She-Wants, He-Wants Family Room Redesign

Before

He Said, She Said

Rob and Ava Gold are redesigning their family living area, but their opinions on how to go about it are rooms apart. Rob wants a fun and funky family room, complete with red walls and a large exposed TV. Ava sways more toward the traditional and prefers a much more subtle use of color and a TV hidden behind doors. Ava wants to keep the existing sectional sofa and the bar; Rob prefers a sofa and loveseat combo and feels the bar should go but is willing to compromise by changing its look.

Shopping for Solutions

Designer Michael Payne proposes putting a TV cabinet with pocket doors in the corner, which will accommodate Rob's large TV and Ava's need to hide it. His plans also include orienting all the furnishings toward the TV, placing a game table in the opposite corner of the room and installing cabinetry along the entire fireplace wall, with paneling and sconces on both sides. Both Ava and Rob are pleased with his plans, but Ava is concerned about the bar. Payne proposes keeping the bar but modifying the countertop with a different surface.

He feels the best way to address the color issue is to introduce color through fabric as opposed to wall color. He presents several fabric choices and leaves them behind for Rob and Ava to discuss. Shortly after their meeting, they go shopping for additional fabric choices. It doesn't take the Golds long to zero in on a fabric they both like.

With the furniture fabric decided they turn their attention to the countertop surface for the bar. Rob wants something practical and interesting; Ava prefers a casual material. They decide to switch gears from the limestone they were looking at to the abundant tile choices. Rob feels a single tile color will overwhelm the room and likes the idea of using multiple colors. Ava is warming up to the idea of introducing color and also takes a fancy to a diamond shaped tile. They decide to take home a few samples to coordinate with the fabrics they've chosen. Meanwhile, installation of the TV cabinet is underway and work begins on the countertop.

After

A Happy Ending

Michael Payne arrives to see the transformation of the Golds' family room. The room is full of fun and compromise, from the colorful countertop to the TV cabinet . Both Ava and Rob love the result.