Thank you Bassett Furniture for providing furniture to sponsor this post. All opinions are 100% my own.
Today is the big reveal!
If you haven’t been following the McNay project, a few weeks ago Robert and I decided to refresh our neighbors’ living room.
King and Heather are two very special people to us. King serves our community as a firefighter and Heather works as a teacher — they both give so much to others and to our family.
Their living room was full of charm the moment we stepped in: exposed beams, planked walls, original hardwood floors, and large windows that let in an incredible amount of light.
Because they love Charleston and coastal living, I wanted a light, bright, coastal-inspired direction that would honor their personality while keeping the room practical for everyday life.
The transformation is dramatic — you can see how the room opened up and came alive.
We contacted Bassett Furniture at the start of the project because of their long legacy of quality and American-made craftsmanship. They generously provided the chaise sofa, leather recliner, coffee table, and end table that anchored the new layout.
We spent several days painting the tongue-and-groove wall paneling in Behr Polar Bear. It was a tough job, but the bright, clean backdrop was absolutely worth the effort.
The Layout
Because the room is narrow and also needs to function as Heather’s home office, we divided the space into two distinct zones. The seating area sits closer to the entry while the far end was dedicated to Heather’s workspace so she has a quiet, organized place to work.
Decorating Around the TV
To give the TV wall intentional style, we framed the TV with sketches that celebrate places meaningful to King and Heather — Charleston and Columbia, plus a nod to Wyoming, King’s home state — and added a pair of plug-in wall sconces where there was no overhead lighting. Those simple additions created a balanced focal point without replacing their existing console.
The Furniture
We brought in a Davenport chaise sectional sofa from Bassett in a lovely navy textured fabric. It’s supremely comfortable and anchors the seating area with a coastal-but-tailored feel.
I styled the sofa with textured white and blue-printed pillows and added a cozy gray throw for cooler evenings. A floor lamp provides excellent task lighting for the sofa’s reading spot.
The Magnificent Motion leather recliner in a soft Sierra Toast leather is a standout — it appears like a classic club chair but offers power reclining and multiple positioning options at the touch of a button, plus Bluetooth controls. It’s both handsome and incredibly functional.
For texture and storage, we selected a rustic Verona coffee table with deep drawers and a Bella side table that hides a power strip and USB charging ports — practical details that make daily life easier.
The navy sofa complements a marsh painting Heather and King had created themselves of a childhood favorite spot, and a gray-and-blue rug pulls the whole palette together.
The Storage
Heather does a lot of grading and lesson planning at a treasured heirloom desk passed down from her grandmother, so functional storage was essential. The original closets were cramped with tiny doors and even concealed a dated wet bar. The window seat also blocked access and functionality.
Robert opened the closet space and converted it into built-in shelving, then removed the window seat to make room for the desk in the window niche. The result is a bright, practical workspace with ample storage for books, supplies, and bins.
I styled the new shelves with a mix of functional storage and decorative pieces, but Heather now has room to store everything she needs for teaching and planning.
We placed a vibrant favorite painting above a painted accent cabinet finished in a soft Fusion Mineral Paint Sterling so she has a convenient spot for a printer and everyday essentials.
I kept other elements in the space neutral to let that painting and the personal pieces really shine.
The Details
To reinforce the coastal theme, I layered in beachy textures such as a rattan tray, wooden beads, an oyster shell dish, and a small air plant perched on a few stacked books. For the shelves, I found antique round baskets and urns that echo the feel of Charleston’s markets and framed a few coastal art prints to complete the vignette.
I still cannot get over the difference — painting the paneling and bringing in the right furniture and storage made the room feel like someone turned on the lights. The natural beams and architectural details now take center stage, and the space feels fresh, bright, and welcoming.
Bassett Furniture also offers design consultations in store, virtually, or through website chat for anyone who wants help translating a vision into a finished room. They have a wide range of options for custom and ready-made furniture to suit different styles and budgets.
We are so grateful to King and Heather for letting us take over their living room — and even more grateful for all they do for others every day.
“Our homes should inspire us to go out into the world to do great things and then welcome us back for refreshment.” – Melissa Michaels
