DC Row House Main Living Room Before & After

If you are on Instagram or follow along with my instant pics on the sidebar of the blog, you may have noticed that yesterday was an especially rewarding day:  We finished another project installation.  This project was different from most of our projects in that it was implemented over time.  We created a full design plan for our clients a year or so ago (I think??) and as the project entailed a lot of time & expense, our clients decided to implement the project in phases.  What I love about this approach was that my clients didn't sacrifice anything.  They got everything they wanted exactly as they wanted it because they were really patient & willing to wait.  They began with the paint, the built-ins, and then moved onto lighting, curtains and rugs.  The final installation (of furnishings!!) happened yesterday and I'm so excited to share it with you.  Here's what the living and dining space looked like before:


My clients decided they didn't need the additional dining area (we've got a breakfast nook in the kitchen) and so we turned it into an additional seating area with a 4- chair arrangement for playing games, reading and chatting.  Here's what the room looks like now:


Yesterday, I styled the bookshelves with all of our clients' own things and got the room feeling nice and lived in...



The childrens' books are mixed in with their parents' books and their is tons of storage for games & crafts hidden throughout the built-ins.  

I connected the spaces with two overscale lanterns which you might recognize from my previous post.  (The Morris Lantern from Visual Comfort ;) ;)

Because there's a small nook for the sofa in the TV-watching end of the room and not much room in it for end tables, we went with pivoting wall sconces on either side of the sofa.  I was excited about showing off their pretty silhouettes against the hand-block-printed Le Gracieux curtains:

{I snapped this pic as we were hanging art}

My clients wanted a really warm, cozy and energetic-feeling home.  They are some of the nicest people I've ever met and I really feel like their home matching them in warmth.  My client herself looks especially beautiful in the house becomes it complements her hair and skin tones so well.

Here's a close-up that shows the coffee table, which I love:

{The pillow is in my "Filigree Chevron" in Autumn}


 Here's a "before" picture of the fireplace wall, which faces the TV:


...And here is is now:


{The oranges & yellows & pear greens were pulled straight from the rug}

My clients have the "go ahead" to collect more green pottery on their travels so we can fill up these shelves!! ;) ;)

We're putting a fiddle leaf fig in the right nook that will look like this:


This photo shows you how the TV fits:


The 4 chairs are all on swivels so if they want to, they can swivel around and become a part of the TV-watching area or enjoy the fire...



I'm off for the day and hope you enjoyed!! I also had to share this Instagram pic of me with Dave on the way home...  There's nothing more fulfilling than getting to work with this guy every day:





If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

43 comments:

Ashley said...

This space is an absolute show-stopper. So warm, inviting and cozy.

pve design said...

Lauren & Dave,
Great job. I love how you guys roll.
pve

LindsB said...

I was following you all day yesterday on instagram and I was just in LOVE. Such a lovely space that is perfect for a family. The colors are beautiful and everything is perfection as usual!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Such a pretty and useful room.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful makeover and tons of seating! The built ins are fabulous. Wonderful job!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Jennifer said...

I love this space!!!!

Nikki Rappaport said...

So gorgeous! love how warm the space is. Congrats!

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

Wow! So beautiful and everything has it's place. Love that lighting too. Your clients must be loving their new space.

Erin @ The Impatient Gardener said...

Your designs just get better and better. Those pendants are amazing and that coffee table is a work of art. I would love to live in that space.

PushBack said...

This is so beautiful, Lauren! Love it!
Can you share where you buy your fiddle leaf figs? I'm in North Carolina and they don't seem common.

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Those fixtures are amazing and I love the 2 separate zones you created.

www.chattafabulous.blogspot.com

Vero said...

I think you guys make a great team, you look so good together and the space you design is beautiful. Congratulations!

hockfrockandlily said...

Love love LOVE this space!! You guys did a fabulous job. How awesome that you get to do what you love WITH your love! :)

Danielle said...

That space looks warm, cozy and so de-cluttered! I love the extra seating area.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

great before and after!

Cheryl Cato said...

Lovely... you did a great job of lightening up the area which makes the space feel larger. I love all the built-ins.

Shannon said...

looks amazing Lauren!! I'm dying over the visual comfort lighting!! insanely gorgeous! xo- Shannon

ddu said...

BRAVA! Beautiful space. I'm curious though: why don't wall cabinets go all the way to the ceiling? Is that an aesthetic decision or a structural choice? It seems that many inches of usable storage space still lurk above those units. Thanks!

Fiona said...

Wow! What an incredible difference. You are very talented.

Can I ask what the wall color is? My dad has a room with these horrible laminate built-ins and if I could paint it all this color, it might even look good!

LindaDiane said...

I love this! So calm and comfy, doesn't even look like the same place. Great job.

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Lauren- What a great job by a great team. The room looks as if it's just begging for family time! Your clients must be thrilled.

Loretta

Unknown said...

This is one of my favorite rooms you have done. There is just something about it that totally speaks to me. Genius layout of the furniture as well. And kudos for your post about comments and such. Well said, my friend. xoxo

Kristi Lynn said...

Absolutely stunning! I'm new here but I just adore your work so very much. I'm currently getting my Master's Degree in Interior Architecture and I hope I can make beautiful spaces for wonderful people. Is there a source for the curtains? I LOVE them!

Julianna Farmer said...

Seriously. I am constantly amazed. I have been trying to convince my husband to do the "four chair thing" in our dining room. He's not feelin' it.... yet.

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVE your style and the room is PERFECT! You are making people very happy with your ability to transform space!

Anonymous said...

So, so stunning! Love your work!

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

Totally spectacular. Really brilliant space planning, and I am so in love with the drapery fabric that I can't breathe. Really. I've fainted.

Anonymous said...

I love the built-in! Who did you use for that? We get a lot of people begging for tips on built-ins, and I'd love to know more! stephanie@fortique.com

AnneHH said...

Gorgeous!!!

Ali said...

Lauren,

I love the chairs and have been looking for some just like this. Can you tell me the source? They look a lot like a chair available from Ballard Designs. I've had a really hard time finding pretty swivel armchairs.

Thanks,
Ali

bryn alexandra said...

I loved this project SO SO much.. I even went to instagram last night on my computer just so I could look at it again. Lauren, you are so talented and I am such a big fan of yours.. I look up to you a lot!! I really hope we can meet again someday, I would love to pick your brain! (High Point maybe??)

Vel Criste said...

Fantastic! I can't even believe its the same room!!!! That light is just gorgeous and agree so much with you on the coffeetable. The built-ins also look chic because of the color! love, love, love!

Unknown said...

Very good design , i like the chair and library , nice and cozy

eLIZabeth Floyd said...

I loved following the installation on Instagram, and now reading about it and seeing the before shots.

I am glad your clients liked the idea of waiting and taking the time to get everything they wanted in their redesign.

Liz

The Buzz Blog @ Diane James Home said...

I love everything about this room - the warm colors, comfortable seating areas and special pieces like the coffee table and chandeliers - gorgeous! Thank you for sharing this project with us!

Karen said...

That is gorgeous! Your lucky clients getting to live in that room.

Sarah MacMillan {Prairie Perch} said...

You can do no wrong. It looks fab! I'm slightly jealous that you get to work alongside your husband each and every day, but you know, happy for you too. XX

HDH. said...

Gorgeous! Love it.

Marcela Munoz said...

I absolute love the place! looks fabulous!, so warm. I have no luck with the fiddle leaf trees, in san diego , ca I have killed two already. Any tips? please ! I love them but i don't know how to take care of the, or even where to buy them I got two at the same time at home depot but I have never seen them again...

Unknown said...

Love that coffee table! Can you share where you got it? Beautiful room!
Brooke

Onprairiehill.blogsot.com

Unknown said...

So outstanding room, and surely I will be comfy to hold conversation in such living room. An additional Etched Glass for windows can add an additional art.

cotedetexas said...

omg!!!!! gorgeous!!!!!!!!! love lvoe love!!!

Unknown said...

Omg i loved the sofa's...
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