As an interior designer, before and after images are often requests I receive from website visitors and new clients. When I started with these clients they had lived in a houseboat on Lake Union near downtown Seattle. Then a fabulous property on Lake Union became available. This townhome features amazing views of mountains, skyline and the water plus also offers a cozy family room. But it sorely needed new furnishings except for the big screen TV.

Take a look at what we did.

A new arrangement is both conversational and perfect for watching sports and movies. All the furnishings are from my favorite company, Hickory Chair. The addition of a game table affords another conversational area. The owner loved to sail and I used black and white photos to emphasize and support that interest. More memorabilia is on the open shelf unit too.

Furniture from Hickory Chair: Marshall chair; Cate side table; Gunnison leather chair and others.

The outcome of the design concept introduces paint and color finishes in the wood side table and etagere. A sheer texture drapery fabric over wood blinds combines to add a sense of coziness, warmth and intimacy.

What do you think? Would you like to settle in to enjoy a game or movie in this room? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for more ideas.

There is a saying that first impression lasts. The foyer is the setting that beckons the depth of your home to your guests. Treat it as the signal of what lies ahead for your eager visitors with a good visual and emotional display that arouses their senses and leaves an enduring memory of time well spent in your home.

Here is a before and after example. In this multi-level home, the entrance affords a water and mountain view immediately. With that drama, the goal was to complement but not compete and provide a gracious, elegant accent.

A console table in your foyer can serve as a staging ground for your accessories, like photos, lamps, vases, and small art work. Whether you use table lamps, sconces, or natural forms of lighting, the impact of lighting adds and enhances the appeal of the senses coordinating with the rest of the furnishings to produce a tasteful and gratifying response towards a greater appreciation of the focal points of the room. Focus your lighting to add soft warmth, to highlight a beautiful painting or artwork or use lighting to create an impact.

Use wall art to make it more interesting. You can either have a single framed wall art or multiple frames. Decorate your table or console with accessories Whatever you do, decorate sparing to avoid overcrowding the design. Keep your design clean and interesting so that each piece can be visible.