Our living room is the one room in our home that has seen the most change.
This is surprising – even to me.
Why?
While we were in the middle of construction, we planned how this space would function meticulously.



In fact, we sketched it out with detailed measurements for every piece we planned to use – even the ones we had not purchased.
We measured for future seating, the best place to put our piano, and even the ideal spot for our Christmas tree.
As move in time approached, I decided that the first pieces we needed to invest in were custom sofas.
After contemplating the perfect color, style, and length for months, I went with two oh so perfect bespoke Chesterfield sofas.
These gorgeous bespoke leather pieces are HUGE at nearly 12 feet in length.
I just knew that the living room space would be downright close to perfect, give or take a couple of chairs, once those two massive pieces arrived.
“Easy peasy”!
Everything else in the room would magically fall into place.
LOL……It did not.
In July 2017, when we finally made the move, I stood in this room for hours every single day.

David and I would carry pieces in…..and, then I would move them right back out.
Over and over and over and over.
I struggled with finding the balance between David’s love of artifacts and the vastly different styles of our antique pieces.
On top of that, I was also overwhelmed with some serious self doubt. “Are you good enough to style this room the way it deserves to be styled?”
It was obvious we still needed a considerable amount of soft furnishings to make this room feel warm and inviting.
We also knew it would take time to budget for these pieces.
Of course, I was fine with saving our pennies. We wanted to get the room right.
But, I was beyond frustrated that I could not figure out how to make the space work while we were waiting.
Ultimately I had to let go of the need to get it right – right out of the gate.
And, I had to learn (the hard way, as it always seems to be with me)……
to love the process of finding that balance.
Over the years, my oh so perfect sofas have shared space with some not so perfect place holder pieces.
I had to fight the urge to buy some trendy piece on impulse just to make it work more quickly.
It has taken time.
A few years after we moved in, we added the blue chairs.

By this time, I made the decision to start my blog.
Then, I learned (the hard way) to accept that social media opinions run far and wide regardless of whether you asked for that opinion or not.
“Don’t you own a houseplant?”.
“Why blue? I would have gone with white”.
“Get a rug.”
“Not a book in sight.”
And, countless more…..
A few year later, I switched out the leather ottoman for an antique coffee table cart.

Why did I wait so long?
David hid it from me.
I’m just kidding.
When I stopped fighting with our living room, my ideas started flowing.
Certain pieces worked. Others, most certainly did not.
No big deal. I embraced the process.
I still fought the rug opinion.
That is the last thing I wanted to purchase………EVER.
Then, a few weeks ago, while David and I were switching out tables in the breakfast room, I found something in storage I had forgotten about.
My rug………
“There’s no way it is big enough.”
“It is probably full of holes.”
“It is absolutely, disgustingly filthy.”
“The colors are not going to work.”
“The pattern is too small.”
“Everyone will hate it.”
“David will hate it.”
“I will hate it.”
After a full day of self doubt, mis-measuring, and scrubbing, David and I carried it into its forever home.
I could have sworn my oh so perfect sofas were singing that evening.
“She finally did the right thing for us. I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE REALLY, REALLY DID IT.”


As for our ever evolving living room, I doubt I will ever stop tweaking it.
I will always be adding and taking away layers – pillows, decor, throws, books, and yes, plants.
They will all come and go as the seasons change.
As for my oh so perfect bespoke sofas….
They were made for this space.
I love them, probably more so today – 5 glorious years later.
Through dogs, cats, kids, and even a feral hog.
HOME is a process. HOME takes time.
Melody
April 6, 2022 1:20 pmI love your thought process regarding this room and how it has changed. You are so right. Home does take time and you have styled this space impeccably. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Vanessa
April 6, 2022 1:23 pmi have followed you since the beginning. And I have watched you handle the haters with so much patience. The rug is absolute perfection with those stunning sofas. And, If I didn’t know the backstory, I would swear you had it designed specifically for this space! So well done!
Lori
April 6, 2022 1:36 pmGreat post! I love seeing those under construction photos.
Wanda Griffin Kaiser
April 6, 2022 1:52 pmI’ve watched this room evolve over the years. It’s beautiful. I love the new-old rug addition.
I think it completed the space. I enjoy zooming in and looking at your ever changing pillows, plants, artifacts and all of the little details. The sofas are stunning! I’ve always loved the blue chairs too! Don’t doubt yourself. You’ve done a fabulous job decorating your amazing living room.
Can we recommend you to our clients? Many of them ask about a local interior designer. Seriously.
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:21 pmThank you so much! And, absolutely of course you can recommend me to your clients.
Cynthia B.
April 6, 2022 4:15 pmThe transformation of your living room is nothing short of spectacular! You have a very special gift . It takes talent and insight to turn such a huge space into one that’s now so warm and inviting. Your selection of just the right colors along with the combination of specific furniture and accessories has created a one-of-a-kind environment. I never get tired of seeing your creations. Everything you create is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:21 pmThank you! So glad to have you following along!
Kim Waldorf
April 6, 2022 4:30 pmJennifer, this space is so lovely! Your blue chairs are my fav. Don’t you just love “shopping your home” and finding things you forgot you had? The rug is perfect! Thanks for always sharing your pretty with us!
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:15 pmThank you so much Kim! I am honestly shocked at just how well this rug worked.
David
April 6, 2022 4:44 pmThis room itself was a challenge to create from the get go. It’s the size of a hotel lobby with very little wall space and massive amounts of rock work. On its own, it is timeless and beautiful, but not a space that that “invites” you to linger for long.
You’ve changed that.
I am amazed, to put it lightly, on how you’ve incorporated various antiques from different cultures and time periods so seemlessly.
As you know, my sense of color is horrendous. Thank God your sense is extraordinary. Among other items, I couldn’t envision how those amazing, yet huge, sofas could be a part of that room. And, I couldn’t have made that color choice in a million years ,but the color and size are perfect. It’s been a treat to watch you mold this space into one of the most inviting and warm areas of our home. Amazing work…thank you!
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:14 pmTHANK YOU! I love you! You gave me a dream space with some fabulous architectural bones.
Kathrine Crowder
April 6, 2022 6:06 pmThe couches, blue chairs and rug are all divine! Beautiful job!
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:13 pmThank you! The rug was the last piece of the puzzle.
Tisha Vaughan
April 6, 2022 6:53 pmYour house is stunning. Thank you for sharing!
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:12 pmThank you so much!
Jan Bryant
April 6, 2022 6:56 pmYour home is beautiful! I enjoy reading and learning new tips!
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:12 pmThank you!
Suzanne Watkins
April 6, 2022 6:58 pmAbsolutely gorgeous!! Love seeing your pics!!!
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:12 pmThank you!
Deborah McKnight
April 6, 2022 9:24 pmA beautiful home you have done a fantastic job.
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:11 pmThank you!
Monica
April 6, 2022 9:27 pmWhat a magnificent, lovely space. The couches, chairs, rug- all perfection! You have such a gift of putting unlikely pieces together to create a beautiful room and making it look effortless. Great job!
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:11 pmAwe! Thank you sweet friend!
Pattie
April 6, 2022 11:03 pmI honestly had cold chills
when I scrolled through the
pictorial of the progress of
your decorating saga. The
idea that 1 rug could make
such a difference in a room
was amazing. It literally tied
everything together. It
makes everything make
even more sense than it
already did.
I loved your narrative and
actually watching the room
evolve into the beauty that
she is today.
Thank you for sharing!
Jennifer Williams
April 7, 2022 2:11 pmThank you so much! It was fun to go down memory lane and see all the changes and the construction photos that I had not looked at in such a long time.
Melissa
April 27, 2022 3:22 amYour home is absolutely stunning. It is so refreshing to see color! I have toyed with the farmhouse trend, but my heart is not into it for my home. You have certainly inspired this Texas girl to go with some pops of color! Thank you for sharing your home and projects.
Jennifer Williams
May 2, 2022 5:39 pmYAY! Thank you so much.