And a perfectly designed and pulled-together room, with all the bells and whistles, can jump-start the design process by giving homeowners a sense of completion and motivating them to move from room to room with a clear style and vision.
I loved working with this couple. Like me, they appreciate a neutral palette and plenty of texture to add interest. I started with the paper accent on the fireplace wall. Having this wallcovering in my office, I knew it would be dramatic yet not so busy that designing around it would be hard. I was asked to style the bookcases, which were filled with children’s toys. The couple wanted this room to be family-friendly and accommodate their day-to-day lives, so we had to come up with a creative solution.
We decided to remove china that was not used regularly and replace it with storage baskets for the toys. The sofa and chaise combo, along with the leather coffee table, were our big purchases and set the tone for the room’s 
design. We went with comfortable, kid-friendly fabrics. A subtle pattern on the sofa complements the texture of the coffee table, while the hide XO pillows sitting atop the sofa give the space even more texture and whimsy.
It’s often hard to find the perfect-sized rug for a room. This one was custom cut to fit the space and adds another layer of texture and pattern. Keep in mind that when you have small kids, a patterned rug is better at hiding stains and flaws. The two flanking chairs have a unique pattern on the backs and sides. A small horn-and-onyx table sits nearby and is paired with a wood and boucle upholstered accent stool, which can be moved around the space.
Now that the design of this room is complete, I cannot wait to move on to other rooms. It’s a slippery slope.
BETH CONANT-KEIM is the owner of LUCY AND COMPANY, a full-service interior design firm located at
2108 South Boulevard, Suite 213. For more information, visit LUCYANDCOMPANY.COM or call 704-342-6655.