Creating a cosy, stylish snug: from uninviting to warm and characterful

When my clients approached me to redesign their family room, they expressed their frustration at the fact the space was underused and and uninviting. They envisioned a room where they could relax together as a family —an inviting and stylish snug. With high ceilings and traditional features, this room within their beautiful period home had lots of potential, so with all of this in mind, I set out to transform their plain, uninspiring space into a warm, cosy haven that balanced functionality with timeless style.

Taking inspiration

Every great design project begins with a spark of inspiration. For this room, it came from the striking fireplace tiles that had been overlooked for years. These tiles, with their subtle vintage charm and pink and green flowers, provided the perfect starting point for the room’s colour palette.

The fireplace itself, however, needed a dramatic update. We decided to paint it black, turning it into a bold, statement-making feature. The deep black not only grounded the room but also highlighted the beauty of the tiled surround. This newly emphasized focal point guided the rest of the design.

The Power of Colour

I wanted to envelop the room in warmth and create a sense of drama. Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink was the perfect choice and tied in with the pink of the flowers on the tiles. This soft, muted rose hue has a depth that feels sophisticated without being overpowering. Rather than confining the colour to the walls, I opted for a “colour-drenched” approach, painting the walls, skirting boards, woodwork and doors the same colour.

This created a cocooning effect, softening the room’s angles and making it feel instantly welcoming. The black accents of the fireplace, lighting and armchair provided a dramatic contrast to the sulking room pink and added to the atmospheric vibe.

Layering textures for cosiness

To complement the colour scheme and add some depth, we incorporated a variety of textures in the furnishings.

The green-grey sofa tied back to the fireplace tiles again and we used chunky throws, soft cushions and a textured pouffe to create a space that the whole family could relax in to watch movies or play video games.

A vintage rug anchored the furniture and made the original wooden floorboards feel warm and cosy. Soft, layered lighting from table lamps, floor lamps and a central pendant gave the room elevated ambience.

Balancing old and new

As this was a period property, I wanted to carefully balance old and new. I was keen to use contemporary items to create a clean, uncluttered look, at the same time as giving a home to older, sentimental family pieces.

We placed a contemporary, Scandinavian armchair beside a traditional family cabinet, added contemporary lighting, and hung a large, round minimalistic mirror with a thin black frame above the traditional fireplace. These contrasts between modern and period worked really well.

The final reveal

The transformation from before to after was remarkable. What was once an underused, overlooked room has become the heart of the home—a cosy, beautiful space the entire family can enjoy.

This project was a testament to the power of thoughtful design: starting with a single inspiration point, daring to embrace colour, and always keeping the clients’ needs at the forefront.