Home Tour: Serene Living and Dining Room in St. Paul

Step into this historic St. Paul home and you’ll be instantly swept away by stunning hardwood floors, original woodwork, and simple touches of old-world elegance. Lindsey and Jack (names changed) felt this way when they first moved in, but now, with three young children and a work-from-home lifestyle, their living spaces required an overhaul in the best of ways.

With innovation and creativity, we tackled inadequate storage, limited seating, and a nonfunctional layout. Now, Lindsey and Jack’s living and dining rooms are personal, practical and tailored to their family’s active lifestyle. How did we do it? Come take a look…

Before: Awkward Layouts & Dated Furnishings

Sooo much potential, right? Lindsey and Jack’s home was full of original charm, but they admitted that their current furniture was only meant to be a temporary solution. Like so many of us, life got busy, and years later, they were still trying to make their Craigslist sofa work. We all agreed — it was time for a space that finally felt like an authentic reflection of themselves.

The couple arrived at our initial consultation with a clear vision in mind. While they were very hands-on throughout the selection process, they also valued our industry knowledge and wanted reassurance that they were making the best decisions from the start (so smart!). Together, we created a thoughtful layout and sourced the perfect furnishings to bring their vision to life. Come on in…

After: Comfortable & Purposeful Living Room

Wow, what a transformation! This living room now radiates a polished and sophisticated vibe while still embodying the family-friendly atmosphere and historic charm that Lindsey and Jack wanted. To achieve this, we covered the walls in a fresh, warm white and balanced calming earth tones throughout the space with art, decor, and textiles. It’s so warm and inviting, isn’t it?

Before, the small Craigslist sofa was being swallowed by the room, and the family was feeling cramped with insufficient seating and storage. We said goodbye to their dated furnishings and sourced a large, neutral sectional that provides plenty of room for comfortable everyday living and entertaining guests. Win-win!

The living room walls are nearly covered with beautiful, large windows (hello, natural light!), which presented a few unique challenges when it came to furniture layout and window treatments. We also knew that traditional drapery would be an ongoing frustration for the family, with both furniture and radiators situated right beneath the windows.

Our solution? Crisp white roman shades — a chic, classic, and practical option that offers privacy and light control while remaining easy to operate. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best!

How do you fill an awkward corner in your living room? You create a cozy nook, of course! We designated multiple zones in this living room to fulfill different purposes — a gorgeous sectional for ultimate relaxation and comfortable accent chairs for settling in with a great book. This increased the family-friendly factor of the room, providing ample space for the kids to play and move around.

Surprisingly, Lindsey and Jack have shared that the chairs have become the kids’ favorite. Mom and Dad have no complaints, as it leaves the sectional free for them to kick back and relax…ahhh! Next, let’s make our way to the dining room…

After: Simple, Classic Dining Room

It’s amazing what well-proportioned furniture can do for a space. Lindsey and Jack now have a comfortable and roomy space to enjoy meals, thanks to their new round pedestal table. It seats their family of 5 for everyday use and expandable leaves make hosting guests a breeze.

The original light fixture was a major headache (literally, they hit their head on it!) and was visually weighing the room down. To create a light and airy atmosphere with a touch of subtle elegance, we replaced it with a smaller glass globe pendant that is proportionate to the room’s size. Bonus: there’s no chance of bumping heads on this fixture.

Like most historical homes in the area, the dining room is cozy in size. But with a few clever design tricks, we were able to maximize its potential. We added a mirror to reflect the natural light from the nearby window, giving the illusion of more space. And did you see the wallpaper? We decided that this small space was the perfect place for a subtle pop, and this understated pattern adds just the right amount of visual interest and texture without overwhelming the room.

To provide Jack and Lindsey with the storage they wanted, we opted for a tall, vertical shelving unit that adds both style and functionality. They can display their favorite pieces on the upper levels, while deep drawers below are perfect for storing placemats, tableware, and other items. This dining room is now sophisticated, personal, and perfectly collected.

A Transformative Refresh

Since we completed their project, Lindsey and Jack have shared that the way they use their living and dining rooms has completely changed for the better. They can’t believe that a simple refresh has had this kind of impact on their daily lives! Not only do their spaces now work for the entire family, but they feel proud to share their home and entertain. It’s an authentic reflection of their personal style.

Are you ready to create a home that feels personal to you? Whether you’re considering a simple refresh or have a large-scale renovation in mind, we’d love to help. Reach out to me here, and let’s discuss how we can design the home you’re dreaming of.