Between the Layers | Design Guide Series
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Family Room

Making a Family Room Cozy and Relaxing

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Making a Family Room Cozy, Relaxing … and Intentional

 

Today we’re spilling the tea on how we’re turning the Rumpus Room (aka Family Room) into a cozy, relaxing, kick-back-and-chill family room. Okay, so real talk, what is a “Rumpus Room” anyway? Basically, it’s the ultimate chill-out zone where you can let loose, have a blast, and soak up some major fam vibes. It’s like a warm hug for your soul, where relaxation and family time collide in the best way possible! We’re talking about the crème de la crème of family rooms. Here’s how we plan to accomplish this beautiful yet intentional space. Take a look at our rendering to give you a sense of how we see this turning out!

We always turn to Pinterest to gain inspo when gathering our ideas for a project … this pic is a perfect representation of the color palette we are loving for this space. Do you use Pinterest to get inspired as well? Follow us here to see all that we’re pinning!

 

Amber Interiors

 

1. Create a Cozy, Relaxing Spot to Watch TV

We’re tackling this task head on by creating the coziest spot ever to catch all your favorite shows and movies! And here’s the deal: we’re keeping the living room TV-free, so this rumpus room is going to be the holy grail for lounging and relaxing. First things first, we’re all about creating that “sink-in-and-never-leave” kinda vibe.

What’s the plan? A built-in sectional! Derrick is a DIY genius, and he’s going to work his magic here. He’s going to build a base for some custom cushions that will seamlessly integrate into that base, creating an epic sectional! We actually did the same thing with our banquette at Fall Creek, and let me just say, everyone is always fighting for those spots to sit at dinner. I’m envisioning a cozy soft fabric (the verdict is still out on which one), and the fluffiest and plumpest cushions, with lots of accent pillows for added plushness, of course.

Jean Stoffer Design

2. Build a Wet Bar

Our kitchen is on the smaller side, and we desperately need another spot to mix up cocktails, store barware and glasses, and keep our wine chilled to perfection. You know how it is when you’re trying to prepare a delicious meal but everyone insists on congregating in the kitchen? Yeah, not ideal for the chef either (aka Derrick). So, we’re solving this dilemma by creating a mini- oasis away from the kitchen chaos. Cue the wet bar! 

To keep things efficient, we’re opting for a nifty dual-zone mini-fridge that’ll house all our beverages and wine. It’s going to be beverage heaven my friends! We’re thinking of an arch design after being inspired by this photo (above) of a room designed by Jean Stoffer Design. Derrick might be rolling his eyes at the idea, but I personally think it adds a touch of whimsy and makes the space even more fun! We’ll see if we can make it happen 😉

Now let’s talk aesthetics. We’re going for a bold and vibrant vibe with a punch of color. We’ve got our eyes set on this stunning tile by Fireclay for the backsplash. It’s like a rich, deep, rusty red, an almost brick-like hue that beautifully compliments the red rocks Central Oregon is famous for. Talk about blending the indoors with natural outdoor elements! And, here’s a fun twist: we’re planning to layer some funky wallpaper like this one by Morris & Co x McGee & Co on the inside of the arch. It’s all about adding that unexpected pop and infusing the space with our own unique style. 

 

Of course, we can’t forget about the details. We’ve stumbled upon these awesome brass shelf brackets on Etsy. They bring so much character and charm that we used them in our laundry room. Now they’re making their way to the wet bar! We’re planning on installing them with glass shelves to showcase our pretty glasses and barware. For all the fellow mixologists out there, get ready to see the wet bar of your dreams and let the good times flow!

3. Create Ambient Lighting

Let’s shed some light on the importance of ambient lighting for this rumpus room. Yes, this space is lacking overhead lighting. But fear not, we’ve got a plan to create that relaxing, inviting atmosphere — especially for those late-night reading and TV sessions. The absence of can lights will only make our evenings in this space even more intimate. And, the large wall-to-wall windows will provide more than enough light during the day time. 

First up, we are installing sconces over the built-in sectional. These babies will provide that perfect, warm glow for those quiet evenings curled up with a good book. The cool part is, we are going for sconces that can swivel. That way, we can angle the light just right for optimal reading comfort. It’s all about finding that sweet spot. 

We also have plans for this surface fixture over the wet bar. This fixture will provide some much needed illumination for the glass shelves and countertop, while adding a touch of style to the entire area.

So, what’s next?

The next steps: we’ll be taking our rumpus room to the next level of cozy and relaxing! We’re on the hunt for the perfect rug and coffee table, or even a large ottoman. Ideally, we’d find a rug that not only adds a touch of warmth and texture to the space, but also ties the whole room together with its stunning design. And, we’re torn between a classic coffee table and a large ottoman for that ultimate feet-up, chill-out experience. Let’s be real, ottomans are a dream come true when it comes to kicking back and relaxing. But, the tricky part is what to choose when you need a surface on which to set things down. Decisions, decisions! However, we’re determined to find the perfect solution that combines comfort and functionality.

Keep following along as we move through this fun project! We love to share our thought processes and inspiration with all of you.

 

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When life gives you lemons… you make lemonade. 🍋
But for us, it wasn’t just a saying.
For over 20 years, I had been designing our homes… but when Derrick lost his job, everything shifted. What felt like everything falling apart was actually the beginning of something new.
After years of being a stay-at-home mom — the role that meant everything to me — I stepped into something completely unknown and started my design business. I was terrified.
Somewhere along the way, Derrick and I found our rhythm, and what started as helping each other turned into building something side by side… Clouz Houz.
And then… we did it again.
We left everything familiar and moved to Tennessee, starting over in a place where no one knew us. No reputation. No safety net. Just a dream… and a lot of faith. And if I’m being honest, it’s taken more grit and determination than I ever imagined. Because starting over midlife hits differently — when so many around you are slowing down, you’re asking yourself to dig deeper, push harder, and believe bigger.
There have been moments I’ve questioned everything. Moments that felt heavy, lonely, uncertain.
But also moments that feel like… this is it. This is the life we fought for.
“Life is Short. Make it Beautiful.” came from one of those turning points — when we realized life wasn’t going to wait for us to feel ready. So we chose to begin. 
Again.
And in this season of rebuilding, I’ve found myself being pulled toward something new… a different way of sharing what I’ve learned, what I see, and what I love.  It’s stretched me in new ways — and in some ways, it’s been unexpectedly therapeutic.
I can’t wait to share more soon. 🤍✨
Office reveal… but also a little life update.
We’ve been working from this space behind the scenes, and it finally feels ready to share. This is where client projects come to life…where we’re sourcing, planning, and building what’s next for both our Oregon projects and the ones we’re beginning here in Tennessee.
Oregon will always be home for our work. Our roots are there and very much staying, but we’re excited to now be creating in Tennessee as well, while continuing to serve clients nationwide.
We have three project openings this summer and are currently taking on new clients in both locations.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, you can inquire through our website…we’d love to work together. 🤍
What started as a “simple” fireplace update quickly turned into one of those classic renovation plot twists.😅 
Here’s how it actually unfolded:
1. Planned to install tile over the existing fireplace tile — that was the original vision.
2. Began demo and discovered some serious structural damage to chimney. Immediate pivot.
3. Tore in further and uncovered the original brick hiding underneath.
4. Brought in the mason to re-mortar and clean everything up.
5. The brick went from dusty and rustic to bright red and very classic — and yes... I freaked out a little.
6. Lived with it for a bit to see if I could make peace with the new look.
7. Ultimately we applied a watered down lime grout (what was used by mason) to give it that old-world imperfect feel again.
8. Polished/stained the original stone hearth to refresh it without replacing it.
9. Stripped down the fussy details from the wood mantle and surround.
10. Painted the mantle and reinstalled it — and finally, it all felt right.
Renovations rarely go exactly as planned, but sometimes uncovering what’s underneath leads to something better than you imagined in the first place.