Sherri & John Bryan, Chagrin FAlls, Oh

Now their favorite spot in the house, the living room evokes a fresh, easy feeling. "The former decor was too dated and fussy," admits Sherri. Knowing what they were after, but unsure of how to get there, the couple enlisted the help of interior designer Ingrid Porter. Pulling from the existing palette in the dining room makes this update a natural progression in the grand scheme of the home. Keeping some pieces, such as John's mother's rocker, was essential. Porter had the chair reupholstered to reflect the new feeling of the space. "With a lot of demands during the workday, they both needed a space that was quiet and calm to refuel their minds," explains the designer. "John has told me that he spends a lot more time in this room now." Photo: Adrienne DeRosa © Houzz 2014