Throw Back Thursday: A Wide Open Family Room

Posted on by
A Family Room Done Over 8 Years Ago

A Family Room Done Over 8 Years Ago

Hello All! Happy Throw Back Thursday! Well that would only make sense if you use Instagram. I do, and you can follow me here! :-)

Throw Back Thursday or #TBT is an Instagram community hashtag where users post older pictures of themselves or something that’s dear to them – A blast from the past if you will.

Ok, so here’s my throw back aka blast from the past! :-)  The room pictured above is a family room that I did over 8 years ago. This client is very near and dear to my heart…..well actually that client is ME :-)

This is actually the family room in my current home (The 4300sf one that I am downsizing from, if you’ve been following my recent posts). Most of the furniture pieces here are from a previous smaller home I owned and I had to make them work in this home with wide open spaces and volumnous ceilings. Everything seemed so small in the room, so I got creative and brought in color! First I painted the room in a warm neutral from Behr Paints. I decided to use red as the accent color to cozy up and ground the space a bit. I brought in a beautiful large area rug and added pillows and accessories repeating the red throughout the space. The formal living room, formal dining, study, kitchen and breakfast room are all basically somewhat open to each other, so I repeated the red in smaller doses in the adjoining rooms.

Here is another view of the room

Family Room

 

This picture was taken right after we moved in and alot changed in this room over the years…. a sleeker TV set for one, taller (20′) drapery panels, larger area rug and taller wing back occasional chairs. I was just starting out in my business, money was tight and I had to make do with what I had and be creative. For example, the drapery panels were actually oversized rectangular tablecloths that I simply hung unlined. You know I don’t like naked windows :-) . I needed a larger area rug and so I saved up and purchased a beautiful oriental rug (not shown), that pulled together all the colors in the room.

Website Pics 005I created this vignette to break up the long hallway from the foyer to the family room. I did that red accent wall myself using a Behr metallic paint.

As you can see, my style back then leaned heavily towards traditional. With all the trends I follow, design magazines I read, courses I take, market events, and showrooms that I visit frequently, my taste has definitely changed and developed over the years. You will get to see much of my new design aesthetic in future blogs and videos about the new home. Stay tuned for that.

Ok, that’s all I have for you today! It was great going through old photos and seeing just how my design style has developed over the years.

What about you? what is your throw back memory for today?

Please don’t forget to comment and share, and of course, if you need help with your decor, contact me here

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon, Circa 2008?

Veronica Solomon, Circa 2008?

47 thoughts on “Throw Back Thursday: A Wide Open Family Room”

  2. Wow – I’d love to live in a place looking this stylish. I guess you are in a warm climate with the house being tiled throughout, as here in the UK I think it would be rather too cold to walk on (unless you have under floor heating) and I do like to be warm.

    Reply ↓

    • Yes Jacqui, I live in Houston TX where it is warm most of the year. I also lived in Florida and originally from Jamaica….see the warm weather pattern? Lol. I’ve been to England a few times (dated an army guy in Salisbury), and it was forever cold. Maybe that’s why we broke up :-) Just kidding on that last part :-)

      Reply ↓

  3. I’m starting to notice the colors matching (when I first started reading your posts I didn’t! LOL) …and I notice the white horses matching with the white fireplace, and the brown timber matches with the table… Pretty cool V!

    Reply ↓

  11. Orange, huh??? I wonder if your new house is going to carry into the orange family as well!! This house is stunning, and I know you are going to miss it. When I downsized about 6 years ago it was very difficult, but very cleansing for me. I’m so glad I did it, and I am sure you will be, too. I can hardly wait to see pictures!!

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks Tina. This process of downsizing has been cleansing for me as well. Moving to a smaller space has made me re-evaluate what is really important vs what is clutter. Not just physical stuff, but in all other aspects of my life…..getting rid of clutter! I am going the monochromatic route in the new space to give it a more open feeling, but I will definitely have some pops of my favorite…..orange :-)

      Reply ↓

  14. I actually liked that, It looked warm and inviting. I have been into homes where it is like a museum and your wondering should I stand on my tip toes or is it ok to walk normal, nevermind can I sit on the furniture lol.

    Reply ↓

  15. My throwback is that eight years ago I was leaving one career and moving into owning my own business. I spent my time in the office in suits and heels. Now, I’m often out in the field in jeans and sneakers.

    Reply ↓

  17. We took down all the wallpaper and painted, i need to take down the popcorn looking ceiling… That room and what you did was amazing!

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks Rob! Oh I’ll come help you take the popcorn ceilings down. Lol That’s how much I don’t like them. Sounds like you’re on your way to a full reno. Good for you :-)

      Reply ↓

  18. I have always loved the open concept. I would much rather be able to see all the way through the house than look at walls just a few feet away from you. These pictures are beautiful and very stylish. Love it.

    Reply ↓

  25. Veronica,

    Orange is one of my favorite colors. It just goes with everything. I love the look of an open feeling of a family room. It just makes it so homey I think. Thanks for sharing

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply