The Horse Farm Project: The Den Makeover

Today, we’re sharing all the details from the den makeover at The Horse Farm Project and while the transformation isn’t quite as drastic as it was in the entry and the dining room, it’s equally as classic and relaxed.

Way back in August, when I first met with the homeowners, I asked them which room in the house they liked best. They both said the den was their favorite.

In fact, one of them said there was nothing about the den they would change.

I know it seems like those words should have created a “home run room” for Team Crowned Goat but let me just remind you why it wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed. Remember the wall we took down between the dining room and the den? This is it…

Taking down the wall was honestly one of the best decisions we made for this project. However, I can’t overemphasize you need to carefully consider all of the variables involved before you make your final decision with professionals that have experience in this area of expertise.

It makes a huge difference!

As with the entry and the dining room, the den had all new flooring installed and was repainted in Behr’s Swiss Coffee. The original crown molding, window trim and French door were left completely intact.

I don’t know if you can see it but in the second picture above, you’ll see these beautifully rustic planked boards that can be found throughout some of the other rooms in the house. Keeping the planked boards, molding and trim was so important to the homeowners we let it guide our decisions in the rest of the den.

After the floors had settled, we started executing the design plan. The fireplace is one of the first things you see when you enter the house and the homeowners love it. They spend cozy nights relaxing by the fire reading good books and watching movies as a family all throughout the fall and winter seasons.

As with the entry and the dining room, we sourced treasured pieces from their house first. Pieces like this wreath,

this sweet fox couple,

and this urn with patina.

We loved, loved, loved this antique copper pot the homeowners have had for years. They usually fill it with wood during the fall and winter seasons.

The homeowner found this awesome rug a few days after we started the project and this dog is another piece they’ve had for years, we just adore!

We kept almost all the same furniture that had been previously used in the den. We did reconfigure the layout just a bit by snuggling the couch under the wall that separates the den from the galley kitchen and using the loveseat to help create a perimeter between the entry and the dining room. The coffee table was thrifted for less than $30 which we were super excited to find.

In addition to sewing the table runner and napkins, the homeowner also sewed some of the pillows we used on the couch!

Snuggled just behind the loveseat is a beautiful desk the homeowners have had for many years.

We kept the desk accessories pretty minimal, so it wouldn’t take away from the rest of the den.

 

My mom made this awesome arrangement with clippings from various places around the yard.

 

She also styled all the shelves on these bookcases we reimaged as a media cabinet for the homeowners tv.

Shelves are my mom’s jam and she always rocks it!

I know I’ve said this all week but you guys, taking down the wall between the den and the dining room made such a huge difference. Here’s another look at the den before…

and after…

Here are a few things to consider when creating a rustic and cozy den your whole family can enjoy…

• Whatever your style may be – farmhouse, coastal, traditional, boho, French, modern, etc. – own it. Don’t worry about what’s trendy or “in style” or popular on social media. You’re creating a home where you and your family will be making memories for weeks, months and years to come – embrace what you love!
• Choose fabrics that are durable and family friendly.
• Make sure there are side tables and a coffee table, so people have a place to put things like books, games, bowls of popcorn or drinking glasses.
• Keep the color palette consistent with the rest of your home.
• Add in layers of texture.
• Play up your fireplace as a focal point or feature wall.

I hope these tips have helped! This has definitely been a fun series to put together. I’ll be back here tomorrow with scenes from our week and all of our favorite things from around the web. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo