Liz's Family Room Catches a Wave of Beachy Chic

When Liz told me that 65 Canadians were coming this summer for a reunion, I just had to help her update the family room, eh? Here’s her letter…

Dear Lisa, Help! We annually gather in Toronto with a group totaling 65. This year, WE are hosting (along with my parents at their house). Guests will stay in a hotel, but we’ll be gathering here and at my parents’ house throughout the visit. This is motivating us to do some home spruce ups before the big weekend. Our family room could use some help. We need to keep the sofa, chair and TV stand, and like the arrangement (a stager helped us with that). Our style is relaxed traditional, and I’m pretty conservative with colors. We use the room for overflow entertaining from upstairs and for playdates. The room opens to our boys’ (5 & 3) playroom and this is definitely a “hands on” room for them, so nothing too fussy, please. We could use more storage, paint, window treatments (it’s dark!), lighting, accessory ideas. I’ve got lots of family photos framed in black with white mats that I’d like to hang. I always envisioned a beachy look, but never executed my vision! Thanks, Liz

Surf’s up, Liz. Tell your friends to come on over, because this beachy chic mood board will get your family room ready for relaxation and fun!

1. Liz is a self-professed color conservative, and that works for us. Our palette takes its cue from sand and surf. To get some more pop from her existing sofa and chair, we’re recommending that Liz use Benjamin Moore’s Manchester Tan (HC-81) on the walls in a kid-friendly eggshell finish. She can tidy up her trim with White Dove (OC-17) in a semi-gloss for clean, crisp contrast.

2. We love this mix and match lamp base and shade duo for Liz. The simplicity of the glass and beige shade has all kinds of message in a bottle beachy connotations. What we love even more is that right now, this set is on sale for 50% off!

3. This photographic sea shell print pulls the look together in a subtle way. Framed in black, it will complement Liz’s already framed family photos.

4. We want Liz, her family and their guests (small, tall, Canadian) to forget they’re in a basement, so we’re suggesting Liz create an optical illusion with window treatments. By using a floor to ceiling curtain panel mounted right where the ceiling and wall intersect and falling to the floor, they’ll add the illusion of height and hide the small window and lovely view of their garage. This plaid panel pulls together our color palette, and injects more pattern into the room. The price is right, and they’re machine washable–perfect for guests of a shorter stature.

5. What could be better than custom shelving? Buying ready made pieces at affordable prices that look like custom. Liz wants to keep her TV unit, but add more storage. These bookshelves are sold in a pair for an unbelievable price. With each bookshelf flanking the existing TV unit, her entertainment alcove will look like built-ins made just for them. The set will provide enough storage that she’ll be able to remove the big white bookshelf and make a family photo gallery on that angled wall.

6. This trio of pillows punches up our nautical theme and brings new life to Liz’s existing sofa and chair.

7. Ahoy there! This lantern makes us think of bonfires on the beach. At this price, Liz could use several to accessorize her new shelves by filling them with shells, tea lights, sea glass or some other sea inspired relics.

8. These easy to clean, colorful, canvas storage containers can catch the remotes, dvds, and other assorted family room essentials to keep the shelving unit looking organized, because a room with clutter everywhere can never be truly relaxing. P.S., we dig the grommet detailing on these babies.

9. The trunk as coffee table is a clever storage concept, especially in the family room. This lacquered wicker version brings a natural textural element into Liz’s beach chic escape.

10. And what kind of beach retreat would be complete without a beverage tray? This shiny, blue beauty is the perfect topper for the coffee table trunk and just the spot for refreshments.

Well Liz, we hope you enjoy your budget-friendly beachy chic retreat with guests from near and far. Nothing on this mood board costs more than $100! (Even the bookshelves since they come in a pair.) Most items are less than $50. We had a great time pulling it together for you. Enjoy!