Shea McGee’s Most Ambitious Reno to Date Is Only 180 Square Feet

Designer Shea McGee recently completed a remodel of her family home, transforming the open-plan living room from a modern rustic style to a more traditional aesthetic. A notable design choice in this remodel was the decision to forgo a sectional sofa, despite the room's generous size. Instead, McGee opted for two separate sofas, strategically placed to define the coffee table area, alongside various other standalone seating options. McGee explained her reasoning in a Studio McGee YouTube video, stating her preference for traditional living rooms to be free of sectionals. She views sectionals as 'fun couches' but reserves them for less formal spaces, such as her basement. This approach allows her main living area to maintain a more refined and 'pretty' appearance. McGee emphasized that choosing two sofas over a sectional does not compromise comfort, highlighting that she finds two distinct sofas to be 'really comfortable.' For those inspired by this dual-sofa arrangement, McGee provided key advice on selecting and coordinating different sofa styles to create a cohesive look. Her primary recommendation involves considering the bases of the sofas: one should be substantial and close to or touching the floor, while the other should feature legs, creating a contrast of weight and lightness in the room. This contrast prevents the space from feeling too heavy or unbalanced. Another crucial tip from McGee is to ensure that the arm heights of both sofas are 'somewhat the same level.' This alignment contributes to a unified visual line across the seating arrangement. Furthermore, she suggested looking for points of continuity in the design styles of the sofas. This could include subtle slopes in the back or arms, or other shared design elements that help connect the different pieces and create a harmonious aesthetic. For individuals planning a living room refresh, replacing a sectional with two individual sofas can significantly alter the room's overall appearance, lending it a more elevated and traditional feel. The article encourages readers to consider this design approach to achieve a refined and sophisticated living space, mirroring McGee's design philosophy. It also provides examples of specific sofas used in McGee's design, offering inspiration for replicating her grown-up aesthetic. #SheaMcGee #LivingRoomDesign #InteriorDesign #SofaSelection #HomeRemodel #TraditionalDecor #FurnitureArrangement #OpenPlanLiving #DesignTips

The perception of an ideal home size among millennials is undergoing a significant shift, moving away from larger 'McMansion-style' residences towards more compact living spaces. Recent data from a Zillow report indicates a notable decrease in the median square footage of single-family homes desired by this demographic. Specifically, the median size has fallen from 2,467 square feet in 2015 to 2,386 square feet in 2018, marking the largest decline observed since 1988. This trend highlights a growing preference among younger homebuyers for smaller, more manageable homes. This evolving preference is largely driven by a desire for denser, more urban living environments that offer proximity to shared amenities and enhanced walkability. Millennials are increasingly seeking homes that align with a lifestyle focused on convenience, community, and reduced commute times. Beyond urban appeal, practical considerations also play a crucial role in the gravitation towards smaller homes. Reduced square footage translates to less maintenance, including fewer areas to clean and fewer structural components, such as windows and plumbing, that require upkeep over time. This aspect appeals to individuals seeking to minimize the burdens associated with homeownership and potentially reduce long-term costs. Adapting to a smaller living space necessitates thoughtful design and organization strategies. To maximize functionality and comfort in more compact homes, careful selection of furnishings is essential. Investing in flexible storage solutions and versatile seating options, such as poufs and folding screens, can provide both aesthetic appeal and practical utility, especially when entertaining guests. These items help in de-bulking the space, ensuring that every piece serves a purpose and contributes to an uncluttered environment. Interior design choices can also significantly impact the perceived size of a room. Utilizing bright white walls is a common technique to create an illusion of spaciousness, making rooms feel larger and more open. However, this does not preclude the incorporation of color and personality into the design. Designers like Jess Blumberg have demonstrated how even architectural elements, such as obstructive pipes, can be transformed into vibrant focal points through the application of bright colors, drawing the eye upwards and emphasizing ceiling height, thereby enhancing the sense of vertical space in a 780-square-foot apartment. Another effective space-saving tactic involves removing doors from their hinges. This simple modification can free up valuable floor space and create a more open flow between areas. Whether in a nursery, pantry, or hallway, eliminating doors allows for greater flexibility in furniture placement, the addition of shelving, or even the creation of entirely new functional zones, such as a wet bar, as exemplified by Ariel Okin in a project for Lena Dunham. Such creative solutions underscore the adaptability required to thrive in smaller living environments, transforming potential constraints into opportunities for innovative design and enhanced liveability. #MillennialHomebuying #SmallSpaces #HomeSizeTrends #UrbanLiving #Downsizing #InteriorDesign #SpaceSaving #ZillowReport #HousingMarket

In an exclusive interview, Shea McGee, the star of 'Dream Home Makeover,' shares her essential guidelines for creating cohesive and stylish flooring transitions in open-plan living spaces. She emphasizes the importance of treating flooring as a significant design element, comparable to paint or furniture, which plays a crucial role in defining areas and enhancing the overall flow of a home. McGee highlights two primary strategies for successful transitions: selecting a single, consistent flooring type throughout connected spaces or opting for a contrasting flooring choice to delineate distinct zones. Each approach offers unique aesthetic and practical benefits, catering to different design goals and home layouts. For a seamless and expansive look, McGee advises using the same flooring material across open-plan areas, suggesting that this creates a cohesive and unified aesthetic. She notes that this approach is particularly effective in smaller homes or spaces where visual continuity is desired, as it helps to make rooms appear larger and more integrated. When choosing this option, she recommends considering a neutral color or a versatile material that complements various design schemes. This strategy minimizes visual breaks, promoting a sense of flow and spaciousness that enhances the overall appeal of the interior. Alternatively, for homes with distinct zones within an open plan, McGee advocates for contrasting flooring materials to establish clear boundaries and add visual interest. For instance, she suggests transitioning from wood flooring in a living area to a durable, cleanable material like stone or tile in an entryway. This not only serves a practical purpose by accommodating different functional needs but also allows for creative expression through varying textures and patterns. When implementing contrasting transitions, careful consideration of color, texture, and pattern is crucial to ensure that the chosen materials complement each other without creating a jarring effect. The goal is to create a harmonious balance that respects the individuality of each space while maintaining overall design integrity. McGee also discusses the importance of considering the practical aspects of flooring, such as durability and maintenance, especially in high-traffic areas like entryways. She recommends selecting materials that can withstand wear and tear and are easy to clean. Beyond functionality, she stresses the aesthetic impact of flooring choices, noting that they contribute significantly to the mood and style of a room. Whether aiming for a bright and airy feel with white flooring or a classic and warm ambiance with wood, the flooring selection sets the foundation for the entire design scheme. Ultimately, McGee’s advice underscores the need for thoughtful planning and a balanced approach when designing flooring transitions in modern homes. #FlooringTransition #SheaMcGee #OpenPlanDesign #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #WoodFlooring #WhiteFlooring #DesignTips

Interior designer Shea McGee, known for her thriving business Studio McGee and her work on Netflix's Dream Home Makeover, has released her first design book, "The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home." The book aims to make high-end design principles accessible for any home and budget, guiding readers through the design process and offering room-specific advice. McGee emphasizes that design is a step-by-step process of unfolding decisions and layers, and she is passionate about helping people create authentic and functional spaces. The book begins with the entryway, which McGee considers crucial for setting the home's tone. She suggests five essential items for a functional and stylish entryway: a console table, a lamp, a mirror, a tray or bowl as a drop zone, and a candle. In smaller spaces, a vintage rug can ground the area and introduce color and pattern. Other elements like ottomans, floor plants, and sculptural objects can also enhance the space. For living rooms, McGee typically starts here or in the kitchen, as these are central to daily living. A good layout is paramount, fostering conversation and intimacy rather than pushing furniture against walls. She recommends ottomans over coffee tables in compact areas for their versatility. McGee's eclectic style balances old and new, achieved by focusing on compatible tones, textures, proportions, and shapes, and repeating motifs. She advises against ultra-modern fireplace designs if the room features soft moldings, highlighting the importance of rhythm and flow over strict cohesion, using modern lamps with antique chests as an example of successful style mixing. In the kitchen, functionality and beauty are equally important. McGee prioritizes a "work triangle" (refrigerator, sink, stove) for efficiency. A focal point, such as a decorative range hood, backsplash tiles, or open shelves, is essential to give the eye a place to rest. Durability is key for long-term investments, so timeless materials and finishes are recommended over trendy ones. Creative lighting, including task and accent lighting, can also enhance the kitchen's aesthetic. Dining rooms, having fewer elements, demand careful selection of tables and chairs, with scale being crucial for comfort and flow. The room's shape should guide the table's shape. A decorative light fixture centered over the table, scaled appropriately (two-thirds the table's width and 32-36 inches above), completes the look. McGee's book includes a style guide with practical tips, such as how to properly hang light fixtures. Bedrooms are envisioned as serene sanctuaries achieved through layering textures like quilts, throws, and decorative pillows to create a luxurious feel. Soft textures contribute to relaxation. Upholstered furniture, window treatments, and throw pillows offer opportunities to introduce color and pattern, tying the scheme together and repeating motifs from other elements in the room. McGee also shares tips on pattern mixing for a cohesive bedroom design. Bathroom renovations, often costly, should avoid fleeting trends. McGee advises classic choices for big-ticket items like plumbing, tiles, vanities, and countertops, while allowing for playful, changeable elements like vanity lighting and decorative mirrors. Even with classic tiles, varying patterns or grout colors can add uniqueness without extra cost. Mixing metal finishes, with a dominant metal for plumbing and different finishes for lighting or hardware, is also encouraged. However, powder rooms and kids' bathrooms are exceptions, where bold patterns and trendy colors are embraced. Home offices, now a staple for many, require personalized design for inspiration and productivity. McGee suggests clients consider what inspires them, their hobbies, preferred working environments, and colors. Whether a dark, moody space or a bright, light-filled one, the office should reflect individual preferences. Personalizing the space with hobbies and passions ensures motivation, especially since these rooms are less frequently used by guests or children. Utility rooms, such as mudrooms and laundry rooms, though less glamorous, benefit from thoughtful design to streamline household tasks. McGee emphasizes listing priorities and uses for the space before planning cabinetry. Closed storage helps conceal clutter, while open shelving allows for decorative elements that also serve a purpose. She advocates for a balance between decoration and functionality in these spaces. For kids' rooms, the goal is to balance whimsy with room for growth. McGee recommends investing in foundational pieces like furniture and custom carpentry that have longevity. Personality is added through easily updated decorative accessories, wall colors, and finishes. Ample storage, including some open shelves for display, is essential, though open shelving should be minimized to avoid clutter. Creating a comfortable spot for relaxation, like a fun chair or reading nook, and layering textures also contribute to an inviting and calming environment for children. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #SheaMcGee #StudioMcGee #DesignTips #RoomDesign #HomeStyling #InteriorDecorator #DesignBook