Philadelphia, PA
Gathered Rooms
Finding a new expression for the heart of the home
A home that has held a family for decades does not change all at once. Rooms had been updated throughout the house over the course of the previous two years, and this living and dining room proved to be the most public facing of the transformations, the first spaces to greet the client and her guests.
The client hosts regularly and with intention. There is no television here. Music plays instead, and conversation is the point.
This needed to be a room that could hold elegant displays of art and symbols of refinement while also being a living room where someone could put their feet up. That interplay shaped every decision, starting with who actually fills the room:
Church gatherings
Neighbors stopping by
Grandchildren
Overnight guests
An annual Christmas brunch
For guests staying over, the room doubles as a warm landing point before the rest of the house, the place to arrive and settle in.
The existing heirloom honey-toned leather sofa was the jumping off point for the palette, with bright cream walls, brass accents, and a neutral rug anchoring the seating. Burnt orange and black-and-tan Kente cloth in the pillows and textured linen window treatments brought welcome movement to the room's grounding colors.
How We Approached It
“I wanted the room to exude warmth and a classic, lived-in elegance, and that’s exactly what Chris created. It’s an excellent place for gatherings and conversations, with a cozy warmth that just organically surrounds you. I’ve received so many compliments on it!”
A refined interior meant to be lived in
Social capacity was expanded with upholstered stools, a storage ottoman, and a pale sage locker credenza that introduced a coherent punch of color, function, and an elegant casualness. An organic-shaped mirror and deliberate art placement gave the walls intention. A wall unit air conditioner that had long occupied the wall was removed, patched, and replaced with a surface that can receive art and future room layout options.
The coat closet door was painted to dampen the contrast that had previously pulled the eye on arrival and window treatment height was adjusted lower to let the existing crown molding breathe.
The room is now a refined showcase meant to be inhabited comfortably.
If this is the kind of approach you want brought to your own project, get in touch
