My most recent client just moved to her new townhome in Dallas. Downsizing is no easy task and she reached out to me to assist her. She needed direction from a designer that could “use the art collection she had” to help her complete her main family room.

BEFORE

She had some amazing artwork that she collected from her travels which made it exciting. Lots of collected items with loads of color and very unique items. I suggested that we group all the art together to create a gallery wall above her sofa, instead of spreading them around the house. I felt like it would give her more of a statement and a completed room.

The rug was fun to choose because we were so inspired by her eclectic artwork. I knew that I wanted a muted rug so that the artwork remained the focus in the space. The one I chose from @nuloom is perfection.

Ruthie Tip: I always say complete a room before you move forward to the next room. It makes you feel like your money has been well spent and makes a wow statement. If items are spread all over the house, it doesn’t make feel like you have done anything.

(lamps by @lamps plus, Upholstery by @Kingston Fabrics)

We did was have the electrician move the crystal chandelier from another room into this space. It needed the sparkle!

We put a design plan together for her and fortunately, the client totally trusted me and let me work my magic. Her style was right up my alley, so I was in my element with creating an eclectic, collected and global design.

The above vignette was created with all her items. I went out to her backyard and picked up a branch that had fallen on the ground from the thunderstorm the night before. It was perfect and made the collection feel fresh and natural.

I loved this beautiful natural wood art piece that she had and placed it to her existing glass coffee table. The contrast is beautiful and ties in the natural elements in the artwork above the sofa. I added the round mirror to the mix because it made it feel less formal. It also gives the gallery wall more interest and reflects the chandelier and who doesn’t love that?

I knew I wanted to use the glass coffee table she already had because it adds a nice modern edge to the space. The wingback chairs are more traditional and so is the rug. Adding different styles makes the room feel transitional and collected. See below for before and after photos of the chairs.

Ruthie Tip: Don’t be afraid of modern pieces, they can totally make a room feel more polished. It also adds a light and bright feel to any room. I love the way it reflects the light in this space. Can you imagine how a wood coffee table would have made the room feel heavy?

Pillow selection is one of my favorite parts of a job. It pulls the room together and marries all the colors. Adding the touch of green to this mix really made the client happy!

Don’t you just love this tribal vintage fabric that we used on the bench seat? Just enough global without feeling too much.

Check out the these BEFORE photos of the wingback chairs.

BEFORE

These wing back chairs were found on a Facebook Marketplace site. I loved their curves and the quality. We reupholstered them in a velvet from @brentwoodfabrics WOW, what a transformation. The back was done in a white and black Chenille Jacquard. I knew I wanted the backs to be special because that is what guests see first when they walk in the room.

AFTER

Shocking isn’t it?

I purchased a set of blue plates to hang on the wall in the corner. Loved their texture and knew they would make a great grouping in the room.

I found her walking stick and added it to the vignette as well. The ottomans were brought down from downstairs.

We moved this small chest downstairs because it was the perfect size. It is actually an old record player! I placed more of her artwork above it and paired it with some accessories she had. We added the lamp and chose one that is tall and narrow, so it doesn’t take up too much space.