Bringing It Home in Bexley: A Curated Transformation

This month I’m thrilled to take you behind the scenes of a truly special project in the heart of Bexley. This one is a love letter to “grown-up but livable”—where timeless architecture meets personal storytelling, thoughtful layers, lots of heart, and a non-stop, busy family with three kids.

Let’s talk about the why.

This sweet family had just moved into a beautiful, traditional Bexley home—full of charm and character, but in need of a little love to truly feel like them. The goal? To create a home that felt intentional, settled, and fully functional for the full and fast-paced lives they lead… all while upgrading the style factor. Oh, and if we could wave a magic wand and make the leftover farmhouse aesthetic disappear? Even better.

They wanted spaces that weren’t just pretty, but practical. Personal, but polished. Comfortable—but not casual to the point of bland. We leaned into a curated vibe with a smattering of vintage and made the most of every detail. With two professionals, three kids, and a lot of life happening in these walls, every space had to work hard and feel like a retreat.

Design Goals by Room

Primary Bedroom — “Let’s Grow It Up”

When we first chatted about the primary suite, the words were “grown-up,” “moody,” and “sophisticated”—basically, the design equivalent of a glass of red wine at the end of a long day. This room needed to feel like an intentional landing pad with all the function (yes to a compact work-from-home zone!) and none of the clutter.

We added architectural trim to elevate the bones of the space and color-washed the room in a true mid-tone hue—bold but not loud—to keep it restful. Rich textures, deep tones, and grounding elements came together to create a getaway without ever leaving home.

Family Room — Bye, Farmhouse. Hello, Function.

This space had loads of potential, but the faux gray shiplap and barn doors left by the previous owners weren’t doing it any favors. So, we lovingly escorted all things farmhouse out the door.

We brought this room back to its traditional roots by rebuilding the window casings and chair rail to reflect the original style of the home. Phew—what a relief! Fresh paint, scaled furnishings, closed storage (because real life doesn’t come with open shelving), and smarter seating made this space work hard without feeling overdone. Wondering what happened to those barn doors? We used a surface mounted track to put traditional two panel doors on, and added brass and wood vintage feel beehive knobs. It's all in the details.

The real star of the show? A stunning vintage rug—this entire room was designed around it. It’s not the biggest room in the house, but it’s got enormous personality and so much soul.

Living Room — Classic, Connected, and Collected

The living room is the heart of the home—connecting the main spaces and the upstairs. Our job? Preserve the original charm and elevate it with intention. We created a real “entry moment”—a small but mighty landing zone to drop keys, bags, or take a breath.

The design here blends old and new with ease: vintage finds, layered textiles, mixed wood tones. Nothing feels forced—everything feels like it’s always belonged.

One of my favorite details in this room is the oversized original artwork by Georgia-based artist Vickey Sides—roughly 6'x3.5' of statement-making goodness. This piece lives on a wall where we couldn’t place furniture (hello, walkway), but it never feels like an afterthought. It anchors the room and brings an emotional layer to the space.

And like so many homes, the front door opens straight into the living room. Instead of construction, we created a visual and functional entry using a bench paired with a glass-and-steel console table. It acts as a subtle divider between the seating and the entry zone. Add some pretty hooks, a spot for shoes and bags, and voilà—a polished welcome without knocking down a single wall. (Proof that good design can solve real problems.)

Design Details That Matter

We set out to tell a curated story—layering in fresh finishes, meaningful vintage pieces, and personal touches that reflect the family’s style. That included showcasing vintage chairs they already loved, incorporating calming blues and greens, and weaving in original art for that “you won’t find this anywhere else” feeling.

There’s something magic that happens when old meets new—and this home wears that mix beautifully. This wasn’t about chasing trends; it was about creating a space that felt lived-in, loved, and completely theirs.

Creating an entry area without construction is a beautiful addition to the home.

The Ultimate Gift

Truth? I’m in awe of this home. And yes, I always get a little emotional at the end of a project. I’ve usually been working with a client for six months (or more), and this family in particular was such a joy.

While I’m designing, tweaking, styling—I’m always asking one question: Does it feel like them? Beauty is part of it, of course, but the real test is: Does it reflect their story? Their rhythm? Their lives?

This one? It’s a resounding yes. It’s curated. It’s layered. It doesn’t look like anyone else’s. And every single solution—from vintage rugs to a sneaky little faux-entry—supports this amazing family’s everyday life.

And that, my friends, is the magic.