It's finally here - reveal week of the $100 Room Challenge! I have to admit, there were a few moments along the way that I questioned whether I would get this one done. You would think that a whole month would give you plenty of time to finish a project that only includes painting closet doors, painting bookshelves, and a little stenciling. But like me, you would be wrong. The optimist in me always thinks projects are small when I get started. Then the procrastinator takes over, telling me I've got plenty of time to get it done. Then reality hits and the work actually gets done, usually a little behind schedule and with a little more stress than I had planned. But all's well that ends well, and I think this one ended pretty well.
When we first bought this house, I looked at this wall in the den and thought, "I'm pretty sure I can do something with that." But I wasn't sure what that something would be, until it came time for this challenge.
~ This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thanks for supporting The Palette Muse! ~
$100 Room Challenge Family Room Fireplace Makeover
If you're new to the $100 Room Challenge, you can see where it all started on Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry. Erin had an amazing idea and it's blown up into a whole thing. I love it because I get my projects done, and my husband loves it because I have to stick to a strict $100 budget.
You can see the first few weeks of my challenge here:
Week 3: Painting Bookshelves & Cabinets
And now, without further ado, let's look at some pretty pictures:
$100 Room Challenge Family Room Photos
This wall's dark orange-y wood brought down the mood of the whole room. I decided to lighten it up by painting the wood in "Ashen Gray" by Valspar. I've fallen in love with this color! It's the perfect warm gray, without turning beige.
That immediately helped to open up the space visually, but then I was left with these tiles on the hearth that I don't like. They were a glossy white 6x6 and just didn't have much style. I thought about re-tiling, but that would have blown my budget. So I decided to stencil over the tile for a patterned concrete tile look.
Y'all, this was WORK. Maybe because I'm a perfectionist, maybe because I'm just a slow stenciler, but this project just about did me in. I shared the lessons I learned along the way in 
I think that stenciling the tile hearth and carrying the same pattern onto the back of the bookshelves really helps tie the whole wall together, and it tones down the choppy white brick of the fireplace. Now it all looks intentional and the pattern keeps your eye moving towards all the fun odds and ends I've collected on my bookshelves.
Speaking of which, I'm just going to come out and admit right now that it took me almost as long to style these shelves as any other part of the project. Maybe once I've recovered from the pain, I'll put together a bookshelf styling tutorial to capture what I learned here.
I've collected a few treasures that I knew I wanted to display, and I'm so happy they finally have a home where they bring a smile to my face every time I look at them.
Stepping outside the family room for a minute, here's the view before from my dining room:
And here's the after. Much better. Those 
Budget Breakdown & Resources
Now this room has a fabulous fireplace wall, organized cabinets, and pretty decor, but in doing this project I've realized I really need a different color on the walls. And new flooring. And new baseboards.
Good thing I only spent about $100 on this wall, because the rest of that stuff is not going to be cheap!
Here's how my budget worked out for this project, along with links to find similar products:
Primer & Paint for closet and shelves - $0 (leftover from other DIY projects around the house)
Closet Hardware (door pulls and hinges) - $20
Paint for stencil (DecoArt Chalky Finish in "Everlasting" and in "Relic")- $12
Tile Stencil & Brushes - $21
Polycrylic - $18 (because I lost mine halfway through the project. Who does that?)
Painting over fireplace - $20 garage sale treasure
Decor (glass vases & potted plant) - $20 from Homegoods
Grand Total - $111
Darn it, I would have come in under budget if I hadn't had to buy more Polycrylic. I had a whole gallon somewhere in my garage, but when it came time to use it, I just couldn't find it! So I had to buy more, just to use a few ounces. Still, $111 isn't half bad for such a big project. I'm going to call that close enough.
Now I'm off to sit on my couch and enjoy the view, while brainstorming what room I want to take on for the next $100 Room Challenge.
SH says
Very nice. The stencil pattern adds needed pattern and is, well, genius. I'm not adding the full amount for the polycrylic, so I get less than $1oo for total budget 🙂
Meredith says
Thank you! I like your accounting style!
Rebecca | R&R at home says
I absolutely LOVE this project!! What a great idea to continue the stencil behind the bookcase!! I also love how you have these shelves styled!! Love it all 🙂
Meredith says
Thank you so much Rebecca! I'm glad I stenciled the bookshelves too, even though it was a lot of work!
Organized Squirrel says
Oh Meredith! This looks so great! I love it.
Meredith says
Thank you so much Gabby!
Cheryl says
Amazing what a little bit of paint and a whole lot of patience can do!
Meredith says
Yes to both of those! (I like the paint better than the patience though.)
Alana says
Love it!! Especially the tiles.
Meredith says
Thank you Alana!
Sherri Rice says
That stenciled tile has me thinking...
It all looks great!
Meredith says
Thanks Sherri! You should give it a try!
Anita C. Lee says
Looks great! I'm eager to see it after you paint the walls.
Meredith says
Thanks, me too!
Emy says
Wow! The stencils look so good!! Such a pretty space!
Meredith says
Thank you Emy, I'm pretty happy with it now!
Sandey says
Gorgeous! Your artwork above the fireplace looks like something the amazing CarlyeCreates would paint! The tile stencil is outstanding. Your attention to detail and doing a job right is admirable. Thanks so much for sharing your talent and enjoy your newly updated room!
Meredith says
Thanks Sandey! I thought so too about the painting. Maybe someday I'll trade up for one of hers. Thank you so much for your kind words, my friend!
meghemm says
Wow I LOVE this!! I want to stencil our tile by the fireplace but am dreading the work haha. Yours looks so good!! Love that green print above the fireplace, too!
Meredith says
Thanks Meg, I knew I could count on you to appreciate the green! The stenciling was a lot of work, but totally worth it in the end!
Kristen says
This looks so great Meredith! I love the colors you chose and the stenciling looks amazing! So pretty!
Meredith says
Thank you so much Kristen!
Patti Estep says
Hi Meredith,
What a great vision you had for this room. I would never have thought of using that bold stencil there, but you really pulled it off. It's so nice an inviting with the neutral palette, and that perfect touch of green with that gorgeous floral.
Meredith says
Thank you Patti! I was a little worried the stencil pattern would be too bold, but now that it's done I love it. And that gives me confidence to try more bold adventures in decorating!
Maria - House by the Preserve says
Absolutely love this reveal! You really outdid yourself Meredith! Love the color of the built ins with the stencil. It looks like a brand new space!
Meredith says
Thank you Maria! I do feel like it's a brand new space, even though it's just one wall!
Erin Meyer says
The stenciling looks absolutely GORGEOUS!!! (Even if you didn't enjoy it 🙂 ). It made the tile on the fireplace more updated, and I LOVE how you stenciled the back of the shelving unit (which is styled beautifully, by the way). Thank you so much for participating in another round of the challenge! Another amazing space!
Meredith says
Thank you Erin! This was such a fun challenge, even though I missed seeing your space. Hope everything's going well with the move and can't wait to see what you've got in store for the next house!
Ashley@BiggerthantheThreeofUs says
The hearth is just amazing!! Seriously way to go with that stencil. Congrats on the space!
Meredith says
Thank you Ashley! It's so fun to have a new look!
Shelley from Roots North & South says
Such a pretty reveal! Can't believe the picture over the fireplace is a garage sale find...I never have that kind of luck! Love the old typewriter, too. Really enjoy your whole site!
Meredith says
Thank you Shelley! I love garage sale treasure hunting! (The typewriter was a garage sale score too.)
Jessica Panos says
I love your new space. That patterned tile looks so good. I also love the succulent art. So pretty.
Meredith says
Thank you Jessica! I love that painting too, it makes me happy every time I look at it!
Melissa says
All your hard work was so worth the effort! It turned out amazing - your room looks completely different!! I love it.
Meredith says
Thanks Melissa! I had my doubts along the way, but it was totally worth it!
Kelli says
It looks amazing. The print on the wall really makes the space pop. And you are right; adding the stencil behind the bookcase kept the eye moving. I don't know if I have the patience to stencil after reading this and others who have also did this. So beautiful though.
Meredith says
Thanks Kelli! This may have been my last stencil project too. At least until I forget how much work it was!
Morgan says
This looks awesome! I love the new colors and the tile is so prettty! What a great idea to stencil the back of your bookcases too! It’s such a stylish wall now! Your styled shelves look gorgeous! Awesome job!
Meredith says
Thank you Morgan! It was a lot more work to carry the stenciling up the back of the bookcases, but I think that's what gives it that extra sense of style!
wendyduffy says
Meredith I am so impressed with what you did! The tile is by far my favorite. Amazing job!
Meredith says
Thank you Wendy! (It's my favorite too!)
Kim Laville Carter-Young says
Meredith, I love EVERY single change in here! Lightening the wood made such a big difference in there - bravo!
Meredith says
Thanks Kim! It's amazing what a little bit of paint can do!