Birmingham Modern Farmhouse
Living Room
In the living room, as we discussed in person, I think that a credenza should be added behind the sofa. This will provide an anchor for the wall behind it and add a function drop space. I recommend using a lighter color wood (similar to the fireplace) so that it will contrast when viewing it from the front of the dark brown in the sofa. I like the one pictured to the left from West Elm as it adds that white element to modernize it and add visual interest. The one pictured below, from Dot & Bo is great in tone/has a modern shape.
A Kilim or vintage-style runner with colors/details can be added in front of the credenza for color, texture, and visual interest.
Drapes should be added from ceiling to floor in a navy or dark gray (similar to the image on the left). This would likely have to be custom as your ceilings are quite high. I know a seamstress/ upholsterer in the Detroit area who may be able to quote this out for us. This is the only element that I worry may put you out of your budget. It’s a good long-term goal if you can’t afford it now.
I recommend that a storage cabinet be added to the kids area in a similar tone to the credenza. This can be low with a place above to add a chalkboard (or perhaps framed kids art) like the one on this page or it can be a taller system with even more storage as pictured on the previous page (but the lower shelves super accessible to the kids). Another great furniture piece in the kids’ area to consider would be a bookcase from Land of Nod. There may already be plenty of storage, but these options are stylish AND functional.
Above the credenza, in addition to small styling elements to be purchased locally, I recommend a large-scale piece of art to be hung above. A mirror would also do the trick, depending on your budget/interest in the pieces. I selected a few examples to the left that I thought might be of interest. The importance with what you put here is that it is large scale (4-5 feet wide) and is visually appealing to you. If you do a mirror instead, again make sure it is large scale. I would get something in a metal or non-wood material to break up and balance with the wood from the credenza. I could source one locally at vintage shops and/or Homegoods for approx. $250.
Another way to add some layering and dimension is to add a couple of pillows to the sofa. They should be a variety of blues, grays, beige to blend well together, but the patterns can be mixed and matched. Nothing needs to be too “soft� since the rug on the floor is so cushy and texturized.
A variety of house plants (at least one large one) should be added. These can be sourced and potted locally.
I recommend putting matching table lamps on both side tables in the living room. The lamp should be a larger, substantial size base to balance with the scale of the furniture in the room. A lamp with blue, gray, or white/ crème are most desirable as they will contrast well against the wood of the tables and sofa. Blue pulls from the chairs and white/crème pulls from the rug. The shades (even though some here are a different color) should be white, and the base should be of an organic, almost pottery material to add texture and keep the space feeling natural. If you don’t like the idea of a pottery-style lamp base, just go with something clear and glass so as to not add too much or detract. Anything too shiny will compete in the space for attention.
On built-ins throughout the spaces, in addition to using books and baskets, it would be nice to add touches of both of your history and personality. This can be through photographs/trinkets or intentionally seeking out pieces that refer to the two of you. This can be done in a cheesy way (buying WalMart MSU stuff) or in a classic way by getting the classic shapes, but doing it in natural materials. See the examples here of some of those items. These can be found online and also locally at vintage/antique shops/boutiques. Oh, and that teepee on the left could be so fun for the kids and work seamlessly in your space.
Decorative Extras
MSU plays on coasters
Master Bedroom
In the bedroom, my biggest recommendation is to make the bed-side of the room feel more substantial and stylized. Currently the bed sort of blends into the color of the wall and feels just a little bit flat. One long-term way to do this would be to consider doing a focal wall on the bed wall (wallpaper or a paint technique). See a couple of photos below (for the concept, not styles); however, there is a lot we can do in the short-term as well.
I recommend changing all of your sheets/main pillow coverings/etc. to white and then layering with a few different throws to add texture/comfort. Some decorative throw pillows can be added, too, for visual interest, but is not a necessity. The white will make the room feel clean/ calm at night and energizing in the morning. The colors for the accents throws depend on your art choices.
I would recommend selling or donating the current lamps on the bedside tables. The scale is a bit small for the size of the table and the size of the room. Instead, consider adding two larger, more substantial lamps (any of the ones I recommended for the living room would work here, too, as they are in the right color scheme, made of organic material, and of the right scale.
Another way to anchor the bedside tables is to add art behind each side that coordinate with one another. This adds visual interest, color, and balances the space by making the scale larger/ more impactful. If the art you choose is detail oriented, consider adding thinner, larger gooseneck lamps instead. In this way, the scale is fine being a bit smaller because the art creates the larger impact.
Since the headboard doesn’t have a straight top-line, you need to be careful not to add straight-line art. This might be a good place to consider adding a collection of the round, decorative mirrors. You could also leave this place blank if you did the wallpaper focal wall as it would then speak for itself.
Lamp-style if you are worried about covering up the art beside each table.
The wall to the right of the bookcase can remain clear or one large-scale (possibly something more textile-related) piece could be added. West Elm has some interesting, modern quilts right now that could be interesting, but I believe that wall would be fine if left alone for the immediate future. The bookcase just needs to be styled & spruced.
On the wall with the television, add a large plant to the left and a floor length mirror to the right of the dresser. These two will balance out that wall and the mirror will add daily function. Finally, consider adding custom drapes to this room, too, in a gray or blue tone. It will add warmth, height, and an additional function to the room.
Basement
In the basement, the biggest challenge is getting a layout you feel comfortable with. Again, if we keep it more closed off (how you had it originally), I recommend adding some texture/color via a rug to the floor to break up the space a bit (since visually it created two separate sections). Regardless, some art or mirrors need to be added to the empty
walls on either side of the built-ins. I recommend a two-piece element on one side and a large scale piece on the other side. Consider something like this large Detroit piece on canvas. A lot of look for a good price. Also, consider playing of the Spartans by using green tones in the art.
Example of layering a rug on carpet
A table and lamp should be added between the two gray chairs for function/balance. Again, refer to the lamp selections provided in the living room lamp recommendations. These all blend well together. Homegoods is again, a local, inexpensive place to source nice/designer lamps. This is something I could source locally. I would also hold off on the table selection until we get the layout how you want it. It should be something wood, though (round or square will be dependent on the layout).
On the far part of the left wall, as we discussed in person, a vignette with a dresser or credenza (something with some character) should be added with a mirror above. It’s a nice “landing” space and will create some interest in the room. A tray or decorative elements can be styled on top. A piece of art should be added above the bar-height table and to the right of the bar. Perhaps the MSU piece above the table? Pillows/throws should be added for interest/comfort, and the largest challenge will be filling/styling the shelves. This can be done locally with a budget for books, baskets, personal trinkets. Some of the trinkets can also be sourced online. See some of the photos/ links provided for items that could be personal to the two of you (involving your university pride, interests, etc.) but it a more classic, decorative way. Again, much of the shelving items can be sourced locally, we’d just need to address budget. See “Decorative Extras” for some example elements.
Dining & Office/Sitting Room
In the dining room, I think you should add two to three pieces of art you already have to the wall that lines the kitchen. I can help identify which sizes/styles look best here. On the wall you see right when you look in, one large scale piece should be added. This will create a nice visual vocal point. I recommend it be something abstract and feel organic to offset the framed pieces of the adjoining walls. Perhaps you consider investing in this piece as it’s the largest and one of the first things you see? I know a number of artists we could get quotes from. In the office, the main element to focus on is the built-in wall. I recommend adding a large scale piece of art from Minted and then style the bookcase with baskets, books, and decorative elements. Again, this can be sourced locally but we’d just have to identify the budget and I can go out and pick-up.
A few “office” accessories can be added to the desktop- paper tray, lamp, etc. These can be a mix of brass and clear acrylic as to not look too cluttered with the bookcases in the back.
Add a mirror above the fireplace to break up the amount of artwork happening in the rest of the space. This can be sourced online (see examples, but Homegoods often has some affordable pieces at a large-scale. This might be worth sourcing locally. It should definitely be rectangle in shape (to make sure we cover the outlets) and brass or wood. Finally, it’s not a huge deal, but the scale of the sconces in the office are kind of small. Are you open to changing those out? No worries if not, they aren’t an eye sore or anything, just could be more impactful.
So, what’s next?
Whew! That was a lot of information. Now that you have seen the inspiration/recommendations, soak it all in. Let me know if you have any questions. After processing the information, please do the following: ü Take note of what you like and don’t like from each section ü Highlight on the spreadsheet what you’re interested in purchasing right away and I can get better pricing from The Shopping List via Homepolish. ü Schedule a time to discuss with me your likes, dislikes, and final planning (especially what I should be sourcing locally- have a budget for this in mind) ü Finally, remember that this is the starting off point. We can refine due to budget or taste. Remember that the WHY is more important than the WHAT. Can’t wait to hear from you! Hopefully we are on the right track. I can’t wait to see your spaces come together.
Kelley Howley Senior Designer