Our sub-level has been sorely neglected.
When we moved in back in the early 2000's, Dark colors were the rage. So Hunter green for our Irish pub -ike setting was too cool ( can you tell this we before we had kids? Now the "bar" area is the "toy" area.).
Then revenge of the toys moved in.
It's been getting a slooooooooow make-over, so I'll share what we've done so far. It's our totally on-a budget room, work with what we have space.
After lightening it up with a bright cream which made a HUGE difference...
I decided the c&@p-collector ...oh, I mean hutch needed a little updating.
Before
I want to paint it and change the handles, but I have to be honest, that's on a waiting list.
BUT, To make it more open space until I can paint it, we simply took the hutch part off and left the bottom as is and hung a vintage mirror to reflect the light
After
Huge difference already!
I think it's like having an entirely new piece of furniture.
Before
Can you tell this is where the kids hang?? Well, slowly things have been disappearing.. "Mommy, where did my --- toy go?"
" Oh gee sweetie... I haven't seen that toy in a while." wink wink nudge nudge.
After
The clutter is slowly being cleared and it's such a relief!
(Though when I really want to get
in the clean up mode I watch Hoarder's and that males me want to thrown everything I own out.)
So there's a sneak peek! Like I said, it's kind of an evolving space for us. I'll post more pics as we make more progress!
Jen
Posts
Love what you did with the hutch :-) When we first got married, my husband had a hutch/china cabinet that he was using for CLOTHES storage! He didn't see a problem with that. Guys.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and it really does lighten things up! And I LOVE that map you hung in the disappearing toy room. It's colors are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
What a difference, sweetpea!!! WOW! Who would have thought that would be such an improvement, sugar; I'm impressed.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Connie
Great job! I love what you've done with the hutch and new colors. Yvonne :)
ReplyDeleteAdding mirrors is like magic, eh? I remember the days of toy rooms, generally a formal dining room in our house. These days our youngest two (boys) have a room big enough for their beds and all their stuff. Hubby helps them shovel it out once a month or so. :O)
ReplyDeleteI so need to do this to our basement. Atleast I could have a space to do all my stuff!
ReplyDeleteNice job so far! Can't wait to see how it progresses!
Just taking the top off made a huge difference. I had a desk that had a bulletin board back with a shelf on top. Once I got rid of that it changed the whole room.
ReplyDeleteI love Hoarders, too. They are done airing the shows already.
The lighter paint colour makes an amazing difference! As does your hutch transformation. I love that your kids toys "disappear" ;-) That happens in our house sometimes too. My daughter keeps asking where her "big horsey" is and I tell her the truth: I sold it because it didn't work properly. She seems satisfied with that response, until something reminds her of the horse again!
ReplyDelete~Jo
I need to get "rid" of the toys as well...
ReplyDeleteI gotta ask: where did you purchase the map? I love it and I have been kinda looking for one for my boys.
Thanks! :)
Looks like your off to a great start- it looks a million times larger and brighter already! Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteJen, what a great idea to take the hutch off the top and add a mirror! What a room brightener! Your framed map is so great looking. laurie
ReplyDeleteWhat you did with the hutch is SO much better! MUCH! :-) Love the lighter paint and the map too. Great job!
ReplyDeletepk @ ROOM REMIX
What you did with the hutch is SO much better! MUCH! :-) Love the lighter paint and the map too. Great job!
ReplyDeletepk @ ROOM REMIX
Jen. It doesn't look like the same room!!
ReplyDeletewe took the top off of a hutch we have in our living room lately - and it just breathes new life into the piece/space, doesn't it!? And not an ounce of sweat poured into it! ;)
can't wait to see more! The light paint is so beautiful.
xoxo
The paint color on the walls really lightened up the space. And that hutch! Can't believe what a difference it made to remove the top part. I say it can wait a bit longer to get painted. It really looks good now.
ReplyDeleteNancy
That mirror opened the whole area of the room up! You just doubled your area space with one mirror!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
What a great idea, it looks totally new! BTW, I looove throwing stuff out, but it does get me in trouble with the kids sometimes. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's looking so good! I love that beadboard underneath - so much character!
ReplyDeleteThe map is awesome too!
XOOX
Jen
Wow that paint really lightened things up! And I love the change up on the hutch!
ReplyDeleteI do that with the hoarders show too, haha! Every time I save something for a crafty project I go...oh no, it's starting!
Looking good girlie!!
ReplyDeleteGood job.
Looking good! Looking good!
ReplyDeleteYou know I love a good before-and-after! It makes a huge difference just painting the walls and especially removing the top part of the hutch!! Yay!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! THAT MAKES SUCH A DIFF!!!! IT SURE DID LIGHTEN IT RIGHT UP! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ELSE YOU DO WITH THE ROOM!
ReplyDeletelove what you did with the hutch & the map is great!
ReplyDeleteour old house must have been just like yours. and i did the hunter green on the walls, too! then, laura ashley gold 2, i think. anyway, the biggest challenge for me was the ledge under the window. i made a cornice that allowed the curtains to clear the ledge. can't wait to see what you do. oh, & mine had paneling all around, also.
a few months ago, when you put the curtain up to the downstairs, i thought to myself that it looked just like our lower level, hah. it does!
It's beginning to look much more spacious, lighter, and clutter free! Great job.
ReplyDeleteWow! Indeed, what a difference the changes have made. I really like the map you hung in the "toy" room!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful renovation. We too decorate on a budget and it is always nice when it works! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour changes look great!!!!
ReplyDeletelol.... how funny, I watch that show hoarders too and I've been tossing things out left and right! I just had a thrift store come and pick up a load of "stuff" today!
ReplyDeleteI love your transformations, sometimes things just need a little tweeking to get things looking/feeling fabulous again. I'm off to go tweek myself lol
~Cheryl
It looks wonderful! I love what you have done with the space so far. Your hutch has so much character and it will look wonderful painted, but I also like what you have done with it by putting the mirror over the bottom half of it. It all looks great! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a good night! :)
I can't believe what a difference the paint makes. You're doing a lovely job!
ReplyDelete-FringeGirl
much better. cute nudges from a wise mom! *wink*
ReplyDeleteHuge changes already! The map is fantastic. Enjoyed the peak at what you've done so far.
ReplyDelete