ranch, wouldn’t you agree?
Once we knew how these rooms would function, it was time to think about making them pretty. Here is where I started week one:
Without further ado, here is the new and improved family hub.
We hang out here. We eat here. We gather here. This truly is the heart of our home. I love the way it turned out, not only because I think it is the epitome of the style of our family, but it is so very functional too.
We will start in the den/sitting area.
gray wingback chairs | Mohawk Rug
I absolutely love having Secretariat hanging with us in this space. We were originally going to splurge on some new art. We couldn’t agree on anything and I didn’t want to rush it. And that’s OK, we apparently we aren’t quite ready to be grown-ups yet. ha. So, I found this photo of Secretariat and he is now this large-and-in-charge frame fills the wall…for around $9.
That dining table is the same black one we have had for 10 years. I wanted to give it a weathered driftwood look and was so excited to use Velvet Finishes paint. It exceeded my expectations- even the Big Sweet couldn’t believe it was the same table.
The cowhide chairs had been hanging in our basement just waiting to be used again. Here is the full tutorial on that project.
We painted the room Benjamin Moore Cloud White and kept the existing haint blue paneled ceiling . I love the bright white space now with the mix of colors. The curtains were an Ikea explosion- as in, 10 drapes of white linen curtains… and countless hours spent with a drill and my playlist. I absolutely LOVE the white on white.
Make that white, on white, on white- the West Elm chandelier we splurged on years ago is a great airy piece. I originally thought we would get a new lantern piece but this works so great!
And here is the view from the kitchen.
Phew! Now it’s time to just relax and enjoy this space! And maybe even help this little buddy do his Paw Patrol puzzle…
(and check out all of the other reveals!)
Kohl’s | Mohawk Rugs | Velvet Finishes Paint | Minted
Want to catch up on how this room came together?
Tutorials coming soon on the painted dining room table and the large Secretariat framed print.
And of course, thanks to Linda at Calling it Home for this fun event each spring and fall. I do love the motivation it provides- and just think about how many rooms have been transformed through her fun idea!
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xoxo-
Heather
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I LOOOOOOVE IT! The red/ pink rug looks AMAZING and your shelfie game in on fleek, girl! SO good! Congrats!
Ha ha, shelfie game on fleek. You seriously crack me up! Thanks for the complements! Your room is AMAZE!
I absolutely love it! Everything looks beautiful. I’m so glad you decided to get that rug—it looks awesome in the space! And I’m going to come steal that buffet when you’re not looking. So gorgeous!
Thanks again for giving me “permission” to buy the rug. It is so nice to have such “wise” bloggy friends to help encourage me along the way!
Wow, Heather! Everything is so pretty!! The rug is perfect and the light fixture is one of the prettiest fixtures I’ve ever seen. I bet it glows so beautifully!! You did fabulous, girl!!
Thanks Julie! That was one of our first “splurges” we purchased for the home 6 years ago. I still love it as much now as I did then!
Everything is so pretty!!!! Love it!
Thanks Kristin!
This just made me so, so, so happy! Its funny that we talk so much, sometimes I forget how talented our little gang is, and wow…you brought your A-game girl!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your pattern mixing. I think that is my fave part about your design sensibility. The cowhide and the oriental rug and the blue/white dishes and the capiz chandy…it’s all GORGEOUS!! I think your downward shot on the table, and your shot of the shelving are my FAVES. You curated those SO well. It’s all fantastic. I just love it.
Thanks for linking me up sister-from-another-mother! I love that you used the word “curated” for this space. It sounds so official.
Heather, it is absolutely beautiful. Every color, every detail, everything is perfection. I wanted to come and sit in your seating area and have a glass of wine and chat. It is so comfortable and welcoming. Job well done.
Thank you SO much Maxine. I do wish you could come sit and have some wine. We could talk Chapel Hill all night!
Heather! I love what you did with these two spaces! First of all the dining area with the white drapes and light table is so pretty with the navy upholstered chairs and that rug!! And your den’s seating area and how you styled the bookcases looks so great!! It’s gorgeous – hope you and your family enjoy these refreshed spaces!
Heather, your space is gorgeous. I have some major puffy heart eyes over the rug in your dining room – those colors!! I think you totally nailed casual, comfortable, classic and functional 🙂
LOVE it! Gosh, I love the sunroom nook look…what a great dining space!
What a beautiful transformation! I particularly love that turquoise sideboard. Well done!
Nice job, what a great space for everyone to use, and still plenty of space for those bigger toys.
that dining area is amazing! i adore that buffet- perfect color!
You made this whole space so stylish and functional. Love, love, love it! Looking forward to more of your posts!
Love it all Heather! I want to shop at your house, seriously, I love how the two spaces go so well together! Congrats and CHEERS for another room done!
Thanks Vel! Cheers!
I love how you seamlessly mix modern and traditional details…one of my favorite things to do!!! It’s so cozy and inviting! xx
Thanks so much- that is such a complement and I love the mix of modern and traditional as well!
OMG!!!! I cannot believe the difference from the before and after. I can’t wait to visit and see it all in person, and I want a glass of wine too! When can you come north to Ohio and redo, repurpose, redocorate my house?
Yes! Come down for a house tour, some wine, and some SHOPPING!!! And I wish I had two weeks that I could just come visit and we could work on your house! Wouldn’t that be a ball!?!? xoxo
Heather – OMG, you completed two spaces…and they are gorgeous. We love your color palette and design sense. Well done!
Aw, thank you so much for the compliments!
What a great change! You certainly nailed it with all those colors…I would not have had the courage to mix everything like this but it turned out wonderful! All those paint colors and fabric look SO GOOD together! Great Job!
Heather, great work! Beautiful! Can you please talk about the blue cover “phantom” style used in your table chairs? Have you made them? Tks + kisses ML
I actually PAINTED those chairs! I will be providing a full tutorial soon. It was SO easy!
Oh that rug!!!!! I love it. Well done 🙂
I still smile when I walk in and see that rug! I was super hesitant to buy it- but so happy I took the plunge! Thanks for stopping in!
your house is stunning! love it!
Wow, thanks so much for the note!
There’s so much to love about this space. The table and buffet are gorgeous, and I love all the pops of red/magenta. Beautiful!
Thanks so much Leslie! The pops of red/magenta were kind of a surprise as the room came together but I love the splash of color too!
Beautiful! The mix of colors is awesome. Love that rug and buffet, well, all of it. Great job!
Thanks Debra! I was so hesitant to get the rug but so happy with the way it pulled the space together!
Wow! Beautiful! Stunning! You obviously have such talent – I love it!
Awwww, thanks!
Oh my goodness- I love the southern, traditional yet current feel of your space! In love with the white flowy drapes, they make the space!!
Aw, yes Southern Traditional + Current is such a nice compliment. And those drapes- Ikea to the rescue!! Thanks for stopping in!
I love all the new details you’ve incorporated in both spaces! That dining room is stunning and I love how cozy the den feels, it’s like the perfect hang out spot!
Thanks so much Krystle!
I love it! It looks great. I’m honestly not sure what my favorite part is – maybe the mix of patterns but how bright and clean and fun everything looks?? And how I really wish I was there, sitting in those chairs and reading the “Charleston Style” book… I’m going there this summer for the first time ever. I’m just slightly obsessed with the idea.
You are going to LOOOOOOVE Charleston! We went last weekend, I will be writing a trip report soon!
I can see why you do everything here – what a fabulous space for your family. Love the collected look. I’m really liking your buffet – looks like I’ll have to get in line to come steal it!
Thanks Brenda! I have painted that thing THREE times… ha… who knows what’s next!!??
Where do I start?!! And 2 spaces?? Girl, you outdid yourself! It ALL looks phenomenally beautiful! Your pink / red rug 😉 , pattern play, shelf styling, cocktail glasses and I love your charming books everywhere! so, SO good! Yay – congrats!! – Rachael
Aw, thanks. Hopefully your FOMO has passed?!?! If only my rooms looked like that now… ha those cocktail glasses and books would make great tomahawks for the littles.
I absolutely love what you did in this space! So gorgeous! The blue ceiling with all the white curtains is perfect, and I love that sitting area.
Love your new spaces! You did a great job, and as a fellow older ranch home owner, I’m so envious of your family space and dining space all in view of the kitchen 🙂