The living room in our home was one of its biggest selling points because it was so large. We love to entertain, and it provided a great space for that. It also proved to be quite a challenge to decorate because I wanted the room to be warm and cozy to fit with the vibe of the rest of the house. It is not easy to make a big space feel cozy.
The Furniture
We started by searching for the right sofa. We knew we wanted a large sectional because it would become the centerpiece where we all gathered around for movie or game nights. Once we found that piece, deciding what other pieces we needed for the room was easy. As a lifelong fashionista, I had to laugh when the couch I fell in love with was from the Cindy Crawford Home Collection. With cushions made of 50% Down, it’s the most comfortable couch I’ve ever sat on. When my kids were younger and had friends over, they would all fight over who got to sleep on the sofa.
I also wanted a sitting chair that had character. We found a rustic cowhide chair that fit nicely into the reading nook area and tied in with the cowhide pillows. We purchased both pieces at Art Van Furniture, which is no longer open, but I believe Garder White now offers Cindy’s home collection.
Vintage Pieces
- Vintage Coffee Table and Stools – This is another key anchor piece for the room. I found it at an estate sale and had the stools reupholstered with a durable gold fabric. We use the stools daily as footrests while lounging on the sofa.
- Antique Barrister Bookcase – This piece holds special meaning because we purchased it from my husband Kevin’s Aunt Annette & Uncle Roger. I believe it was a wedding gift to them in the 1960’s. The books inside are all vintage finds (I love books with interesting names and beautiful prints/graphics), and some cool vintage trophies add interest to the shelf. The vintage globes on top of the bookcase are just two of six I have in the house…I’m a sucker for an old globe.
- Antique Edison Victrola – This incredible treasure belonged to my great-grandparents Reinhold & Hattie. It was a gift for their wedding in 1913 and is still in working order. It includes over 72 records, many of which are in German since that was where they both grew up.
- Vintage Artwork – All of the paintings in the room are oil and were picked up at various estate sales while we lived in Southern California. That’s why they all feature water and mountains.
- Small Wood Dresser – This piece was found at a consignment shop and was the perfect size for the space. I also loved the wood color and the lion head hardware. The two large drawers are perfect for stashing extra blankets to cuddle up on the sofa, and the two small drawers are just right for TV remotes, coasters, and lighters for the wood-burning fireplace & candles. The large green 70’s style glass lamp on top of the dresser was found at an estate sale and still has the original lampshade.
Gallery Wall
I love the impact that a gallery wall makes in a home. Since this room is the main family space, I knew I wanted a family gallery wall. It’s a very tall and wide wall, so it was essential to factor scale into the design of the gallery. The room is also filled with old pieces, so I wanted to match that aesthetic using vintage frames – it was a labor of love finding them. When I started mapping out the gallery, I felt it needed something large to ground and center the wall, so I went with a scrolled “R” representing our last name, Reed. This wall makes me smile every day because I love seeing all my loved ones in one happy place.
Special Highlights
Cowhide Pillows – I must point out these cowhide pillows that I had custom-made. When Beckie and I visited Antiques Week in Round Top, Texas, a few years ago, I picked up a large cowhide. I tried to make the hide work as a rug, but it didn’t fit our space, so I had it made into four large down-filled pillows. They add the perfect touch to the room and hold a special memory of our visit to Round Top.
Fireplace Mantle – Last but not least, this fireplace mantle is the most sentimental piece in the room. It was handmade by my father-in-law, Chuck. The wood came from a tree on the property of Kevin’s childhood home. Every time Chuck comes to visit, he says, “That is a pretty good-looking mantle you have there!” And it sure is.
Overall this room just brings me a lot of joy. It holds so many special memories, and I know it will continue to bring more. I treasure the wood-burning fireplace that gives us the wonderful smell of crackling wood and the pretty French doors leading out to the back deck where we entertain in the summer. It was challenging to decorate, but I know I got it right for us. The most important thing for anyone looking to design a living room is that you know what you want from the room. I wanted mine to feel like home, and it certainly does. I love it.
~ Jill
