Brick Home Haven

We’re thrilled to share a peek into our living room transformation — a project close to my heart completed in partnership with Room & Board.

When we moved into this house, the living room was hands down the darkest room in our home. Picture this: an 80s stone fireplace that felt heavy and outdated, brown-beige walls, and wall-to-wall tan carpet. Not exactly the warm, cozy space we envisioned for family movie nights and slow Sunday mornings.

Still, we saw the potential. We knew this could become a haven for relaxation and family memories. So, we started with the basics — painting the walls (Greek Villa by Sherwin WIlliams), updating the flooring to wide-plank white oak, and re-imagining the fireplace as an elevated cottagey centerpiece, inspired by the charm of European interiors. But what would really make it feel like home? The right furniture.

We wanted built-ins flanking the fireplace to bring visual balance and draw your eye to the center of the room. And a new sectional was a no-brainer to keep the room feeling open while offering plenty of cozy seating.

A question I get all the time is: “Morgan, what’s your home style?” Honestly, it’s hard to pin down. I love mixing aesthetics. If I had to describe it, I’d say: elevated but lived-in, modern but timeless, cozy and moody — yet still bright.

That’s exactly why I fell in love with Room & Board. Their pieces are beautifully made, thoughtfully designed, and built to last. When I found out they offer custom-sized bookcases, I knew they’d be the perfect partner for this space. We saved so much time on the built-in process — and I loved knowing our bookcases were being handcrafted on the East Coast while we finished up renovations.

Then came the fun part: the couch.

The Baylor sectional immediately caught my eye. It’s designed for deep, luxurious lounging, but still has a clean-lined architectural look I love. Its down-alternative cushions give you that soft, sink-in comfort with the structure and support you actually need. Details like the wide tuxedo arms and slim seat profile make it modern without feeling cold.

For fabric, I chose Mori Ivory — a durable, ultra-soft chenille with subtle color variation that adds depth. I hesitated on a light-colored couch (mom of three boys here!), but after talking to a few friends, I realized something: having a light sofa just means you’re more intentional about keeping it clean — when a spill or smudge happens; it is dealt with right away. And this fabric is designed to be cleanable, so it’s perfect for busy homes with kids and pets.

Every design I’d saved for inspiration had a light sofa — and now I get why. This one brings so much brightness and softness to the room. It’s the perfect centerpiece for the cozy, timeless living space we imagined all along.

One decision I went back and forth on: coffee table or ottoman? I love the look of a classic coffee table, but ultimately, I’m so glad we chose the Baylor ottoman to go with our sectional.

It’s not only incredibly comfortable (hello, extra legroom), but also super functional. We use a simple wooden tray when we need a surface for drinks or books, but most of the time, we just enjoy the soft, inviting feel. It can stay in the center of the room, or we shift it to the edge to create a chaise-like setup, perfect for lounging. As a mom of a toddler, I also really appreciate not having any sharp corners.

If you’re looking for customizable living room furniture built to fit your space and your lifestyle, I highly recommend Room & Board. You can shop my exact pieces using the following links:

Custom Woodwind Bookcases
Baylor Sectional
Baylor Ottoman

I plan to share more about the DIY side of our living room makeover soon, so stay tuned if you’re interested in hearing more on the full process. For now, we’ll be over here enjoying this gorgeous space.

Bookcases, sectional, and ottoman generously gifted by Room & Board.