She Ditched Half the Living Room Sofa - and Everything Clicked

"Design challenges aren't always about a lack of space. Sometimes the way an area is set up unintentionally creates tension and leads to its underuse. That was the case in this Chelsea loft. "The layout relied on a large sectional that anchored the room in one direction, which made the space feel more like a pass-through than a place to gather," says Madelynn Hudson, founder and creative director of M.H. Interiors, who was brought on to reimagine this living room."

"Her mission was clear. "The clients wanted the space to feel warmer, more layered, and more inviting - somewhere they could both relax and entertain comfortably," says Hudson. "They were drawn to a softer, more romantic aesthetic and wanted the room to feel elevated without feeling precious." As far as the layout went, the goal was more of a salon-style vibe, where several seating areas would be peppered around the space to encourage conversation - versus a single sofa oriented toward the TV."

A Chelsea loft anchored by one large sectional felt like a pass-through rather than a gathering place. Exposed brick, ample windows, and generous scale offered strong architectural bones but lacked intimacy, softness, and intentional flow. The redesign replaced the single-orientation setup with a salon-style layout featuring multiple seating areas to promote conversation and flexible entertaining. Non-brick walls and trim received warm white paint while the brick was preserved to retain character. New upholstery, tables, decor, and layered textures were introduced to soften the industrial architecture and create a warmer, more inviting space for relaxing and hosting.

Read at Apartment Therapy