Hear that big ol’ barrel of elbow grease cracking open? Yup. My family room demolition begins TODAY.

It’s gonna get REAL messy and REAL labor involved.

What you’re looking at above is the hold-all room until my garage is finished come spring. And this mama is ready to make sanity happen in here.

However, this is not new to me in any form. {{wink, wink}}

I’ll be starting from the top working down as I’ve done before:

• DIY Coffered Ceiling
• Faux Beam Ceiling – featured on This Old House
• Dining Room Ceiling
• Living Room Ceiling
• Kitchen Ceiling
• Bathroom Ceiling

I make no apologies that I don’t care for drop ceilings.

That is, in most instances, as I do see a need for them in certain situations.

However, in my family room, I want it to feel open, inviting, and super cozy.

And not like a DUNGEON.

STARTING

As a starting point, here is what you saw in my new home inside tour looking in from the front room that is now my son’s bedroom I built.

Obviously, there was much more light in this space before I walled it off.

And with the concrete slab foundation, it was totally giving off basement vibes in more ways than one.

That is… until I got my therapeutic pull-down-all-the-things game on.

Now, in my vlog (video) below, you’ll get a better picture of what’s going on and why.

But, as you can imagine, this is making an entirely new mess and I’m getting a better feel for what’s really up there.

For instance, how about an entire trash bag full of random unattached wires as well as this honkin’ heavy cast iron pipe. It’s literally the wait of my Olympic weight bar. And the real look at the bathroom plumbing hidden in that back coming soon. eep.

LIGHTING

What is more, I am moving my two lonely sconces up into the ceiling and adding more lights so that the dungeon is NO MORE.

In order to do that, I am removing the 80’s faux wood paneling (giving it away to a fellow upcycling couple) so I can access the wires.

And then there is light… at least two… hanging sadly, but proud. ahem.

Last, but not least, I install the new drywall that’s been leaning on this wall like some unwelcome mooching family member.

Loula did not like this part and she told me so. See what I mean in my video below.

FINISHING

Finally, the wall is up, and I can take a deep breath. That was a long two days of work!

Yes, there IS MUCH yet to do. I’m working on projects at my pace as a homeschooling single mama who’s got much on my plate. I’m thankful I’ve healed enough to be able to get back at this because this is literally therapeutic for me.

UPDATES:

• Family Room Lighting
• Hide Wiring in Open Ceiling
• DIY Open Staircase
• Open Staircase Update
• Family Room Update
• Wall to Ceiling Transition
• How to Paint an Open Beam Ceiling
• Open Staircase Trim

Now it’s your time to dish… have you tackled a room in your home that’s been giving you a hairy eyeball? Do tell in comments below as well as pin and share to share my crazy journey with others.

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