New Home, New Living Room, No Idea Where to Start
New homeowners, Cristina and her husband, wanted all the right furniture—but they just couldn’t decide on anything.
Homeowner: Maria Cristina, global marketing director
Location: New Orleans, LA
Room: A bare living room in a new home
Her Style: Contemporary Collector
The Backstory
Graduating from a rental to her family-of-four’s first owned home
I live with my husband and our kids, and we purchased a home in New Orleans after renting for several years. The house is huge and when we moved in, we needed lots of help figuring out how to design the space.
The Design Dilemma
Designing one room was too much work and making decisions became impossible
Our living room was a blank canvas with just a wall-mounted TV. We knew we wanted it to be comfortable and practical, but style and budget were also very important to us.
To say we didn’t know where to start would be an understatement. Should we tackle the floor plan first? Or would it make more sense to start by finding a sofa? But then how do we arrange things and make the room look cohesive? We couldn’t decide.
Deciding where to buy the furniture was another hurdle. We kept going from store to store, taking pictures, trying to match pieces together. In the end, it was too much work and we could never make a decision.
In the end, [designing the space ourselves] was too much work and we could never make a decision.
Christina’s Modsy Design 1
The Modsy Moment
After two failed runs with online design services, one happy Modsy review caught her eye
I’d tried two online interior design services before coming to Modsy. The experience was unsuccessful to say the least. We worked with designers but the renderings were poor-quality and didn’t help us with anything.
I’d seen Modsy on my Facebook feed, so I did a little research and read many positive reviews of the service. One in particular caught my eye, from a man who noted that the designs took 10 days to complete. This made me a little nervous at first, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of the Modsy service. They took their time to create two very thoughtful concepts for my space, and that was a big differentiator for me.
Christina’s Modsy Design 1
How Modsy’s Renderings Helped Maria
Discovering new ideas and having the confidence to know EXACTLY what to buy
My reaction to our first Modsy designs was a huge WOW! I had such a big happy smile on my face. I couldn’t believe that I was seeing my living room furnished in such a realistic way. Every detail of my room was there.
Christina’s Modsy Design 2
When I showed my husband that night, he couldn’t believe that we got such great work for $59. (Then he had to remind me how much money I wasted with the other online design services.) Modsy’s renders helped us think outside the box for our space.
My reaction to our first Modsy designs was a huge WOW! I couldn’t believe that I was seeing my living room furnished in such a realistic way.
We ended up combining a couple of our designs together for our final look. It was so great to know exactly where to go to get the furniture I wanted. We bought a lot of pieces from our design but we also added a few items we found ourselves.
The sofa Modsy suggested was great, but after our entire family of four sat on it, we decided we wanted a wider option. But we liked the one Modsy recommended, so we bought a sofa in that same color.
We also purchased the patterned area rug from our final design. I know we would not have been brave enough to choose something like that if we hadn’t seen how it would look in our space. Likewise, we wouldn’t have thought about putting the sun mirror on the wall or adding the artwork and plant.
I would never have thought of putting bookcases on each side of the french doors. But Modsy suggested it and we ended up loving it, so that was a huge surprise. We’re planning on purchasing those along with the lamps and the sun mirror Modsy suggested!
See Christina’s Favorite Modsy Design in 360!
Hi, I do love what you guys are doing….Id love to know where the glass balled chandelier is from?? Id like to do my living room a Freshen Up- Im wondering if I begin this will I have access to live person to help me through it?
Love the rug and poofy ottoman in Design 2. You have great taste. Can you share the links to find them both? Thanks!
Hi! Could you tell me where the poofy pillow from Design 4 is from? I love it!
Hi Tim, thanks for asking! The pouf is from 2Modern. Unfortunately, this exact one has gone out of stock (sad day!) but they have some similar alternatives as well!
Hi! I was wondering where the giant poofy pillow is from in Design 4. Thanks!
Beautiful. Where is the beige rug from Design 1 from? And what size is that? I’m looking for a “glossy” looking solid rug that’s often featured in West Elm stock photos but don’t know how to search for it.
Hi Holly! This is the Chunky Wool and Jute rug from Pottery Barn. You can try this rug (and 100s more!) on in your 3D room and shop it with exclusive discounts with Modsy. Simply sign up for a design package to get started!
Hi! Where is the rug with black and gold stipes in the Modsy design 4 picture from?
Hi Abby, thanks for asking. It’s the Colca Wool Rug from West Elm! You can see it in your space and shop it with special discounts through Modsy, or check it out here. Happy Styling!
Hi,
We’re about to remodel our kitchen, dining and living spaces. Can modsy help even if I can’t yet provide photos of the refinished space? We’d want help not just with furniture but also in choosing wall paint colors.
Hi Gayle, congrats on the remodel! To answer your question, yes Modsy can help you visualize the changes to your space with new furniture. If you don’t have photos of the space we do charge an extra fee, which you can learn more about here. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at hello@modsy.com if you have any questions!
Where is the mirror that looks like a sun from?
Thanks.
Hi Michelle, it’s from Safavieh and you can check it out here!
Can you design with the current furniture and style of our choice?
Hi Nikki — thanks for asking! Yes, Modsy can design around pieces you already own. You can either pay a small fee ($15) to have us turn your exact pieces in to 3D models, or for free our design team can find similar looking alternative pieces to use instead.
As far as style, we of course will design your space according to what you like! you can take our style quiz here to get matched with a Modsy style! Additionally, all Modsy Design Packages come with a satisfaction guaranteed, so we’ll work with you as long as you need to get your designs just right!
Hi,
Can you help design an outdoor patio space – furniture, umbrellas, accessories, etc.?
Thanks
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca – thanks for asking. Unfortunately we do not support outdoor spaces at this time. Although we’d love to help you design a patio, our 3D catalog only has furniture for indoor spaces. We’ve found this makes for a not-so-great experience, so we like to stick to rooms we know we can nail! Of course, we’d love to help you design another room!
Hi there, is the design style only mid-century or modern minimalist or are there other options? Thanks!
Hi Heather, thanks for asking! Modern and minimal are our most popular styles, but they are definitely not the only ones! We work with all kinds of styles, from rustic, classic, transitional, to eclectic. You can take our style quiz to discover what your Modsy style is!
Hello! Where is the coffee table/ottoman from in design 4 (the two tone gray/cream one)? I see above that it may possibly be a Jiti Pouf but I can’t find a picture of it anywhere to confirm and I don’t see any similar for sale. Thank you 🙂
Hi Allyson, you are 100% correct! It’s a Jiti Pouf from 2Modern. Unfortunately this exact model has gone out of stock (as you can see it’s super popular!), but they do have some similar options available.
Can you share where the white md century chairs in design4 at are from and we’re you happy with quality?
We are thinking of them for Hawaii .
Hi Mandy they are from Anthropologie. You can check them out and read the reviews here!
Where is the giant ottoman in design 4 from?
Hi Natalie, it’s from 2Modern. Unfortunately this exact model has gone out of stock, but they do have some similar options available!
In Design 1 – please let me know where the mirror, side tables, table lamp and and floor lamp came from?
Hi Tina, thanks for asking. The mirror is from CB2, the side table is from Anthropologie, table lamp is also from CB2, and the floor lamp is from West Elm.
You can design your home from your computer with all these pieces, and 100s more, and shop through Modsy for exclusive discounts across all these retailers. Simply sign up for a design package to get started!
Thanks but the links are for design 4 – I was interested in Design 1.
Gotcha! The mirror in design 1 is from Safavieh, the side table is from Crate & Barrel, West Elm floor lamp, and CB2 table lamp.
Where are the etageres from in Design 2? Thank you!
Hi Jennifer, they are the Avalon Shelving Units from RH Teen!
Where are the leather proofs from in design 4?
Hi Samantha, thanks for asking! They are the Kenza Moroccan Poufs from Lulu & Georgia.
Could you share where the rug and arms chairs are from in model 4? Also the long wooden coffe table in model 1? Thanks!
Hi Nathalie! Design 1 features the Adam Coffee Table from CB2, and design 4 has the Colca Wool Rug from West Elm and the Haverhill Armchairs from Anthropologie.
Happy Styling!
The paint color is a perfect contrast for the furnishings? What color did you use in your design?
Hi Suzi, thanks for asking! When Modsy creates a 3D model of a customer’s home, we do our best to match the paint color from the photos they submit. So, while we don’t have the exact paint color, Check out Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore!
Hi –
Where are the couches in design 1 and 4 from?
Thanks,
Jackie
Hi Jackie, thanks for asking! Here’s some info on the sofas: the sofa in design 1 is the Antwerp 89″ Sofa from West Elm, design 4 features the Caitlin Sofa in Ivory from Interior Define. Let us know if you want to try them in a 3D model of your home!
Hi – any chance you can share where the white couch in design 2 are from? Thanks!
Hi! Where is the white couch from in design 2? Thanks!!!
Hi Jacqueline! It’s the Cooper Sofa from Z Gallerie. You can check it out here!
What is the wall paint color? So nice!
Hi Mallika, thanks for asking! When Modsy creates a 3D model of a customer’s home, we do our best to match the paint color from the photos they submit. So, while we don’t have the exact paint color handy, we found a similar option. Check out Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore.
Where did you find those chairs in design #1? They’re gorgeous!
Hi Lisa! Great find, those chairs are one of our favorites too. They are called the Roar + Rabbit Swivel Chairs and are from West Elm. You can check them out here.
What color are the side chairs in?
Where did the shelving units come from in #4?
Hi Pam, they are the Avalon Shelving Unit from RH Teen. You can learn more here.
Whomp,whomp. I was looking for a cheaper alternative to the CB2 Stairway shelving and was excited about this shelving unit, too bad it’s even more $$$. It does look great in their place though 🙂
Hi Kelly, thanks for the note! And we completely agree, these look fab but they are a more expensive option. Check out the Helix Acacia bookcase from CB2 for a close alternative that’s a bit more budget-friendly. The Sawyer Leaning Bookcase is also a great option, and it’s about half the price of the Stairway!
Did you make or buy the shelving unit with the goldtone ironwork?
Hi Sara! We’re glad you asked – all the products featured in a Modsy design plan are 100% available for purchase and come from a variety of retailers! This shelving unit is called the Avalon Shelving Unit and it’s from RH Teen.
Love that rug in #4! Is it available for purchase?
Hi Analiesa, yes it is! It’s the Colca Rug from West Elm. It’s one of our favorites too.
Where are the poofs from in Design 1? So cute!
Hi Lynn, thanks for asking! They are called the “Lubec Chevron Pouf Ottomans.” Happy styling!
Where did you purchase the ottoman in the Modsy Design 4 photo? Thank you
Hi Samantha! It’s the Jiti Pouf from 2Modern, but it unfortunately is currently out of stock. Looks like they have some similar ones available though!
Where did you get the brown drums for end tables in the Modsy 1 picture. Thanks.
Hi Marcy, thanks for asking! They are the Kenza Moroccan Poufs from Lulu & Georgia. You can check them out here!
Hi! Where did you get the larger cushion coffee table? Love the two tone color!
Hi Christy – This one is a real fan favorite! It’s the Jiti Pouf from 2Modern, but it looks like it is currently out of stock. They have some similar ones available if you want to check them out here!
Where did you purchase the wood chairs with white cushions in the Modsey Design 4 photo? I love the armrest detail. Thank you!!
Hi Emily, thanks for asking! We love them too – they’re the Haverhill chairs from Anthropologie. You can check them out here!
Where are the couch pillows from in Modsy Design 4?
Hi Jessica, thanks for asking! The two black and white ones are from CB2. You can check them out here.