Interior Design Project Reveal in Chattanooga
Today I’m sharing a recently completed project that involved refreshing a well used and loved family room.
Back story: This is a historic home that feels both majestic and welcoming. Old homes will always have a special place in my heart. It’s so fun to wonder about the lives of the people who lived in these homes over the decades, and the attention to architectural detail is incredible.
Although this project was in a turn of the century home, the family room was a later addition that was completed sometime in the 1950’s. The goal was to make it the room more functional, more beautiful and to blend the old with the new.
This home is magnificent.
Please note that this room also needed to include a dining space for family evenings at home. We love dual purpose rooms, don’t we?
Here are the pain points as communicated by my client.
The flooring was not at all to her liking. It’s a tuscan-style travertine floor with inset polished marble diamonds. Aaaannddd the floor was staying.
Family time is very important to these clients, and they love hunkering down together in the evenings for a movie, reading, or just being together. Their existing furniture layout made the room feel like a waiting room because most of the furniture was lined up against the perimeter walls.
The dining area felt more like an afterthought and was not properly serving their needs.
They love to entertain! Movie nights, sports events and holidays would require better seating options than what they currently had available.
Ready for some “before” photos?
The pros: Lovely architectural features are here including the vaulted ceiling and moldings. And that view. Incredible. The cons: The sectional fills up the majority of this narrow-ish room.
Things we love: The fireplace. The bookcases. The intimate footprint - love a cozy space. Things not working: The high contrast between the dark green walls and the very white paint. Makes the walls feel chopped up which in turn makes the room feel chopped up.
Dining area. It works, but we can do better. And overhead lighting is a mood killer.
The Design Direction:
Create a more welcoming feel upon entering the room. In the image directly above, you can see that part of the sectional and console table jut out toward the center of the room, making it feel like a barrier to entering the space.
Create a dining area that is not only used for dining, but provides comfortable seating for guests during movie nights, watching football/sports with guests, and holidays with extended family.
Comfort was to be given high priority throughout. This family wants to sink in and lounge together in the evenings.
Make it nice! They want the space to function properly and look great while doing so.
Utilize vintage and antiques. My client and I are kindred spirits. She loves a little dinged up character and so do I.
Tone down the backdrop to allow furnishings to stand out.
THE REVEAL:
Same space, new attitude.
We started with function and flow. You’re no longer walking into the back of a sectional upon entering the room. Your eye is naturally drawn to the fireplace and the flow invites guests to come in and get comfortable. The sofa seats 3, and 2 matching swivel chairs make both conversation and tv viewing easy.
We coated the walls, ceiling and trim in a restful shade of blue to set the mood and compliment the furnishings.
Dining area
There are so many things working together to make this dining area function properly, yet it looks effortless. Here’s what you may not immediately recognize, but was carefully considered during the planning phase.
The lighting - there was none. Not dedicated to this area anyway. Swing arm lamps give a warm glow for dining and provide task lighting for puzzles, homework, and games. It’s a major upgrade from cold and unflattering recessed lights.
The upholstered bench. It’s comfy and directly across from the tv wall. So it’s adds seating for guests on movie nights or gatherings.
The dining table - it’s long but not deep. Every inch counts when creating a multi purpose space in a small footprint. And we love a touch of modern in an otherwise traditional space.
The rug - it covers the travertine floor, is cushioned and it’s vinyl. Spills are no longer a worry and it adds color and softness.
The art - this charming piece was created by one of my clients’ children.
This room has such a great feel to it!
In the above image, a swivel chair in a bold floral print and trimmed in cotton bullion fringe is a functional statement piece. There are a pair of these chairs and they are the most sought after seats in the house.
Second swivel chair, vintage end table and lamps. The custom sofa is new and it’s covered in a performance fabric for easy care.
Pillow details matter. Love this pink and white mini brush fringe! The vintage side table is topped in leather and provides hidden storage for pencils, remotes and smaller items.
Even this sweet dog is happy! Custom ottoman trimmed in antique brass nail heads in the background is the perfect place to rest your feet and provides extra seating in a pinch. It’s a performance leather. Did you know there was such a thing?
Stoneware jug is part of my clients collection, as is most everything displayed in the bookcases. Frame tv over the fireplace provides a revolving art display when the tv is not in use.
Color mix - nothing to fear!
This is family friendly, elevated design!
Thank you for touring this project! I think it demonstrates how problem solving and creativity work hand in hand to achieve a functional and beautiful outcome.
Thank you to my wonderful clients for trusting me with their homes - it’s certainly an honor to do this!