Well, today is finally the day. It is a very surreal to finally be writing this post. Ahhh! I can’t believe it has been over a year since I shared by original Family Room Inspiration Post. In the past 14 months or so, it has been an adventure trying to update this room and there are a million reasons why it has taken me SO long to finally get it to a ‘complete’ stage. I’ve gone through everything including changing my entire plan 2 months into the project (you can read about that here), having to wait patiently for more building materials, and being incredibly critical of my own work. I am my hardest critic and I know it gets the best of me!
After all the ups and downs, I’m so excited to have another ‘completed’ room in the house. And I say that loosely because I will probably make some changes to this room as soon as this post goes up. Sigh. But after rearranging artwork, restyling 50+ times and building new accessories each weekend, I am finally throwing in the towel (for your sake and mine) and showing you what I have! Here is my Industrial Family Room Makeover!
Warning: You are about to see a lot of photos and read a lot of commentary.
Ready. Set. Go.
Industrial Family Room Makeover
When I started out on this makeover, I had a few guidelines to keep in mind. I needed to design a space that worked with our current ‘Jolly Green Giant’ couches (more on those later), fit a massive wide back TV (which we were forced to get rid of half way through the makeover), and include TONS of storage. Since this is our primary living space in our 1,700 sq ft home, I needed it to be both functional, kid friendly (aka store toys), but also represent my love for rustic, industrial and vintage decor.
DIY Pallet Media Center
If you’ve been around here for even a short amount of time, you’ll know I have a soft spot for reclaimed wood and when designing this space I knew right away that I wanted to build the media center/storage out of old pallets.
This massive undertaking was originally inspired by Pallet Dresser from Too Much Time On My Hands. I instantly fell in love with the rustic look and how it was adorned with metal brackets and I thought it would be an inexpensive solution. It was by far the largest project I have ever worked on and the most rewarding. You can view my tutorial here.
All of the accessories are a combination of DIY projects, antique store finds and family heirlooms. You may remember by DIY Eye Chart from here.
This storage center is not only the perfect way to hide Miss E’s toys when they aren’t in use (a dream come true), but it also helps hide the cable box and Xbox. That portion took a little more elbow grease because I had to carve out the sides of the pallets to fit the unit in (thank you to my husband for helping with this part!).
I made this vintage-inspired desk organizer (tutorial on this later), and paired it with a vintage roller keeper that I picked up at the Goodwill for $12! By far my best find, ever. I love the contrast between the wood and the mix of the old with the new. The black organizer came out a tad bit bigger than I originally planned, but I am still like it in the room.
Moving on to the other side of the room. I shared a tiny portion of this space a while back, you may recognize my Basket Wall Gallery from a few months ago. And now we are seeing a few glimpses of THE couches. I could write an entire post on my love/hate relationship with these Jolly Green Giants. In my dream world, I would have purchased white slip-cover couches but white + toddler + large dog = frightening.
So, in short here is my thought process on why we decided to keep them: 1) We already own them. 2) They are PRACTICAL, with a 90 lbs. dog who rubs against them and a 19 month old, they hold up really, really well and hide everything 3) We consider our current home our ‘transitional’ home and would love to move sooner than later, which means I’ll be redecorating a brand new space and I would hate to spend money on something today that won’t work for us a year from now 4) They are the most comfortable couches you have ever sat on. Make sense?
These drawings are another amazing thrift store find. I found them as-is at the Goodwill for $9.99 a piece. I love the beautiful architectural drawings and the way the paper was worn. I brought them home I took a closer look and decided to look up the artist. The drawings were done by Jacob Gibbs, a famous architect in London during the 1700’s. You can view more of his work here. While mine aren’t originals, I’m still thrilled with my find!
I brightened up the couches by recovering the old throw pillows. I used white fabric I already owned, and purchased a drop cloth for $13. I hand painted faux grain sack lines on a few and heat transferred vintage images onto the others. It was a quick and inexpensive way to freshen up our couches.
I also gave our old tray a makeover, you can view that here, and purchased a white woven rug at IKEA to help tie the space together.
And OF COURSE Miss E needs her own chair too, along with a personalized throw pillow! And remember when I told you I put my Rustic Growth Chart in a very unconventional place? Well, yes. That would be it hanging horizontally above the awkward window in this space. I made it so it is extremely easy to take down to document each growth milestone and this way the little tags won’t be lost :)
The vintage fan and metal cases came from an antique store and the vintage gas can actually came from my grandparent’s house. They were literally seconds away from selling it at a garage sale until I basically threw myself on top of it and said “NOOOOO!!!”.
All of the baskets were specifically chosen for this space. I didn’t want them to all be the same, rather an eclectic collection of baskets with all the same shape and texture. Do you know how hard it is to find perfectly square, wicker baskets in neutral tones? Let’s just say I’m not going to admit how many shopping trips it took me to find all of the different ones.
And because no reveal post is complete without before/after pictures. Here are a few, but you can always view more here.
In addition to the pallet storage unit and accessories, you’ll notice that I also gave the walls some stripes and installed board and batten throughout the space.
After playing with a million different curtain styles, I chose to forgo curtains in this space for a few different reasons. Mainly because we need all the natural light we can get in this space.
My Concluding Thoughts:
Overall, I’m really thrilled with how it turned out. Especially looking at the before and after pictures. Those are always a great reminder of how far it has come. But like I said in the beginning, I’m my hardest critic and incredibly indecisive. Even while editing photos I keep questioning my decisions! Also, had I known a year ago that our massive wide back TV would see its last days and we would be forced into getting a wall-mounted flat screen, I probably would have done custom built-ins on the entire wall. BUT, with that said, I am really happy with how this turned out, the storage is amazing (not to mention a total life saver) and I think it really captures both my husband’s and my style.
Ok, phew. That’s all :)
Tutorials to Projects Found in This Space:
– Pallet Storage Center: Here
– Vintage Mail Organizer: Here
– Industrial Wheat Grass Planter: Here
– Personalized Eye Chart Art: Here
– Rustic Growth Chart: Here
– Board and Batten Installation: Here
– Recycled Wood Side Table Makeover: Here
– Tray Makeover: Here
About Taryn Whiteaker
Hi! I’m Taryn! The voice behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. I launched this brand over 11 years ago when I became a stay-at-home mom. What started as a small craft and mom blog eventually grew into a full time design and DIY site. My goal has always been to inspire others (especially women!) with design ideas, DIY tutorials, entertaining ideas and give you the tools you need to complete them yourself!
Just on time! I’m thinking of going the same direction for our tv room.
Great job!
That is incredible looking! I am loving every single thing in your room. Those pallet shelves are awesome…love that you built them yourselves. And my favorite thing….that your baskets don’t match…LOVE that!!!! Can you come do my living room? :-)
Beautiful Taryn! I’ll have to show my hubs how you made the pallet storage unit. He is designing something similar for our living room for us to make and I love how this turned out! You did an awesome job! BTW, I think we have the same couches. I agree they are the most comfortable couches in the world but so hard to work around when you are decorating or have a small space.
I love every single feature, Taryn ~ perfection!
Absolutely beautiful Taryn!
You did such a great job! I am so impressed, you can come decorate my living room anytime! :)
Oh Taryn! What an amazing space! I am in love with every single little detail! And what A LOT of work you have done to get it so perfect! I love your style! I wish we could decorate together!
Hugs,
Jaime
Incredible improvement. BRAVO!
What an awesome transformation! You have a great eye for design and I love your look of rustic and industrial pieces! Beautiful!
Leslie
Oh my gosh I’m pretty sure that my husband has that exact tv and I’m just praying for it to die so that we can get something newer and smaller so it’s easier to decorate around!!! Love the makeover!
The room turned out great! I am so impressed with that massive industrial console piece. And I love that you worked around the couches you had. With all of the white and the great accessories, I think they really work. And they truly look soo comfy – I could dive right into one now.
I’m in love with all that storage! I wish I had space for an arrangement like this! Thanks so much for sharing.
Beautiful! I LOVE the shelves and all of your projects look perfect in the space! It must be so nice to have everything finished! :)
It’s so great, and cozy! Love how it all ended. Before and Afters are so fun!
Wow! I’m a new visitor to your blog, but I found you linked up at The Shabby Creek Cottage. I really love what you did with this room. It looks like it should be in a Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware catalog. You did a great job! My favorite feature is the rustic growth chart. I’m pinning that! Also you newest subscriber. So glad you shared!
Debbie
It looks fantastic and I think you captured your love of rustic and reclaimed wood. I love all the storage. I also really understand about being our own worst critic. Well done!
This is beautiful! Love all that storage : ) Pinning this!!
this looks amazing, and so much bigger somehow. i especially love the hardware on the shelves/crates…is that something you added or they came like that? congrats and yay for being “done” with this room.
It turned out really nice!
It’s lovely Taryn! I adore all that storage and I’m all over anything industrial! I could hang out with you in this room anytime!!
CUTE CUTE CUTE! Love the design and mixed elements! Stopping by from Shabby Creek Cottage…hope you will come visit me too :)
Chris
Love it! What a cozy space-the stripes on the walls look perfect! Mine would probably look all crazy lol.
Love it! Especially the shelf along the wall–so functional, yet so pretty! I have the same love/hate relationship with my big bulky couches, only mine are brown instead of green :)
AHMazing Tayrn! Love it all! Especially loving the reclaimed wood media center and the canvas pillow covers. Just gorgeous! Can’t wait for some tutorials :)
I love this! It’s so amazing, and I can’t wait to see how you made the storage cabinet. And yes, I feel like I can never find square baskets like this. Your family room looks great!
I love everything about this room, especially the sweet wire baskets on the wall!
Hi! love this industrial living space. I like looking around for ideas– my son just got his own place and is really into this type of decorating. (I found you via MRL)
Anyway— I noticed you had links to past projects. I’m curious about the round gear? Is that PB or a knock off. Do you have a link for that if you made it DIY?
Thanks!
Wow Taryn. It looks fabulous. I love the storage idea and the “less is more” look of yourfamily room. Five stars. :)
I love it and how rustic it is! Great job!
Wow Taryn, this is amazing! It really looks incredible, you’ve done such an awesome job! I feel like I need to pin each one of your photos for one reason or another!
Gorgeous!
The wall of storage is amazing!
I love, love, love it. I’m on my way over with wine. :)
Such a beautiful space, Taryn. All the storage is just perfect and I love the colors of you room. Megan
Oh my goodness, what a stylish room and awesome storage unit. I am so impressed that you made these. They totally change the look of that wall and what great storage potential. I think your couches look great, they look more grey on my screen. You have some really nice vintage pieces and they are displayed so well. Thanks for sharing!
Your living room looks spectacular. I love the storage unit!!!!!! Amazing job!!!! One of the amazing things is how much better the couches look with the change in the pillows-so much better.
Ruth
WOW! This room looks fantastic! I love the media centre and the fact that it hides little miss’s toys! How perfect! I love the mismatched boxes too and the gorgeous pictures on the pillows. And the striped wall. And just about everything!! xo
Looks fabulous! And how fabulous that you can finally write that post — and, of course, now enjoy your fabulous new and organized family room space!
:)
Linda
I love so much about this room! The storage is fantastic!!! Plus, I love the fan pillow and the metal baskets on the wall. Thank you for discussing your thought process on the update. It’s great to see a room updated on a budget and without getting rid of everything you had before. You made it all work wonderfully together!
Angela
New to yur site from Addicted 2 Decorating. This transformation is incredible! I love all of it including your sofas…I have the loveseat of that set in taupe and I have yet to find a more comfortable couch! I, too, want to slipcover it in white.
This is fantastic!
Bliss
You did a great job…love love love. You have a great taste and I like your media center more than the inspiration dresser…bravo
xoxo
Rasha
Looks great. Love the rustic-ness and all the storage.
Love how it turned out! Love it! Love it! Love it!
Gorgeous!!!
This makeover is truly amazing! I love everytihng about it. Fantastic job! Now…can you come do my house?
I saw this featured on Six Sisters Stuff and loved it. I would love for you to share this (or any of your other great ideas) at the link party going on now at ‘Or so she says …’. We’ve also got a fun “Favorite Things” giveaway going on right now. Hope to see you there! http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
Wow, that is an amazing transformation! Thanks so much for linking up. I will be featuring your gorgeous room on Wednesday at Creations by Kara. :)
Great job! The entire room looks absolutely amazing!!!
xoxo
You did such a great job! I LOVE the basket wall! (And the little recliner – so cute!)
This looks great! We, too, have Big Couches that I have a love/hate relationship with and will also be keeping. We “have” them, as you said, they are leather, comfortable and extremely durable, good quality and take a bunch of abuse. Too bad they are Big and Black. The sixties keep calling. Oh, well!!!!
Ah! We use to have the exact sofa and love seat. Totally agree, They were the most comfortable things I have ever sat on in my life. I almost cried when we had to sell them because they wouldn’t fit in our new house (because they are also the biggest things I have ever seen in my life). The sofa makes an excellent guest bed as well.
Beautiful make over too, by the way. Love all of it.
I’m so glad that you linked to this post in your pantry organization post! :) I’m new here, and amazed by this makeover! I really love the media center. A great combo of texture and industrial, awesome!
Just beautiful!! Nice job on your family room and thanks for posting all of your tutorials (I must check some of them out!!!). I’ve got this linked to my DIY family room reveals post too today!!
Great work.. pallet shelves are awesome, and i like the vintage look