My living room makeover - part 2
Tue, 11 Oct 2016
The left side of my living room looked like this right after we moved in. This is a very long and narrow space (23'x11') so while it's easy to break it up into different zones on each end, it gets a little tough fitting in a really large sofa and TV cabinet and not having everything running along the walls and ending up with a boring layout. And while you may recall I had received a new sofa not that long ago, my choice of wool fabric was really not smart in a house with a bunch of cats so I moved it upstairs to the storage room and may use it when we convert the space into a library. Since then I did however score the rug of my dreams and that caused an entire re-arrangement of the space and I bought a few new pieces to go with it.
This rug is Fool's Paradise by Marcel Wanders for Moooi Carpets from The Modern Shop. It is soooooo gorgeous, and pretty much ideal in this house of many pets because it is essentially commercial grade and very low pile so it will stand up to wear and tear and fur and constant vacuuming. The flower photo printed on it is SO sharp and the colours are incredible. I opted for round instead of rectangular (and the smaller of the 2 sizes) because I didn't want to emphasize the long and narrow shape to the room. Even though my sofa is rather big and bulky, by placing it on an angle in the corner it makes it look SO much smaller and really opens up the space.
I had to find a new chair to work with the rug, and came across this Victorian grandfather chair at Yardley's Antiques. I love the competing florals together. The glass sculpture on the pile of books and glass vase on a stand are from West Elm. The gold with marble top table is from Homesense. The star light under the table is from Gaslight Electric Sign Co.. The antique fireplace screen turned artwork is from Highjinx. The light is the Flos Aim pendant designed by the Bouroullec brothers.
This is a REALLY old chair, and I need to find some trim to cover those staples.
The vase and lidded bowl are vintage. That's a watermelon peperomia plant. The leaves are adorable.
The art is this photo by Amanda Sebayang from Bali. I purchased a digital copy and had it printed on photoboard 40'x40' by Posterjack, with a simple frame made by my husband. The fleece blanket is by David Fussenegger and plastic watering can by Qui est Paul? from Alteriors. Pillow from Homesense.
This rug also called for a new coffee table, and I wanted something small so I splurged and purchased an Eero Saarinen for Knoll black marble top side table from Alteriors. Kin tealight holders by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Skultuna from The Modern Shop. Bud vase from General Fine Craft.
More pillows from Homesense.
Vintage media cabinet. Lamp from Homesense. Table base by Pretty Pegs. Vintage wire sculpture from a shop in Montreal and Jieldé light from eBay.
These alcoves were awful. They had a piece of mirror down the center, and curved glass shelves on one side. That had to go. Husband patched the holes and built floating shelves. They are now filled with random trinkets - my cabinets of curiosities.
Reader Comments (21)
It's such an intriguing space. I would love to hang out there and experience such a moody and cozy vibe. I particularly love how you redid your curiosity cabinets. The juxtaposition of your beautiful and interesting plants with those amazing black walls is stunning. And I am really coveting that brass wire wall sculpture!
Thanks Amy! (And as a bonus I got a deal on the sculpture because I bought 2 different ones from the same shop)
I know it's not for everybody, but I love the dark, moody, cozy going on- sun rooms are for bright and airy! Very intimate sitting around chatting with friends. And the dark makes the color from your personal items and plants pop out! Great job, KiM! (I imagine it WAS quite a job, too :)
:) Thanks axie!
What a difference moving the sofa made! Love the colours and textures.
Thanks Anna L! It was a remarkable improvement, and reminding me how much better furniture looks on angles instead of mashed up against walls.
The floral Victorian armchair notches it up to sublime! Great find.
Thanks Jared! I adore this chair. I'm thinking the wood may need a coat of black paint tho'....
You have bucket loads of decorating talent! LOVE what you have done with this space.
Wow, Kim. Fabulous. I find the black soothing. When I pulled up our wood floors and put down black slate, it had a stunningly calm effect. But black suddenly showed all the fur and dust! It sort of forced me to vacuum everyday, and I'm not a clean freak. Love that sofa throw! Did you find it at a specific store or did you order it online form David?
I'm enjoying the conversation between that floral covered Victorian chair and the floral circular rug!
Yes, the rug and chair are having quite a conversation. Too much "Look at me!" choice for such a mysterious (the woman's portrait, all the very unique objects), and quiet room. While the floor stain is the greatest improvement, the rug keeps the eye fixated and not move around much. It is dynamic but better suited for a square room anyway.
I'd try pulling the skin over by the sofa and use the cleaner wood framed chair.
Amazing rug. But after I saw its price from over 6000 dollars I knew it will stay just a wish.
Thanks Kristi, Sparky and ombia ($6000??)!
Thanks Ruth! I would never do dark floors. Not with a house full of cats. The throw is from Alteriors.
I appreciate your thoughts on the space Betsy. I am kind of loving how the space looks tho' with the current set up.
The terrarium with the brass holder? Where is it from? Love it.
OOPS I forgot to add that the terrarium is from West Elm.
I just love its decidedly victorian feel!
It's such a great room - so livable and everywhere you look, something interesting. I showed the before and after to my husband and he liked the before because you know...yellow floors. So that's how lucky you are.
Thanks Amy!
@Carol - LOL!!! I am grateful Jeff understood my vision.
I love it all. Have you discovered Franktown Revival yet? It is an anitques shop located in the old Gothic church in Franktown. It's closed for the winter now, but they have some incredible finds and very reasonable prices!
I don't think I've ever been to Franktown. I don't even know where that is. OMG! I NEED TO GO IN THE SPRING!!!