Oh happy day! Abbey sent us her beautiful mood board after-photos, and we’re excited to share them. Her room is a great reminder that you don’t need a dramatic color change or a big-budget overhaul to achieve a refreshed, polished look. A few well-chosen pieces, a slightly richer wall tone, and some thoughtful accessories can transform a space. Here’s the note she sent:
I’m finally sharing my family room after photos from the makeover you helped me with this summer. Thank you so much for the design guidance. Adding the chocolate-toned furnishings and a coordinating rug created much-needed contrast and helped define the seating area. The glass end tables paired with the round coffee table deliver the classic-meets-contemporary look I wanted. Floor-length curtains, matching table lamps, and geometric pillows pulled the whole room together. Everyone who visits comments on how lovely it feels. I also chose three prints from Crate & Barrel’s Classical Symmetry Set after seeing them on one of your mood boards—I knew they were perfect. We added crown molding and updated the baseboards, which really elevated the room’s overall look. Thanks again for helping make our family room more comfortable and inviting. I’ll be back for help with the dining room soon. And congratulations on your baby! —Abbey
To refresh your memory, here is Abbey’s family room before the update:
Below is the custom mood board we created to bring a classic-yet-modern polish to the space. The board focused on warm neutrals, layered textures, and a few statement elements to complement the existing pieces:
And now, the lovely after photos. Some of the larger pieces—like the red sectional and the armoire—remained in place, but the wall color was deepened subtly to a warmer, wheat-like tone to add richness and depth. We recommended a warm, muted gold to achieve a crisp, upscale finish. The most noticeable changes come from smaller furnishings and accessories: the rug, coffee table, media cabinet, side tables, lamps, pillows, curtains, and a new desk all work together to refine the room and add function. The added workstation is a practical bonus.
Hooray for mood board after-photos! Abbey did a wonderful job. The red sectional truly comes alive in the updated room—where it once blended into lighter walls and an empty floor, it now pops against the richer wall color and the red stripes woven into the rug. The crown molding is a polished finishing touch that brings cohesion and architectural interest. Seeing before-and-after shots that make a room feel more inviting and comfortable is why we love design—thank you, Abbey, for sharing your photos!
Let’s play the favorite-part game: we can’t decide between the warm wheat walls, the striped rug, and those sculptural lamps flanking the sofa. Each element supports the others, creating a layered, intentional look. And the artwork ties everything together beautifully.
Update: We no longer have the capacity to accept commissioned mood board projects and now focus on general inspiration boards instead. If that changes in the future, we’ll announce it.