Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional enclosed family room in Columbus with red walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and brown floor.

Inspiration for a country open concept family room in Atlanta with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a brick fireplace surround, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor, coffered and planked wall panelling.

Overthinking a situation isn’t always a bad thing, particularly when the home in question is one in which the past is suddenly meeting the present. Originally designed by Finnish architect Olav Hammarstrom in 1952 for fellow architect Eero Saarinen, this unique home recently received its first transformation in decades. Still in its 1950s skin, it was completely gutted, inside and out. It was a serious undertaking, as the homeowner wanted modern upgrades, while keeping an eye toward retaining the home’s 1950s charm. She had a vision for her home, and she stuck to it from beginning to end. Perched on a rise of land and overlooking the tranquil Wellfleet Herring Pond, the home initially appears split, with the guest house on the left, and the main house of the right, but both ends are connected with a breezeway. The original home’s bones were in good shape, but many upgrades and replacements were necessary to bring the house up to date. New siding, roofing, gutters, insulation and mechanical systems were all replaced. Doors and windows with metal frames were custom made by a company in Long Island that fabricates doors for office buildings. Modern heating and cooling systems were added, and the three bathrooms were all updated. The footprint of the home remained unchanged. Inside, the only expansion was more closet space. The attention to detail in retaining the 50s-style look took a lot of online searching, from handles and knobs to lighting fixtures, with bits and pieces arriving from all over the world, including a doorstop from New Zealand. The homeowner selected many of the fixtures herself, while a very detail-oriented foreman exhaustively researched as well, looking for just the right piece for each and every location. High-end appliances were purchased to modernize the kitchen and all of the old cabinetry was removed, replaced and refaced with NUVACOR, a versatile surfacing material that not only provided a sleek, modern look, but added convenience and ease of use. Bare, wood-beamed ceilings throughout give a nod to the home’s natural surroundings, while the main living area (formerly a fisherman’s cabin), with a brick fireplace, was completely trimmed in walnut, while multiple windows of varying sizes welcome sunlight to brighten the home. Here, the sheetrock ceiling with faux rafters provides an interesting and room-brightening feature. Behind the house sits the serene pond, which can now be enjoyed from the stunning new deck. Here, decking material was not laid out side by side, as it typically is but, instead, meticulously laid out on edge, creating an unusual and eye-catching effect. A railing of tempered glass panels allows unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauty, and keeps consistent with the open, airy feel of the place. A new outdoor shower is accessible via the deck and left open to the wilderness and the pond below, completing the bold yet sophisticated feeling of this retro-modern home.

Mid-sized country enclosed family room in Chicago with beige walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and red floor.

This fireplace was given a makeover with a new paint colour for the existing brick (it was previously painted), new mosaic tile on the base and a new modern, wood mantel. Electrical outlet was installed behind the TV for a tidy installation of a flat-screen TV with the mess of wires.

Tripp Smith
Photo of a mid-sized traditional enclosed family room in Charleston with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a freestanding tv, brown floor, a library and planked wall panelling.

Expansive contemporary family room in Salt Lake City with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Part of the over 100 giraffe collection. African hand carved stone figurines and hand made African baskets Photography: jennyraedezigns.com
Mid-sized eclectic enclosed family room in Portland with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

My family room in Atlanta. A gorgeous stone fireplace gives this space a rustic touch. A bright red rug from Mexico, silk blinds and handmade cushions from India.

Garrett Anderson Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional open concept family room in Atlanta with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and grey walls.

Design ideas for an expansive arts and crafts family room in Las Vegas with a game room, beige walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a built-in media wall, vaulted and brick walls.

Large open concept family room in Minneapolis with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Family-friendly fun begins with this classic shuffleboard table. Featuring a North American maple wood playfield and polymer resin surface, this table is exquisite in its playability and appearance.

Matthew Benham
Design ideas for a large transitional open concept family room in Charlotte with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a concealed tv and beige walls.

Slanted ceilings and shelving make for a beautiful room.
This is an example of a large contemporary open concept family room in Other with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and yellow floor.

This beautiful 3000 square foot urban residence overlooking a natural landscape. The home is a comtemporary craftsman style on the exterior with a modern interior. The interior incorporates 4 generous bedrooms, 3 full baths, large open concept kitchen, dining area, family room, and sunroom/office. The exterior also has a combination of integrated lower and upper decks to fully capture the natural beauty of the site.

Family room in basement
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional enclosed family room in Other with green walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

DJK Custom Homes
Mid-sized traditional open concept family room in Chicago with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Janelle Ancillotti
Inspiration for a mid-sized country enclosed family room in New York with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.