Comfortable and Contemporary Family Room

By Candice Olson

The first order of the day was to get rid of all of the green and lighten up the space with a neutral coloured paint. I then got busy dividing the room up into two main zones: a lounge zone and a TV/media zone.

I wanted the lounge area to be reminiscent of an old English pub, a hospitable place where friends and family could gather for drinks and conversation. To this end, I chose a warm colour palette of plum, caramel, copper and cream. I also put in a lot of wood finishes for a homey vibe.

The focal point of this area is a new fireplace elevation that features gorgeous earth-toned glass tiles and is flanked with horizontal strips of dark wood rustic flooring. I installed two bars, one on either side of the fireplace, one features a beautiful bar sink and one has a built-in stainless steel bar fridge. Beside the fireplace, I put in a beautiful bar table in solid, heavy quartz, with a pendant light above.

In the TV/media area, I put in a luscious new plum-coloured upholstered sectional with an abundance of pillows in the room's various colours, a creamy leather ottoman, and a beautiful area rug. Across from the sectional is a big screen TV perfect for watching Last Comic Standing.

Because the room was short on windows, I decided to lighten it up with mirrors and other light sources. I put in floor length mirrors with integrated sconces that flank the large screen TV. I then used those same sconces on the opposite side of the room for a bit of balance and symmetry

I also added a really cool art installation: a series of three backlit digital photos (all of microphones) that give the room a personal touch and some much needed light.

After some final finishes including a plum, crushed velvet curtain that marks the entryway and looks like a stage curtain, this family room is complete. What was once a cold, underused basement is now a warm and modern gathering space that is perfect for Gerry, his family, his friends and his future comedy routines. Now that's divine!