Client Living Room Glow-Up: Minimal Farmhouse Style

This project was such a fun one. My clients had a beautiful custom-built home, but like so many new builds, it felt a little unfinished and lacking personality. They told me they wanted that minimal farmhouse look — simple and cozy, but not sterile or cold. My job was to bring in character and warmth while making the open floor plan actually feel like home.

Setting the Tone

We focused on the main dining and living areas since they flow right into each other. The first thing I wanted to do was give the space more architectural interest. My husband (who’s a general contractor) built the most beautiful board and batten feature wall that starts in the tall entryway and runs all the way into the living room. It instantly pulled everything together and gave the house that custom, intentional feel. We also added new door trim for extra polish.

The Color Moment

SW Succulent shown

Color was a big part of this project. My client loved green, so I pulled a few lighter options to start — but then she surprised me by picking a deeper, richer shade: Succulent by Sherwin Williams. And honestly? It was the best decision. The darker green cozied everything up and made the open floor plan flow in such a beautiful way.

To balance it, we used black accents throughout — just enough to ground the space and keep it feeling modern.

Dining Space with Purpose

The dining area needed definition, so we went with a farmhouse-style table from Pottery Barn, paired with black accent chairs. A soft rug underneath helped anchor the whole space and gave it purpose.

The boldest choice was the green accent chairs — at first, my client was nervous about them (totally understandable!), but she trusted the process. Now? She loves them. They tie everything together so well.

A Cozy, Updated Living Room

For the living room, we finally swapped out the older couches for a custom Lovesac sectional — something my client had been dreaming about. We added in two perfect swivel chairs, a beautiful neutral rug by Loloi Amber Lewis Molly Collection in Ocean/Sunset, and then went shopping together for all the finishing touches: pillows, throws, vases, candles, faux flowers, a lamp, and a side table. (Most of these finds came from HomeGoods and Target — proof that cozy style doesn’t have to break the bank!)

One of my favorite pieces is the black console table with a warm wood top. Against the green board and batten, it pops in the best way while still being functional for storage.

Why This Project Matters

What makes me smile most about this project is how much my clients leaned into the process. They trusted me, even when a choice felt outside their comfort zone. And because of that, their home feels so much more like them.

The wildest part? They were actually considering moving before we started. Now, after seeing what’s possible with a little design and vision, they decided to stay and truly invest in their home. Even their two boys love the swivel chairs!

This was one of my first official client projects this year, and it reminded me why I love what I do — taking builder grade and making it feel custom, cozy, and lived in.

👋 Hi, I’m Mandy!

I’m a Northwest-based interior decorator with a passion for transforming builder-grade houses into warm, layered homes full of character.

After years of remodeling my own spaces (and watching our kitchen reno go viral on Facebook in 2024!), I now help clients create timeless, cozy designs that feel both personal and practical.

Whether you’re stuck with a builder-basic home or just need a fresh set of eyes on your space, I’d love to help.

✨ Services: Color consulting, space planning, full-room decorating, seasonal styling, and more.

📩 Let’s work together! Go to my get started page and tell me about your project!