Home Tour: A Welcoming, Comfortable Family Home in Park Ridge

There’s nothing quite like moving from a small space to a larger home. If you’ve ever had the experience, you know how freeing it can feel to stretch out and not feel restricted by square footage. But with that newfound space often comes an unexpected question: What do we actually do with all of it?

That’s exactly where our recent clients found themselves after moving from a 2 bedroom condo in the city to a much larger single family home in the Chicago suburbs. This young family—two successful working parents (we’ll call them Sarah and Ethan) and their energetic five-year-old daughter—were excited to settle into a home that could support their active, social lifestyle. 

Upon moving, however, they realized that most of their existing furniture didn’t quite fit, and with the additional square footage, they were left with more empty space than they expected.

Project Goals

Sarah and Ethan both work from home and love hosting their local family and friends for casual get-togethers. Rather than making structural changes to their new home, they chose to focus on furnishing the 3 rooms they’d use the most: the living room, family room, and dining room. We started with a blank slate for all 3. Although there was no construction team, we did bring in some trades for adding doors and moving a light fixture – otherwise, this project was purely furnishings-focused.

When I first stepped into the newly purchased home, I had one of those moments where I felt speechless. The craftsman-style details and architectural character were stunning, and the natural light pouring through the windows was the kind designers dream about. Ethan and Sarah wanted a clean and simple design that felt comfortable, warm, and welcoming, and the light-filled backdrop provided the perfect foundation.

Are you ready to step inside?

Spacious, Inviting Dining Room

I’d say we checked all the boxes on the couple’s wishlist for this dining room. Clean and simple straight lines play well with gentle curves for just the right amount of interest, while rich, earthy tones create the warm and welcoming vibe they wanted.

We designed a custom built-in that combines a comfortable bench with concealed storage for servingware—a practical, character-filled piece that ties in beautifully with the home’s original craftsman details. With the bench and 5 dining chairs, there’s plenty of room to host friends and family with ease.

Did you notice the stained glass windows? They’re original to the home, and the couple love the unexpected color they bring in. We leaned into it by adding a painting between them that enhances the hues, adding a subtle sense of whimsy to the room.

Serene & Elevated Living Room

This living room just feels like an exhale, wouldn’t you agree? It’s soft, peaceful, and calm with just the right balance of light and dark. Since this home has 2 living areas, Sarah and Ethan envisioned this space as the more formal, adult setting—somewhere they could unwind together after their daughter goes to bed or enjoy an after-dinner cocktail with friends.

The stained glass windows are featured again in this room, but when one unexpectedly broke (It fell out of the window because it wasn’t properly secured), we faced the novel task of replacing it. We found a local artist who was able to replicate the design, and the new windows look as perfect and colorful as the originals in the dining room.

We played with lines again in this space, pairing the gentle curves of the tables, sofa and decor with the straight lines of the chairs and shelves. The juxtaposition brings interest and energy to the space, while keeping the room calm and sophisticated overall, just as Ethan and Sarah had hoped.

Step through the French doors, and you’ll find…

Comfortable, Cozy Family Room

Ahhh, there’s something about this room that immediately puts you at ease. I can just picture Sarah, Ethan and their daughter curling up on the spacious sectional for family movie nights—feet up, popcorn in hand. It just feels like a big, warm hug! 

I also personally love the incredibly comfortable sectional sofa we chose for this room. It has a subtle pattern, and the warm white color, coupled with the abundant natural light, soft drapes, and warm earthy tones, everything works together to create a layered, cozy feel that still feels elevated.

It’s said that the design is made up of the details, and I couldn’t agree more, especially when simple is the goal. The gorgeous coffee table is a standout feature in this room, bringing both beauty and functional storage space. (And hats off to Brittany Fitzpatrick for her expert styling skills.)

And this room is hiding a fun secret. The “built-in bookshelf” is actually a Murphy door! Ethan’s office is right off the family room, and since their daughter is home half days and often plays in the family room, we selected this fun Murphy door office entry for privacy and noise control. It also allows Ethan to fully leave his work behind on the weekend – if you work from home, you understand that challenge!

Our Park Ridge Family Home Design in Summary

• Full furnishing project for a young family moving from a Chicago condo to a spacious single-family home in Park Ridge, Illinois.
• Focused on three key spaces: a warm, inviting dining room with custom bench seating and stained glass accents, a serene formal living room for entertaining, and a cozy family room with a Murphy door office entry.
• Design style blended clean lines, warm earthy tones, and craftsman-style details to create a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere.
• Emphasis on functionality, storage solutions, and a cohesive yet distinct look for each room.
• Project highlights: custom built-ins, restored stained glass windows, layered textures, and furniture chosen for both comfort and style.

Loving their Furnished Family Home

Sarah and Ethan told me that they absolutely love how everything turned out and that they know they could not have achieved this on their own. I love that kind of feedback! Even though this was a furnishings-only project, the result is incredibly impactful and will change the way that this sweet family experiences their home every single day.

Telling this family’s story was a joy. Though the rooms we worked on were all connected, we thoughtfully gave each its own personality while keeping a cohesive theme. Warm, welcoming, and comfortable. I’d say we nailed it!

If you’re ready to transform your home, through a major renovation or a simpler furnishings project, I’d love to join your team. Reach out to me here, and let’s connect.

Warmly,
Kristen

Park Ridge Project Photo Credit: Sarah Crowley