Help Us Choose Our Family Room Mood Board

Mid-century table lamp

I don’t know if it’s just the imminent changing of the seasons or what, but I’m feeling the major urge to move things around and tone things down in our home. I’ve been on a reorganization kick lately, too, which means that I’m taking huge car loads to charity, and our trash can and recycling hauls have been overflowing. It’s funny because I feel like we sort of just got settled in our house now that it’s been almost two years since we moved in, but I’m already itching to tweak a few major things.

Case in point our downstairs family room. My friend and photographer Carrie Coleman came over to the house a couple of months ago to shoot an updated home tour (more on that next month!), and she captured the current state of things to a “T” above and below. I love the tufted details and the pattern play between textiles and upholstered pieces, but in my quest to neutralize our decor, I want to take things down a few pegs.

I’m working with Interior Define to replace our existing couch with something a little easier on the eyes (and a little more “loung-y,” too!), but I need your help deciding how to bring the rest of the room together from there.

Transform your basement into a cozy family room

Help Us Choose Our Family Room Mood Board

Below, you’ll see two options that I came up with. I don’t want to have to change everything because (a) our budget is tight, and (b) I don’t want to waste what we already own. In the two mood boards below, you’ll see that I’ve included our existing flooring and rug, but the coffee table, art, lamps and end tables are all new ideas. Our existing mid-century recliner and the side chair will probably stay, as will the entertainment center, and plants/accessories.

Sadly, our oversized tufted leather ottoman won’t work with the new couch since we chose a sectional. Instead, I’m on the hunt for a round table to fill the space and offer a place to rest drinks, but that won’t stop the flow to the couch.

Help Us Choose Our Family Room Mood Board: Option 1

Resources: Sectional, Abstract Art, Rug, Laminate Flooring, Side TableLamp, Coffee Table

You’ll probably notice that Option One is a little more pulled-back than Option Two, what with a single piece of art instead of a gallery wall. The sculptural coffee table in Option One’s mood board is certainly a focal point, but I think the white and glass surfaces help the table blend into the background juuuuust enough so that it doesn’t steal the show from that pretty sectional.

On the other hand, I love how the gallery wall in Option Two brings just a hint of color into the space without overwhelming things. Since I brought so much hypothetical color into the room through art, I chose a white end table to balance out the palette. A mid-century inspired round wood coffee table then grounds the space, while a bold black lamp punches up the masculinity just a tad.

Help Us Choose Our Family Room Mood Board: Option 2

Resources: SectionalRug, Laminate Flooring, Side TableFigure Drawing, Floral Drawing, Abstract, Horse Portrait, Lamp, Coffee Table

So, which one would you choose? Oh, and before I go, Interior Define is hosting their annual 15% off sale now through September 20, which is huge since their prices are already really affordable. Check out the options here, and don’t forget that you can get free swatches so that you can touch and feel the fabrics in person before you buy!

Now, go ahead and leave your vote for decor options in the comments below, and don’t be afraid to tell me how you’d mix the two together if you can visualize a third option! I can’t wait to hear what you guys think.

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DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

*This post was sponsored by Artifact Uprising

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

One of the biggest investments I’ve made in my career as a blogger thus far is in camera equipment. I’ve spent roughly a used car’s worth on my camera and set of lenses, but, oddly enough, I rarely break them out to capture real-life personal moments. Instead, I mostly use my “nice” camera to document DIY blog projects like the one you’ll see here today. While that’s all well and good, I’d like to make more of a point to start using it to capture fun family memories, too. You know—the kind worth framing and hanging on the fridge!

Which leads me to today’s craft. In an effort to take and print more family photos, I thought it would be fun to start backwards and create a set of colorful custom DIY magnets. That way, whenever I do get around to snapping personal moments with my camera, I’ll already have a collection of magnets ready and waiting to hang the pictures on our fridge for us to enjoy every day.

To get you guys in on the fun, too, I figured it was the perfect time for us to make a new pact—a promise to print and display favorite fridge-worthy photos as we edge closer to the holiday season. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s high time we celebrate life’s crazy, beautiful, wild little moments. You can join in on the conversation by tagging your own fridge-worthy photos with @dreamgreendiy on social media and using the hashtag #dgdfreezeframe. Now for the DIY craft!

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

Here’s What You’ll Need

  • Patterned scrapbook paper
  • 1.5″ circle punch
  • 1.5″ wood circle discs
  • Round magnets
  • Tacky glue
  • Super glue
  • Foam paint brush
  • Printed family photos (we love Artifact Uprising!)

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

Start by gathering a collection of pretty pieces of scrapbook paper. These usually cost less than a dollar each at your local craft supply store, or you can just buy a book of coordinating scrapbook paper like I did for around $5-$10. Choose a few of your favorite patterns, and then use a 1.5″ circle punch to pop little pre-measured circles out of the patterned paper.

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

Use super glue to attach magnets to the backs of 1.5″ wood circle discs, and allow them to dry for about 10 minutes before handling. Flip the now-magnetic wood circles over and squeeze a dot of tacky glue on the front wood surface.

Spread the glue evenly over the disc with a foam paint brush, and then gently press one of the pre-cut patterned paper circles onto the glued surface. Line up the edges of the paper with the edges of the wood circle, and hold the paper in place over the glue for 30 seconds. Set it aside, and repeat the steps on each of your magnetic wood circles.

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

To speed up drying time and to ensure a firm hold, gently lay the magnetic wood circles patterned-paper-side-down on a clean, dry surface. Allow the magnets to fully dry for 1-2 hours before handling.

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

Now you’re ready to use the custom magnets to hang favorite photos up on your fridge—or, really, any magnetic surface, like an office bulletin board or a metal front door. If you try this craft or if you’ve already shared a photo on Instagram that you’d love to have printed, be sure to tag @dreamgreendiy on social media and use the hashtag #dgdfreezeframe. Who knows…you just might see the printed photo show up in your mailbox!

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

DIY Patterned Scrapbook Paper Magnets

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