This post is dedicated to my dear husband. Well, my love, your day is here! This room is for you! It has a lot readers so hang on get your coffee and let’s roll.
When we moved into this house it was oddly planned out. There was a formal living and a den area right next to each other. It made no sense at all to me why it was built this way. I tried to have a formal living, no one used the room at all. We would all stuff ourselves into the smaller family den off to the side. When we put in our wood floors we had to remove all the furniture. When it came time to put it all back i wanted to try something new having NO formal room and moving the den furniture into that room. BAZINGA! (In the words of my husband)!!! We had more room to spread out, watching TV didn’t seem to be uncomfortable and we didn’t even miss the formal room we always walked past.
Now what to do with the empty smaller family den. Let me describe it to you in three words: UGLY UGLY UGLY!!!!!! It had a large fire-place, windows all along the back of the house with a door that lead to the pool. Lets not forget the wet bar with brass, white laminate counter tops, a white sink and all those mirrors. Oh My! There also was a built-in shelf with lower cabinets just sitting empty.
I started with painting out the shelf and cabinets. I did them to match my kitchen cabinets because the room is open to the kitchen. They are black and distressed. I also did the fire-place mantel in the same method because it was 1993 ugly sorry 90’s but I’m so over your style and decor.
Next it was time to take care of the wet bar we have never even turned on. I removed everything – sink, mirrors and counter tops. Ok so now I had an empty cavity in the wall with a cabinet with no counter top. I thought about it for a day or so then put pencil to paper and drew out what my husband would build. We replaced the counter top with White Tiger Granite same as the kitchen, The custom cubbies I designed for the back of the bar included a box shelf I bought at Hobby Lobby to house the glasses. I designed it mostly for the items my husband brought back from being stationed in Germany many years ago. It turned out very nice and works perfectly for the treasures we carried around for years with nowhere to put them. These treasures are things that make him happy so they needed a place in our home for him to enjoy them. The sign “You and Me” is special because that is what he says to me when we have had the kids over for the weekend and then they leave, the house is so quiet and then he says “Just You and Me”.
Now to fill it with furniture and decorative items that tell a story of Greg and I because that is what decor for a happy home is about. The map on the wall (World Market) is because we were pen pals before we met and got married. We also love to travel. Underneath I placed two white leather chairs (Craigslist) and a table I rescued from the trash that holds Albums. On top of the table is a type writer from the 1950’s my son found in the trash. Why use a type writer in my decor? Well because the first year of my and Greg’s relationship we wrote letters, sometimes by hand and sometimes by typewriter. Yes we are old. There wasn’t email way back in those days only snail mail.
Across the room is an old cabinet stereo system that WORKS (shockingly) that Greg bought at Rustybydesignauction.com for only $23. I was so mad at him. We would never use it and it will only take up space. Ok I WAS WRONG we use it all the time. My grandson loves it. It plays albums, 8 tracks and has a radio. We own albums and 8 tracks thanks to estate sales and Greg’s buying skills. I redid the stereo in a dusty blue and then glazed it in the same colors as the island in my kitchen. It helps pull the 2 rooms together. I’m so glad he didn’t pay any attention to me when I said we don’t need that thing.
I added decorative items that had to do with us. On the shelves and fireplace I placed toy cars and trucks from Greg’s childhood. There is an old phone on the wall because Greg is in the Telecom business and has been for over 30 years. There is a large 50 inch TV and that has no meaning other than we love football and the Dallas Cowboys. That is the room you find us in during the football season.
To finish the room off I needed a table but not just any table. One that could serve several purposes like large family dinners (we are growing) and poker night with Greg’s buddies. I found a table in a dumpster! Yes, really, a dumpster! I have no shame honestly. I bought 10 chairs from a court ordered hoarders sale in Dallas. I refinished the table to look like the cabinets and the chairs I repainted the metal legs and refinished the wood seats and backs. It has worked perfect!!! Many Blue Happy times have been spent at this table.
I was lucky enough to find an old revival 3 seat folding chair in an estate sale. It didn’t need anything done to it just a clean up and oil wipe down. This adds extra seating for those who are watching the poker game they just got knocked out of. These chairs sit in front of the windows that are covered with burlap drapes that were bought at an estate sale.
So here is the break down of cost: Paint and glazes $40, white chairs $50, Map $59, small table & type writer FREE, Curtains $35, Revival seat $45, Large table FREE, 10 chairs $37, Stereo $23, Tv $450, Old toys FREE, all decorative items added to the room $120, Hobby Lobby shelf built in $25, Treasures from Germany Priceless lol GRAND TOTAL: $884
I’m happy with this room and so is Greg. He finally feels like he has a room to just be a guy and he is surrounded with items that he loves and has loved for a long time. That is what makes a house become a home when the rooms work for you and not against you. Having things sitting around you don’t need or don’t use only clutter your home, life and vision. Rethink what makes you Blue Happy!
