Amanda and Ty Larkins’ Hundred Oaks family room

1. Chandelier. This 17th century Italian light fixture is one of the classic pieces that serves as the foundation for our design style. Amanda and I describe it as “hip traditional.”

2. Painting. To add dimension and complexity to the space, we added modern elements, most notably a modern painting over the sofa by Baton Rouge artist Tony Mose.

3. Custom coffee table. As a residential designer, I often design pieces I am unable to locate on the market, like this metal and limestone coffee table, which is considerably higher than the standard 18 inches. Its height easily accommodates a large bench to be parked directly underneath.

4. Accent colors. The neutral color palette allows us to easily change the look of the space without the need to disturb the room’s foundation. We typically select one single “punch” color we can alternate depending on the time of the season.

5. French doors. We designed the space with four sets of French doors that open onto a rear courtyard. When the weather is cool and sunny, we typically open all the doors to allow for cross ventilation and terrific traffic flow, especially when we entertain.