[ Maria Bosak, Eco Chic Home ]Story by Maria Bosak Photography by M. Schleif Photography Before photos provided by Maria Bosak
The saying is true, it was worth the wait! After completing eight room remodels, my husband, Tate, and I took a much-needed hiatus. Last month, we were back at it and finally finished a complete remodel of the front living room in our ongoing “farmhouse” project. We’ve now been living here for almost five years and this room sits front and center near the main foyer. It’s the first to be seen, and yet somehow it was the last to be completed of our main living spaces. We're too tired to explain ourselves, so we'll jump right in and show you what a few massive windows can do to capture the view and inspire the room. Windows of Opportunity As I was pulling up "before" pictures of what the house looked like when we moved in, I was reminded of just how far we've come. We loved the house then and we love it now, but let’s just get real. LOOK AT THOSE WINDOWS! What windows? My point exactly! The windows were updated when we did the exterior three years ago but it is now the inside of the room we’ve completed, and altogether it is magical. I remember very vividly coming home the day the front windows were installed and seeing the wall opened up and being awestruck at the beauty coming in. How had the previous owners not poked holes in this wall years ago? I still smile every time I drive up to the house and see those GREAT BIG windows. We actually did the demo on the interior of this space over a year ago with plans of doing this project last winter, but budget and other family commitments got in the way. If it wasn’t for delays in construction would it really be a project at all? As previously mentioned, we love the windows in this room, so we have missed sitting in there, watching TV while also watching the snowfall as if we're sitting outside. We’ve long ago lost count of the number of deer sightings we’ve had through those windows. So much so that I dream of other places in the house I can “poke some holes.” Less White, More Woods The intention behind the design of this room was to give it a cozy, and somewhat log cabin feel. Tate loves the outdoors and requested a room that had less white and more woods, and since I love Tate, I figured we would give him a win in this room. He’s been very open with my ideas everywhere else, so I can be a little outdoorsy here. But, I’ve still not found a place to hang his deer mount, there just isn’t enough wall space with all these windows, (wink wink). Dog Out, Dog In...Repeat Previously this room was carpeted, but we quite often go in and out the patio door in this room (dog out, dog in, dog out), you get the picture. So, instead, we opted to go with something a little more dirt and water-resistant. Not wanting to continue with more wood laminate and look redundant, I opted for a floor feature that would not only hold up to the wear and tear of our daily lives, but also make a statement in the room. This is where design meets function and the designer (me) gets crazy with the idea of something 'a little different.' Do you know what you get when you put down a black tiled floor and live in a climate where you have wet paws nine out of 12 months? You get to mop your black floor EVERY SINGLE DAY! But, who cares when it looks this awesome; that’s why Swiffers were invented. In order to make the room comfy for the little feet we foster in our home, we decided to heat the floor. I questioned spending the additional money, but it has already proven to be an excellent idea, I may never wear socks again. Creating Cozy Nooks Looking up and onward. We opted to remove the faux ceiling beams and planked the ceiling with knotty alder instead. This not only created a cozy feeling but also allows the newly rocked fireplace to shine and be the focal point in the room. We added a seating bench next to the fireplace to create a cozy nook for reading while watching the deer play in the woods; this allowed for a great space underneath to store pillows and toys. New Life in the Living Room While it has only been a few weeks, we are still so smitten with our new front living room. I don't think I will ever get tired of remodeling and updating spaces. I’m still in awe of the transformation, each and every time. Home is a special place, and bringing it to life for those who live in it is such a passion for me. My other passion is to connect with others on this journey and learn how you're making your house a home. Have you poked any holes in the walls? Did you make a design decision that made sense to only you? Good…it’s your house. You do you! Find the Finishes:
A Brief Recap: Circa 2015ish If you remember way back to when we started this farmhouse overhaul, we began upstairs with the master suite and moved to the lower level, remodeling one room at a time, then finishing with the kitchen nearly two years ago. Looking back, it feels like we’ve been in construction mode forever (because we have), and yet it also feels like we just moved in and began dreaming of what could be.
Just like us, this house is ever-evolving. So, what's left to do? The only real project remaining on our list is the butler's pantry. After the living room reveal, who knows, we may just take another hiatus, or I may decide to poke a few more holes in the wall...stay tuned! For more information, contact: Eco Chic Home
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