I have seen literally hundreds of homes that have living rooms
just like the one my client showed me: It has a large front window,
one entrance from the hall and one into the dining room, and the
remaining wall has a fireplace and often two small windows on
either side.
I have seen literally hundreds of homes that have living rooms just like the one my client showed me: It has a large front window, one entrance from the hall and one into the dining room, and the remaining wall has a fireplace and often two small windows on either side.
There is very little actual wall space available, and that leaves many homeowners in a quandary: Where, exactly, do I put all my stuff?
My client was facing just such a dilemma, in addition to the fact that she had twin toddler boys who would use the space.
I began the makeover with inspiration from the other spaces in the house. My client was young and vivacious, and she was able to take chances with color, such as in her apple-green dining room. I wanted to break this living room out of its boring beige past and bring it into a bright future of sophistication and comfort.
First, the walls were coated with a soft, straw-colored paint, giving the room a brighter canvas to which I could relate the rest of the design.
The large front window had been neglected, so I gave it the full luxury treatment. I draped it on either side with raw silk panels in a stunning array of greens, blues and gold. A very loose, romantic sheer on the inside of the frame provided privacy, yet let natural light filter through. With this change alone, the room itself was starting to come alive.
My client had two wing chairs she’d inherited that had a lot of sentimental value. They were looking a bit worn, though, so I had them reupholstered in a smart green and blue pattern. With a simple strip and stain job, an old pine television unit was reborn as a faux walnut unit. It was placed on one side of the entrance, and I balanced out that end of the space with a large bookcase in a similar tone.
I brought in a stunning L-shaped lounger sofa and made it the centerpiece of the space. The sofa also happened to be just the right length so that when lounging, one would find his toes by the fireplace – perfect for keeping warm on a cold winter’s eve. I added pillows and a throw in the same tones of the reupholstered chairs to tie them all together.
Recessed lights were strategically placed around the perimeter of the room, focusing on artwork and furniture I wanted highlighted.
The wing chairs made a small grouping with an elegant table in its center.
The coffee table was pure genius: The cover lifted up and out to provide a great eating spot and loads of storage room inside. In addition to the new bookshelf, television unit and stackable baskets, this provided a great spot to tuck away kids’ toys and books when company came over.
The result is a sophisticated new living room.
