The art of space planning is all about making the most of what you have while finding new ways to bring a space to life. At EJD, we love looking at a room with fresh eyes, rethinking the layout, repurposing existing furniture, and discovering new ways to use the pieces you already own. Sometimes, a simple change in placement or a different combination of furnishings can completely transform how a room feels and functions.
Every space has the opportunity to serve more than one purpose, and this project was a great example of making the most of a smaller footprint. Working alongside Newberry Architecture and CAM Construction, we transformed a garage apartment into a multifunctional space designed to serve as a living area, workspace, and bedroom. The result is a thoughtfully designed space where clever details allow the room to adapt effortlessly to different needs.
Photograph by Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer Photography
Thoughtful Space Planning for Everyday Living
Every home is unique, we love working closely with our clients to create spaces that reflect their lifestyle and the way they live day to day. For this family, we took a closer look at how their home was being used and identified an opportunity to make better use of their existing space. Their formal dining room wasn’t being used very often, so we worked together to reimagine it as a family room where the kids could do their homework, watch TV, and spend time together. By relocating the dining area to a more convenient spot in the home, we created a layout that felt more natural for their family’s everyday routine.
Photograph by Ellen Renee
Planning for Sharing a Space
When designing a room that needs to accommodate more than one person, thoughtful space planning helps create a balance between functionality and personal style. In a shared space, finding the right arrangement for furniture allows everyone to feel comfortable while making the most of the available room. We love incorporating coordinating colors, playful patterns, and thoughtful details to bring the design together without making the space feel crowded.
Photograph by Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer Photography Photograph by Jessica Delaney and Styled by Sean William
Incorporating Existing Art with Purpose
Artwork collected over the years can bring personality and meaning to a space, and with thoughtful planning, it can serve a purpose beyond decoration. One way we love doing this is by incorporating existing artwork to discreetly conceal a TV when it’s not in use.
Photograph by Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer Photography
Photography by Kerry Kirk and Styled by Curious Details
A Fresh Take on the Familiar
Sometimes, reimagining a space means working with what is already there rather than starting from scratch. Original tile can become a beautiful part of the design, while other surfaces, like brick, can be updated by adding a new layer of tile to give them a fresh look. The same idea applies to mirrors, artwork, and other pieces collected over the years. By finding creative ways to reuse and incorporate these existing elements, we can refresh a space while preserving pieces that hold meaning or add character. It’s all about seeing the potential in what you already have and finding thoughtful ways to make it feel new again!
Creative Director by Megan Hotze
In this project, we were intentional about the way each piece worked within the space, creating a room that feels refreshed, purposeful, and beautifully curated without always needing to start from scratch. We reupholstered this client’s original sectional in a new fabric, giving it a fresh look while keeping a familiar piece as part of the design. It’s all about seeing the potential in what you have and finding creative ways to make it feel new again.
Photograph by Ellen Renee
By being intentional about the placement of each piece, we can create a room that feels cohesive, inviting, and tailored to the people who use it every day.
Photograph by Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer Photography
Collected Pieces, New Function
We find inspiration in discovering new ways to incorporate meaningful pieces into our designs. For this bedroom, our client brought back a beautiful decorative wood panel from their travels, which we had reupholstered in a fabric of our choosing and incorporated into the closet doors. This allowed us to highlight a unique piece while giving it a new purpose within the space.
Photograph by Ellen Renee