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After bragging about my fabulous design skills to her mother in-law, my sister, who by the way is not biased or anything, convinced her to hire me. Her mother and father in-law have this really great room. It’s nice and big with  high ceilings. The perfect place to entertain guests and spend family time together playing games. 

Before we arrived at the house my sister informed me that her father in-law would kill me if I moved the Television, so that had to stay in place, and at first that was a real challenge for me. I wanted very, very badly to move it  from in front of the windows to one of the adjacent walls.  Once I finally accepted the fact that I was just going to have to deal with the TV right were it was I got to work.

Knowing that the family enjoys playing interactive video games in that room that require them to run, jump and swing virtual tennis rackets, meant they needed open space to still be able to enjoy those activities. I was also informed that they enjoy entertaining and where in fact having a baptism party in that room this coming weekend, so the room needed to be a good place to socialize and entertain. I set out to rearrange the furniture with those very important details in mind.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I adjusted the seating arrangement so that the largest sofa faced the TV at the same angle. I then brought the one lonely chair that sat under the window, not a part of any grouping, into the seating area.

The homeowners grandmother made this hand embroidered art work.  It previously hung above the fireplace. It was so high above the mantle that it wasn’t making the bold statement that an amazing piece like that should. I brought it down to the wall across from the fireplace and hung it above their buffet. I placed a few accessories on the buffet that incorporated all of the colors in the artwork and I really think it made it pop.

The desk that acts like a sofa table used to be against the wall. Against the large wall it could not compete with the high ceiling and the big open space, so it just got lost. Now it makes a huge statement. As you walk in the front door it is the first thing you see.

The hutch now sits were the desk previously resided.  Next to it there is an antique marble top table that I just love.  Above the mantle I hung this really amazing clock, but I forgot to get a picture of that. Oh, darn!

So, the best part about this job was the reaction of the homeowners.  Phyllis said she was going to cry and I think may have gotten a little misty eyed. She was so excited to have guests over for the party this weekend. Dave said that I really had an eye and a talent for these things. He seemed to really like the way it turned out, which is so awesome, because usually the husbands don’t have much to say or they just roll their eyes. Their daughter said that the room looked bigger. They all seemed pleased. What a great way to start the week!