Playful, blue, and practical were the design directives for this family-friendly home.
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Small transitional open concept light wood floor family room photo in Charlotte with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv

Side view of a recently styled family room complete with stone fireplace and wood mantel, medium wood custom built-ins, sofa and chairs, black console table with white table lamps, traverse rod window treatments and exposed beams in Charlotte, NC.

Mathew and his team at Cummings Architects have a knack for being able to see the perfect vision for a property. They specialize in identifying a building’s missing elements and crafting designs that simultaneously encompass the large scale, master plan and the myriad details that make a home special. For this Winchester home, the vision included a variety of complementary projects that all came together into a single architectural composition. Starting with the exterior, the single-lane driveway was extended and a new carriage garage that was designed to blend with the overall context of the existing home. In addition to covered parking, this building also provides valuable new storage areas accessible via large, double doors that lead into a connected work area. For the interior of the house, new moldings on bay windows, window seats, and two paneled fireplaces with mantles dress up previously nondescript rooms. The family room was extended to the rear of the house and opened up with the addition of generously sized, wall-to-wall windows that served to brighten the space and blur the boundary between interior and exterior. The family room, with its intimate sitting area, cozy fireplace, and charming breakfast table (the best spot to enjoy a sunlit start to the day) has become one of the family’s favorite rooms, offering comfort and light throughout the day. In the kitchen, the layout was simplified and changes were made to allow more light into the rear of the home via a connected deck with elongated steps that lead to the yard and a blue-stone patio that’s perfect for entertaining smaller, more intimate groups. From driveway to family room and back out into the yard, each detail in this beautiful design complements all the other concepts and details so that the entire plan comes together into a unified vision for a spectacular home. Photos By: Eric Roth

Photo Credit: Dan St. John
Example of a cottage medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in Boston with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and beige walls

Photography by Grace Laird Photography
Living room - large cottage enclosed living room idea in Houston

The Craftsman shiplap continues into the Living Room/Great room, providing a relaxed, yet finished look on the walls. The built-in's provide space for storage, display and additional seating, helping to make this space functional and flexible.

The family room was conceived as a double-height architectural volume anchored by a monolithic stone fireplace and integrated millwork niches. Ceiling pitch, vertical planes, and material transitions were addressed during the design selection phase to ensure the scale of the architecture remained balanced once furnished. Soft, low-profile seating was selected to maintain clear sightlines across the room while allowing the fireplace surround and wood-lined alcoves to remain the primary focal elements. The furniture plan creates a structured conversational arrangement without interrupting circulation or visual flow. Textural layering — woven upholstery, stone, wood paneling, and subtle metal accents — reinforces warmth within the height and openness of the space. The result is a family room that reads as composed architecture first, furnishing second: grounded, scaled, and designed to support both gathering and daily use without visual noise.

Family room includes access from driveway, fireplace, bookcases and TV. It has a rustic campy character with forest scene fabrics and canoe feature tiles in fireplace. Wide cased opening makes for easy communication with "kitchen staff." Photo by David Whelan

This four-story Victorian revival was amazing to see unfold; from replacing the foundation, building out the 1st floor, hoisting structural steel into place, and upgrading to in-floor radiant heat. This gorgeous “Old Lady” got all the bells and whistles. This quintessential Victorian presented itself with all the complications imaginable when bringing an early 1900’s home back to life. Our favorite task? The Custom woodwork: hand carving and installing over 200 florets to match historical home details. Anyone would be hard-pressed to see the transitions from existing to new, but we invite you to come and try for yourselves!

The focal point of this beautiful family room is the bookmatched marble fireplace wall. A contemporary linear fireplace and big screen TV provide comfort and entertainment for the family room, while a large sectional sofa and comfortable chaise provide seating for up to nine guests. Lighted LED bookcase cabinets flank the fireplace with ample storage in the deep drawers below. This family room is both functional and beautiful for an active family.

Interior design by Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living. Photography by Laura Hull.
Example of a large classic enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor family room design in San Francisco with a wall-mounted tv, green walls and no fireplace

Everyone deserves to end the day in a comfortable, tranquil home. And for those with children, it can seem impossible to reconcile the challenges of family life with the need to have a well-designed space. Our client—a financial executive and her family of four—had not considered a design makeover since moving into their apartment, which was more than ten years ago. So when she reached out to Decor Aid, she asked us to modernize and brighten her home, in addition to creating a space for her family to hang out and relax. The apartment originally featured sunflower-yellow walls and a set of brown suede living room furniture, all of which significantly darkened the space. The living room also did not have sufficient seating options, so the client was improvising seating arrangements when guests would come over. With no outward facing windows, the living room received little natural light, and so we began the redesign by painting the walls a classic grey, and adding white crown molding. As a pathway from the front door to the kitchen, the living room functions as a high-traffic area of the home. So we sourced a geometric indoor-outdoor area rug, and established a layout that’s easy to walk through. We also sourced a coffee table from Serena & Lily. Our client has teenage twins, and so we sourced a sturdy sectional couch from Restoration Hardware, and placed it in a corner which was previously being underused. We hired an electrician to hide all of the cables leading to the media console, and added custom window treatments. In the kitchen, we painted the cabinets a semi-gloss white, and added slate flooring, for a clean, crisp, modern look to match the living room. The finishing touches included a set of geometric table objects, comfortable throw rugs, and plush high-shine pillows. The final result is a fully functional living room for this family of four.

Large Family Room with adjacent Sun Room and open to expansive Kitchen.
Living room - large cottage open concept medium tone wood floor, brown floor and coffered ceiling living room idea in Chicago with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Sophisticated and inviting family room designed for a male client. Custom designed cherry media cabinet, rustic mantel, and concrete fireplace wall draw your eye right toward the beautiful lake view. Roy Weinstein & Ken Kast Photography

The Parkgate was designed from the inside out to give homage to the past. It has a welcoming wraparound front porch and, much like its ancestors, a surprising grandeur from floor to floor. The stair opens to a spectacular window with flanking bookcases, making the family space as special as the public areas of the home. The formal living room is separated from the family space, yet reconnected with a unique screened porch ideal for entertaining. The large kitchen, with its built-in curved booth and large dining area to the front of the home, is also ideal for entertaining. The back hall entry is perfect for a large family, with big closets, locker areas, laundry home management room, bath and back stair. The home has a large master suite and two children's rooms on the second floor, with an uncommon third floor boasting two more wonderful bedrooms. The lower level is every family’s dream, boasting a large game room, guest suite, family room and gymnasium with 14-foot ceiling. The main stair is split to give further separation between formal and informal living. The kitchen dining area flanks the foyer, giving it a more traditional feel. Upon entering the home, visitors can see the welcoming kitchen beyond. Photographer: David Bixel Builder: DeHann Homes

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   We went with a minimalist, clean, industrial look that feels light, bright and airy. The island is a dark charcoal with cool undertones that coordinates with the cabinetry and transom work in both the neighboring mudroom and breakfast area. White subway tile, quartz countertops, white enamel pendants and gold fixtures complete the update. The ends of the island are shiplap material that is also used on the fireplace in the next room. In the new mudroom, we used a fun porcelain tile on the floor to get a pop of pattern, and walnut accents add some warmth. Each child has their own cubby, and there is a spot for shoes below a long bench. Open shelving with spots for baskets provides additional storage for the room. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

A custom built room for LEGO storage also provides a backdrop for a Media Room and a nearby bar. John Wilbanks Photography
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