A Bonus Room For Many Functions

Where do I begin, in describing this room? Its design and functional requirements created several challenges! As far as bonus rooms go, it is a smaller space measuring approximately 12 x 18 feet, and is a room the family uses everyday for a variety of activities. Reading, TV viewing, piano practicing, guitar playing and get this, a guest room when there is an overflow of company. And, as is the case with many design projects, this one came with an existing item that had to remain in the room. Sometimes these elements are small or easy to work around. Not in this room. Here the large sectional running the length of one wall and nearly all of another needed to remain in the room. It is in perfect condition, of high quality, and it just didn't make sense to replace it. Oh, and the lighting. The clients requested the ceiling fixtures be replaced as quickly as possible!




Before. With the large sectional taking up space on two walls and the double door entry taking up the third, the only remaining area to place the piano and media console was on the fourth wall seen on the left.


Before. Removing the large armoire allowed a smaller media console, in a style complimenting the piano, to be brought in. While I always gravitate towards symmetry and centering key elements on a focal wall, doing this here was simply not possible. Instead the media console and piano are placed side by side, with as much distance as possible between them, given the limitations of the wall length. A ledge is placed above these two key pieces of furniture, creating a bridge between them, helping the layout feel right. Also, because the ledge is centered on the wall, a sense of balance is created. Then, the gorgeous grasscloth is the highlight of the design. Without it the final result would be far less successful. It adds texture and interest and is another element that helps tie together the furniture and accessories placed along this wall.





A rug from West Elm brings in color and pattern while adding interest by covering the basic carpet with something more dynamic. Don't be afraid of layering area rugs over carpet, I say! Also, can you believe we didn't have to repaint this room? Luckily, a wallpaper was found that coordinated perfectly with the color the client's had previously painted the room.

Before. The original armoire took over the room and prevented any spacing between the entertainment function of the room and the piano. This created a cramped line of furniture down the length of the wall.




Before. With kids growing up fast, the toys were no longer being used and could be taken out of the room. This freed up space to artfully place the owners guitars in the corner and shift the media console further down the wall to the left, providing a little breather between it and the piano.



A painting by the children's grandmother works beautifully hung adjacent to the wall covered with grasscloth. The colors and texture are just perfect here.


The tailored light fixtures are a stunning improvement from the builder grade "boob" lighting. What is up with that and the fact they are placed in nearly every spec home?! While the space is small, the ceiling lines and height are one of the best features of the room. Hanging drum pendant fixtures accents and takes advantage of this feature.



Before. As I stated, the sectional needed to remain in the room, despite the client's wish for a more tailored replacement...someday.



Before. Changing pillows, artwork and adding additional lighting helps update and add function to this area of the room.





The client loves to read and hoped a small table could be found to slide into the narrow space available between the end of the sectional and wall, with a lamp placed on it for more light in this corner. The option we found fits perfectly, and with three shelves it provides a place to store a few items. The glass lamp placed here and on the piano coordinate well with the ceiling fixtures, providing a sleek contrast to the earthy wallpaper.



So there you have it! The clients love this room and I am very excited to be helping them furnish a wonderful beach house they have just purchased. Even better, our kids are friends...so lucky us! We are all looking forward to combining some fun trips to the beach to play while fitting in a bit of design work.