Client Case Study
A room that now feels calm, relaxed, and totally right
What once felt disjointed now feels calm and cohesive — thanks to small but intentional changes that made the most of what they already owned.
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We had purchased a couple of new cabinets for our lounge… and suddenly the room and everything in it looked totally wrong… we really needed some help!
Sonya Taylor, Strathmore
The Brief
Sonya and her husband had bought some new cabinets for their lounge — that were beautiful in their own right — but they’d thrown the whole space off. Suddenly, nothing felt quite right. They wanted a calm, tranquil room with a really relaxing feel, but weren’t sure how to achieve it.
BEFORE
The Challenge
The main issue wasn’t what they had—it was how it was arranged and how it felt together. The room had potential, but the layout didn’t support how they wanted to use the space. A desk was placed awkwardly next to the window at the end of the seating area, and despite some lovely existing pieces, nothing was working harmoniously. They were feeling stuck, unsure what to keep, what to change, and how to bring their vision of a calm, serene space to life without diving into a full redesign.
BEFORE
The Approach
There was no need to change the paint colour, just a few touch-ups to freshen things up. Instead of buying all new furniture, we focused on reusing and reworking what she already had - resulting in significant cost savings.
BEFORE
AFTER
Updated upholstery
A key move was recovering a special occasional chair which belonged to a relative, in a gorgeous green velvet — this added richness and calm, and paired well with the existing rug. The sofas were reupholstered in a textured neutral. We selected floaty curtains (voile in front, and lining behind) in a textured plain that added softness and movement, creating the serene and sophisticated atmosphere Sonya was after. We had a few cushions made in a fabric Sonya loved - finishing the space off beautifully.
AFTER
Layout Changes
The layout was reworked to create two clear zones — by moving her husband’s desk into a corner behind the sofas immediately made the seating area feel more intentional and inviting. Pulling the couches closer together, and repositioning some larger pieces created a sense of balance, making the space feel much more inviting.
AFTER
AFTER
Personal Touches
Accessories were kept minimal and added thoughtfully. Sonya chose pieces she already owned and loved, leaning into a soft art deco feel that brought character and a personal touch without overwhelming the room.
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The overall effect was stunning and exactly what we wanted!
sONYA tAYLOR, sTRATHMORE
The Results
By working with what they already had and making intentional changes, we created a space that feels both relaxed and perfectly in tune with their needs.
AFTER
Totally ‘right’
A room that once felt disjointed and uncomfortable now feels calm, relaxed, and totally ‘right’. Sonya loves spending time in the space, and even her husband—initially unsure about moving the desk—agreed the layout now works far better.
AFTER
intentional Changes
We didn’t repaint. We didn’t start from scratch. Instead, we worked with what they had, made intentional changes, and created a space that feels layered, thoughtful, and beautifully tranquil.
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With Nicci’s knowledge and expertise, we totally nailed it!!
We had purchased a couple of new cabinets for our lounge… and suddenly the room and everything in it looked totally wrong… we really needed some help!
Having never used an interior designer before, I googled some and looked at reviews. I decided Nicci seemed like the best fit for us… and it was the best decision ever!
Nicci was so lovely to deal with and helped make the process so easy! She listened carefully to what we wanted to achieve and with her knowledge and expertise, we totally nailed it!!
The brief was for a calm, tranquil room that had a really relaxing feel to it. Nicci helped us choose beautiful fabrics for the curtains and sofas but she also made use of items we already owned. The overall effect was stunning and exactly what we wanted!
Thank you Nicci… we would 100% recommend your services!
Sonya Taylor, Strathmore
Want to fall in love with your home again?
I’d love to help you create a space that feels good to live in — calm, personal, and totally you. Let’s work with what you have, add only what's necessary to complete your space, and bring your home to life — one thoughtful decision at a time.