The challenge for this traditional styled family room was to lure this working couple back into their underutilized family room. Our first objective was to have this room transformed into an uplifting, personal area of reflection while showcasing the creativity of the client’s family. The second was to retain almost all of the client’s existing beloved furnishings.

We started by replacing the crumbling plaster walls. Crown moldings were applied while higher and wider base and door moldings were updated. In order to maximize sunlight the windows were treated with warm yet vibrant botanical fabric panels in hues of blue, green and mustard. Woven shades add texture and were chosen to allow sunlight to filter into the space yet provide privacy.

Our color story continues with the existing sofa and loveseat. Each piece was reupholstered in soft, tactile fabric in saturated, vibrant blue and green hues. A beloved Lawson styled armchair was recovered with a graphic block print. The pillows dotted about the space echo nature, complementing the botanical pattern of the window treatments.

The furniture is arranged in a semi-circular arrangement to encourage conversation and strategically view the artwork.

A gilded mirror installed over the mantle is a nod to the traditional roots of this 1900’s saltbox colonial. A horizontal striped brown and cream custom wool rug was strategically laid to accentuate the length of the room. Two woven ottomans balance the client’s existing heirloom chest and add for additional seating in a pinch.

Each piece of artwork holds a special meaning to this client. The artist of the paintings is the husband’s recently deceased mother. Each painting tells the story of her struggle with Alzheimer’s. The process in narrowing down each piece (there were about fifty from which to choose) began with a conversation about how her style had changed as her disease progressed.

The accessories in this room incorporate the owner’s love of all things hand crafted – from the one of the kind Bamileke wooden stool, where the owner can rest a drink, to the hand carved wood mushrooms by the fireplace.