The Keystone Living Room

Older homes often arrive with years of accumulated architectural decisions — a trim profile here that doesn't match one there, a fireplace surround that predates the rest of the room, built-ins that were added without much thought for what was already there. This River Forest living room had all of those things, and our job was to bring it all into coherence.

The renovation streamlined a cluttered fireplace surround and introduced new flanking bookcases that look original to the house. A re-imagined vintage sectional — reupholstered and repositioned — became the anchor of the room's new life. Mid-century details throughout add warmth and a point of view without tipping into theme.

The result is a living room that feels both resolved and relaxed: beautiful enough for entertaining, comfortable enough for every day, and — most importantly — finally in conversation with itself.

Design by Kathryn Murphy Interiors · River Forest, IL · Living room renovation · Fireplace surround redesign · Mid-century modern living room · River Forest interior designer