The Back of a Couch Became a Defining Feature in This Room

Open plan spaces have many pros, and when you are designing a house for hosting and socializing, you want your rooms to have that openness; the ability to move from kitchen, to dining, to living room. But the downside can be balancing that openness with coziness. This balance was key for the owners of this New England lakeside home, who loved to host but also wanted the rooms to feel welcoming and intimate. Their designer, Heidi Lachapelle’s, solution was simple – get creative with layouts.

As with any open-plan concept, zoning was going to be key to creating spaces that were equal parts cozy and cohesive for relaxing, family meals, and entertaining guests. The open plan living and dining room in Heidi’s aptly named Treehouse project is the perfect example of this, where a thoughtful furniture layout has transformed the large room into a cozy family space that feels connected and cohesive with perfectly zoned nooks.

Heidi and her sister-in-law, Katie Judkins, who make up the design firm, Heidi Lachapelle Interiors, took on this new home project with the brief to create a home that felt both ‘formal and traditional in keeping with the neighboring lakeside homes.’