I blame/thank The Nester... and now my hubby does, too!

So last year at the Allume Blogging Conference, I attended a workshop with Chad and Myquillyn Smith.  Sure, I had visited her gorgeous blog, Nesting Place and I knew who she was... to be honest, mostly I knew she was Emily Freemans' sister and I am nothing if not the most non-threathening stalker, ...no, fan-girl, ...no, reader of All Things Emily.

No big deal: I got to pray with Myquillyn before the workshop and then I fell in love with her because of her... not because of her sister, or her awesome decorating mojo, or anything else other than the fact that she is awesomely real.  Like, bravely, boldly real. (Maybe shaky-kneed, sure - but nonetheless, honest!)  Included in all the Swag was a teaser for her new book, The Nesting Place and so the wait began.

I was slow in giving in and purchasing this book but I just knew it would be filled with all kinds of lovely and honestly - the fact that it included tips for RENTERS sealed the deal!  I began to read through this book in late Spring... about halfway through I found a stirring need passion to paint something blue. (Consider yourself warned!) 

My Honey thought he was helping (and intervening) by suggesting we spray paint an old bird bath for the garden.  He wasn't so sure in the beginning of my choice of color - but hello Spanish Garden?

I loved it... I was happy with it, even... and yet... it seemed that it was maybe just not enough painting things blue!

And then, I played Bunco and won this pillow:

Clearly... the pillow is to blame.  (Well, the pillow and The Nester, because, of course!)

With our Girlie all moved out and having given me CLEAR instructions to not touch her shrine room for at least a year or more, I was left with only one option... the Family Room.

Now, we are renters ya'll - but long term ones. We have lived in this place for nearly 18 years.  Our Landlords are our neighbors and they are amazing and so supportive of us making this our home.  The Family Room is the one room my hubby asked me not to decorate when we moved in! At the time, my style was - well, Victorian-ish - and he wanted the family room to look like a bachelor pad rec room from days gone by... you know, like things taped on the walls and posters, and such?  But I agreed.  Afterall, I had several other rooms to focus on and over the years every single one of them has benefitted from a little redo.  After all these years, he had forgotten that I even promised that, but I reminded him nonetheless and somehow still managed to convince him of the 'need' of a little touch up (because, the pillow! Right?)

I can't even say I took 'Before' pictures because the truth is, I hated that room.  We rarely used it and I never wanted company down there.  It was where our tv was and my art space and his music space and our workout area... it was a multi-purpose room and I attempted to keep hidden and never really lived in. It was neglected and sad (and not the best creative space to be working in, to be honest!) The only photo's taken of it would be from Christmases' past... because that is when it looked its' best(ish)...

I hated the floors and the walls and the furniture. I wanted it all to change. I paged through The Nesting Place and the subtitle gave me freedom and grace to go ahead and jump right in! 

"It doesn't have to be perfect to be Beautiful!"

So over last summer, slowly due to the lack of pre-planning and budgeting, we transformed our Family Room into a room that we now Absolutely LOVE! 

I mean, we can't get enough of it! 

 

 

  

 

On a teeny tiny budget, we laid carpet, painted walls, painted old furniture, made a coffee table, bought new curtains and lamps, made art, changed out the outlet/light switches, found a couch on Craigslist, and bought an area rug... we left the popcorn ceiling and have yet to purchase another chair for additional seating, or new light fixtures above - but without further ado (why do I keep saying that, ya'll?)...

Here is the Big Reveal...

...and see? I still let him tape things to the wall!                       

I know, right? I don't know if you can truly appreciate the transformation but I will say this... we are cuddled together on that Craigslist Purple couch watching movies or tv or just talking... I am making art again with all my painted and repurposed furniture and working out down there and oh my goodness, it's my favorite place! We are hosting gatherings and while that is nothing new, friends are a little shocked that all of the sudden, we have a basement! 

So what about you?  Do you love to redecorate or hate it?  Do you have a room that you would rather no one sees? 

Can I encourage you to consider a few small changes that can open up hospitality and peace? 

I mean, our homes are our refuge, right?
We may as well love them!

* SOME AFFILIATE LINKS INCLUDED.  ABIDING LOVE, ABOUNDING GRACE IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM.

P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory

Holley Gerth for #CoffeeforYourHeart