Case Study for Home Interior Design Raleigh, NC

This project was completed for a young family who had been in their new home for seven years.  With young boys who are very active in sports the home needed a refresh. The homeowner was also tired of some of her original selections for drapery, pillows and lighting and needed various occasional pieces such as a coffee table and supplemental seating.

This project was completed in phases as the homeowners budget would allow.  However, we planned the design for all areas at one time to assure consistency of the design. The design was documented with a combination of design boards and Pinterest Boards. Some of the procurement went through my business when I was able to get trade pricing. For items that were retail purchases the client was given a specification to follow when ordering.

The Scope of Work

This project is what I call a “Refresh” because all of the work was cosmetic in nature.

Rooms within the scope of the work included:

• Dining Room
• Living Room
• Power Room
• Mudroom

These rooms essentially are the heart of the home and the design needed to be cohesive from one space to the next.  Upholstered furniture in the living room was staying as was all dining room wooden and upholstered furniture.  Luckily, these pieces were of a style that the client still loved and in good enough condition to work into our design.

Do You Develop a Budget for Home Design?

One of my first tasks is to develop a budget to “check” what the homeowner’s wants to spend. This allows us to set the quality level for furniture, furnishings, and fixtures. Once we have the budget established, it is used as a guide throughout the process. If an item is purchased for less the homeowner has a choice to take the savings, or upgrade on another item on the list. I guide the homeowner through this process always explaining the pros and cons and where money is best spent and best saved.

What is the Design Process? 

At asd | Andrea S Daniels Interior Design the first step in the design process for residential interior design Raleigh, NC is a consultation meeting.  This is where we determine what you want the space to feel like.  Once I have a good idea of your aesthetic, I make a digital mood board.  Discussing the mood board gives clarification on the design direction. Mood boards progress to Pinterest Boards, where we can collaborate, and then to more detailed design boards.

Mud Room/Powder Room: This space is used as the entry for the home. We started here with a wallcovering selection for Mud Room ceiling and Powder Room walls. The wallcovering would inform choices for wall, trim, and accent colors to be used throughout the other areas in the Refresh. The room needed organization for the children’s sports clothing which was provided using bins within the casework. We used an existing ceiling high hat/electrical box in the Mud Room from which to hang a decorative fixture with a sandblasted glass globe.  What an improved and welcoming entrance! 

Living Room: The Living Room had a problem, a feeling of not being connected in the seating area and too much under-utilized space at one end of the room. The room is a fairly long rectangle and the fireplace was located in the corner. This layout is a common problem that is perplexing to many home owners.

The current rug was too small for the room and seating group. Larger rugs would not fit because of the chamfered corner of the fireplace.  A custom-cut rug allowed us to cover the entire space.  We chose a textured chevron rug in tan to coordinate with the existing side chair’s tan plaid upholstery. Two small scale leather strap chairs were purchased to sit opposite the lounge chairs and perpendicular to the sofa providing much needed ancillary seating for larger gatherings. 

Key to creating a cohesive seating group is the use of a coffee table long enough to span the seating within the grouping of furniture. For this space an oval coffee table was selected, supplemented with two poufs in front of the sofa.

The extra space at the far end of the room was anchored by adding a sideboard, mirror and lamp. Now the space left between the seating and sideboard is perfect for flow into and out of the room.

New custom drapery and throw pillows were provided to coordinate with the neutrals in the home with blue accents from the Mud Room. For the drapery fabric we selected an airy linen with a subtle thin blue stripe on an off-white base and chose a vertical chevron edge trim in blue and gold. A French-return drapery rod in gold provides a sophisticated polished look.

Dining Room: The Dining Room is the crème de la crème of the design. Capitalizing on the use of blue accents throughout the Powder Room, Mud Room/Entry and the Living Room we chose to go with a deep blue/green color-drench for ceiling, walls, and trim with a punctuation of warm white for the ceiling cove above. Custom draperies were fabricated in a large-scale pattern of chartreuse and off-white, a take-off from the smaller pattern on seating in the same colorway.  I love it when a client isn’t afraid of color and when they get to start living in a home that they love!

Conclusion:

Sometimes changing key elements in a space can make all the difference in how you feel living in your home.  A designer can help you to identify what changes will make the most difference to your home’s aesthetic. Style upgrades to your home can give you the boost needed to start living in a home that you love! 

asd | Andrea S Daniels Interior Design provides home design services Raleigh that blends expert planning, thoughtful sourcing, and creative solutions to elevate every room. We focus on meeting real lifestyle goals and supporting you through every design choice with clarity and care. Work with a designer who puts your Home Design Services Raleigh needs first.

FAQs:

Is professional design only about style?
No. It focuses on function, safety, comfort, and long-term use.

How long does a residential design project take?
Timelines vary, but clear planning helps keep projects smooth and efficient.

Can design choices support kids and adults at the same time?
Absolutely. Balanced design meets the needs of all ages in one home.