Redesign - Adding family heirlooms

When a loved one passes away, we are often left with warm memories and occasionally inherited pieces.  This home belongs to a client who recently received some heirlooms from her Grandmother.  Finding a place for new treasures and figuring out ways to incorporate them with existing pieces can be challenging.

This is the living room.  This is where the family with two small girls spend most of their time.  The antique dresser to the right belonged to my client's Grandmother.  In creating a design plan for the room, I wanted to position it where it would be visable.
The girls play in this room so it's important that the furniture stay against the wall to keep the space open.

Look at the beautiful crown molding in this room!  When we discussed paint colors, I suggested that they paint the trim and moldings a lighter color to allow them to stand out.  The color on the wall is already a warm neutral and painting the trim lighter will produce better contrast and the architectural features will pop!

These items on the dining room table are inherited tea sets, crystal and silver pieces that need a place to be displayed.

The Redesign:

Leaving the sofa on the wall keeps the space open and continues to take advantage of the view outside.  I placed the bookself that holds the girls books and art supplies next to the sofa to serve as an end table and still provide easy access.  The antique dresser fit perfectly under the window to the right.

I grouped black and white photos of the family above the sofa.  Displaying them together makes a strong impact.

In the dining room, I placed like items in the inherited china cabinet.  To the right of the window, I replaced the existing cabinet with another antique dresser that holds the silver.  Above this cabinet I hung a needlework picture made by the Grandmother.  My client showed it to me, hoping there would be a good spot for it.  It seemed fitting to hang it in this room, where most of the furniture and dishes were hers.  I love how the blue and golds in the picture compliment the blue dishes and gold on the dining chairs!

The before and afters:

This beautiful home has great moldings and arched doorways.  The inherited treasures look like they've always been a part of this home.  I'm sure they'll be enjoyed and appreciated by this young, growing family while their memories surround them!