Project R&C

Can you tell which is the before photo and which is the now photo (not quite after because we are not finished as we have so much more to do)? The family room in the Arlington couple's home is moving right along and I am feeling good about the project. Eventually, the entire house will be redesigned by yours truly- for now we are taking one room at a time. I got a photo from the husband, Rob, last Monday morning and it was a fantastic surprise. Before I explain the fantastic surprise and why it is so fantastic, let me chat a little about what has been accomplished in this room. The old beige Victoria style sofa has been replaced with a classic slip covered sofa from PB. They wanted something reasonably priced that had a comfy sort of feel with a casual non serious look. A new reclaimed wood coffee table that anchors the room-keeps it from feeling too light. A new lamp that the couple chose was recently purchased and brought into the space. They love it but not sure if it belongs in the family room. I like it but we are still negotiating other ideas...possibly some tall architectural floor lamps to play with height. I think they could do much better-take it to another level. The ceilings are so high that the room could stand some varied height and could possibly accomplish it through the lamps. The leather club chair is also a new addition. It's got a great grain of leather and is super stylish. I've convinced them to pick up one more so they have a pair to finish off the whole look. Previously, they wanted just one leather chair to go in front of the two windows. I agreed until I saw the chair sitting in front of the windows. The room felt unbalanced and the chair became the main character. So the club chair has been pulled out to face the sofa and hopefully soon another club chair should be arrive. And right below the windows I envision a long bench preferably antique and aged to display books, pillows. I want to bring in something old. I can see the potential.

Back to the fantastic surprise. Originally (last year), I suggested a soft rug for the room-something with a pattern. Unfortunately, the couple and I could not find a rug with a pattern that they loved and worked with the space. The key for the couple was being able to see the rug in person because we tried the online thing and each time they were disappointed and then left paying shipping costs without a rug. No good. After a recent meeting, Carol said something that made it click for me. She said, " I think I'd like the space to feel cottage". Instantly, I decided that a pattern rug is not the best direction-we should go for a natural rug to play up the cottage feel with nautical influences which would make Rob happy. As you can see, the purchase was made and it is looking great! Carol wanted a smaller rug and I begged her to trust me on going for a larger one. She was worried the room would look like it had wall to wall carpet. Not the case. And to me, its covering tile not wood floors...so it's not like we are losing any great features. All that cold tile flooring had to be broken up and the rug really helps with defining a layout. As of now, Rob loves it and Carol just likes it. Maybe I will convince her after she lives with it and the room is completed.

Next? I am hoping to bring in some modern pieces to bring in Rob's personality in the space as well. This will be accomplished by side tables/media cabinet-maybe in high gloss black, tall floor architectural lamps in silver (the room could use a play on height), bold pillows, flat screen tv and an even bolder paint color. I should start looking at paint choices because the walls are in need of something more exciting than the current antique white. I also need to start scouting some window treatments.

This is where we are at now in the project...look out for more updates in March.