Room of the Day: Living-Dining Room Redo Helps a Client Begin to Heal
After a tragic loss, a woman sets out on the road to recovery by improving her condo
Becky Harris
May 12, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
After suffering the loss of her partner to cancer, the owner of this condo realized that she needed to change her life and make her situation better. She decided to start with her home and, through friends, met interior designer Bridget McMullin. The designer worked with her client’s favorite things to lighten and update her home, create distinct spaces within its open plan, and maintain the traditional style her client loves.
“After” photography by Rich McMullin
Living-Dining Room at a Glance
What happens here: Entering, eating, reading, watching TV, entertaining
Location: Philadelphia
Size: 500 square feet (46.5 square meters)
Designer: Bridget McMullin
BEFORE: The front door opened straight into the large room, so the first order of business was to create a foyer. “There was no division of space and no sense of privacy from the front door before,” McMullin says.
Living-Dining Room at a Glance
What happens here: Entering, eating, reading, watching TV, entertaining
Location: Philadelphia
Size: 500 square feet (46.5 square meters)
Designer: Bridget McMullin
BEFORE: The front door opened straight into the large room, so the first order of business was to create a foyer. “There was no division of space and no sense of privacy from the front door before,” McMullin says.
AFTER: To create a foyer, McMullin designed a small wall for the spot where an armoire once stood (see previous photo). Its slatted design allows light to filter through. A new large mirror also helps bounce light around.
The marble-topped dresser, a beloved piece of the homeowner, provides a landing zone for keys, gloves and mail.
The original floors were a maple laminate that was starting to bubble. McMullin recommended an engineered walnut floor to complement the dresser. “It feels richer and more up-to-date, and was an important part of the project,” she says.
Mirror: Uttermost
The marble-topped dresser, a beloved piece of the homeowner, provides a landing zone for keys, gloves and mail.
The original floors were a maple laminate that was starting to bubble. McMullin recommended an engineered walnut floor to complement the dresser. “It feels richer and more up-to-date, and was an important part of the project,” she says.
Mirror: Uttermost
BEFORE: The dining table took up a lot of space. “It was too much,” McMullin says. “You don’t need enough room to seat six to eight people all the time.”
AFTER: She replaced the table with a smaller one that expands when her client has more than four people over. “Another thing I tell clients is that when they have a larger crowd, it’s easy to throw a tablecloth on a folding table you can keep stored away,” McMullin says.
To give the dining area a more distinct look within the open plan, she applied pieces of lath around the area and painted them. The chandelier belonged to the client’s mother. The painting used to hang over the sofa on the other side of the room.
To give the dining area a more distinct look within the open plan, she applied pieces of lath around the area and painted them. The chandelier belonged to the client’s mother. The painting used to hang over the sofa on the other side of the room.
BEFORE: The living room furniture not only weighed down the space, but was also uncomfortable.
AFTER: McMullin’s client leans more traditional, so they kept the rolled sofa arms, “but they are petite and thus more updated-looking,” the designer says. The TV is mounted on the wall across from the sofa. A new area rug pulls together a traditional color palette of reds, golds and greens.
The designer created a gallery wall using the homeowner’s art, but “I told her she needed a big piece of art to make this room happen,” she says. “One big piece of art completely changes the impact of how a room is received, and I knew that the colors and the vibrancy in this piece were ‘her’ as soon as I saw it.” The piece is traditional enough to suit her client’s taste but has a contemporary feel too. And it serves as a sort of window since the only real windows are along the back side of the space.
The limited natural light made new lighting crucial. Appropriately scaled swing-arm sconces add a nice symmetry and keep the tops of the side tables free.
McMullin was happy to help her client create a new feel for her home. “It’s time for her to take care of herself now,” she says.
Sconces: Circa Lighting; rug: Rizzy
The designer created a gallery wall using the homeowner’s art, but “I told her she needed a big piece of art to make this room happen,” she says. “One big piece of art completely changes the impact of how a room is received, and I knew that the colors and the vibrancy in this piece were ‘her’ as soon as I saw it.” The piece is traditional enough to suit her client’s taste but has a contemporary feel too. And it serves as a sort of window since the only real windows are along the back side of the space.
The limited natural light made new lighting crucial. Appropriately scaled swing-arm sconces add a nice symmetry and keep the tops of the side tables free.
McMullin was happy to help her client create a new feel for her home. “It’s time for her to take care of herself now,” she says.
Sconces: Circa Lighting; rug: Rizzy
Before Photo
BEFORE: There was no foyer, the dining room furniture was too large, and the living room had too much furniture in it.
AFTER: Now there is a foyer, bottom left, the furniture fits the scale of the defined space, and there’s an easy flow.
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To kristinanadreau -- Thank you! She had a huge art collection from her former, much larger home. It has been a constant challenge to pare down the collection. But she has given some pieces to her children, so that helped. And she has had to really think about which pieces she really wants to have around her. Not all pieces were so important, so those have gone into guest bedrooms and so on. I'm glad you find the space to look comfortable. It really is. So many people think that for furniture to be comfortable, it has to look like it is overstuffed with giant pillows. But the pieces in here are very high quality and super comfortable, even with the sleek lines.
Beautifully re-done! great article.