Franca and Pat both come from big Italian families that love to cook - and eat. In fact, Pat turned his love of good food into his livelihood and opened a downtown Italian eatery that serves traditional fare cooked up by his mama.

But despite feeding hungry diners day after day in their restaurant, the couple rarely entertained at home, a traditional 1960s side-split they share with their three daughters.

While that wouldn't be a big deal to some, it just didn't cut it in a family where everyone takes turns hosting dinners and where get-togethers of 25 are the norm. The problem for Franca and Pat was a lack of space. They recently undertook a long home renovation. But after bunking with relatives for months, they decided to head home before renovating the one room that was large enough to host parties: their family room.

The room was dark and dated, complete with a curved wet bar, scallop-edged ceiling beams and dark wood details. So I worked up a healthy appetite - for design and food - and got set to cook up one big "gastro-lounge" for Franca, Pat and their relatives.

I pulled out the existing bar, ripped up the dingy floor and took down the wood and stucco from the ceiling. I then painted the whole space in a light cream except for one feature wall, which I painted a darker moss.

The most dramatic change happened when I tore out the room's small window and replaced it with a wall of windows and large patio doors. The new arrangement not only allows light to flood in, but it also gives Franca and Pat some much-needed access to their beautiful back yard. I then divided the room into two zones, a kitchen and a lounge.

I filled the kitchen with cream-colored cabinets, light quartz counters and a stainless-steel subway-tiled backsplash. I put in state-of-the-art, stainless-steel appliances and set up a large, wooden table with a rustic feel that seats eight.

The lounge area focuses on a new fireplace. To help lighten up the space, I installed recessed lighting around the room.

After a few final touches, this new gastro-lounge and entertainment center was complete. By blending streamlined finishes, natural colors and windows galore, this once-dated room got a hearty serving of style and is now ready for family, food and feasting.

Interior decorator Candice Olson is host of HGTV's Divine Design.