psssst…. shop our spaces here!
Remember the dining room overhaul we took on with our fabulous clients this past Fall? You may have even seen the fun video we posted a few weeks ago, with a glimpse of more of the spaces. {Check out the kitchen reveal, here!} We thought it was time to show you a little more of their home today, with the family room reveal! {Refresh if the video isn’t loading}
The first challenge with the space was finding somewhere new for their TV. The previous owners had dedicated an entire wall to an entertainment system, and we knew that we could come up with something fresh that allowed more sitting space.
The TV was moved to the mantel, so more energy {and budget} could be focused on nicer elements like furniture for guests. This way there’s more space for hosting, and the TV isn’t a huge distraction. Instead, the room’s focus is on conversation and gathering.
We simply hid said tv with a big beautiful canvas. Because mantels should also be used for art. ;} {pssst: You can see more ideas on how we hid our own tv, here. }
We were thrilled to bring in cozy, bright elements to help make the space not only functional, but super appealing as well.
Two elements that people usually forego in the name of budget is lighting, and rugs. We feel that the two are just as essential as anything else you’d bring into a room, and help anchor it. They’re like great earrings and shoes to an outfit. So we were thrilled to bring in some major character with the two, and help define the area.
With that wall free, we created a beautiful gallery wall for all of their gorgeous family photos. Using what they had, we transformed some of the formerly large and in charge black frames with white and blue, along with the color in the photos to help tie it all together. We love the unique character it brought to the space.
It definitely feels like their own home, and tells the story of who lives there.
What I loved about Mark and Jillina’s house was that we not only mixed old and new, but we used some gorgeous pieces from their travels, as well. So shells from a diving expedition in Caicos, gourds from Africa, and books from the Louvre along with sea glass collected on the beach. It fell in seamlessly with everything else in the space. They help tell a personalized story.
And conversation pieces with great stories behind them, are always a win.
When I described my furniture layout ideas to Jillina, I told her it was “like the White House” – symmetry with chairs and sofas, centered on the fireplace. {I know, it’s frightening to think that one of the ways I earn a living is by writing.} I always feel like a room is torn between the fireplace and tv depending on how well the design is executed. With this solution, it puts the emphasis on other things, and you’re no longer battling for the centermost spot within the space.
Call me a traditionalist, but I’m always team fireplace.
We love the way their coffee table fell in so effortlessly with everything else, without completely drowning out the rug beneath it. Just enough to be delicate and functional, without covering everything.
Jillina’s great grandfather was the driver for the Vanderbilts. As in, THE Vanderbilts. This mirror was given to him as a gift, and handed down through the years. WHAT.
She also had this beautiful secretary that was her grandmother’s, to tie in with it all. We love the way it works within the space. New with repurposed with old with fun personal accents are always a winning combo.
Texture and color and fun and character all come together organically for one happy family!
What’s your favorite element in this sweet family room?
Thanks so much for stopping by today. We hope you’ve enjoyed the eye candy- We love the way the space came together.
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And just in case you’re curious…
We don’t believe in the dream home, we believe in your home. And we can’t wait to help you discover it all over again.
The Handmade Home : Love Where You Dwell.
The Handmade Home is thrilled to bring both full on rehab and design services to our clients.
We offer in-person, full service design options, from a complete kitchen overhaul to a simple consult in your home on how to spruce it all up. Both nationally and locally in the Nashville area, we even offer a wealth of resources for our clients at lower costs, right at their fingertips.
If you’d like to hear more about what we have to offer for you {because the possibilities really are endless} please be sure to check out our design services page, here! While you’re at it, be sure to check out our completed projects here. We look forward to hearing from you, and we welcome the opportunity to work with you!
To read more about us, be sure to check out this page here, as well.
Have an inspired day!
Kelly says
Where do you plug in the lamps on the end tables? My furniture floats in the middle of my room and I love it, but I have nowhere to plug in lamps so that we aren’t tripping on cords!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Kelly! If you’re on a crawlspace foundation, it’s a simple fix with an electrician to install some floor plugs. We had one installed in our own house, as a final step right after we moved in and situated the furniture. This way it hides under one of our tables. Their house already had them on the floor. If it’s a concrete slab, it’s a bit more of a problem since the addition of one would include breaking up concrete. I hope that helps!
Sue says
Hi, love this house refresh. My favorites are the gallery wall and mirror. Love the bones of the house.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much Sue! Yes, it does have some great bones, doesn’t it? Hope you have an amazing week!
Alyce Booth says
Could you please tell me about the 2 sofas, please? Where they came from, and are they slip-covered? Really looks nice!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Alyce! The two sofas are some that they already had, and were using in a different way. We just repurposed them. They’re not slipcovered. I’m sorry that’s no help!
Suzy says
That is such a beautiful room! I just like the whole space! It is so open and airy. With the white walls & furniture, all the colorful items really pop!
Jennifer says
What did you do with the cords for the tv above the fireplace?
I feel like with my mantle the tv would be too high. Is there a general rule to how high the tv should be? Thanks!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I’m sure there are rules, but I tend to think of it always in relationship with the room. If it’s comfortable for you to sit on the sofa, and it’s above your mantel, than that’s a natural resting place within the room. Every space will be different, so it’s always hard to place rules on it without seeing the space… does that make sense? People tend to hang things too high and too far apart, with my experience, so I always err on the side of lower, when in doubt. When it’s hanging above a mantel, I place it closer to the actual mantel than the ceiling, for sure. They were also able to drop the cables back with the help of a pro who came by the house to set it all up- an electrician. Hope that helps! ;}
Ron Pickle says
Congratulations on doing such a great job! This is what creativity does in completely transforming the place for the better. You have very cleverly changed the character of the place, one that was dedicated to TV viewing, now it has become one of the part of the entertainment that the place can provide, more room to accommodate guests, to have intimate conversations and yes can watch TV some times also. I am almost tempted to sit on that extremely comfortable sofa with my legs firmly on the table and remote in my hand.
tanjarine says
Beautiful! Can you please tell me the name of the livingroom rug?
Kris Dean says
Beautiful, Ashley! I am in love with the family room rug, can you tell me where I can find it?