Design Blog
Great Room Gets a Great Makeover: A Design Connection, Inc. Featured Project
Kids. They grow up so fast! That is, unless you’re waiting for them to outgrow the destructive stage so you can finally update your home décor without the worry of spills, stains, and wear-n-tear. For this Overland Park family, the wait is over! See how we accomplished this “grown-up” look—read our Before & After Design Story below!
My first step in updating décor is to determine how the family will be using the space. My clients longed for a sophisticated great room where they can entertain business associates and host large family parties, yet be comfortable enough to watch TV, take cat naps and just relax. While most of my clients who call on me for a room update desire a drastic change, most also have something that they love about their space that they want to keep. Many times, this painting, table lamp, vase or accessory they hold dear is, with their new design, the piece that ties the room together. The gorgeous wood art piece above the fireplace is that special piece.
After determining how this space will be used going forward, we created a space plan. As with all of our projects, from complex new construction builds to selecting new furnishings, like this project, a space plan is created. This to-scale floor plan allows us to account for every inch of space and ensures that the new furnishings are sized perfectly for each unique space.
Considering the level of entertaining that this space will be used for, as well as the generous size of this room, two new sofas and coffee tables were added to this design. While the windows on either side of the fireplace were a great source of natural light, they stuck out like a sore thumb and called further attention to the lack of symmetry on either side of the fireplace. By installing new shutters and painting the trim the same color as the walls, the windows blend in smoothly with this new great room design.
Keeping in mind the scale of the ceilings, the massive fireplace, the symmetry-insistent windows, and a must-have television set, I created two custom built-in bookcases that flank each side of the fireplace. Complementing the existing architecture of this home, rustic elements such as wrought iron and dark wood finishes were incorporated into the new furnishings. The new lamps and tables are a perfect example of furnishings that complement each other without having matchy-matchy look. In front of the fireplace, two comfy ottomans were chosen in a unique chevron pattern. Two tufted leather chairs with rustic nail heads and a custom wool rug complete the look of this gorgeous room.
Is your great room lacking greatness? Does your family spend time together in the family room? It’s amazing how new furniture can change the feel and the function of your home! You don’t need to spend weekend after weekend shopping different furniture stores–stop by our design studio!!! Call us for a complimentary design consultation; we’ve got all of the latest designs and styles, upholstery and fabrics at our fingertips and available for you to peruse.