I am very emotional writing this post. After four years (maybe 5?), this is the last room in my brother’s family river house. Working on this project has been incredibly gratifying. If texts are gifts (which they are), this project gave me too many gifts to count; I’m spoiled with rewards. Not every second was easy, but almost all of it was enjoyable, and I’m happy to say that our brother-sister friendship has grown stronger because of it (which is the real win here). So today you’re going to see their living room, which is actually a big beautiful family room, TV over the tiled fireplace, and everything ЁЯЩВ I love it very, very, very much.
But before we go back in time and get involved in the process. This is not a concise magazine; We describe the details in detail here, forcing you to watch the process in Clockwork Orange style.
Let’s go back in time…
Anne UsherThe architect, designed the house and did an incredible job. The living room has a huge fireplace in the middle, with windows on either side and a bench seat, creating symmetry that is really easy for your eyes to perceive (and be pleased with). I also like symmetry. It makes my mind very happy (which is why I could never buy one of those houses with odd angles like the dome). Symmetry also makes it easier to furnish a room. It should also be noted that I like clear and easy sight lines, so this layout worked for me.
As you can see, the living room opens up to the game room, entrance hall, kitchen and dining room. Maybe that’s why they call it the “great” room ЁЯЩВ
It also opens up to the back patio and has ample space for flow. She’s big and could have been laid out a million ways (keep scrolling for how I did it). white oak windows nearby MarvinWhich they bought after they moved into our mountain house (they’re so beautiful – oh my god, I miss that house).
My biggest design decisions were the fireplace tile and lighting. ceiling lights Chosen because they were the perfect scale for the room and gave the light we wanted while still being stylistically simple. While having really high ceilings may not be your everyday problem, if you count yourself so lucky, make sure your lighting is up to the size of the ceiling and you’re not looking at bulbs that will harm your eyeballs. These look like hanging lamps, with warm fabric shades that let in a lot of light (there are four of them, after all), but are never harmful to your eyes because they have a diffuser underneath. And the fact that we could adjust the drop to help bring the ceiling down (making it feel warmer, more intimate) sold us. They are not a distraction. They don’t grab your attention too much. In fact they are the perfect choice (she pats herself on the back here).
tiled fireplace
Ken/Katie, Max, and I all went to Ann Sachs, who was partnering with me on this house, to pick out the fireplace tile, and we were so impressed This three-dimensional, incredible tileWe knew it would be high impact but cool (Ken and Katie don’t like flashy designs) while still catching the light in a way that would add pattern and texture. This is really excellent. Now, we chose black because we knew they wanted to hang a TV here. We seriously debated the green color, but I felt strongly that if they were going to hang a TV on it, it needed to be black so it wouldn’t look too bad.
hanging a tv over a tile fireplace
I understand some of you may be annoyed by this option тАУ drilling holes in beautiful tile just to watch TV? Making the screen the focal point of your living room may seem like blasphemy. It’s a true designer’s nightmare…and yet I was prepared for it. I know my brother, and I knew he wouldn’t sit here on the weekend unless there was a TV on. He’s a former football coach! Could they have decorated the room differently to provide a blank wall for the TV? Sure, but they didn’t. And I, for one thing, am in love with the shared focal point, the symmetrical layout and frame tvI think it looks RAD.
My #1 goal with homes…
I believe in designing rooms to be enjoyed and used. I would never, ever, ever want anyone to have a beautiful room that has no real purpose and that no one enjoys. I’m an Enneagram 7 – I want everyone to be happy and have fun. I knew they needed a TV in here, and to be honest, there are times I wish we had a TV in the living room (Brian is adamantly against it which I appreciate). I even forced Caitlin to put one in her living room and she can’t stop thanking me. Putting together a room needs a purpose. It doesn’t always have to be a TV, but it can definitely help.
scenic doors
I wasn’t into these, but boy, are they gorgeous and work like a dream. Such a smooth and simple accordion, opens and closes so easily. where did they buy them Western Pacific,
final reveal
There it is тАУ a really warm, cozy, easy-to-live-in living/family room that is kid/pet friendly and still design-forward (isn’t that what we all want???). I am very proud of this room. It’s cool and calm, and yet doesn’t feel basic.
Like I said, this really is an easy living room to live in, as it should be. Look at those cute kids! My kids are so obsessed with their kids that living here makes it 100% worth it – having cousins тАЛтАЛgrow up with each other is not something I enjoy, but it’s always appreciated. Elliot and Kennedy are best friends (in truth, they prefer each other more than all of their different friends), and Charlie is Frank’s older brother. We feel very grateful.
hallway ceiling light , entry rug , game room planter
When you enter the house, on your right is the game room, then on the left side of the green carpet is the kitchen, and on the right is the living room. It’s extremely open and filled with natural light (like brother, like sister). I love this shot, and it really shows off Anne Usher’s skill.
sofa console table , small round lamp Big Bowl (No Longer Available) | side table , table lamp
The scale of the room is large so the scale of the furniture should also be large. The rug is 12├Ч15, the sofas are 108тА│ and 96тА│. You follow one of our sofas (otto), which is cute (I like the arm curve at the back), but there was too much extra room, so we added that ikea bookshelf To help fill it.
I love green rug Taking you to the river. It feels really cohesive and intentional (which it is).
otto sofa , coffee table , bowl , vase , side table
The kitchen is behind the living room, so everyone can relax and watch TV while cooking and hanging out with friends. coffee table Is from Crate & Barrel and is fantastic for scale. I love the peek at the stair railing in the background тАУ so beautiful.
burgundy pillow , stitched wooden pillow , ocher pillow , striped pillow , throw blanket , tray
Man, this house sings for me. Your eye is not trying to detect anything; It is very easy to calculate this. The kitchen is on the left, and the dining room is on the right. Such a dream.
oscar sofa , Blueprint Wall Sconce
Looking back towards the game room, you have a woman who appears to be very comfortable his sofa (Maybe because it’s rated one of the most comfortable sofas in the world??). I love Those Blueprint Sconces Which act as sculptures and glass doors that truly create a spectacular architectural element. shout out to $30 World Market Lamp (Don’t ever accuse me of being a design snob – I’m finicky, but not a snob).
burgundy lumbar pillow , throw blanket , burgundy pillow , silk pillowcase , wall table
I really love Our Oscar Sofa And otto sofaTalking to each other in this shot. They seem to really love each other тАУ both friendly, soft and welcoming ЁЯЩВ
frame tv Bench cushions, left to right: Cut Velvet Arches Pillow , Classic Cotton Velvet Pillow , Italian Velvet Pillow Cover , Classic Cotton Velvet Pillow , jet throw pillow , burnt green throw pillow
Now, I think a fireplace without a TV would be fantastic, but I think we can all agree that a fireplace with a framed TV above looks pretty spectacular. Don’t let your aesthetics hinder your work; Just find a way to make them work together.
baby barb chair , green pillow , side table , canister , floor lamp
I love this shot. The Baby Barb Is the baby baring loudly? It’s really big (a chair and a half), but I’m so jealous that Ken gets to sit in it every day. I am really a very good sister.
roman shades , pollack cloth Bench cushions, left to right: Gently Washed Organic Velvet , Cut Velvet Arches Pillow , Italian Velvet Pillow , Classic Cotton Velvet Pillow , Italian Velvet Pillow , throw blanket , side table
we partnered decorations More on the shades and curtains in this room, which I’ll write more about later, but it’s a great reminder that rooms can feel cooler without them. and a big cheer pollack clothes To create a fabric that brings the entire home together.
And presenting it as a tribute to Harvey. We all love Harvey, who cries and barks, but he’s the sweetest dog and only wants to be near his big baby, big brother Daddy Ken.
Ugh. It’s a wonderful view there. I can’t wait for the slider on this – we worked so hard and cared so much. It’s incredibly rewarding to see it all come together (and we shot this when we had all three green runner rugs to join together – now it’s one big, long aisle rug).
I’m really proud of this room. It is very comfortable, relaxing and interactive. It’s easy to move around in and still maintains the value of a home. Thanks for following along. This isn’t the last River House post (I want to decompress with you), but this reveal has been a long time coming. Thank you so much for reading. I really, really appreciate you. Ask all questions in the comments. xx
Oh, and yes, here are the before and after sliders ЁЯЩВ
Living Room Resources:
fireplace tile: ann sax
Bench: Custom
Bench Fabric: mackerel
Wall Color: Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams
Pendant: rejuvenation
Scones: blueprint lighting
Fake Tree: City Home PDX
Sitting area (sofa and chair): Room Service by Emily Henderson
window shades: decoration
by windows marvin windows and doors
Slider Doors: Western Pacific
floor: Stuga
*Architect: Anne Usher
**General Contractor: JP Massey sierra custom build
***Interior Designer: Emily Henderson (me!) and max humfrey
****Styling: Emily Henderson (me!)
*****by photo Caitlin Green
