Project Catherine: Turning a Tricky Room Into a Family Favorite

Park Ridge, NJ

THE STARTING POINT

Project Catherine began with a wonderful family of four who had a beautiful home—but a family room that simply wasn’t working for them. The space felt dark, outdated, and narrow, making it difficult to arrange furniture or enjoy time together comfortably. The wife dreamed of a lighter, brighter room with an updated fireplace that could serve as a true focal point, while the husband hoped for a more comfortable setup for family movie nights and relaxing together. I knew right away this project would take a thoughtful plan and a great team to bring their vision to life.

Living room with hardwood floors, a patterned rug, beige sectional sofa with pillows, a brick fireplace with framed art above, rocking chair, ottoman, large windows with blinds, and a black entertainment unit.
Living room with a black entertainment center, a side table with a lamp and framed photos, and a beige patterned rug on hardwood floor.

THE TRANSFORMATION

The first priority was the fireplace. The dark, heavy brick that climbed the entire wall made the room feel even narrower, so I brought in my friend Josh from JT Custom Woodworks to help bring our vision to life. Together, we designed a new fireplace surround that completely transformed the space—white woodwork, a fresh mantle, and updated tile at the hearth instantly lifted the room and created the focal point the family was craving. Adding sconces and a small bench-style reading nook on each side further framed the wall and gave it a warm, inviting feel.

Furnishing the room took some creativity, but the layout came together beautifully. I sourced the perfect sectional that offered a cozy spot for family movie nights, and added swivel chairs near the windows to maximize seating for hosting. Since the wife loved soft blues, I leaned into a palette of grays, ivories, and gentle blue tones, with touches of gold metal to keep everything feeling modern and fresh. Thoughtful storage solutions were key for their two daughters—because as every parent knows, kids come with stuff, and the goal was to give everything a home without sacrificing style.

Fresh paint and new window treatments tied the spaces together beautifully, creating a warm, refreshed home the family could truly settle into.

Living room with a white fireplace and built-in TV above it, decorated with gold candlesticks. There is a gray ottoman in front of the fireplace, a wooden table with a vase of dried flowers and decorative items, and two windows on either side of the
Bright living room with large windows, white armchairs, and wooden coffee table decorated with flowers, beige walls, hardwood flooring, and blue curtains.
A white side table decorated with a large potted plant, two small pots, and a lamp, with woven baskets on the lower shelf and a gallery wall of framed pictures in the background.
Living room with a light gray sofa, patterned pillows, a wooden coffee table with magazines, a decorative vase with brown foliage, and a wall with framed photos. There's sunlight coming through a window with a white shade.
A cozy living room with a gray sofa, patterned pillows, a window allowing natural light, and a striped ottoman in the foreground.
A cozy living room corner featuring a white sofa with patterned cushions, a small window with a close-up view of an outside shed, a wall-mounted light fixture, and part of a fireplace mantel with gold decorative accents.
A cozy living room with a white sofa, armchair, and two ottomans, a fireplace with a TV above, a wooden coffee table, framed photos on the wall, and decorative plants near the windows.
Bright and cozy living room with a fireplace, a wall-mounted TV, and large windows with blue curtains. There are multiple white armchairs, a beige sofa, and a wooden coffee table with a vase of orange flowers. A gray ottoman and side tables are also
A cozy living room with two white armchairs near large windows with blue curtains, a small wooden side table with a potted plant, a patterned rug, and a glimpse of another sofa in the background.

THE REVEAL

Reveal day for Project Catherine was such a joy. The couple walked in and was immediately overwhelmed—in the best way. They loved the soft blue, layered drapes, the cozy swivel chairs, and the ottomans that gave them the extra seating they’d been missing. And of course, the newly transformed fireplace stole the show, finally giving the room the focal point and warmth it always needed.

The space now feels brighter, cozier, and so much more “them.” The family has already spent countless nights enjoying their new room together, and I’m thrilled to know this makeover will be the foundation for more updates they hope to make throughout their home.

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