Sometimes, your home needs more than a quick-fix cleaning. It needs a reset, and the living room is a good place to start because people gather, settle in, and spend time there with each other. But over the years, even a cozy, relaxing space can lose shape. Maybe you’ve had one too many attempts at rearranging your furniture or a mix of styles that never quite clicked. That doesn’t mean you need to tear the whole thing apart. With a solid plan and one weekend, you can bring new life to your space — no contractor required. Start with what’s working. It could be a sofa worn just right or a wooden table with a storied past. Use those to ground the space. Then, clear the decks: Pull down the shelf clutter, trim back the pillow pile, and give your eyes space to rest. Once the room can breathe again, bring in new touches. Paint if you feel up to it. Even just one wall in a deeper tone can shift the whole feel. If that’s too much, bring in more texture. Think curtains that catch the light, a low-pile rug, or a few new cotton, linen, or velvet pillows. A Living Room Refresh Made Simple
Older adults who undertake estate planning sometimes feel anxious as they navigate sensitive decisions about their assets, their loved ones, and the legacy they want to leave for future generations. Meet Associate Attorney Rianne Lu HEART AND FORESIGHT
Rianne C. Lu chose a career in estate planning law because she enjoys playing a proactive role in guiding clients through that process. One of the most rewarding parts of her work, she says, is helping people find peace of mind. Since joining Litherland, Kennedy & Associates earlier this year, she adds, “I have been thoroughly enjoying myself, meeting with great clients.”
She recently reassured a particularly anxious client: “Things will be okay. You’re not alone. We are your trusted advisors, and we are here to help.” The woman, visibly relieved, offered Rianne a grateful hug as she said goodbye. “It always feels rewarding to be able to help people,” Rianne says. “I enjoy knowing that I’m making a difference in somebody’s life. Hopefully, that reassurance lingers and stays with them.” Rianne brings prior estate planning experience from Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA), where she advised clients on incapacity planning and probate alternatives. She also took a career break for a time to stay home with her two young sons. She values the culture at Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, especially the emphasis on work-life balance, on continual improvement, and welcoming ideas from every team member. “Everybody has a say, and everybody feels valued,” she notes. “There is always a desire to do better and to make sure our clients truly feel heard and appreciated.” Rianne earned her Juris Doctor with a tax concentration from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and studied international and comparative tax law through a summer program at Queen Mary, University of London. She is fluent in Filipino (Tagalog).
Light also does more than people think. Swapping a fixture or adding a lamp near the reading chair can shift the room’s ambiance. Pulling the furniture closer to the windows can also do the same. Rearranging things to make the most of natural light can brighten the entire space and make it feel more open. And don’t forget about the other sensory elements. Simple things like a new scent or potted plants are an easy way to breathe fresh life into your living room. Once you get started, you’ll see it doesn’t take a complete overhaul to make a space feel better. A throw with some heft, a chair turned toward the light, and a clear table surface can bring back a sense of calm. You know it's working when the room invites you in without trying too hard.
Away from the office, Rianne enjoys time with her husband Ben and their two sons, Griffin, 12, and Callum, 9. Griffin is an avid jazz pianist and train enthusiast, while Callum, a math lover, is active in basketball, flag football, and wushu, a Chinese martial art. For Rianne, seeing her sons
grow and thrive while pursuing a career she loves has been deeply rewarding. “I am thankful,” she says, “and so excited about my new job!” She adds that her children’s curiosity and resilience inspire her approach to clients, listening carefully, meeting people where they are, and helping them feel prepared for the future.
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