I designed a space for my Capstone project in my Interior Decorating Certification Program through University of Richmond, that ultimately inspired the name of my business — Harmony at Home Interiors. Drawing on nearly three decades of supporting individuals through highly emotional and life-changing experiences, I’ve learned that asking the right questions — and truly listening — is essential to delivering exceptional service. I brought that same client-centered approach into this design.

While creating a beautiful aesthetic was important, it was never the sole focus. Inspired by the home’s river view, I layered in natural textures — stone-like elements, warm woods, and tones reminiscent of water, sun, and sand — but always with purpose. My goal was to design beyond what the family said they wanted and uncover what they truly needed: balance, functionality, and harmony within a busy, multi-use space.

With children gaming, large family gatherings, a work-from-home parent, and bedrooms located just beyond the room’s focal point, thoughtful sound management became a critical design driver. Without it, the space could easily shift from lively to overwhelming. Every decision — from layout to materials — was made to support both energy and calm, ensuring the room could serve everyone beautifully and seamlessly.

Below, you’ll see how I approached this project by designing for harmony first — and aesthetics as the natural result.

For this project, we were challenged to design a 15' x 20' family room with a $30,000 furnishing budget, thoughtfully tailored to an active, family. The household includes a career mom working outside of the home, a dad who works from home, and three children (ages 13, 7, and 4) who love video games—making durability, comfort, flexibility, and fun essential to the design.

The family had recently purchased the home and was eager to remove the heavily worn wall-to-wall carpeting, replacing it with a more practical and family-friendly flooring solution. With a cat prone to scratching and a large, lovable (and slobbery) dog, all finishes and furnishings needed to be pet-friendly, resilient, and easy to maintain. Entertaining was also a key consideration, as the family frequently hosts their large extended family for gatherings and celebrations.

One existing piece—a 40" x 40" chest of drawers—was required to remain and be seamlessly incorporated into the design. During the consultation process, I learned the family disliked the dated built-ins flanking the fireplace, so they were removed. In their place, I duplicated the chest of drawers on both sides of the fireplace, using organizational bins and inserts to neatly store video games and family board games while maintaining a cohesive, intentional look.

Because the family’s bedrooms are located on the opposite side of the fireplace wall, sound control became a priority. To help insulate the space while adding visual interest, I installed porcelain brick wall tiles on the fireplace wall, introducing texture and a subtle outdoor-inspired element. For additional privacy and noise reduction, I added a door leading from the family room to the back bedrooms, as well as a second set of French doors connecting the family room to the hallway near the dad’s home office.

An existing alcove was reimagined as a multifunctional retreat—providing extra seating for large gatherings, a cozy spot for family reading time, and a comfortable zone for the kids’ gaming activities. To further manage sound while enhancing the aesthetic, acoustic slat wood wall panels were installed along the alcove wall, blending function with warmth and architectural interest. The result is a space with ample seating that comfortably supports both everyday living and large family events.

Lighting was layered throughout the room to support its many uses. Additional recessed lighting was added above the sofa’s console table, which also doubles as a homework station or buffet surface for family dinners. as well as a ceiling fan w/lighting in the center of the room. Task lighting was incorporated into the alcove for reading and gaming, along with a floor lamp near the sofa to create a warm, inviting glow.

For flooring, waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) oak flooring was selected for its durability and ease of maintenance—perfect for kids, pets, and high traffic. A leather sofa and ottoman were chosen to withstand pet wear, alongside a durable dog bed and a feline-friendly scratching solution. Layered textiles—including a wool runner, polyester, leather, and rattan accents—were selected for their resilience to spills, dirt, and daily life.

The overall aesthetic was inspired by the home’s riverfront setting, with a goal of bringing the outdoors in. Natural textures such as wood and brick anchor the space, while accessories like stone, driftwood, and vintage boat oars subtly reflect the surrounding landscape. The finished family room is equal parts functional, inviting, and adventurous—a space designed for play, connection, and making memories.

To fall within budget, the family and I discussed ongoing projects for add-ons such as a wool area rug for the space and electronic blinds for the sliding doors.