Our recent clients (let’s call them Zach and Emily), were balancing successful careers, parenting a toddler, and preparing for a new baby. Calling them busy is an understatement. Their beloved city home no longer met their needs, so they found the perfect house in the suburbs with lots of character.
Their main goal? Infuse their personality, upgrade the spaces to fit their lifestyle, all while maintaining the original charm.
Before: Dated Yet Full of Potential
The couple felt that their top priority was the full bathroom and family room – these two spaces felt the most intimidating for them to tackle. With so much going on in their lives, they made the smart move of opting for our Full Service Design.
When I first stepped into their home, I could immediately see why they purchased it. Rich with character, the spacious home was perfect for a family of 4, and held so much potential. To bring the space up to date, we completed a full bathroom renovation, created a new family room floor plan, and selected all new furnishings for the space.
During the design phase, we made thoughtful decisions to carefully balance modern, timeless elements with the home’s original details. To harmonize with the orange undertone of the wood trim, we used a neutral color palette as the foundation, layering in organic shapes and true pops of color for visual interest.
Staying within the couple’s planned investment range, we presented mood boards and 3D renderings to help them visualize their personalized design. Emily and Zach were thrilled and eager to bring their design to life. Let’s take a look at how it turned out…
After: Fresh & Serene Bathroom
What a breath of fresh air! This bathroom went from dated and uninspiring to a modern oasis. While we kept the layout the same, this renovation required replacing all fixtures and materials. And what a difference it has made.
Removing the warm brown and beige tones of the cabinetry and tile floor helped us breathe new life into this space. Though we opted for a cool and calming color palette of blues and grays, this bathroom is far from boring – the variegated floor and shower tile add the perfect amount of visual interest, keeping things from feeling flat. Let’s take a closer look at the details…
Minimalist light fixtures are positioned above the large framed mirror, allowing the other features to stand out. Bright white countertops with subtle veining, crisp undermount sinks, deep navy cabinetry, and chrome fixtures and hardware come together to create a timeless and sophisticated aesthetic.
Opposite the vanity is the newly tiled shower. With plenty of natural light amplifying the varying blue hues, stepping into the shower feels like being submerged in a refreshing body of water. I imagine that bath time for the 2 kids will become even more enjoyable for this family now that the space reflects their style and meets their needs.
Let’s move into the…
Cozy & Comfortable Family Room
Family friendly, expressive, and still full of character? Check, check and check. The family room now boasts all the comforts that a family with young kids needs. We designed a thoughtful layout that will evolve with Zach and Emily’s growing family.
A big, comfy sectional provides plenty of space for everyone to stretch out or snuggle up for movie nights. Nearby, a dining table offers additional seating – perfect for family game night when the kids are a bit older. Grounding the space is a super soft rug adding yet another layer of cozy comfort. In fact, their toddler was practically rolling around on it, happily rubbing his face against it. If that’s not a testament to its comfort, I’m not sure what is!
Soothing shades of blue flow throughout this space, complimenting the natural wood trim beautifully and creating the perfect combination of modern style and historic charm.
Kids aren’t known for being tidy, and let’s be honest – adults are responsible for plenty of spills, too. With that in mind, the couple opted for performance fabric on all of the upholstered pieces, a decision they’ll definitely thank themselves for over and over.
A blue ottoman was at the top of the wishlist, but finding the perfect piece proved trickier than expected. We ended up buying an ottoman and fabric separately, and had a local workroom reupholster it. The extra effort was totally worth it – it’s a standout feature of the room, effortlessly tying everything together.
The details truly complete the look and feel of this space. From the modern light fixture anchoring the dining area to the textured vases of stems and the woven basket overflowing with cozy blankets, every single element of this space is meaningful in telling Emily and Zach’s most authentic story.
Loving Their Soul-Soothing Family Home
Juggling life with a new baby, Zach and Emily are happily settled into their beautifully updated home. Now, the whole family (including big brother!) can enjoy those precious newborn snuggles on their comfy sofa, surrounded by personalized spaces that perfectly fit their lifestyle. And frankly, that’s what good design is all about.
Feeling inspired? If you’ve been dreaming of your own home transformation, intentional design will elevate the way you live your life. I’d love to help create spaces that feel like you. Reach out to me here, and let’s begin the conversation.
Warmly,
Kristen
