Several months ago, we started working on this project in Colleyville, Texas. My client has lived in this home for a long time and has raised her kids here. However, they are all moving away now and she decided it was time to update it.

BEFORE

The client used her formal living space as her office. She decided she didn't like the way her office was the first thing you saw when you walked in her house and needed something to change. I suggested we move her office upstairs to the game room and recommended we make her formal living space a sitting room.

BEFORE

AFTER

A sitting room is a place that lends itself to morning coffee, evening cocktails and romantic evenings. I've found that if you want a space that people actually want to go into, it needs to be welcoming and a place that encourages gathering. Who wants a space that is so formal that nobody wants to enjoy it. As you know, relaxed interiors are my favorite! The live edge teak coffee table adds that unexpected texture and is the star of the room.

The client had the buffet and I decided it could still be used in our newly decorated space. We just made it more of the focal point in the room. We had the one wall painted a dark navy to create a nice mood in the room. The client will be adding wood floors to this room eventually so we added a nice gray and black vintage rug to the space. The four comfy velvet chairs are perfect for conversation.

Artwork by Mary Howe

The artwork above the buffet creates height in the space and adds the color the client wanted. The oversized gold lamps really work beautifully with the round side tables between the chairs.

Ruthie tip: Make sure your lamps are substantial enough with the art you place with it. Scale is so important in great design. We all know how to pick a gorgeous lamp, however, having a designer eye to help you with the scale is so important.

The draperies add the blue and white that the client really loves. Blown glass collections are scattered throughout her home and we stole pieces from her master bedroom and placed them in her newly decorated spaces to add some personality and style.

A gorgeous wool throw brings in texture and unites the blue and white.

BEFORE

The entry had no personality at all. She really wanted it to be colorful and requested blown glass lamps!

AFTER

Looks amazing now, right? Lots of color and still has a peaceful vibe to it. I just loved the live fig tree that was in the master bedroom and brought it into the entry because it just needed to be there. It adds that splash of green and keeps the space looking alive.

BEFORE

Each side of the front door, in the entry, had these blank spaces that needed something grand. We decided to do matching vignettes on eachside of the door.