Interior Design Before and After: From Drab to Dream
Transforming Challenges into Timeless Design | A Bryn Mawr Family Home
Every project presents unique challenges, and for this Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania residence, those challenges became opportunities to create lasting beauty and function. Our clients envisioned a home that could grow with their family while still feeling elegant enough to host gatherings – a balance of everyday comfort and refined luxury.
Transforming an Awkward Space into a Serene, Spacious Primary Suite
One of the biggest hurdles was the primary suite. The existing bathroom was undersized and awkwardly shaped, with sloped ceilings limiting ceiling height and usable space. Expanding it without overwhelming the bedroom required a thoughtful approach. By borrowing just a few feet from the bedroom, we were able to more than double the bathroom footprint. The result is a serene retreat featuring a double vanity with a central makeup station, a spacious shower, linen storage, and a separate water closet.
Reimagining Layouts for Better Circulation and Family-Friendly Living
Flow and functionality were another challenge. The original layout left the dining room too small and the powder room poorly placed. By relocating the powder room to a more central area, we relocated the old dining room to where the breakfast room was located and converted the old dining room to the den and powder room – opened up space for a larger dining room while also improving circulation throughout the first floor. We also carved out a cozy lounge off the kitchen – perfect for coffee in the morning or conversation during entertaining – and redesigned the kitchen to be more open and functional. Note that we were able to relocate one of the original built-ins in the dining room to the perfect location in the new dining room (pictured above.)
Balancing Style and Durability
Designing a Family-Ready Home with Lasting Impact
While solving space challenges was critical, so was designing for family life. We introduced performance fabrics and durable materials to ensure longevity, while layering in tactile textures, curated artwork, and statement lighting to elevate the aesthetic. The dining room wallpaper has become a favorite detail – a soft blue pattern that greets guests from the entry and creates a subtle “wow” moment that ties the home together.
Turning Design Challenges into Timeless, Tailored Solutions
By addressing each design challenge with intention, we created a home that feels both luxurious and livable. What once were limitations – sloped ceilings, tight layouts, and restricted flow – became opportunities to craft thoughtful solutions that reflect both the character of the home and the needs of the family. This project embodies the Glenna Stone Interiors philosophy: timeless, tailored, and always guided by the belief that every challenge has the potential to inspire great design.
– Glenna
Check out last month’s perspective on Timeless Luxury Interiors for Wellness and Aging in Place.
Glenna Stone Interiors is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our residential interior design portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts in our perspectives!