American Family Retreat
The interior design team was called in to create separate bedrooms for this family’s two young boys who were outgrowing their bunk beds in their shared bedroom. Having made no updates to the second floor of their home since purchase, it was time for a much needed face-lift and re-purposing of spaces.
For the boys, we were able to expand into an old nursery room allowing us to provide personalized, private bedroom spaces for each. Both boys were encouraged to pick their favorite wall colors. We generated a room branded especially for each of them. The classic American furniture also selected by each boy, plus art and bedding were specified to mature with the child while still being bright and youthful. Each bedroom is unique and provides extra storage below the beds for clothes or personal items. A shared bathroom was also completely renovated with new cabinetry, tile, granite plumbing, artwork and accessories. All closets throughout the second floor were updated with custom, modular shelving and hanging systems and the boys now have plenty of room for their own clothes, belongings, and still have room to grow into.
We also converted a relatively unused bonus room over the garage into a “lounge” for the boys. A sophisticated playroom was designed with the flexibility to adapt to the boys taste and needs as they mature. A game table, futon, new area rug, and a combination of shelf storage and built-in storage were added to a repurposed lounge chair, ottoman, and TV to create a fun, yet timeless room that the boys would be happy to spend their spare time in and double to have guests sleep over.
A fresh perspective was brought to the master suite by bringing a traditional touch of Americana into the space. Two family heirloom antique pieces of furniture were repurposed and artfully blended with new furniture, draperies, art, and accessories to create a comfortable space without feeling too new. A large traditional style linen press was placed in the sitting area to create height, add brightness and boost storage space. Artwork featuring botanical and aviary themes were placed to add points of interest and complimentary color. The new serene suite created a quiet oasis for the parents to retreat to at the end of day, or any time they need their own space. A comfortable lounge chair and ottoman allows for some private reading or laptop time. The new master bath is more modern in a timeless fashion. The new walk-in shower with glass door is a beautiful upgrade from the tiny shower and unused garden tub in the previous bath. A new large linen closet was added for needed storage and laundry baskets. The newly renovated master closet has all new modular shelving designed around the homeowner’s needs, creating more storage in the same square footage, allowing easier organization of belongings.
After relishing in a newly designed and furnished second level, this family was excited about our team revisiting with our plans for a partial Basement and full main level remodel. Our target areas included the Foyer, Dining Room, Kitchen, Great Room, Office, Mudroom, and Powder Bath. The existing layout consisted of an extra sitting room and a cramped dining room, window treatments were original to the home, flooring and wall colors needing refreshing, and the time had arrived for new furnishings throughout.
The designer’s flip flopped the dining space from its original location, making the adjacent room to the foyer the focal point and new Dining Room. Nestled along with the clients gorgeous wood dining suite, greens, blues, and golden tones enliven the room through new textiles on benches, artwork, a braided area rug, airy patterned drapes, and these colors harmonize with the displayed English china. A trio of iron and glass pendants and new black knobs enrich the room. A sparkling new black gloss piano sits in the corner, bringing promise of music and joyous occasions.
The former dining room-turned office is through sliding doors and features loop carpet, custom cabinetry, and ample workspaces for the family. Data outlets and undercabinet lighting give each space increased functionality and usability. Beyond the Office is the completely revamped Kitchen. A beautiful new custom cabinetry package was added for maximization of storage and this is achieved with a built-in pantry, roll-out drawers, and an enlarged furniture-style island with custom divided cutlery organization drawers. The gorgeous granite counters bring cohesion to the choice of dark wood and white painted cabinets set atop taupe porcelain tile floors. New accent and white subway tiles bring a clean and interesting backdrop. A new kitchen table and chairs in maple wood with a new iron pendant light create a perfect breakfast space for this tight-knit family to dine casually.
An important sightline for the clients was from the breakfast table out to the lake beyond the windows in the Family Room. These views are preserved and the windows are flanked with two-tone custom draperies that also accent the kitchen sink and bay windows. The Family Room flooring transitions seamlessly to taun hard wood and features a cut loop graphic area rug. The central fireplace wall was restyled with a new stained hearth to match the flooring, the fire box was refurbished plus new fireplace doors were added. Throughout the room, custom crafted furnishings and casegoods with an arts and crafts emphasis offer stylish comfort zones for each family member. With the push of a button, the entire room turns into a theatre, with motorized blackout cell shades, dimmable lighting, surround sound, and awesome graphics on a new 65” UHD TV. Artwork, new comfortable throw and accent pillows, and decorative task lighting highlight each sitting space adding gorgeous visual appeal.
The gorgeous tile floors from the Kitchen and Breakfast Nook flow into the Foyer, Mudroom and hallways, and the Powder Bathroom. The braided rugs are carried through this flooring at each landing zone with a circular braided rug in the central Foyer. New iron and glass flush mount and wall sconces illuminate the Foyer and a stunning arts and crafts leaded glass door system welcomes all who enter the home. The rich wood cabinets from the Kitchen are repeated for the Mudroom lockers, offering shoe, backpack, and coat storage. Floating wood shelves were added to a niche in the entry and in the kitchen with space for family heirlooms, china, and cookbooks to be displayed. Former door jamb measurements of the boy’s height were translated to bright wood rulers intended as artistic growth charts and these along with family photo collages, and a button collection collage adorn the hallways.
The Laundry Room moved downstairs to the Basement accessed via newly carpeted and painted stairs with clean and bright lighting above. New cabinets, countertops, and a utility sink plus sprayer faucet create a better designed solution to the laundering experience. The former Laundry Room was spacious enough to re-design the room for a Powder Bath and a custom wood cabinetry unit was designed for both storage and cat litter box hideout. New granite counters to match kitchen, white porcelain sink, brushed nickel faucet, a roman shade in matching fabric to accent pillows, wall sconces, and decorative bath hardware were installed. An over scale wood framed mirror hangs on one side and doubles the visual impact of this Powder Bath.
In the end, the family gained a fresh new American inspired space on all levels to retreat to for rest, relaxation and family interaction.