Neutral, But Never Boring
How natural materials, quiet contrast, and a little greenery brought warmth to a light-filled living room.
All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew.
FROM BEFORE TO AFTER
The Mill Pond Family Room Remodel
Welcome to a dated ‘90s living room ready for its glow-up.
Here, a new family of four with two kids under two (us) tackles a dysfunctional, unsupportive family room. See what a thoughtful design eye and a good carpenter can do…
SOLVING A DESIGN DILEMMA
Plenty of Space, Untapped Potential
In every bad space there is some good. I think we can all see the problems in this space given the varying shades of pea green walls, elaborately detailed ‘90s fireplace, and complete and utter lack of storage. So, let’s talk about the good.
For what it was missing, this living space made up for with its generous windows, real wood floors, and an inviting open connection to the kitchen. There was so much untapped potential in the room. Which made it exciting to work on.
With virtually nowhere to store things in this vast space, our priority was investing in good storage. Not only would it improve our everyday life, but also our home’s value, so it was a no brainer. Framing out the elongated windows in custom cabinetry created a focal point and also brought in additional seating. A mix of open shelves, drawers, and cabinets gave the wall depth and functionality without feeling too cluttered.
The previously underused wall has now become an integral part of the room. It provides generous storage for all the things our family requires, along with a place to sit and view the beautiful forest out back. It’s a solid foundation that supports our own changing seasons—the hideaway cabinets that once stored baby toys now hold gaming systems, and we change the decor out for holidays or anytime we need a fresh view.
BEAUTY THAT WORKS
Everything Earns Its Place
The main goal in family-friendly design is multi-functional pieces with lasting durability. Unlike spaces that are centered on beauty, these have to look beyond decoration and account for where actual belongings will live, what little hands can reach, and how the room can evolve as kids quickly grow up.
A good design must account for all this and bring beauty into the equation. It’s not always an easy feat, but I think it was accomplished here with thoughtful planning and truly understanding what our family needed out of the space.
Swapping a hard surface coffee table for an oversized upholstered ottoman is not only multi-functional, but kid friendly. The multiple furniture pieces can Tetris into different positions, allowing for layouts that can accommodate gaming with friends, hosting guests, or Sunday morning family hangs. Soft surfaces everywhere invite the cozy connection our young family enjoys.
The most meaningful change in this room, however, isn’t any single color, piece of furniture, or decorative detail. It’s that the room now supports the life happening inside it.
BEYOND THE GALLERY WALL
Texture as Art
With the room’s practical needs accounted for, the large wall behind the sofa offered an opportunity to bring in something more expressive. Rather than filling it with traditional framed artwork, I created a gallery of baskets of varying textures, patterns, and sizes. The circular weaving form brings depth and movement. The abstract shape of the collection balances out the multitude of angles in the space.
On their own, they are simply everyday baskets. Turned 45 degrees and hung thoughtfully all together, they become a unique work of art. The piece is both collected and personal and is proof that galleries can be made of any collection of items.
The natural materials also bring warmth to the room’s quieter palette, creating contrast against the crisp walls and tailored upholstery without adding visual clutter. The room may be neutral, but it’s rich with texture and pattern.
GO ON A TREASURE HUNT
A Collection, not a Set
Gallery walls appear all over my site and have become a loved and integral part of my work. They bring endless possibility and expansive creative freedom with the variety of items, shapes, colors, and materials you can work with. Some even feel like a living art form when they’re complete and no two are alike.
This wall with its tall ceilings allowed for a bit of busyness while remaining true to the room’s neutral aesthetic. The basket on the right with its fun white frill edge launched this mini project and the idea to create a wall of baskets was born.
From there, the treasure hunt began. The next largest basket was found at another store, while the remaining three smaller were thrifted in store and on eBay. The hunt was half the fun, but seeing this array come together in person was an utter win.
Make Room for the Way You Live
Your home doesn’t need to follow a formula to feel pulled together. Thoughtful layers, meaningful pieces and solutions that work for your real life can create a room that feels beautiful—and unmistakably yours.
Let’s create a home that works with you, not against you.