There are about a million and one suggestions to make a small space feel larger, but when it comes to cozying up a large room with soaring ceilings and square footage to spare, there’s nary a tip or trick in sight. So without further ado we’d like to take you on a fun house tour through our good friend Justine’s amazing abode. Her house serves as the perfect example of what to keep in mind to evoke that cozy and über inviting feeling that doesn’t always go hand in hand with a super-sized space.
Rule #1: Create different zones by using a variety of furniture arrangements and other decorating elements to define each space. For example, Justine and her husband John’s kitchen has separate areas for cooking, eating in, and living that are defined using light fixtures, rugs, and furniture placement to create three smaller rooms within one large one that screams “come on in and stay a while.”
Rule #2: Incorporate deep wall colors that you couldn’t otherwise get away with in a small, light-starved space. The bold use of navy in their man cave (both on the pool table and on the back wall of their screening room) keeps things from seeming too open and undefined, and adds a stunning punch of color that a smaller room couldn’t handle.
Rule #3: Choose rich tones of wood over white or pine furniture (or any pieces with reflective mirrors and glass tops) which can expand the look of a room instead of cozying things up. These solid furnishings ground the coffered ceiling and keep the expansive space from looking too vacant while the paneled wainscoting seems to envelop you as you walk into the room.
Rule #4: Bring in eathtones and natural stone when you can, like they did in this vast bathroom (which features an amazing multi-jet spa shower as well). Sure, you usually can’t go wrong with gleaming white subway tile, but in this space it could look stark. The use of a rich granite countertop and a complementary natural stone tile around the jacuzzi tub (and that amazing aforementioned shower) keeps the room feeling spa-like and serene without seeming sterile.
Rule #5: Be sure to inject a little personality in a large house like Justine and John’s to keep it from feeling like a nondescript “builder” home. They painted the coffered ceiling in their main bedroom a pale blue color which really adds some signature style to the room while bringing the ceiling down a bit to keep things cozy. Justine also introduced a super fun green floral chair in the living room (see above), which is just the personal touch that a gorgeous home like this needs to feel, well, like home.
Now it’s your turn. Do you guys have any more big room tips to share? We’re sure we missed a bunch so feel free to chime in with some sage advice for all of our readers lucky enough to have room to spare. And a special thanks to Justine and John for the Young House Love Open House!
I love picture #2…someday in our ranch house, this will be perfect!
Could you find out what the paint colors names are in their Man Cave? Love it. Thanks.
Having a big space to make cozy is a problem I would love to have. :) Beautiful home!
I am green with envy over that bathroom. I think I may be in love with your friend’s tub. They have a beautiful house, huge but cozy.
Hey Lauren,
I put in a request with Justine for those wall colors in the man cave. Stay tuned for the details…
xo,
Sherry
Fabulous!
Hey Lauren,
Just heard from Justine about those wall colors in the man cave. They’re both by Benjamin Moore and the navy is Van Deusen Blue and the other is Grant Beige. She had the colors memorized because they changed their minds so many times until they found the perfect colors. She also mentioned that the “Van Deusen blue rocks… like it’s navyish, but not too navy…”
Hope that helps!
xoxo,
Sherry
I love their colors too! Is there anyway to find out the kitchen and dining room colors – just gorgeous.
Hey Brooks,
We don’t know them off hand but we’ll shoot them an email and hopefully they’ll pop in with more info.
xo,
s
Hey Brooks,
Here’s that answer right from the horse’s- I mean homeowner’s- mouth:
Easy – again, memorized. ;) Kitchen is Brookside Moss, dining room is Rosy Apple, both Benjamin Moore.
xo,
s
The house looks stunning!!
I just love the first image! The way the kitchen and living room blend together is just great! My husband and I are house plan hunting right now and I’m dying to find out about this one! Is there anyway I could find out who built this house so I could see a similair floor plan? I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks so much,
Sarah
Good question Sarah! We’ll try to get a hold of Justine to answer that question for you. Here’s hoping she drops in with that info soon…
xo,
s
What a beautiful home. I’ve been looking for a bedroom dresser similar to theirs. Is there anyway you can find out where they got their set?
Thank you!!
Sherri
Here’s hoping they drop in with that info!
xo,
s
I loved this house crash! We just bought our 1st home last year, and we have a similar problem – builder basic, but enormous! The floorplan is open, and we have really high ceilings, so it’s hard to bring everything down to size sometimes. (I’m not complaining, it’s a good problem to have!) We have broken sections of the greatroom up, and we’ve used some darker, richer colors already, but the other tips are GREAT!
I think that “man cave” may be larger than my entire house!
Sherri –
I believe, based on the photos, that we have the exact same bedroom set. Do a search for “Brentwood Drawer Dresser by Universal Brentwood Collection” and you should find what you’re looking for, if you’re still looking. Good luck!
I would just like to point out that there is a tv in their master, and above the fireplace non- the-less. I’ve been going through the archives and I love your guys’s style.
Do you have any additional pictures of this house? Maybe the exterior? I just love it!
All the pics we have, we share! So sorry we don’t have more for ya.
xo,
s
What is the paint color of the bedroom? Our bedroom set is of a similar stain and I love how the wall color looks so flawless against it!
Here’s hoping they drop in with that info for ya!
xo,
s
Do you know where they got the dining room table and chairs and the chandelier too? Love it! Gorgeous house! Thanks for the tips on having a lot of space, my husband and I just moved into a much larger home than we previously had and these tips will definitely come in handy!
Hmm, I think if you scroll back through the comments some of that info might be in there. Maybe the chandelier was from Ikea? And the dining table was from West Elm? Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Wow! Finally – I see that someone has nearly the exact same paint colors as us. I’m relieved to know maybe we’re not that strange. :)
I know its probably too late to get response but thought I would try. I love the color that is in the entry way next to the dining room. I have bought many samples and can’t come up with that color. If you are able to get the color that would be awesome!
Here’s hoping she drops in with that info!
xo,
s
What a great article! Thank you for the great advise! My husband and I are researching different options for our home and LOVE the home in Rule 1. Is there a way to get a plan for this layout or even more pictures? Even if there is a contact I can get in touch with, that would be great! Your help is so appreciated!! Thanks again!
Allison
Maybe Justine will drop in with more info for you? She’s the homeowner :)
xo
s