Wednesday, January 14, 2009

An elephant in the room. Actually, make that two...

...and I'm speaking literally rather than figuratively, with said elephants being our huge treadmill and our outdated 'big-screen' TV (Mind you, I'm not complaining about having either one - I love having access to the treadmill during the long New England winters and there's nothing like watching a favorite movie on the big screen!!!) ... But I have spent the past couple of years trying to find the proper layout for our family room whilst working around these two giants...

Summer, 2006


(click any photos to enlarge)
Definitely not working. The treadmill blocked the bookcase....


... and threw the whole room off kilter...


... not to mention the fact that the topiary and angel on top of the bookcase (see first photo) had to be moved every time someone used the treadmill due to the 'vibration' factor... (Who wants a falling angel or potted plant hitting them on the noggin during a workout??) And if you look closely you can see the big-screen TV on the far right, just under the half-wall, completely blocking the other bookcase...

Summer, 2007

It was time to try something new...


The treadmill got moved to the far corner of the room, behind the sofa... Definitely an improvement. The big screen TV then got moved to where the treadmill used to be... Big mistake....


No matter which wall the TV was placed on, it still sat in front of a bookcase, along with the DVD player, VCR, and cable box sitting on top of the TV as well as on one of the bookcase shelves. Such a cluttered mess.... (quite visible if you dare to enlarge the two previous photos)...

A couple of months ago I mentioned I'd been 'tweaking' the family room and I think I've finally come up with the best furniture arrangement possible (given that these two giants aren't going anywhere)...

So there are still two elephants in the room, but they're definitely getting easier to live with... I'll share the new bookcase and TV arrangement in an upcoming post...

(P.S. I also put the window pane lattice back on the sliding glass doors... I missed it.)


Donna

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good evening dear friend
I'm on hubby's computer for a few minutes. Had to come over and say hi.
Those 2 elephants keep you going don't they? So if your using "it" and watching "it" then go with "it" I say.
Have a great week.
I know I told you before but I LOVE your chenille pillows & that cute little critter oh my!!
Love how you post petfinder also LOVE YOU FOR THAT.
Claudie
xox

Edie Marie's Attic said...

It's so hard working around things like that! I'll be anxious to see what you did to work around them.

I'm back and rested and ready for lots more posting!

Big hugs, Sherry

Connie said...

I do understand your dilemma, sweetpea. I put our treadmill out in the garage as it won't come through a door into the house and we have our tv in a box with a cloth over it because we don't watch it at all. (Kids insisted we have one for when they came once or twice a year so they could view videos.) Maybe you could throw a cover over the treadmill, but I agree with you about the tv. Not much you can do with it if you watch it a lot........ I can't wait to see what you've done with it, chickee!
Smooches,
Connie

Claudia said...

I love the lattice on the window. It is so charming!

We all have those 'elephants' to deal with, don't we? In a perfect world, they would be so stylish that they would fit in beautifully!

I can't wait to see what you've done with them!

Have a great day!

Jean Tuthill said...

Hi Donna, Yes, there are some things we have to live with. We should invent shabby chic, romantic, prim or country-look sets to "go" with our decor. Oh well, just a thought......Can't wait to see what you've done with them.

Joanne Kennedy said...

Why do they have to make treadmills so big! It would be so nice to have a home big enough to put it in a room along with a tv. Oh well, can't wait to see what you came up with.

I would love to get a treadmill but have no room for it.

Hugs,
Joanne

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I had the same dilemma Donna. We ended up putting the treadmill in the basement and sad to say it wasn't used as much anymore and we ended up giving it away. The big screen TV went into our bedroom. We hardly watch TV, but when we do we watch it relaxing in bed. I put an electric fireplace in it's old place in the living room and have been happy with that as I always wanted a fireplace!
I can't wait to see what rearranging you did!

Hugs, Pat

Pink Slippers said...

Gosh to have a treadmill would be great but I could see the problem. You are doing good with your decorating.
Wendy

cottage farm villa said...

I really feel for you. Those are things that you just can't disquise or pretend they aren't there. Been there girl! It boils down to.....just live life and not worry about it! ~Cheryl

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Donna, what a tease you are today. I was so anxious to get to the bottom of the post and see what you had done! I'll be back for sure. laurie

Shirley said...

We have one of those big TV's too. It was the greatest thing when we got it but since the flat screens have come out, it seems like it just takes over the entire room.

I finally put my treadmill in the basement because its only function became to pile clothes on. A $600 clothes rack!

Cottage Rose said...

Hey Donna; I love your family room decor. I see what you mean about the two Elephants. I can't wait to see the photo of your finished redo.
And in each photo love the little kitty, seems not matter how you change the room kitty seems quit content... lol

Hugs;
Alaura

Anonymous said...

I'm waiting....hehe....actually I really didn't notice the "elephants" when sitting in there!