Menswear Inspired Living Room

This lovely client recently had lost her husband. They purchased this home together and then had to purchase a few quick items to get by, as they spent the next year at a cancer treatment facility. Once she was back in the home, she decided that she wanted some changes they had talked about to happen. These included:

• Address the wall of windows which required a special solution, as it was the first thing you saw as you walk in the front door.
• Update the existing furniture, leaving the sofa, small fold-down desk and console.
• Carpeting was going to be changed out to hardwood flooring.
• Enough lighting to help with her failing eyesight.
• Seating for 6-8 was needed for when family members (including grandchildren) visit.

Helping her with selection of hardwood flooring, was the first on the list of our design plan. A much larger wool area rug was used to anchor the room. Centering the seating group is a starfruit-shaped ottoman in a buttery leather and ½” Truscan nail heads outlining the shape. A recliner draped in a cream taupe performance fabric was placed strategically for tv viewing, as well as for reading with a floor lamp directly behind. Lighting was also added to the sofa table behind the sofa. Two low-profile swivel chairs in a buffalo-check plaid fabric and coordinating kidney pillows were used on the entry side of the room so as not to obstruct the view of the windows. A round, open-shelfed, curved leg accent table, brought some color to the finishes in the room. Two mitered fabric, hourglass storage ottomans were placed in front of the fireplace would be the perfect place for her grandchildren to sit and store their “gifts from grandma.” A mosaic style mirror and two coordinating lamps placed on each side of the console (coordinating also with the floor lamp across the room) added even more lighting to the room. Boxwood topiaries flank the fireplace and add some slight formality to the room. Custom pillows were made in embroidered, plaid and chunky woven fabrics to add additional pattern and color and texture to the room.

A special solution for the bank of windows and door was to create a truly one-of-a-kind custom window treatment that reflected her traditional style. Custom-shaped cornices with a light paisley pattern to them and abutted behind the drapery of each window, adding a curved shape to the center two windows. Topping the cornices were custom draperies with beautiful gold banding on each panel, along with custom-made drapery hardware with exaggerated scroll finials.

Photography taken by Golightly Studios