Kristen and I decided to enter in another $100 room Challenge hosted by our friend Erin of Lemons, Lavender and Laundry, for the month of July! Yay! We are so excited to do another room challenge – for one thing, it really forces us to take one of our rooms and finally get it restyled! It also gives us a strict deadline, which again, helps in getting it done!

To see our last $100 Room Challenge start HERE.

For this restyle, we decided to tackle my family room. I have been meaning to get this one updated for awhile now. Funny how sometimes some of your own projects get pushed to the side when you are busy doing projects for others. And with Kristen on maternity leave, it sure has been busy for me! I can’t complain though, I love the fun work we do!

So on to my $100 Challenge Family Room. For the most part, furniture is going to be existing pieces that I will be shuffling around. The plan is to bring back my burgundy leather couch and love seat from upstairs. I have actually had these two pieces for years, but I still love them and they are in decent shape.

Here is a look at the entire room standing in the dining room.

Next I plan to bring in two end tables that I previously restyled and have actually been using for a couple weeks now. But to add to the furniture in the room I need to find a new coffee table for the space. I have an absolutely huge piece I would love to make into an ottoman but I’m not sure if it will work with my couches. So if that doesn’t work I will be finding something else to use!

This doesn’t quite complete the furniture for the room yet! We plan to makeover some kind of cabinet to use as a new media center. I checked our stash of furniture pieces and I am sure I can come up with one to make over. I mean mine is so out of date – look at that existing cabinet! And the TV – seriously…. It does still work great, it is just so old! But replacing the TV is going to have to wait a bit, at least until the good electronics sales come up. Do I look for a bargain? Absolutely! But as you can see this room really needs some TLC…

Next up on the restyle plan are some smaller items such as a new throw, decorative pillows, and definitely new (or at least different) decor. I plan to “shop” my stash of fabric to use for new pillows. (Yes I keep a stash of fabric on hand! I tend to buy fabric when a pretty pattern catches my eye. Ask Kristen – she knows this well! I have been known to buy shower curtains, table cloths and placemats because I like the fabric and “it would make a great pillow!”) In addition, I will be “shopping” my own home for decor to use in this room. Although, budget permitting, I just might spring for a new throw! So far with the items I am doing, I don’t need to spend anything yet, I have everything on hand. We will see what I need to purchase!

One item I do need to purchase is a lamp “kit” to rewire an old floor lamp that I have in another room. I’m thinking some soft lighting in a corner of this room might really be a great addition. Right now I have recessed can lights, but nice, soft lighting will create some needed ambiance. I am thinking a new finish along with the new wiring – for safety’s sake – and thats it! But hopefully I can enlist my hubby’s help with this one to show me how to rewire!

Food for thought – let me know what you think. Should I hang drapes in this room, or should I leave the windows open? I have not previously had drapes because I like it to be bright and cheery. I really dislike dark, gloomy rooms and so I need to have the natural light. What do you think? Do drapes for the style and design? Or leave it all open?

And if I am feeling really motivated, I would love to bring in two bergere chairs with a small side table. And yes, I already have those chairs, but they need to be updated. I know I also have fabric I could use from my previously mentioned stash! We will see if time permits me to get those done.

Lastly, (and this list looks really long!) I will need to bring a bit of greenery into my decor. Did I mention I love plants? (Yes, real ones!) I also like preserved boxwood, so you can count on seeing one or two of those!

Whew, this is going to be quite the project! I hope you will follow along with me – lets see how much of this I can accomplish! (Hopefully with Kristen’s help, although my new grandchild is quite the distraction!)

Don’t forget to check out everyone else’s room they are making over in the linkup below. Once again, only $100 is to be used, so here’s to having fun with your home!

See the next few weeks and final reveal all here: Week 1 (You are here) / Week 2 / Week 3 / Week 4