One of my favorite parts of the design process is uncovering a client’s pain points by really listening to what isn’t working in their home and then imagining all the incredible possibilities that could.
One of our current clients came to us sharing that while they had moved into their townhouse a few years ago, their living room still didn’t quite feel like them. The space was technically furnished, but it wasn’t functioning in a way that supported how they truly lived in it. They frequently host family—especially their granddaughters—and wanted the room to be durable, flexible, and welcoming when little ones were around, yet still feel calm, elevated, and restorative when it was just the two of them at home.
When a client tells us, “It just doesn’t feel like us,” our interior designer brains hear: the layout isn’t supporting your lifestyle, the furniture isn’t working hard enough, and the space isn’t balancing beauty with real life. This is one of the greatest benefits of working with an interior designer—translating those feelings into intentional, functional design decisions. It’s so important for a home to adapt to every season of life, and thoughtful interior design helps accomplish that without sacrificing style, comfort, or longevity.
After an in-person consultation, we determined that our Signature Edit was the perfect fit. The clients were wonderfully open-minded, willing to explore moving doorways, reimagining the room’s orientation, and even considering the addition of custom built-in bookshelves.
The Design Process
Our design team had an absolute blast thinking outside the box for this space. Ultimately, we presented three distinct layout options for their living room.
- Option One focused on simple yet impactful updates: reworking the furniture layout, adding built-ins along one wall, introducing a larger rug to better ground the space, and giving the fireplace a much-needed facelift.
- Option Two pushed things a bit further: It included a full reorientation of the room, building out and around the fireplace, and removing a wall to create better flow.
- Option Three was where we truly stretched the imagination: a hidden bookcase door leading to the laundry room. This clever solution would square off the space, allow for additional seating, and create a magical secret moment for the granddaughters as they grow.
The Results
I wish I could say the clients chose Option Three, but they didn’t.
Instead, they surprised us in the best way possible. They loved elements from all three layouts and asked if we could thoughtfully combine them into one cohesive plan.
During our presentation meeting, the energy in the room was contagious. There was laughter, ideas bouncing back and forth, curious questions, and so many smiles. The clients shared how grateful they were for being shown options they never would have imagined on their own and said that this step alone was worth every penny.
Those words are truly fuel for our team.
What’s Next
We’re now in the exciting phase of refining the final floor plan and selecting finishes and furnishings that will bring this space to life. Stay tuned as Jackie’s Place continues to unfold. We can’t wait to share what’s next.
