14 Adoptees Surprise Mom and Dad With New Living Room

When Chris and Bob Atherton got married, they decided to build their family through adoption. Nearly 40 years and 14 kids later, they continue to run a busy household. Recently, the kids got together to surprise their parents with an update to the Athertons’ living room. They hired designer Jenny Slingerland to help replace well-worn furnishings and create a more cohesive design that keeps function and comfort in mind.

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Comments (61)

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vonben

More details on that recycled rug please?

32 Likes December 28, 2017 at 1:42PM

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PRO

The Cabinet Store 1404 Live Oak Ave.

What a beautiful family! It touched my heart! Also, the new den design is lovely, as well as, practical.

66 Likes December 28, 2017 at 2:56PM

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susanb92

Way to go! What a wonderful thing to do for your parents!

38 Likes December 28, 2017 at 2:56PM

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elefantenkitzle

Fantastic family of an extra special couple. There are some really beautiful people in this world and it is a pleasure to be introduced to them. Thank You!

53 Likes December 29, 2017 at 4:45AM

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Allison Gervis

@vonben this is the rug: https://www.houzz.com/product/87178279-karastan-spice-market-myanmar-aquamarine-area-rug-12x15-mediterranean-area-rugs. Other products used in the episode can be found in this ideabook: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/99025315/list/our-houzz-a-living-room-makeover-for-the-whole-family

8 Likes December 29, 2017 at 8:47AM

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Michelle

This couple is so special and this story really touched me. I wish more people would adopt.

41 Likes December 29, 2017 at 2:05PM

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lionsrrroar

This is the sweetest story...ever!

20 Likes December 30, 2017 at 1:23AM

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Dianne Havird

Thank you for this inspiring article! And the makeover is lovely, as well!

14 Likes December 30, 2017 at 5:37AM

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Nancy Metzger

Beautiful family....lovely family room...! Thank you!

9 Likes December 30, 2017 at 5:46AM

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pfitzpat

What a "gracious" family!!! It really touched my heart to see a wonderful family all about "CARING." I am deeply touched and overwhelmed with emotion to see this in my life time.

16 Likes December 30, 2017 at 11:56AM

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Anna Virgint

So inspirational. Thanks for sharing this amazing couple and their family.

11 Likes December 31, 2017 at 1:52AM

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Treehugger

What a beautiful story and a lovely design!

9 Likes December 31, 2017 at 5:02AM

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johnanddeannajackson

wow! Thanks Houzz for this feature of people who insipire us to keep HOME in the house!

11 Likes December 31, 2017 at 5:43AM

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Stephanie Rountree

Amazing parents and children! Such a beautiful gift to give their folks. I'm so impressed!

8 Likes December 31, 2017 at 6:01AM

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Lynn G

And not one kid in any kind of trouble. Love is the answer.

8 Likes December 31, 2017 at 6:42AM

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marie-a R

They are and hold the world in one whole family. What an example. Thank you for such a heartbraking fabulous story.

13 Likes December 31, 2017 at 6:49AM

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theharkster

Wow !!! Kudos to the Atherton's for adopting and raising all those children! And what a wonderful gift for the children to give to their parents! great story!!!

12 Likes December 31, 2017 at 7:10AM

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kelly1954

Great story. Great family. Thank you for sharing all your individual stories of how you came to be a family.

7 Likes December 31, 2017 at 7:21AM

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momrn5

What a wonderful testimony to the blessing of adoption...lovely home for a very special family!

8 Likes December 31, 2017 at 8:32AM

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heardme

I loved this! Sometimes you only hear about the negative, it's wonderful to hear of good people doing amazing things! Nothing is more important than valuing human life! The Atherton family is beautiful!

8 Likes December 31, 2017 at 9:04AM

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Claudia B

Thank you for this story. It is good to run across a story like this and realize there are many good people in our society.

8 Likes December 31, 2017 at 9:18AM

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ellenbair

The best family in the world, what a wonderful New Year surprise to find you on my Sunday morning ritual of seeing what's new with Houzz.

8 Likes December 31, 2017 at 9:26AM

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marialbrasil

Inspiring!

7 Likes December 31, 2017 at 9:45AM

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Happy

Thanks, Allison, for sharing those links!! The rug and pieces chosen are amazing!

Wonderful family story, & beautiful design!

6 Likes December 31, 2017 at 9:48AM

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Nicola Fazio

What a wonderful family, they deserve this and more. God bless!

6 Likes December 31, 2017 at 10:22AM

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djmideas

Beautifully done. Regarding the fabric on the sofas-- can you tell me the manufacturer, texture, color and and stain resistant finish on the fabric? Thank you

3 Likes December 31, 2017 at 11:13AM

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mandcsmamadee

This is what I mean when I repeatedly say that diversity is a wonderful thing.

6 Likes December 31, 2017 at 11:20AM

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sbeauds

Beautiful story for a truly deserving couple and their family. They are an inspiration!

6 Likes December 31, 2017 at 11:20AM

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janetyancy

What a wonderful way to begin the New Year by reading this fabulous story!! Such an inspiration!!

3 Likes December 31, 2017 at 12:25PM

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Carolina Girl

What a great story and a blessing. The Issacs have a song called Heros and it truly describes people like the Atherton's.

4 Likes December 31, 2017 at 12:27PM

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Julie Johnson

What a cool family! They and their home truly embody love, acceptance, support, and a real sense of adventure and fun! A wonderfully inspiring story to close one year and begin a new one!

5 Likes December 31, 2017 at 1:20PM

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csilversmith

Lovely room, but I think even if it were bare, it would be filled with love.
Christine

5 Likes December 31, 2017 at 3:52PM

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PRO

Andrea Pellicani

Lovely people ... very inspiring -thank you.

2 Likes December 31, 2017 at 5:16PM

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San-dee Noisie

Beautiful story of how love is reciprocated in this family. Blessings and love full circle.

4 Likes December 31, 2017 at 6:02PM

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goodewyfe

This is one of the best things I've seen on Houzz. The people who love you and take care of you are your parents/family. Anything else is just a technicality.

6 Likes December 31, 2017 at 9:23PM

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jillharrison

Fantastic design life story to awake to In 2018! Wow! In so many ways: the parents, the children, the love and of course the design and designer. Thank you Houzz!

4 Likes January 1, 2018 at 6:10AM

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gailmd52

Blows me away! What a great couple & they brought up amazing kids. Thanks for showcasing them, Houzz! The room is cool as well!

3 Likes January 1, 2018 at 6:49AM

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Arlene Peters

Awesome redo to deserving parents

4 Likes January 1, 2018 at 10:42AM

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blynch531

Such a beautiful diverse and loving family! KUDOS houzz for sharing this heartwarming story!!

4 Likes January 1, 2018 at 11:57AM

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User

This entire family in my book are heroes. From the matriarch father and mother to every single child adopted and onto the third generation. This is how the world changes - one by one. Thank you Atherton family and thank you Houzz for showing how kindness and love and determination can change lives. It's more than new paint and furniture.

7 Likes January 1, 2018 at 2:04PM

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Carolyn Dixon

God bless this mom and Dad and all their children this is Love

5 Likes January 2, 2018 at 8:33AM

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janeteea

Thank you for this wonderful story. Such an amazing family. Real parents are determined by the love and care they deliver, not necessarily biology. This inspirational couple is a shining example.

6 Likes January 2, 2018 at 10:36AM

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Shoshana Bloom

Wonderful story and wonderful family.

2 Likes January 3, 2018 at 1:50AM

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Kendrah

The definition of selflessness. Adopted parents are real parents and these kids are so wanted and loved. What a story.

6 Likes January 3, 2018 at 4:04PM

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ladygray10

This is a beautiful family and story, touched my heart. Give blessings and you get blessings back.

1 Like January 6, 2018 at 8:51PM

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Kalahari _ Musau

Awesome kids Awesome parents = to a awesome home

1 Like January 7, 2018 at 6:31AM

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melissaroantreelove

This is my new favorite Houzz story. And when the mom says, so pragmatically, "I like this rug. This is a good rug. We will definitely be getting things on it." Hilarious and precious

2 Likes January 17, 2018 at 10:41PM

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G B-B

Beautiful life story

1 Like January 24, 2018 at 7:15PM

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anonymous

Magical story, great design. I’d like to see where all these kids sleep...

Like January 30, 2018 at 7:06AM

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kimmylouwho1

I know this family and loved seeing an update on all the kids. Your family room looks beautiful!

Like January 30, 2018 at 8:48AM

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Kristofer Agu

Am really really touched because I know there’s good people on this planet because I believe in God

1 Like January 31, 2018 at 10:10AM

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Jessica lin

big love family！

Like February 11, 2018 at 10:49PM

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Saad Kirangwa

Aww, so touching and beautiful.. and Houzz you gave it an uplift..

I will adopt 2 children sometime

1 Like February 15, 2018 at 8:47PM

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Mee Lun Johnson

Beautiful makeover. Remarkable and lovely family.

Like March 27, 2018 at 12:22PM

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Abby Walker

I love the cat on the LEGO table bc it’s a disaster waiting to happen!

Like June 11, 2018 at 12:40PM

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Brian Mogaka

Thank you for telling that story. It's beautiful.

1 Like July 9, 2018 at 9:06AM

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PRO

Wingard Construction, Inc.

What a lovely story! Inspired!

Like July 18, 2018 at 9:25PM

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Kam H

Heartwarming story. A loving family-just what the world needs.

1 Like July 27, 2018 at 7:27AM

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PRO

Stanley group

A very kind and generous couple, I take my hat off to them! And the children are so blessed! The decor is elegantly updated, but yet great thought has been put into to it to make it functional for their family unit.

1 Like September 12, 2018 at 6:34AM

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HU-317673482

Oh my God! What an eye opener on sooo many levels! May God bless this beautiful family

1 Like October 22, 2018 at 10:19PM

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agnessbupe

Touching story indeed. Great family for sure...

Like February 1, 2019 at 11:09AM