A Cozy, Welcoming Den Reveal

I’ve teased this reveal for a long time and am so excited to finally share the first few photos of our #stylinggypsypartdeux project here on the blog.  I’ll always hold this project close, as my wonderful clients were willing to put their trust in me shortly after I started this business and it has been such a rewarding, collaborative experience ever since.

When I first came onto the project, the homeowners were just wrapping up an extensive whole home renovation. While a lot of the major design decisions (kitchens, baths & hard finishes) were already made, there was a bit of design fatigue when it came to actually furnishing the home and deciding on the decorative touches.

Almost all of the spaces of the main floor open to each other, so it was important to settle on a cohesive look and feel for the whole floor. This allowed each room to have its own defined aesthetic & function, while still able to flow effortlessly into the adjoining rooms. This was especially important for the den space, which is open to many parts of the home unlike a traditional den that is typically more separate and closed off.

Taking cues from the beautifully designed kitchen & fireplace, which were completed before I came on board, our goal was to carve out an inviting, cozy nook in the middle of a large open space that set the tone for the entire first floor.

We floated the furniture in the room and grouped the seating area close around the fireplace to define the space and create that close, intimate feeling you get in a typical den.  We opted for a traditional, clean-lined sofa in a heathered blue herringbone fabric to play on the wallpaper that had already been chosen in the adjacent dining room and bring in a soft, subtle texture. 

One of my favorite things to do when designing a room is to play with a mix of styles, so the room never feels too singular or set in one dominant style.  To me, it’s the secret ingredient to creating a timeless design that you won’t tire of in a few years.  In this space, the traditional sofa is balanced with earthy textiles and a contemporary white & metal accent chair, which all balance out the more rustic features in the kitchen and the mantel on the fireplace.  The glass coffee table was from my clients’ previous home and was the perfect look and size for the den area – proof that shopping your own home and using something you already have in a different way can be just as satisfying as buying all new furniture.  

Another example of this was the existing art that my clients had.   Larger scale art is great for a big blank wall space when you don’t want the heaviness of additional furniture and the artwork really worked perfectly in this area of the home.  I love how the warmer tones balance the cool blues and that little pop of rust in the larger print carries in the color story from the adjacent family room (you can catch a glimpse of that space here).  I also love the peek of the gorgeous chandelier we picked for the dining room – again that perfect blend of fresh & current and traditional & timeless.  

This corner of the den just might be my favorite moment in the room.  There is just something about this gorgeous chair – and it is so comfortable too!  Pretty early on in the design process we settled on a camel color for whatever chair would end up here.  We debated a few other options, including a more traditional wingback style, before finding this perfect fit.  I love the subtle curves and simple horizontal channel detail.  And this color brings so much warmth and really shines in the soft, velvet upholstery.

We discussed a few different ways to fill out the space above the chair and the gallery wall is the perfect addition.  After all, what good is a beautiful design if it doesn’t reflect the family that lives in it?  Kudos to my client for executing it so beautifully – gallery walls can be so tricky, especially when you are mixing frame sizes and finishes.  

I’m firmly in the camp of “less is more” when it comes to mantel styling.  We could have added art or a small mirror, but the simple styling lets the fireplace elements really stand out.  From the tile, the wood mantel and shiplap detail, I was lucky to have such a beautiful statement already in place to work around.  

Another styling tip is the throw on the back of the sofa.  This is one of my go-to tricks for bringing some interest when the back of a sofa is visible in a room and there is no room for a console table behind it.  

This project has been a true collaboration with my clients and I feel so lucky to still be working with them to add those thoughtful and personal touches that make this house their home.   I can’t wait to share more of this stunning home with you soon!