Additionally, it’s worth saying we, like most families, spend 90% of our wake time in this general area. The change to this one wall of built-ins is the first domino in an endless line of future transformations. Changing the look of this wall would set a whole new tone in the family room as well as the breakfast nook + kitchen which are all connected. These bad boys take up a great amount of visual real estate. Painting our built-ins was going to be the first step in freshening our family room. (That said- I am a HUGE believer you can create a sumptuous, dreamy home that is very accommodating for the whole family.) Herndon Davis, a mortgage loan officer and real estate consultant based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, suggests tapping the real-world experience of a real estate agent or Realtor. But it’s important to know the pros and cons before buying a fixer-upper. The function is just as much a priority as aesthetics and feel. Getting a cheap fixer-upper and repairing it at your own pace is an attractive idea.

It’s important to identify how we will live and use each room. Just as important as knowing what the room will feel like, is understanding the function. So in the design of our family room, I wanted to incorporate beauty and livability. And I am perfectly happy to do so if it means my loved ones are cozied up next to me in our real life rooms. Whenever I want to soak in grand, sumptuous spaces, I can scroll until my little heart is content! I want my family and friends to be able to enjoy our home together so I will continue to get my fill of wildly stunning homes on the internet. I do enjoy the look of these gorgeous rooms. Ha! But then I wouldn’t really enjoy it because the people I love would be missing. However, it would feel untouchable, impersonal, and in order to stay in that over-the-top-wow status… I would probably need to request everyone admire from afar. If left to my own devices, I would create a space that is over-the-top vivid yet elegant with everything perfectly placed. I lean toward dramatic and high contrast statement rooms.

Fixer Upper by L.C. Davis