We're in the thick of summer Olympic fever, and as such, we are reflecting on the games of years past as we engage with current competitions. Those who watched the 2008 games in Beijing likely remember Shawn Johnson – an agile gymnast who brought home Gold and Silver medals for Team U.S.A. thanks to her incredible skills on the balance beam and floor, respectively.
Now, Shawn Johnson East takes up residence at her cozy family home in Nashville, which was recently redecorated in collaboration with Wayfair. The house is warm and inviting, decorated with light neutrals, soft fabrics, and lively details, like children's drawings on the fridge, turning the space into a home.
'We have toddlers who are constantly coloring on everything, so I wanted it to feel like a space you could truly live in and use, and you didn't have to tippy-toe around,' Johnson East states in clip posted by Wayfair. It defintely reads like a masterclass in how to create a sophisticated yet cozy living room.
Johnson East explains in the video that the goal of the redecoration process was to make her home, which she shares with her husband and three young children, to feel more representative of their personalities and styles. One of the primary spaces this is addressed is the kitchen.
'The kitchen is kind of the heart of our home, I feel like we spend every waking second here,' she explains.
Wood cabinetry contrasts white marble countertops and black drawers with gold handles, making for a truly modern rustic space. We especially love the birch, rattan pendant light that hangs above the kitchen island – it adds an interesting textural detail to the room's otherwise smooth surfaces.
'I love texture, I love neutral colors, so I ordered a ton of it and it somehow worked,' Johnson East states.
Meanwhile, the living area features cozy couches in creams and greiges, textured throws, and in the center of the room sits a multi-purpose furnishing. 'This coffee table is one of my favorites,' Johnson East explains. 'I loved finding a rounded coffee table as a parent of toddlers. Sharp corners are kind of scary, so this is amazing.' The robust surface size is perfect for placing plants down as decor, or, in Johnson East's case, a common space for coloring.
Finally, the entryway makes the case for curating pieces in the home that bring joy. Johnson East's entrway is tastefully decorated with a checker-print, black and white rug, a vintage-inspired wood console, twinning black and white lamps, and a gold-rimmed mirror.
'My favorite Wayfair piece in this area? The rug is beautiful, the dresser/chest is gorgeous... I think my favorite is the mirror. But I also love the lamps.' The blend of modern and traditional pieces is in line with the kitchen and living areas, making for a home that feels cozy, yet sophisticated.
From inspiring us at the Olympics to inspiring our home decor stylings, Johnson East's Wayfair picks are available to shop here, or select from our personal faves below.
Add some texture to the kitchen with this neutral, pendant, featuring an adjustable length.
Round and robust, this wood coffee table is perfect for a communal space with high traffic.
We love these chic, paterrned mugs, which come in highly versatile black, white, and gold colorways.
Recreating the look is just as much about the right colors and textures as furnishings. A warm neutral color scheme paired with cozy soft furnishings would go a long way for a similar ambiance. However, personality is what makes Shawn Johnson East's home stand out, so it's important to consider how you can infuse your own family's energy into a similar design.
Balance is Shawn Johnson East's forte, both on the beam and in interiors.
