Paul Miller
Interior Designer 
There’s something so special about small, cozy rooms, the ones that give us a sense of being tucked away from the cares of the world. That is definitely true in this little Swiss Army knife of a space at Nest 215.
In a room that was likely meant for a nursery when the house was built in the middle of the last century, we managed to eke out space for gaming (the real life kind), television viewing and reading. This room, on the same floor as the primary bedroom, gives my clients a private relaxation spot for an assortment of moods.
While the home is traditional, the elements I selected prise open that aperture, welcoming in an aesthetic that is modern, posh and eclectic: an original, abstract oil painting; lighting mixing contemporary forms with antique brass; and drapery that would be equally at home in a stylish penthouse in the 1960s. Seriously, I cannot get enough of this gorgeous fabric.
Good design requires attention to the push and pull of each element. I selected the chair fabric knowing that its subtlety would provide a calming contrast to the dynamic interest of the drapery fabric. Similarly, the beautiful texture and rich blue of the rug offers a soothing and grounding aspect to the overall design. The game table is crafted from forged iron and walnut, scaled for two and just fitting into the room without encroaching its other uses.
The loveseat in this room, shopped from another part of the home and recovered, was the perfect fit. I love an opportunity to reinterpret furniture already within the home, when it makes sense, and this piece never looked better than when styled with this striated woven in a host of warm and cool colors.
New nesting tables, chosen to compliment a burled wood chest already in the space, offer flexibility and a rich, warm finish. That warmth is mirrored in my wall color choice, Ben Moore’s aptly-named Gingersnaps.
This design reflects the best of what small hang-out spaces can offer: coziness, comfort and style.
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Cozy Little Hangout FAQs
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When deciding whether or not a room is too small for a den, ask how many people the space will serve. For a frame of reference, this room is about 120 square feet and accommodates two people very nicely. However, if the game table were removed, it could seat up to four. At the end of the day, making a small room work often requires creativity and flexibility.
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We scaled the furniture thoughtfully, which is the foundation for creating a small and functional room. However, the lighting and overall style choices cannot be ignored. We made sure to pick lamps that heighten interest and left no detail overlooked to bring home a warm, cohesive design. When the balance and rhythm in the placement of elements is just right, the eye keeps moving comfortably around the room, which allows for a dense visual experience that suits the scale.
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As an interior designer with twenty-plus years of experience, I can say with confidence that small rooms can take as many colors as their larger counterparts. While conventional wisdom suggests that small rooms need to be painted in light colors, I think that creating visual impact is more valuable than trying to make a small space appear larger. When picking darker colors, consider their temperature: cool colors recede from the eye, while warm colors advance on it. Deep blue and green tones are ideal for a dramatic spin on a small space. For warm colors, like the one in this project, look for tones that are less saturated and more earthy.
After Photos: Matthew Lofton
Before
A designer’s every choice is intentional, mindful of scale and proportion, rhythm and harmony, contrast and texture. Our ‘Why We Did That’ series is a bite-sized dive into one-off changes, big and small, that are part of our home transformations.
Interested in learning how we can bring change to your nest? Give our studio a call at 540-336-3385 or hit the button below to tell us more about your project.
