:. FAMILY FRIENDLY DESIGN

◄ BEFORE: The room was devoid of design interest or point of view.

▼ AFTER: The finished space is a warm and somewhat eclectic mix of styles, colors and patterns.

For a number of years the homeowners lived with this family room that lacked both interest and hospitality, but they didn't really know how enliven it. When they first presented the problem to designer Cathy Thompson of Interiors by Decorating Den, she began developing a much-needed overall plan.

The owners had an antique chest and traditional-style wall unit, which were fairly dissimilar in appearance. Also the adjoining living room and dining room have traditional-style decors. Thompson felt the goal was to produce a look that flowed from one space to another, and therefore it was necessary to create a blend of colors to complement the tones in the other rooms. She helped the owners settle on a modern-style scheme that was both friendly and what she calls "a little funky." The walls were painted a soft yellow, and the floor was covered wall-to-wall with carpeting. She selected Roman shades for the window treatments, and added the wall sconces and floor lamps. The furniture has a basic contemporary feeling with retro-style upholstery fabric on the sofa and loveseat, while traditional-style tapestry covers the chair and ottoman. The look was completed with a mix of tables, lighting and artwork.