Modern Farmhouse Family room; Kara Paslay Designs

 This post is from my guest contributor Kara Paslay Designs!

Get ready to feast your eyes on one fantastic family room! Weeks before the makeover, I met with the family to discuss their particular design style and preferences. They, like many others, were not able to explain exactly what they wanted. But through a series of questions and inspiration photos I was able to figure out what would make the Dugan's happy with their home! I am calling their style, "MODERN FARMHOUSE!"

So, let's see what that looks like!

BEFORE

AFTER

Some key elements that had to be included in the design were: high contrast colors, an overall warm/inviting feeling, clean lines, and lots of wood texture and tones.

As you can see we painted the fireplace a bright white and then surrounded it with a lovely warm gray/green. That treatment above the mantle that looks like some sort of suede is actually a concrete overlay. What can I say. . . Tim and I are sort of smitten with concrete and all its possibilities! :)

The ladder serves to take the wood tone up the wall warming up the bright white as well as drawing your eye to the tall ceilings which makes the whole space seem bigger!

The chair rail brings in more of a traditional farmhouse feel, but the fact that it flows seamlessly into the mantle makes it a little more modern and visually pleasing.

As far a space planning goes, the room could not hold the couch, loveseat, large chair, and ottoman while still being wheel chair friendly. So, I got rid of the loveseat and moved the couch off the wall (where it sat 15ft away from the fireplace and TV) creating a more intimate area where the family can be close to the fireplace, television, and most importantly each other!!!

Because I got rid of the loveseat and essentially 2 places for people to sit, I decided a bench (which doubles as firewood storage) was a must. I also like how painting the bench white visually extended the fireplace making it even more of a focal point!

The family's computer was formerly in the parent's bedroom, which made privacy a problem! With the new furniture placement I knew I could provide a place for the PC in the living room. The new desk was created from an old wood door and some sawhorse style legs. In the future I envision the family using the shutter style door as a place to prop up pictures, to do lists, and more!

The first thing that came to mind when I pictured the Dugan's "Modern Farmhouse" family room was a cowhide rug! To me, it is the perfect balance of modern and rustic. A plethora of pillows bring in all sorts of texture, a little color, and a whole lot of comfort!

Although there are a few more finishing touches I would have addressed with a little more time (this was done for a charity on a two day timeline), I am pleased with the final product. And most importantly so was the family. Shari, the mother, said "It's like you were in my mind and knew exactly what I wanted!" In my opinion, a designer can receive NO greater compliment than that!

BEFORE

AFTER

If you look closely, you will notice that the scene through the open french doors changed dramatically! You can read all about that HERE!!!!

By Kara Paslay Designs.