New Year, New Rooms... (BEFORE & AFTER!)

If you are anything like me, when your house frustrates you, you dream of more space, bigger rooms…wide open spaces with LOTS of elbow room and LOTS of possibility.

What we often forget is while we dream of space, what our soul really wants is coziness and comfort, things that we don’t often feel if we are in a big open room.

My clients had just that—a lovely, big space they had added on a few years ago, with lots of beautiful views, high ceilings, and tons of natural light…but they didn’t feel at home in the space at all.

It was a lot of fun working on the plans so that we could help them create cozy rooms within the room…creating order, balance and peace so that they could finally really enjoy all that space.

With the room’s unusual configuration, it had been hard for my clients to figure out how best to furnish it…

To make sense of things, we created three distinct areas— a sitting area, a family room/TV nook, and a dining area, so that each space could serve them well.

Here is how the spaces look now:

THe wide open space now has lovely smaller “rooms” within it that make you want to sit and stay awhile.

We added a custom sectional sofa and chair to the TV/Family room area that creates a lot of seating within a small footprint, and creates a lot of definition at the same time.

The smaller sitting area takes full advantage of views of the garden, and is an intimate place to sit and read, or visit with friends.

THe new chandelier over this beautiful table creates a sense of shelter, making the dining area all the more inviting.

In addition to these spaces, we also reworked the entryway’s open closet, creating a simple storage solution using pretty labeled baskets which contain things that used to be out in the open. Now, with the easy to read labels, the items inside are easy to find but look nice and tidy when you come in the front door.

We also tucked some new hooks in the inside corners of the closet, so that items can be hung out of sight creating a more calm & tidy look.

Lots of baskets to corral all sorts of things, a tray to drop mail and keys when you come through the door—what more could you want in an entry? :)

Layers of texture, defined cozy spots to sit in and feel sheltered, new storage solutions, and lovely soft lighting have transformed these areas into SOULFUL spaces that will be enjoyed for years to come!