Before & After: A British-Inspired Family Room

This project was SO fun! My clients were open to lots of colors and patterns, which of course made my life easier and much more enjoyable. Plus, they’re awesome people! My client had been living in England for a while and collected some amazing treasures. The culture and history really appealed to them, and they wanted to capture some of that Old World British style in their new Hudson home.

For some perspective, here was the “before.”

Before Photo of Family Room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio Hudson, Ohio
Before

This family room is really long – long enough that I split it into two “zones.”

The Front Zone

The first zone (let’s call it the “front half” is the hangout space. My clients needed a large sofa for their 5-person family and also wanted a comfy ottoman to lounge on.

This sofa is 95″ long. The average sofa is between 78″ and 84″ long. The sofa doesn’t look that big because it’s in a BIG space. A smaller sofa would have looked itty bitty in this big room!

Long Sofa in A British-Inspired Family Room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio

I designed this sofa with my clients’ lifestyle in mind. The upholstery is a Crypton fabric, which is a performance fabric that is easily cleanable and won’t stain. I also added the nailheads around the arms for a little more style!

Sofa Pillows in contrasting blue velvet and some colorful Schumacher fabrics Family Room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio

Instead of the usual matching pillows, I used a contrasting blue velvet and some colorful Schumacher fabrics.

Let’s take a minute to discuss the gorgeous vintage wool rug. I’m a broken record with this, but I’ll say it again: VINTAGE WOOL RUGS ARE GREAT WITH KIDS AND PETS! They’re super easy to clean. The mix of colors is very forgiving with spills and crumbs. They don’t shed. They’re cleanable with water. And they last for CENTURIES!

Union Jack Table Cheetah Ottoman Vintage Rug Family Room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio Hudson

The ottoman is also a custom design. I couldn’t resist the blue cheetah fabric! The mama in this family loves a good animal print, so this is really an homage to her awesome sense of style! The acrylic legs add a little contemporary feel to the otherwise traditional space. And they’re just so fun!

Acrylic Furniture Cheetah Ottoman Vintage Rug Lindsey Putzier Design Studio Hudson

The fireplace across the way was a whitewashed, which turned it very pink. That’s my number one issue with whitewashing red brick: red plus white equals PINK. If you don’t use pink in your color palette, it’s best to just paint it an opaque white and call it a day.

Before Photo of Family Room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio Hudson OH
Before

We also added a new gas insert and some colorful accessories completed the look! (Yes, that left candle is crooked and yes, it drives me BONKERS.)

White Fireplace Vintage Rug Family Room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio

Here’s the transition from the front half of the room to the back half.

Blue Walls Cheetah Ottoman Vintage Rug Lindsey Putzier Design Studio Hudson

The zones are separated by a walkway that goes from the adjoining office over to the adjoining living room.

walkway that goes from the adjoining office over to the adjoining living room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio

The Back Zone

I also defined the separation by adding a second area rug to the other half of the room (this one my clients already owned and wanted to reuse).

leather chesterfield chairs, ottoman, grandfather clock, wooden chest, and art prints from England Travels Lindsey Putzier Design Studio

Here’s the back half of the room. This part of the room really only needed some finishing touches to shine! The leather chesterfield chairs, the ottoman, the grandfather clock, the wooden chest, and the art prints all came from my clients’ travels in England. I LOVE incorporating clients’ treasures into my designs. It’s a fun challenge to take what they have and fill in the gaps.

Think final touches aren’t important? Look how bland this room looks without art and window treatments!

Transition of British Inspired Family Room Space without Window treatments Lindsey Putzier Design Studio
Bland.

On this side of the room, here’s a rundown of the gap fillers!

Window Treatments

First up: window treatments! My clients are fun people who don’t take themselves too seriously (read: my ideal clients!!!), and they were up for an adventure with the draperies! These custom draperies feature a beautiful toile print with a Greek key-inspired trim. Because every drape is better with trim!

Custom Lampshade Chinoiseries Lamp Lindsey Putzier Design Studio Hudson

The fun didn’t stop there, though – we added a beautiful light blue drapery rod to contrast with the darker walls. And those acorn finials are a perfect complement to the highback chesterfield chairs!

Blue Walls Custom Draperies Lindsey Putzier Design Studio  Hudson

Fun Pillows

We added an assortment of fun pillows to the chesterfield chairs. See that French bulldog? My clients have one and she’s so cute! When I saw this French bulldog pillow, I knew they had to have it!

French Bulldog Pillow on Chesterfield Chairs in Family Room Lindsey Putzier Design Studio OH

My clients’ three children also love to lay on the floor to watch TV, so I sourced three floor pillows for them, which they store in the antique chest.

Floor Pillows stored in Antique Chest Lindsey Putzier Design Studio

That Lamp!

Well, I have a secret: that’s not the original lamp we selected. That cute French bulldog I mentioned earlier may have broken the first one. Oh well! Luckily, I have backups! The lamp shade is a custom design I created specifically for my clients’ room. An English-inspired room can never have too many patterns!

Blue Walls Leather Chair Lindsey Putzier Design Studio Hudson

Stay tuned for many more Before & Afters from this full-house design! Want some help with your own home? Contact me and we’ll chat!

Comments (16 )
  • Leslie Carothers
    | 23 January 2021

    Lindsey – this came out so beautifully! I really love the way you re-purposed your client’s existing treasures, and the way you cleverly stored the floor throw pillows for their children’s use.

    Beautiful work!

    • lindsey
      | 25 January 2021

      Thank you so much, Leslie!

  • Amie Druehl
    | 24 January 2021

    What a beautiful space! I love how you broke it up into two areas so nicely! And my absolute favorite is how you incorporated your clients treasures so nicely. THAT is what design is all about. Beautiful, cozy space…and I can’t get over that view through the room into the other…gorgeous!

    • lindsey
      | 25 January 2021

      Thank you, Amie! Incorporating treasures is one of my favorite parts of design 🙂

  • Sheri Bruneau
    | 24 January 2021

    I love the way you utilized two area rugs to define the spaces. I always love a good before and after, and your clients must be thrilled!

    • lindsey
      | 25 January 2021

      Thank you, Sheri! The two area rugs really did help the layout. My clients love their new home, and I loved working with them. This fell into the “dream project” bucket for sure.

  • Janet R Lorusso
    | 24 January 2021

    Beautifully done, Lindsey! I love how personal and unique this space is and perfectly suited to your clients! And I’m a sucker for beautiful window treatments – YES to trim!! Love the Greek key trim and painted rods and how you showed the naked room before and after adding window treatments and personalizing. It always makes such a difference and you’ve captured it perfectly!

    • lindsey
      | 25 January 2021

      Thank you, Janet! It’s always fascinating how small details really do complete a room!

  • Mary Ann Benoit
    | 24 January 2021

    Beautiful transformation. Love the cheetah fabric and the wall colors:)

    • lindsey
      | 25 January 2021

      Thank you, Mary Ann! I’m quite partial to that cheetah ottoman myself 🙂

  • Charmain Bibby
    | 24 January 2021

    Great job, I am married to a Brit, you nailed it!

    • lindsey
      | 25 January 2021

      Thank you so much!

  • Anne
    | 25 January 2021

    From one designer to another: THANK YOU for showing the picture of the room without curtains and art and then with them. It gave such a crystal clear example of the importance of both!

    • lindsey
      | 26 January 2021

      You’re very welcome, Anne! I agree that drapes and art complete a room!

  • Ann Porter
    | 1 February 2021

    Love the window treatments! Great transformation.

    • lindsey
      | 1 February 2021

      Thank you so much, Ann! Those panels are some of my very favorites!

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