Family Friendly Ranch Home Renovation in Atlanta
Welcome to this charming ranch-style home in Smyrna, Georgia, just west of Atlanta. After completing a major renovation on this three-bedroom home, the homeowner reached out for help with the finishing touches—rugs, wallpaper, art, accessories, and all the thoughtful layers that turn a house into a home. Like many busy parents juggling careers and young kids, she had renovated the structure but never had the time to fully furnish and style the space.
I was thrilled to work on this project, not just because the client was wonderful, but because I have a deep love for ranch homes. There’s something so comforting about a single-level layout, modest ceiling heights, and the way natural light pours in from every window. Ranch houses have a grounded, approachable feel that’s perfect for family living.
The renovation had already set a beautiful foundation: a clean, neutral palette with an updated farmhouse-meets-industrial feel—think Studio McGee meets Smyrna charm. Much of the major furniture was in place, purchased with the help of a family friend in the design industry, but the space still needed those personal, elevated touches to truly feel complete.
Living Room Updates: Scaled Pieces, Smart Storage & Trusting the Process
In the living room, one of the first things we addressed was scale. As you can see in the before photo, the room needed a larger rug and a more substantial media console to anchor the space. I sourced this beautiful textured white console from one of my go-to Atlanta furniture shops, and it checked every box: the right size, the right visual weight, and—bonus—it offered even more storage.
At first, the client wasn’t totally sold on the piece. And honestly, that’s common! Part of working with an interior designer is being gently nudged out of your comfort zone. You might not always see the vision at the beginning, but when the piece is installed and everything comes together, it clicks. That moment when a client says, “I wasn’t sure at first, but now I love it”? That’s the best part of my job.
Trust is everything in the design process—and it’s something that’s built over time, not overnight. When a client says, “If you think it’ll work, go for it,” that trust allows the magic to happen.
We also reviewed the floor plan together and mapped out every update before moving forward. One idea we considered—adding a rug in the entryway—ultimately didn’t make the final cut. That’s the beauty of a collaborative process: not every idea needs to stick, but every one gets its moment.
Neutral with a Twist: Soft Color, Smart Seating & a Family-Friendly Layout
If there’s one word that defines this living room, it’s neutral—and intentionally so. The client wanted a clean, calming backdrop with just the right amount of warmth and subtle color. She was open to soft touches of blue and yellow, so we wove those in sparingly, such as the new area rug, which brings a bit of interest while still keeping the overall look serene and understated.
To add energy and contrast, we introduced a mix of toss pillows in complementary tones and patterns. One of my favorite additions? These plaid upholstered ottomans, which can double as a coffee table or extra seating. Since the client spends a lot of time playing with her kids on the floor, she didn’t want a bulky coffee table taking up space. These ottomans are soft, stylish, and versatile for everyday life—a win on all fronts.
You might also notice we reconfigured the existing sectional sofa. She actually had an extra piece stored away in the guest room, so we added it back in to extend the length of the sofa and make better use of the room’s footprint. It’s a small change that made a big impact.
As always, I digitally illustrated the proposed layout so the client could visualize how everything would come together. I try to find close online stand-ins for rugs, sofas, and decor—though I always say the real thing will look so much better in person. And in this case? It absolutely does. Fresh, bright, and beautifully tailored to her lifestyle.
Entryway Update: Repurposed Furniture, Better Scale & a Welcoming First Impression
We gave the entryway a quick but impactful refresh by repurposing the dark sideboard that originally sat under the TV. It fits the space perfectly and brings a sense of substance right when you walk in. To complete the vignette, we added larger mirrors, wall sconces, and a touch of greenery to make the space feel warm, balanced, and welcoming.
The mirrors were chosen intentionally. They echo the black steel detail on the kitchen windows, creating a subtle design connection between the two areas. (A clever little moment that adds just the right amount of cohesion.)
In the before photo, you’ll notice the entry table was too small for the scale of the wall. We relocated the mirror to the front porch, where it now feels more at home. And yes, the dogs are adorable—they definitely didn’t need changing ;)
Dining Room Refresh: Subtle Drama & Layered Texture
In the dining room, we wanted to add personality without overpowering the calm, neutral palette of the home. We chose a subtle yet striking wallpaper that brings the walls to life with a soft pattern and just the right amount of depth.
To add dimension, we incorporated an oversized mirror, which reflects light and helps the room feel more expansive. Tall buffet lamps bring height and elegance to the console, while a woven rug grounds the space with texture.
The styling is simple but intentional—a few curated accessories, including a white footed bowl filled with moss spheres, which introduces a hint of greenery and a natural element that ties back to the home’s warm, modern vibe.
See how sad the room is without wallpaper, a mirror and a rug? I am weeping.
Because I’m constantly sourcing furniture, I can usually tell where pieces came from and track them down online to help illustrate ideas for my clients. In this case, once the wallpaper was installed, we decided to skip adding wall decor as the client loved it so much, it didn’t need anything else. Sometimes, wallpaper is the art, and this was one of those moments where less truly felt like more.
Porch Styling: Cozy Layers & a Fresh Layout
On the porch, we gave the space a refresh by rearranging the furniture layout to create better flow and functionality. We brought out the mirror from the entryway, added a few pieces of art, and layered in pillows, throws, and dried florals to make it feel warm, inviting, and intentionally styled—perfect for a cozy afternoon or casual gathering.
Guest Room Design: Soft Layers & Serene Details
The guest bedroom already had a calming, quiet energy, so we kept the design simple and soothing. We layered in neutral store-bought drapes, soft bedding, textured pillows, and classic lamps to elevate the space without overwhelming it. A beautiful area rug grounds the room, and we added a slim white sideboard on the right wall to display a few curated objects beneath a mirror.
Though the room was still waiting on a couple of finishing touches when we photographed it—like a missing copper pillowcase and new nightstands—the transformation already felt complete.
One of my favorite elements is the bronze palm frond arrangement above the bed, tied together with twine by my assistant (thank you, Alena!). It adds just the right amount of sculptural interest without interrupting the calm. On the left wall, we created a gallery of black-and-white travel photos in simple natural wood frames, bringing in personality while keeping the palette cohesive.
Peaceful, personal, and perfectly understated.
I know it’s a total design cliché to say “I love every part of the process”—but honestly, it’s true. Pulling together all the layers of a space is my happy place. Check out the digital design board I created for this room. In the collage, the rug stands out more than it does in real life, but it still gives you a sense of the palette—and how I picked up on those copper tones you’ll see woven throughout the space.
Powder Room Refresh: Contrast, Energy & a Polished Finish
And here we are—the final room we touched in this lovely home: the powder room. It already had a beautiful foundation with soft paint colors, gorgeous mosaic floor tile, and classic polished nickel hardware, but it needed a little something extra—contrast and energy to bring it to life.
This space may be small, but it’s the perfect place to take a few creative risks and add personality. A few well-chosen updates made all the difference.
I was certain I’d be replacing the bright white shower curtain, but once the wallpaper was installed and the new mirror and artwork were hung, I ended up loving the simplicity and contrast it brought to the space. It just worked.
The gold mirror that was originally in this room now lives in the guest room; a perfect example of how I like to work. While many designers prefer to source every single piece from scratch, that’s not my approach. I truly enjoy when clients have items with history, and I do my best to incorporate existing pieces throughout the home.
Sometimes all it takes is repositioning something, reframing it, or giving it a new context. I’m known to “shop” in my clients’ homes—pulling out things they’ve tucked away or forgotten about—and placing them strategically where they shine. It’s one of my favorite parts of the process: blending the old and new to make a space feel personal and lived-in from day one.
There’s so much warmth and texture in this bathroom now; it truly feels like a retreat. While I don’t have the final photos of the principal bedroom, I couldn’t resist sharing a peek at the elements we selected for the space.
The rug, which was on a serious backorder, has finally been installed and it was worth the wait. We chose the most romantic bedding, full of soft tones and cozy layers, and paired it with a set of gorgeous, chunky bedside lamps that add the perfect touch of drama and balance.
Congratulations Smyrna family! Enjoy your new space. The end.
Interested in working with Violet Marsh Interiors on your Atlanta interior design project? Book a discovery call to see if we are a fit. Please cruise around the site using the navigation links below and please do let me know how I can help.