As we recently revisited our home’s before & after page and compiled our comprehensive paint color and source guide, we noticed something quite striking: some rooms were already looking remarkably different! Our upstairs family room, in particular, has undergone several significant enhancements since its initial reveal back in July. These weren’t just minor tweaks; they were purposeful additions that have truly transformed the space into an even more functional and aesthetically pleasing hub for our family. Today, we’re excited to pull back the curtain and share a detailed look at these updates, inviting you to discover how this versatile room has continued to evolve.
Illuminating Our Space: The Statement Capiz Globe Light
Perhaps the most eye-catching new feature in our Florida house’s upstairs family room is the magnificent oversized capiz globe light. This isn’t just any light fixture; it’s been a dream piece for Sherry for years, gracing countless mood boards and Pinterest pages with its elegant presence. Crafted from delicate capiz shells, a signature design from Serena & Lily, its unique charm and substantial size make it a true focal point. For so long, we simply didn’t have a space that could accommodate its grandeur, especially given its impressive dimensions. However, when we moved into this house with its wonderfully generous vaulted ceilings, reaching approximately 10 feet at their peak, we knew we had finally found its perfect home. The soaring ceilings didn’t just allow for it; they practically begged for a statement piece of this scale to fill the vertical space and draw the eye upwards, creating a sense of drama and sophistication, transforming the entire modern living room design.
For those considering a similar statement fixture, it’s worth noting that this particular light comes in three distinct sizes: 10.5″, 22.5″, and a truly impressive 29″ diameter. We, of course, opted for the largest size, embracing the “go big or go home” philosophy, especially for our vaulted ceiling lighting! While photos can struggle to convey the true scale of such a piece, a pre-installation snapshot of Sherry playfully reenacting a famous wrecking ball scene with the light offers a clearer visual of its immense size. This image perfectly encapsulates the excitement and the slight absurdity of handling such a substantial decorative element. It was a moment of triumph, not just for the photo op, but for the sheer fact that this oversized chandelier even made it into the house!
Getting this oversized fixture upstairs was an adventure in itself. Our stairway, as many of you know from our previous moving tales (like the infamous sofa struggle!), is decidedly on the narrow side. We watched with bated breath as the capiz globe light, carefully tilted on its side, just barely squeezed through the stairwell. Had it not fit, our backup plan involved hoisting it over the deck, a significantly more laborious task. The collective sigh of relief once it was safely in the room was palpable. This room, spanning a generous 25 feet in length with those impressive tall ceilings, truly demanded something substantial overhead. The light doesn’t just provide essential illumination as the room’s sole overhead fixture; it also acts as a crucial visual element, anchoring the vast expanse of the ceiling and creating a captivating focal point. It’s an investment we made ourselves, with no sponsorship or gifting, and we’ve been absolutely delighted with its transformative effect on our home decor.
One common question we anticipate, especially for those with taller family members or guests, is about clearance. So, let me, John Petersik, definitively answer: yes, even tall individuals can comfortably walk beneath it! At 6 feet tall, I have nearly a foot of clearance above my head, ensuring that this beautiful ceiling light fixture enhances the room without posing any practical issues. It’s perfectly positioned to illuminate the space beautifully while allowing for unimpeded movement beneath. The delicate capiz shells diffuse light wonderfully, casting a soft, inviting glow that instantly elevates the ambiance of our family room, making it feel both grand and welcoming. This thoughtful consideration for both aesthetics and practicality is key to our interior design inspiration.
To truly convey the feel of the room, Sherry also filmed a brief video tour. This silent walk-through offers an immersive perspective, allowing you to experience the flow and scale of the space almost as if you were here. It’s also a great opportunity to spot the other recent additions to the room, many of which are centered around the TV area. You can watch the full video here on YouTube.
Enhancing Comfort and Versatility: Our New Seating & Media Zone
As you might recall from our previous posts, the seating arrangement in our family room initially consisted solely of our spacious 93-inch sofa and a scattering of kids’ bean bags. While our sofa comfortably accommodates all four of us for movie nights, providing ample space just like in our previous home, we recognized the need for more flexible and adult-friendly seating options. Especially during lockdowns and the pandemic, initial needs were minimal, but we knew that once friends and family could visit again, having diverse seating arrangements would be invaluable for entertaining. Speaking of the bean bags, while beloved by the kids, they proved to be rather impractical as coffee table alternatives. Trying to prop your feet on them was a definite one-star experience – charming for play, but not for relaxation.
We’ve now successfully upgraded our seating with the addition of a stylish woven bench, a fantastic find from HomeGoods at just $199 (sadly, no online link for this gem!). This woven bench decor provides excellent overflow seating, blending seamlessly with our existing decor. Accompanying it, we’ve transitioned from those somewhat chaotic beanbags to a pair of elegant upholstered ottomans. These striped cubes not only offer a much tidier aesthetic but are also vastly superior in the footrest department – I’m enjoying their comfort as I write this! Crucially, they maintain the soft-edged, easily movable quality we desired, essential for a family room where kids still love building forts, spreading out their Pokémon cards, and finding unique positions for TV viewing. These versatile ottomans are not just for feet; in a pinch, they can serve as extra seating for two more people, making them incredibly valuable multi-purpose pieces in our home, perfect for creating a family-friendly living room.
Our plans for the woven bench don’t stop there. We envision upgrading it further by crafting a custom padded seat cushion, a significant improvement over the sheepskin throw we’ve temporarily laid down. Sherry is already envisioning a thick foam core wrapped in durable fabric, perhaps even incorporating a zipper for easy removal and washing – a highly practical feature for a busy family home. With the added height of the cushion, we’ll likely trim the bench legs slightly to ensure it maintains a harmonious height with the sofa, creating a cohesive and comfortable seating experience. This thoughtful approach to furniture customization truly reflects our desire for both style and practicality, enhancing the overall functionality of our flexible seating arrangements.
Rounding out the enhancements to this side of the room, we’re particularly thrilled about a forthcoming upgrade to our media console situation. Our current console table, a piece repurposed from our previous dining room, has served us adequately, especially after we ingeniously added a wood shelf to the bottom. This modification allowed those two large baskets, brimming with all our board games, to live neatly beneath the television. However, we have an even grander vision for maximizing storage solutions here. Our plan involves installing a full wall of cabinetry, transforming this entire TV wall into a “storage rich” zone. The materials are currently on backorder, pushing our installation timeline to next month, which is certainly testing our patience! Sherry often says that smart storage is our love language these days, and I couldn’t agree more. We anticipate it will feel like Christmas morning when this new cabinetry is finally installed, bringing unparalleled organization and visual harmony to our family’s central gathering space, offering fantastic media console ideas for any home.
Infusing Greenery: Hanging Plants & Thoughtful Art Additions
Before we conclude this comprehensive update of our upstairs family room, let’s pivot to the opposite corner, where we’ve introduced some fresh, vibrant elements. With so much lush greenery visible just outside our windows, one might assume we wouldn’t need many indoor plants. However, the reality is quite the opposite! The expansive views of nature actually seem to beckon for indoor plants, creating a beautiful and seamless visual flow between the interior and the exterior. Sherry, ever the enthusiastic plant lady, has wholeheartedly embraced this challenge of “more plants,” finding creative ways to bring that natural vibrancy inside, making this a truly lively space.
Among these new additions are two charming hanging planters, which Sherry discovered at a local garden center. These stylish woven baskets, suspended from the ceiling, add a dynamic layer of greenery without taking up precious floor space. They introduce an intriguing vertical element, drawing the eye up towards the light and complementing the tall ceilings beautifully. It feels like Sherry has unlocked a new level of her “plant lady” status by embracing the art of hanging plants indoor, further enhancing the room’s connection to nature. Additionally, we’ve strategically placed some art behind the kids’ desk, adding personal touches and color to their creative workspace. These elements work in harmony to create a lively and inspiring environment, contributing to the overall aesthetic of our home office desk setup.
The Ever-Evolving Heart of Our Home: Functionality and Future Plans
These updates represent the significant progress we’ve made in making our Florida family room truly our own (you can see the other art hung behind the kids’ desk on the opposite side in the photo below). While we’re still fine-tuning details and adding small touches along the way – a natural part of any home renovation journey – this room now feels incredibly settled and functional. We are immensely grateful for how hard this space works for us every single day, embodying the essence of a multi-functional family room.
This upstairs living room is truly the largest space in our home, stretching an impressive 25 feet, and we’re continually amazed at how much function we’ve managed to extract from every single inch. Sherry and I fluidly switch between using the desktop computer at the main desk, depending on our project needs. When one of us is working there, the other might be on a laptop out on the deck – arguably the best spot in the house to work! – or relaxing on the sofa, or even at the kitchen table downstairs. This flexibility is a testament to the room’s adaptable design. For our children, the room has been an absolute godsend, especially with at-home learning becoming a regular fixture. The large double desk, complete with ample storage drawers, makes it an ideal spot for homework, crafting, and all sorts of artistic endeavors, creating a dedicated kids’ art space. Beyond academics and creative play, it transforms seamlessly into a fantastic movie room, a cozy hangout zone for friends, a fort-making station of epic proportions, and a quiet reading nook. Even elements like the wall-mounted bookcase play a crucial role, storing numerous books and decorative items vertically, thus maximizing storage without consuming valuable floor space. It’s exhilarating to see this central area serve so many diverse purposes for our family, embodying the true spirit of a multi-functional family space.
Looking ahead, we’re eagerly preparing to share some exciting changes happening just outside these windows! Our large upstairs deck is taking shape beautifully, and we’ve implemented a clever privacy solution between our home and the neighboring construction. We promise to keep you updated on all these outdoor transformations soon. In the meantime, you can catch up on all our Florida house progress, from bedrooms to the kitchen and our single bathroom, by visiting our dedicated project page here. Don’t forget, this house uniquely features just six rooms, making every update a significant part of its story!
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