I am absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Raymour & Flanigan for this One Room Challenge and to share my honest experience and thoughts with you! The journey has been nothing short of amazing, and I can’t wait to take you through every detail of this family room transformation.
The Excitement of the One Room Challenge
After six intense yet rewarding weeks, the day has finally arrived! There’s nothing quite like the One Room Challenge (ORC) to motivate you to bring your home design dreams to life. The process has been both exhilarating and transformative, and I’m beyond excited to finally share the family room makeover reveal. Having Raymour & Flanigan as a partner for this project has been an absolute game-changer, making it possible to create a space that is both stylish and functional.
A Little Backstory…
For those of you who are new here, let’s rewind to week one. We made a bold decision to downsize our home when our eldest child turned eleven, opting for a more manageable space that would allow us to focus on experiences over expenses. While we loved the idea of a move-in-ready home, I was set on finding a fixer-upper a place with solid bones that we could transform over time. After rejecting numerous homes that were just “too perfect,” we settled into an 80s-era house that needed a lot of TLC. While progress has been gradual, every project we complete brings us one step closer to our vision!
The Family Room Makeover Journey
Our family room had seen its fair share of wear and tear. The furniture had survived three kids, endless movie nights, and even a Saint Bernard whose drool could rival Niagara Falls. The final straw? A cracked couch frame from a less-than-graceful landing (which, of course, no one in the family took credit for!). I had also attempted to reupholster two large club chairs—an ambitious DIY project that proved to be far from my calling. With all this in mind, we knew it was time for an upgrade.
The “Before” Look
When we moved in eight years ago, the room was coated in peach paint—yes, peach! Over time, I had given the fireplace a facelift and painted the walls white, but the space still felt tired and uninspired. I had even reached a point where I couldn’t stand looking at the same art pieces I had displayed for two decades so one day, I simply took them down and left the walls bare for months.
The Grand Transformation
While our color palette remained consistent, it’s incredible how well-fitted furniture, fresh moldings, and thoughtful styling can completely transform a space! Here’s what we accomplished in just six weeks:
- A Statement Sofa: I was ecstatic to discover the perfect sofa at Raymour & Flanigan a piece I had been dreaming about for this space. Initially, I planned to go with a neutral couch, but at the last minute, I found the Griffon Sofa in Navy Chenille. It was love at first sight! This sofa is not only stunning, but it’s also durable, comfortable, and incredibly soft—everything I wanted for our family’s most-used space.
- Perfect Pillows & Cozy Textures: The sofa’s low back initially raised concerns about comfort, but once we layered on cozy throw pillows, it became the ultimate lounging spot. The entire room is designed around subtle textures, combining velvet, linen, macramé, and natural materials to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
- A Durable and Stylish Rug: We chose an ivory braided jute rug that’s not only reversible but also hides traffic patterns beautifully. Jute is known for its hard-wearing nature, and the braided design ensures longevity.
- Chic & Functional Lighting: I ran a poll on sconces, and the clear winners were these sunburst beauties! The only non-DIY part of this makeover was installing electrical boxes for these hardwired plug-in lights, but the effort was completely worth it.
- A DIY Art Solution: One of my biggest setbacks was realizing that my custom-ordered canvas print (which was non-returnable!) was too small for the wall. I had to think fast and came up with an alternative an art piece inspired by a photo from our family’s dream trip to Hawaii. I’ll be sharing more about this DIY project next week!
- Statement Chairs & Layered Decor: In front of the room, we placed two slipcovered Willowick chairs that are perfect for reading or TV nights. They provide the ultimate cozy corner, especially when the morning sunlight floods in. The arm design complements the sofa, while the skirted base helps balance out the exposed legs in the room.
- A Meaningful Gallery Wall: We love to decorate with pieces that remind us of our travels and favorite places. In this makeover, I swapped out nautical maps for framed travel photography, creating a personal and sentimental touch.
- Built-in Bookcase & Fireplace Updates: One of the finishing touches still in progress is the cabinet doors on our built-in bookcases—unfortunately, I bought the wrong hinges and ran out of time. I’ll be updating this post once they’re installed!
- Finishing Touches with Mouldings: To enhance the character of the room, we upgraded the baseboards to 5-inch boards and added full wall battens. The crown molding ties everything together, adding an element of classic charm.
A Heartfelt Thank You!
This entire experience would not have been possible without the One Room Challenge, and I am incredibly grateful to Linda Weinstein, the creator of this fantastic event. Special thanks to Raymour & Flanigan and House Beautiful for their unwavering support not only do they offer amazing, high-quality furniture, but they also have an outstanding commitment to community involvement.
I’m truly honored to partner with Raymour & Flanigan, a steadfast supporter of Bloggers Heart Habitat and a champion of community engagement. Their exceptional products, unbeatable price points, and top-notch customer service made this transformation seamless my dream navy Chesterfield is proof of that! Thank you, Raymour & Flanigan!
A huge shoutout to EMCO Electric for expertly installing my family room lights and handling multiple electrical projects in this 80s home. Their professionalism, honesty, and precision make them the go-to for homeowners in Metrowest Boston. Check out their website or find them on Facebook for top-tier service.
I’m beyond grateful for these incredible partners in making this vision a reality!
Final Thoughts
This One Room Challenge Reveal: A Family Room Makeover with Raymour & Flanigan has been an unforgettable experience. It’s proof that with the right pieces, a little creativity, and a clear vision, you can turn any room into a beautiful, functional, and welcoming space.
To all my fellow ORC participants, congratulations on completing your projects! If you’re looking for even more room transformation inspiration, be sure to check out all the other stunning reveals here.
Thank you for following along on this journey! Your encouragement, feedback, and support mean the world to me. Let me know what you think of the final result!
You can find the sources for everything in this room right here!
