Room of the Day: Downsized and Upgraded
Designer Kim Macumber’s family room shows that scaling down doesn’t have to mean letting go of style
Bryan Anthony
August 5, 2015
With three of their four children off to college, designer Kim Macumber and her husband, Don, decided it was time to sell their old house and downsize to a comfortable Cape house just down the block. With some clever rearranging, all of Kim’s favorite furniture and accessories found a happy new home — and the family room exemplifies how it all came together.
Family Room at a Glance
Who lives here: Don and Kim Macumber and their 4 children
Location: Sherborn, Massachusetts
Size: About 350 square feet (32.5 square meters)
Designer: Kim Macumber Interiors
Originally from Nashville, Kim has lived in Massachusetts for the past 11 years but says the colder weather is something she doesn’t think she will ever get used to. As a result, she has embraced the layered look to create a sense of warmth. An antique Oriental rug tops a large polypropylene-jute rug that covers nearly the entire floor.
Sofa: Duralee; armchair fabric: Greek key, Thibaut; red bull art: Daniel Maltzman
Who lives here: Don and Kim Macumber and their 4 children
Location: Sherborn, Massachusetts
Size: About 350 square feet (32.5 square meters)
Designer: Kim Macumber Interiors
Originally from Nashville, Kim has lived in Massachusetts for the past 11 years but says the colder weather is something she doesn’t think she will ever get used to. As a result, she has embraced the layered look to create a sense of warmth. An antique Oriental rug tops a large polypropylene-jute rug that covers nearly the entire floor.
Sofa: Duralee; armchair fabric: Greek key, Thibaut; red bull art: Daniel Maltzman
Kim likes to mix high and low items. The three stools under the antique drop-leaf table are a combination of both. The stools were purchased at Target and then re-covered in fabric by Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Schumacher. “We like to build puzzles together as a family, so this table gets a lot of use,” Kim says.
Drop-leaf table: Arhaus; stools: Target, re-covered in fabric by Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Schumacher; curtains: Thomas Paul, Duralee
Discover great drop-leaf tables
Drop-leaf table: Arhaus; stools: Target, re-covered in fabric by Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Schumacher; curtains: Thomas Paul, Duralee
Discover great drop-leaf tables
The living room has bright red lacquered walls with neutral-colored furniture; Kim took the opposite approach in the family room, with off-white walls and boldly colored furniture. The sofa is covered in a navy wide-wale corduroy.
The antique painting above the sofa belonged to Kim’s mother and helped to bring in a subtle Asian influence. The lamp bases on both sides of the sofa are repurposed Chinese tea canisters.
Sofa: Duralee; tiger-print pillows: Jim Thompson
The antique painting above the sofa belonged to Kim’s mother and helped to bring in a subtle Asian influence. The lamp bases on both sides of the sofa are repurposed Chinese tea canisters.
Sofa: Duralee; tiger-print pillows: Jim Thompson
Kim searched a large warehouse in Atlanta full of English antiques to come across the cabinet-desk pictured above. She uses it as a writing spot and display case for collectibles. She purchased the chair for $20; it was once used as an auditorium chair in Poland. “I found it on Craigslist and then drove over an hour to pick it up, but it’s one of my favorite finds,” Kim says.
Secretary: English Classics
Explore dazzling deskscapes
Secretary: English Classics
Explore dazzling deskscapes
While the fireplace is functional, Kim says it’s not often used, so she made it a more decorative space. An antique birdcage and a collection of wood candlesticks topped with green moss balls make for a pretty vignette.
Candlesticks: Arhaus
Candlesticks: Arhaus
An antique demilune table is topped with a bronzed statue, a collection of crystal decanters that Don uses to decant his growing collection of wine and a vase full of purple alliums.
The loving note attached to the decanters was written by Kim to Don many years ago. It reads: “If a kiss was a snowflake, I’d send you a blizzard.”
More
Demilune tables that bring elegance
See more Rooms of the Day
The loving note attached to the decanters was written by Kim to Don many years ago. It reads: “If a kiss was a snowflake, I’d send you a blizzard.”
More
Demilune tables that bring elegance
See more Rooms of the Day
Related Stories
Laundry Rooms
Loads of Function in a Classic Black-and-White Laundry Room
By Becky Harris
A designer incorporates expansive storage, a drying rod, a generous sink and a counter for folding
Full Story
Bedrooms
Soothing Whites and Grays Create a Refreshing Master Bedroom
Strategic changes help a California master bedroom go from dark and heavy to light and bright
Full Story
Basements
A Light, Bright Basement Inspired by Midcentury Design
By Becky Harris
Designers create an organic and airy feel in this underground space in Toronto
Full Story
Living Rooms
A Sliding Door Hides the TV in This Attractive Living Room
By Erin Carlyle
See how a designer transforms the barn door concept using walnut veneer and modern styling over a fireplace
Full Story
Before and Afters
100-Year-Old Craftsman Home’s Master Suite Lightens Up
A designer balances architectural preservation with contemporary living in this Northern California remodel
Full Story
Bedrooms
Warm, Minimalist Style for a Master Suite in Oregon
By Becky Harris
Garden views, built-in storage and nods to Japanese design contribute to a calm and beautiful retreat
Full Story
Landscape Design
Relaxed Courtyard Celebrates Indoor-Outdoor Living
Sliding glass walls open up to connect the living spaces in this Southern California retreat
Full Story
Laundry Rooms
A Warm and Bright Laundry Room to Welcome a Family Home
See the inviting vibe a designer created for this renovated Minneapolis room off the garage
Full Story
Kids’ Spaces
Nods to Nature and ‘Star Wars’ in 2 Boys’ Bedrooms and Bath
Bold color, graphic patterns and custom murals create a kids’ zone designed to grow up with brothers in Utah
Full Story
Living Rooms
Sand and Surf Inspire Look of New Great Room With Pacific Views
A designer renovates a coastal California living space to highlight its amazing views and create a chic beach vibe
Full Story
Great colors and design. Nicely designed, but still like a comfy home instead of a showcase.
The home seems so livable! Is there a source for the darling tiger pillows? I sure hope so!
Downsizing and upgrading is a fabulous idea as your children leave home and you can do what you want in your own home. Wonderful design. Love Navy blue couch!