(Julius Goyanko for The Washington Post)
THE CHALLENGE

FWendy and Dave Hamnett’s room. (Leah L. Jones/For The Washington Post)

The Falls Church home of Wendy and David Hamnett is a mix of decades: The house was built in the 1950s, the couple added a family room in the ’80s and they say the style is stuck in the ’90s. The Hamnetts want help bringing the space into the 21st century with new furniture, an attractive storage solution for their home entertainment system and a touch of coastal design.

THE SOLUTION

The solution. (Illustration By Julius Goyanko For The Washington Post)

Designer DeChelle Harris chooses wood furniture, brass finishes and navy blue accessories to give the room a sophisticated and subtly nautical update. Harris, of Chelle Albert Interiors (919-308-3036, www.chellealbert.com), is based in the District

Greige walls can warm up a space with navy and dark wood accents. Try C2’s Pale Granite.

A compass accent table gives a subtle nod to the couple’s love of sailing.

Matching rugs ground separate seating areas in the open floor plan.

Media consoles with glass doors make accessing home entertainment equipment easy and leave room for accessories, too.

SHOPPING GUIDE

Furniture: Belgian camelback slipcovered nine-foot sofa in Graphite Belgian linen with 40-inch depth ($3,735) and upholstered chaise in Graphite Belgian linen($3,310), both from www.restorationhardware.com; Olivia coffee table ($1,999) and Quintus armchair($729), both from www.horchow.com; Harlow console ($2,685, www.zincdoor.com); compass accent table ($552, www.laylagrayce.com).

Accessories: Navy deco pillow ($55 for 20-inch square pillow, www.caitlinwilsontextiles.com); circlet stands ($50-$70, www.crateandbarrel.com); Calacatta Gold marble tile ($30 per 12-by-24-inch tile, www.mosaictiledirect.net); Bosworth 9-by-12-foot rug ($1,399), Bosworth 5-by-8-foot rug ($799) and Chelsea floor lamp in bronze with burlap shade ($399), all from www.potterybarn.com; Belgian heavyweight textured-linen flat Roman shade in Sand (prices vary by size, www.restorationhardware.com).

SPLURGE . . .

20th-century English brass bar pull glass media console in brown oak. (Restoration Hardware)

Blue and white brushstroke lamp. (Mecox)

20th-century English brass bar pull glass media console in brown oak ($2,095 for 60-inch console, www.restorationhardware.com).

Blue-and-white brushstroke lamp ($950, www.mecox.com).

. . . OR SAVE

Wyatt 72-inch media console. (Crate and Barrel)

Brushstroke lamp in navy. (Jana Bek)

Wyatt 72-inch media console ($999, www.crateandbarrel.com).

Brushstroke lamp in navy ($395, www.janabek.com).

More from The Washington Post

See past room makeovers by local designers here

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