West Chester redesign part two
Last week, we focused on the kitchen and breakfast room in our West Chester redesign. Part two is the big reveal for the rest of the first floor! The scope included the living and dining rooms, a home office, the sunny, bright entry, and a cozy, casual den. We really enjoyed creating a design concept that gave each space its own style, but had a feeling of cohesion.
Our design keywords for the project were “tailored” and “light” – the latter pertaining to maximizing natural light throughout. We wanted it to feel inviting and elevated at the same time, because home can (and should!) be both beautiful and comfortable. In the living room, the clients requested an fresh, airy palette as a change from the heavier, more traditional aesthetic they’d had for many years.
Living room – before
We centered our design on a mix of creamy neutrals, crisp pops of white, and shades of blue. Patterns and solids in the furnishings combine for visual interest, while glass lamps and a large mirror create a sense of openness. The most unique feature is a gallery of matted and framed custom vintage maps, each highlighting a place near and dear to the family.
Living room gallery wall
The adjacent dining room, now accessible through an enlarged opening, offers an elegant setting for holidays and dinner parties. We kept the existing dining table and chairs, although we updated the latter with deep, rich blue upholstery. The dining room’s only light fixtures were lamps on the sideboard, and it had a closed off feeling.
Dining room – before
Again, focusing on light, we added a polished nickel chandelier and coordinating wall sconces for both practicality and style. Paperweave wallpaper with a pattern of graceful circles adds depth and texture. Above the new sideboard, a sunburst mirror bounces more light from the bay window back through the room.
Dining room – after
The entry received a major upgrade with new hardwood flooring, floor to ceiling millwork, and fresh white paint that gives the space a bright openness. In addition, new railings, balusters and a new base post (along with the newly squared off the bottom stair) have a more sleek, updated style. The polished nickel chandelier here echoes the lighting in the dining room, and a new stair runner and area rug complete the transformation.
Entry – before
Entry – after
The home office off of the entry has a distinctly masculine style, but without a heaviness. Tall windows framed by custom drapes take advantage of the light at the front of the house, with a geometric glass chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. Two slipper chairs offer a place for conversation, while custom millwork adds a tailored finish.
Home office
Off of the kitchen (you saw a peek when viewing the bar in last week’s post), the comfortable den is a place for relaxation. This was not exactly the case when we first encountered it, although we saw the potential!
Den – before
Again, we went back to our key concepts and embraced a light, fresh, tailored concept. New millwork frames the walls and mimics the ceiling, while a lovely, classic fireplace design draws the eye. Mixed wood tones and neutral fabrics feel casual and inviting – handy, since the bar is adjacent! The grays and blues offer a soft contrast to the crisp whites. As with the rest of the first floor, custom window treatments are the perfect finishing touch.
One of the features in the den that we absolutely loved was the redesigned fireplace surround and hearth; the tile has a crisp feeling and the pattern makes it unique!
Den – after
What is your favorite part of our West Chester redesign? We honestly can’t choose!
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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning residential and commercial Philadelphia interior designer creating spaces that are a harmonious marriage of beauty, function, and lifestyle. Whether for a home, vacation retreat, or place of business, our goal is to design statement surroundings that express who you are. We encourage you to visit our website, view our work, and keep up with the latest interior design concepts on our blog.
