Room of the Day: A Formal Sitting Room for Mom
Every detail comes together to give this mother of 3 the grown-up area she wanted in her new Southern California home
Closing on a new home with more square footage meant that Kelly Spielman finally had the space to have a grown-up, formal sitting room. As soon as she knew she would get this dream space, she turned to a designer she had been admiring for a while, who turns out also went to high school with her husband.
This plan shows many of the same elements that ended up in the final space: large couches, patterned rug, console table and large coffee table. Throughout, neutral tones and soft colors dominate the space.
The Spielmans were still in the process of selling and buying homes, and they didn’t have keys to the new place yet. This meant that Meddock got to step into the space only once while designing. She took measurements, and had to rely on those and her photos of the space to complete the layouts and purchase furnishings.
In total, Meddock’s design work came together in about 40 days. This included the formal sitting area, featured here, along with the dining room, entry, family room and master bedroom.
See all the photos from this project
The Spielmans were still in the process of selling and buying homes, and they didn’t have keys to the new place yet. This meant that Meddock got to step into the space only once while designing. She took measurements, and had to rely on those and her photos of the space to complete the layouts and purchase furnishings.
In total, Meddock’s design work came together in about 40 days. This included the formal sitting area, featured here, along with the dining room, entry, family room and master bedroom.
See all the photos from this project
The furniture arches around the coffee table, which sits in front of the fireplace. This view of the room showcases the color palette Kelly loved and that Meddock created. “I always try to make sure that it’s cohesive throughout the entire space,” Meddock says.
To create this balance of light, neutral colors, the designer made sure to spread the colors throughout the design. The cream from the couches also appears in the candlesticks on the mantel and the antler decor on the table. The coffee table has a metallic shine, which reappears again in the moose decor on the mantel.
Underneath all these neutral elements, the blue patterned rug pulls the room together, Meddock says. “I was in love with it, and I was hoping she’d be into it even though it’s a little funky and busier than everything else,” she says. “But she loved it, and it was a total win. It was the contrast we needed.”
Coffee table: Z Gallerie
To create this balance of light, neutral colors, the designer made sure to spread the colors throughout the design. The cream from the couches also appears in the candlesticks on the mantel and the antler decor on the table. The coffee table has a metallic shine, which reappears again in the moose decor on the mantel.
Underneath all these neutral elements, the blue patterned rug pulls the room together, Meddock says. “I was in love with it, and I was hoping she’d be into it even though it’s a little funky and busier than everything else,” she says. “But she loved it, and it was a total win. It was the contrast we needed.”
Coffee table: Z Gallerie
The couple already owned this wooden sign emblazoned with their last initial and names. Meddock didn’t decide to put it on the mantel until two days before the installation. To keep the focus on that personal piece, she framed it with farmhouse-style candlesticks, a shiny moose and a concrete pot with a faux plant.
Candlesticks and silver moose: World Plus Consignment; faux plant: Target
Candlesticks and silver moose: World Plus Consignment; faux plant: Target
Meddock especially loved her moose find because it gave the room a little outdoor feel, something Kelly’s husband, Pete, appreciated.
A faux succulent arrangement and antler decor adorn the coffee table. “We used synthetic plants throughout the house,” Meddock says. “They are great for busy people, and this couple runs a business and has three kids.”
The key, Meddock says, is finding high-quality faux plants. Furniture stores are her go-to place for these little bits of green. “There is a visible difference if you spend just a little extra money on them,” she says.
Faux succulent arrangement: C.S. Wo & Sons; antler decor: Magnolia Mews
The key, Meddock says, is finding high-quality faux plants. Furniture stores are her go-to place for these little bits of green. “There is a visible difference if you spend just a little extra money on them,” she says.
Faux succulent arrangement: C.S. Wo & Sons; antler decor: Magnolia Mews
A farmhouse-style console table hugs the wall next to the fireplace. This piece helps transition the room from formal sitting to dining. It’s also a pretty space for mom, Meddock says. She topped it with two lamps, which add extra light to the space and continue the metallic tones.
Console table: Urbanism Furniture; lamps: Magnolia Mews; glass jar and floral stems: HomeGoods
Console table: Urbanism Furniture; lamps: Magnolia Mews; glass jar and floral stems: HomeGoods
On top of the console table, Kelly displays books, beads and a candle.
Serving tray: HD Buttercup; candle: Target; beads: 503found
Serving tray: HD Buttercup; candle: Target; beads: 503found
The dining table, which the family already owned, sits about 6 feet away from the back of the couch.
Because the client already had a very established sense of her style and preferences, the dining table fit right alongside the newly designed formal sitting area, Meddock says.
Dining table and chairs: Pottery Barn
Because the client already had a very established sense of her style and preferences, the dining table fit right alongside the newly designed formal sitting area, Meddock says.
Dining table and chairs: Pottery Barn
Across from the fireplace and behind the formal room seating, an entry table full of cubbies gives the family lots of space to showcase decor and tuck away shoes. Meddock filled it with white elements, more faux succulents and a live orchid. Over the top, she hung a mirror so that they can look in it before dashing out the door.
Entry table: HomeGoods; orchid: Studio La Fleur; vases: Cost Plus World Market
Entry table: HomeGoods; orchid: Studio La Fleur; vases: Cost Plus World Market
A basket next to the entry table holds blankets and gives the kids a place to throw their jackets when they come in the front door.
Wire basket: Target; throw: 503found
Wire basket: Target; throw: 503found
This room, while similar in style to the formal sitting area, is actually the family room — the place the kids can take their PB&J. It features heftier fabrics, cushy pillows and a set of industrial tables. Meddock loves when a whole house has a cohesive look and feel, but also has different functions for a growing family’s needs. She achieved this by using the same neutral colors, hints of metal and faux plants.
Table: Coaster Fine Furniture; canvas wall decor: Urbanism Furniture
Table: Coaster Fine Furniture; canvas wall decor: Urbanism Furniture
The style continues in the master bedroom, creating another serene space for the adults. This space is even more light and airy, thanks to the large sliding glass doors that open to the outside.
Meddock added a mirror to the room to give it a metallic element and shine more light around the space.
Gatsby mirror: Office Star Products via Houzz
Gatsby mirror: Office Star Products via Houzz
The bedroom also has its own formal sitting area, complete with two chairs and a lamp. This sitting area is a bonus for Kelly; she already has her formal sitting space right inside the front door, and she couldn’t be happier.
Chairs: Urbanism Furniture; rug: Cost Plus World Market
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Chairs: Urbanism Furniture; rug: Cost Plus World Market
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Sitting Room at a Glance
Who lives here: Pete and Kelly Spielman, their three kids (Lucas, 5, London, 2, and Levi, 10 months) and their two dogs
What happens here: The grown-ups relax after a long day, and chat with family and friends when they stop by.
Location: Yorba Linda, California
Size: 224 square feet (20.8 square meters)
Designer: Summer Meddock, designer and owner of Meddock Interiors
A formal sitting area and young children don’t always coexist, and that’s something designer Summer Meddock knows all too well. She has three kids of her own.
“During our first meeting, we talked about the fact that the kids might slip away from the kitchen with a PB&J and get it all over the couch,” Meddock says. “She’d respond, ‘I’m good with it. I really want my pretty entertaining space.’” Kelly knew that the kids could learn this room was for the grown-ups and that they could instead scamper off to the casual family room.
With kids and mom in mind, Meddock worked to balance materials and finishes to give mom a beautiful space that could withstand a little kid contact. The solid coffee table and the leather chairs can easily be wiped down. The cream-colored couches, however, aren’t as resilient. “I asked her, ‘Are you OK with super light couches?’ and she felt super comfortable moving forward with them,” Meddock says. They ended up being one of the first purchases.
“It’s beautiful and enjoyable to be in,” Kelly says of the room. “The kids can be playing in the family room, and the adults have their own special place to hang out.”
Sofas: Zuo Modern Contemporary; rug: Refined Carpet | Rugs; chairs: Urbanism Furniture; curtains: Hobby Lobby