Our "kids" playing a game in the living room. #Cbias #momcave

Our “kids” playing a game in the living room.

It seems like just yesterday I was complaining about our “empty nest.” One son was away at college and the other living with a friend. After being a little depressed about it for about 3 years, I finally decided to move on with my life, and create my dream sewing and craft room. The first step was to finally start using my oldest son’s large bedroom which was empty.

But then came the news my youngest son would be coming home for the summer (read: Bedroom and Sewing Room Remodel Takes a Step Back, But I’m Happy About It). That was April 2010 and a lot has happened since then. We had the house to ourselves again for a few months after that summer semester, but it wasn’t long before my oldest son asked if he could move back home. Of course we said yes.

The oldest stayed with us a year and then moved out. Again I thought about starting on my ultimate mom cave and that’s when my youngest son asked if his girlfriend (now fiancé) could stay with us while he did his internship in another state. Of course we said yes.

#Cbias #momcave "Before" Mom Cave Makeover - The only space left in the house for me and my office

“Before” Mom Cave Makeover – The only space left in the house for me and my office

Now it’s two years later and both boys are living here as well as the fiancé! The oldest moved home again because he realized he’d rather spend his money on worldwide travel instead of a house he never sees and the youngest is at Park Ranger Academy. He’s gone for 4 months, and then he’ll be back while we’re still hosting our future daughter-in-law. She’s been here since October 2011. Of course we said yes.

But our little house is having trouble making room for 5 adults, even if one is rarely here. But more importantly, I’m going to have to be creative in digging out a little bit of room for myself and it seems I’m not alone. Mom caves are hot right now in the design world. Many are craft and sewing rooms like my first inspiration, but others are like mine; rooms that have to pull double-duty and function as an office/craft room as well as a family area.

#Cbias #momcave Mom Cave Wish List - Demi Sofa and Love seat in Camel and Bree Stationery Chair covered in Rouge fabric (there are 100's of colors/patterns available for all of these pieces)

Mom Cave Wish List – Demi Sofa and Love seat in Camel and Bree Stationery Chair covered in Rouge fabric (there are 100’s of colors/patterns available for all of these pieces)

The one room where there’s still space enough for me and my stuff is  the living room, so that’s going to be MY space. But first I have to make it comfortable. We do have one “good” chair, a Lay-Z-Boy leather recliner chair we bought years ago when our son had back surgery. He needed a chair to recover in and it had to be sturdy. It’s held up beautifully, but it’s leather and I’m a vegetarian. Yea, I don’t like to sit in it.

The sofa is faux leather and purchased when our poor pup was dying of bladder cancer a few months ago. He accidently ruined our old couch, so I had to buy something quick and cheap. And that it was. The center section broke down in less than 3 months.

Mom Cave Wish List - Hidden Treasures Printers Cabinet #Cbias #momcave

Mom Cave Wish List – Hidden Treasures Printers Cabinet

So now it’s MY turn and I recently went to my local La-Z-Boy showroom to see what they had in store for my proposed new mom cave. Though after I get done with it, it will no longer look like a cave! I’m doing away with the dark furniture and dated drapes. I may paint the wall the same silver paint color as our bedroom (or similar) and I want to lighten it all up. I’m done with the dark, rich colors I loved LAST time I redecorated.

I found so many possibilities at the store and I LOVED the accessories available. The Hidden Treasures Printers Cabinet above would be an amazing storage for crafts, office supplies, etc. Of course it could be used in a nursery as well, but I think it’d look fabulous in my living room!

#Cbias #momcave Mom Cave Wish List - Bree Stationary Occasional Chair covered in Birdsong (one of many choices available for this chair)

Mom Cave Wish List – Bree Stationary Occasional Chair covered in Birdsong (one of many choices available for this chair)

I fell in love with a overstuffed  Bree Stationary Occasional Chair covered in Birdsong (one of many choices available for this chair). My son worked on a crane wildlife refuge last year – talk about kismet! I love the natural look and it could be combined with so many other items. Maybe a bit kitschy, but I don’t mind a fun theme. Plus, we’re very informal people. Our living room is our family room. Our actual family room is a game/computer/TV room. And I like a print. We still have 2 small dogs and a print will hide their paw prints better.

#Cbias #momcave Mom Cave Storage Options - Storage doesn't have to be ugly! Room for my office and craft gear to be hidden away

Mom Cave Storage Options – Storage doesn’t have to be ugly! Room for my office and craft gear to be hidden away

I loved the storage options I could use to keep my office clutter hidden away. I need access to a printer and scanner but I don’t need to look at them every day. I also need a place for my TV, I watch while I work, and any of these solutions could do double duty for sure. The floral painted chest has the most elegant shape to it. It’s really stunning in person.

Dare I say that storage solutions can sometimes be elegant? This mirrored storage cabinet is right on trend – mirror and cutaway. It’s sleek enough for the bedroom or living room and I can imagine storing Blu-Rays inside of it.

Mom Cave Wish List - Elegant Storage Solutions #Cbias #momcave

Mom Cave Wish List – Elegant Storage Solutions

#Cbias #momcave Mom Cave Wish List - the red floral pillows keeps this from being too manly

Mom Cave Wish List – th red floral pillows keeps this from being too manly

It wasn’t the only mirrored piece. This very chic mirrored coffee table looks so elegant.  I think the area rug is too busy, but the table is stunning. It’s topped with glass for light and brightness. Granted, no kids allowed around this one!

And remember I mentioned accessories! There were plenty, but these are the ones that caught my eye. Granted, most of them are too large for our little room, but a girl can dream, right? There were so many more than I didn’t have time to snap. You’ll really just have to go take a look at the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries Online Catalog or website  yourself to see how cute they are.

Mom Cave Accessories Wishlist from La-z-Boy Furniture #Cbias #momcave

Mom Cave Accessories Wishlist

I was impressed with the quality of fabrics and the selection and was mesmerized to see so many stylish and up-to-date options. I loved that if I found a set I wanted but needed a different color or print, they could do that – truly custom furniture! The selection was huge (900 covers and 200 frames to chose from) and I picked out a few that I loved.

#Cbias #momcave La-z-Boy Fabric Selections (see the full line of fabric choices on their website)

La-z-Boy Fabric Selections

So what did I decide on for my mom cave makeover? I decided first that I need to save more money. I originally was just going to replace the sofa, now I realize I want it all. Over the years we’ve added things when we could afford it so it’s mishmashed ..but not in a fun, eclectic way. This time I want to have a spot that not only works for me, but I want it to be cute. Let’s be real, at 51 this may be the last furniture I buy for the living room and I want to still love it in 10 years.

I’ll definitely be keeping many of these pieces in mind. I have my heart set on a sectional and I don’t think any of theirs will fit in our tiny living room. I need to rethink my choices, but you may just see a few of these in the final design! But don’t expect it anytime soon,  it’s going to take me some time to save up what I need to make my mom cave dream a reality.

#Cbias #momcave Mom Cave Wish List - Kennedy Supreme Comfort Queen Sleeper sofa with silver accents. Time to get the bold color off the wall an onto the sofa?

Mom Cave Wish List – Kennedy Supreme Comfort Queen Sleeper sofa with silver accents. Time to get the bold color off the wall an onto the sofa?

What would your mom cave look like? Where’s your spot in the house?