The Francis Files

A Denver Apartment Makeover With Transitional Style

When my friend approached me to design her compact Denver apartment, she had one clear vision: create a space sophisticated enough for her current lifestyle while featuring transitional furniture for... Read more...

Kevin Francis O'Gara Apartment Tour on Homeworthy

I was so excited when Homeworthy, my favorite destination for beautiful home tour videos, reached out to come and film my New Regency style apartment in Midtown Atlanta! The opportunity... Read more...

Finishing Touches for a Stylish Apartment With Frontgate

When it came time to layer in the final pieces for my Midtown Atlanta apartment, I turned to Frontgate for classic, luxurious furniture and home decor to bring the design... Read more...

Small Space, Big Style: My Atlanta Living Room With Coley Home

Designing a small apartment living room in Midtown Atlanta posed the perfect opportunity to create a space that felt both curated and cohesive. With an open-concept floorplan, I leaned into... Read more...

Westover Place Project: A Classic Foundation for the Living Room

When designing the living room for the Westover Place Project, I wanted to establish a classic foundation that felt both timeless and inviting. The goal was to create a space... Read more...

My Restful Retreat Bedroom Design for Small/Cool NYC

It was such an honor to be included in the group of talented designers that Apartment Therapy brought together for their annual Small/Cool NYC event in Brooklyn. I had the... Read more...

A Historic Kitchen Renovation With Georgia Marble

As you may have seen in my latest Reel, I just completed a renovation for a 100-year-old bungalow in Southwest Atlanta. This kitchen has great bones (and amazing ceiling height) but had... Read more...

Westover Place Project: Modern Classic Dining Room Reveal

When one of my best friends from high school moved back to Atlanta after years in Washington, DC, I couldn’t wait to help her settle into her new space—especially her... Read more...

Modern Meets Classic: Atlanta Beltline Townhouse Tour

For this townhouse located directly on Atlanta’s vibrant Beltline trail, my clients wanted their new-build home to feel layered, classic, and deeply personal—without sacrificing modernity or comfort. With a love... Read more...

Guest House Renovation: Tiki Bar & Coastal Bedroom Reveal

Just over a year ago, I began one of my most creatively fulfilling projects to date—transforming an unused carriage house in Atlanta into a vibrant guest suite and immersive home... Read more...

A Moody Dark Brown Guest Bedroom Refresh

When I set out to create the perfect dark brown bedroom, Clare's Coffee Date paint became my secret weapon for transforming our guest room into a sophisticated, moody retreat. Going... Read more...

Before & After: A Bistro-Inspired Breakfast Nook

Transforming a cramped kitchen in a historic 1920s Ansley Park home required strategic Atlanta interior design expertise and budget-conscious solutions. This French-inspired kitchen makeover proves that thoughtful design choices can... Read more...

2022 in Review: Atlanta Interior Design Projects

2022 was a defining year for my Atlanta interior design studio, marked by strategic growth in luxury residential projects and the evolution of my New Regency Style approach. While balancing... Read more...

Kevin Francis O’Gara’s Atlanta Apartment Tour

When I first moved back to Atlanta after college in 2020, I quickly discovered that apartment decorating with Turkish rugs would transform my space in ways I never imagined. I... Read more...

West Midtown Bathroom Renovation on House Beautiful

This project was produced in partnership with The Home Depot. I'm excited to share how my design plans for the primary bathroom in my West Midtown Project came to life... Read more...

A Fresh Pied-à-Terre Design With Coastal Living

This project was produced in partnership with Universal Furniture. I recently updated my client's intown pied-à-terre with a fresh coastal look using key pieces from Universal Furniture's Getaway Collection with... Read more...

A Classic Primary Bedroom Design With Frontgate

This project was produced in partnership with Frontgate. I recently partnered with Frontgate's trade program to give this Niles Place Residence primary bedroom a classic makeover, utilizing a handsome mix... Read more...

Dark Brown Media Room Design Reveal

When I set out to design my apartment media room transformation for the New Year New Room Challenge, I knew I wanted to create the perfect dark brown paint color... Read more...

Powder Bathroom Design With Limewash Walls

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. In the powder bathroom in my West Midtown Project, i wanted to bring some European-inspired drama to... Read more...

A Classic Coastal Pool House Design

I'm so excited to reveal the finished pool house design on Style Me Pretty Living today! If you're new to this project, you can catch up on the action with... Read more...

Buckhead Guest Room Refresh With Serena & Lily

This project was produced in partnership with Serena & Lily. Now that Grace is at college, her bedroom in Roswell Road Project has become the guest bedroom and I... Read more...

Contemporary Atlanta Home Tour: Jefferson Street Project Reveal

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. Since June of 2020, I've been working on a first home for the sweetest newlywed couple in... Read more...

Double-story living room with blue sofa, green chaise, cowhide rug, Article Abisko chair, and sputnik chandelier by Kevin O'Gara on Thou Swell #livingroom #livingroomdesign #homedecor #interiordesign #homedesign #homedecorideas

West Midtown Project in the Atlanta Journal Constitution

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. I am excited to share a first full look at the West Midtown Project townhouse design, as... Read more...

Dark Green Media Room Reveal With AllModern

This project was produced in partnership with AllModern. When I approached the finishing touches of Meghan's media room with AllModern, I knew I wanted to pull the space together with... Read more...

How to Add a Baking Station to Your Kitchen

This project was produced in partnership with The Home Depot. There’s been a renaissance of home cooking recently, and whether you’re learning to bake homemade bread on the weekends... Read more...

Hand-Painted Tropical Wall Mural

This project was produced in partnership with KILZ. I’ve always been inspired by flora – especially tropical plants in lush, layered landscapes. It might’ve been my recent trip to the... Read more...

Modern Chandeliers for a Midtown Townhouse

This project was produced in partnership with Hudson Valley Lighting. One of the most impactful updates you can make to an interior is lighting, because not only do light... Read more...

Master Bedroom Vintage Rug in West Midtown

This project was produced in partnership with Revival. One of the trickiest parts of moving into a new house is fitting the puzzle pieces of your old furniture decor into... Read more...

Bright Dining Room Update for Hedgewood Homes

This project was produced in partnership with AllModern. I've had the pleasure of working with Hedgewood Homes over the past year as a social media director and manager of... Read more...

Styling a Cozy Fireplace With Holiday Decor

This project was produced in partnership with The Home Depot. Some of my favorite holiday memories take place around the fireplace in my childhood living room – it’s one of the most cherished... Read more...

Vintage kitchen runner from Revival Rugs in modern kitchen design on Thou Swell #vintagerug #vintagerunner #kitchenrug #kitchenrunner #vintagekitchenrunner #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitchenideas #vintage #revivalrugs

Vintage Kitchen Runner in West Midtown Project

This project was produced in partnership with Revival. In an open floorpan space, rugs are crucial for defining distinct areas, and in the West Midtown project this is especially true on the... Read more...

Bold Black Kitchen Renovation in West Midtown

This project was produced in partnership with The Home Depot. More-so than ever, technology is bringing a new frontier of functionality to our kitchens with smart, connected appliances! I’ve... Read more...

One Room Challenge: Virtual Atlanta Loft Design

Despite this round of the One Room Challenge being completely virtual, the past five weeks have flown by as always! Today is the final reveal day, and I couldn't be... Read more...

Modern kitchen makeover with Vetrazzo terrazzo countertops, black cabinets, and green island on Thou Swell #kitchen #kitchendesign #kitchenideas #modernkitchen #vetrazzo #terrazzo #countertops #polycor

Terrazzo Kitchen Countertops With Vetrazzo

This project was produced in partnership with Polycor. The hallmarks of a dated house are always most obvious in the kitchen, and this was certainly the case in the Westside... Read more...

Refreshing Blue & White Bedroom Makeover

This project was produced in partnership with AllModern. Meghan's bedroom in her new apartment is the first room I redesigned, and we are off to an amazing start in here... Read more...

Kevin O'Gara modern dorm design for The Home Depot summer catalog with gray gingham duvet, blue storage bench, cowhide rug, and map wall hanging on Thou Swell #dorm #dormroom #dormdesign #backtoclass #homedepot

My Dorm Design for Home Depot's Summer Catalog

This project was produced in partnership with The Home Depot. JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. I'm so thrilled to share the dorm... Read more...

Bedroom design finishing touches, decor, and modern ideas from AllModern on Thou Swell #bedroom #bedroomdesign #bedroomdecor #bedroomdecorideas #decorideas #homedesign #interiordesign

Adding the Finishing Touches to my Bedroom Design

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. As you might remember from my apartment tour video, my bedroom is the final room in my... Read more...

The Perfect Mirror for My Apartment Living Room

This project was produced in partnership with Ballard Designs. I realized after a few weeks in my new apartment that what my space was lacking was a mirror in... Read more...

Spring patio design ideas with modern patio furniture sectional and potted garden on Thou Swell #patio #patioideas #patiodesignideas #patiodesign #patiofurniture #homedesignideas #patiodesignideas

Spring Patio Ideas From the West Midtown Townhouse

This project was produced in partnership with AllModern. My mom's patio has come a long way since she moved in at the beginning of the year! The design came together... Read more...

Dove Hill Master Shower Reveal

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot, but all text, images, and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Thou Swell running! I... Read more...

Cornell apartment design with tropical decor in Ithaca, New York on Thou Swell #apartment #college #collegeapartment #collegedecor #apartmentdecor #tropicaldecor

Cornell Apartment Reveal on Design Sponge

This project was produced in partnership with: Anewall, At Home, Home Depot, LampsPlus, Mohawk, Minted, Society6, WallsNeedLove, and west elm. JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to... Read more...

Invitation Homes Make It Home Showhouse master bedroom design reveal by Kevin O'Gara on Thou Swell #bedroom #masterbedroom #bedroomdesign #southernstyle #southerndesign #interiordesign

Make it Home Showhouse Master Bedroom Reveal

This project was produced in partnership with DHP Furniture, Home Depot, Josh Young, Rebecca Atwood, and St. Frank. JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.... Read more...

Light blue dining room with Clare Headspace paint color in Atlanta with antiques and modern Hudson Valley Lighting brass chandelier on Thou Swell #dining #diningroom #diningroomdesign #bluepaint #southernstyle #interiordesign #antiques

Airy Dining Room Reveal With Clare Paint

This project was produced in partnership with Clare, DecoratorsBest, and Hudson Valley Lighting Group. JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. I'm thrilled to share... Read more...

Tye Street Project Final Home Tour

(Living room design) JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. My dad moved out of his home in Cabbagetown at the end of 2018,... Read more...

Inviting living room with blush decor on Thou Swell @thouswellblog

Cochise Drive Home Tour on Glitter Guide

Although I never officially named my mom's house as a project on the blog, it has been a canvas for my decorating projects ever since starting my blog in 2013!... Read more...

Pink twin bedroom in Behr One to Remember on Thou Swell @thouswellblog

Pink Twin Bedroom in Tye Street Project

This project was produced in partnership with Behr. JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. As my style evolves, I itch to complete projects... Read more...

Small space bedroom dorm design with grey velvet curtains, blue Louis chair and black and white photography on Thou Swell @thouswellblog

A Sophisticated Grey Dorm Room Design

About a month before the end of the school year, Home Depot invited me to completely redecorate my room with their huge selection of home decor. I -... Read more...

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