New This Week: 3 Living Rooms That Nail Comfort and Style
New This Week: 3 Living Rooms That Nail Comfort and Style
These spaces embrace handsome decor and furnishings without compromising on relaxation
Sometimes stylish spaces can seem a bit too precious. And that’s not something you want in a living room. The following living rooms exude thoughtful design while keeping relaxation at the forefront.
Designer: Tiffany LeBlanc; D. Michael Collins was also on the team
Location: Newton, Massachusetts
Size: 396 square feet (36.7 square meters); 22 by 18 feet (6.7 by 5.4 meters)
Homeowners’ request. A more customized and modern living room in a newly built home. Two goals were replacing the traditional existing fireplace and adding storage.
Special features. Updated fireplace with custom metal and pattern-matched travertine tile surround. Grasscloth-looking wall covering. Custom built-in with floating shelves displaying art, memorabilia and family photos. “These pieces were all thoughtfully curated to create a well-designed yet comfortable space,” designer Tiffany LeBlanc says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The metal surround turned out to be more complicated than imagined,” LeBlanc says. “The metal had to be delivered in a huge freight truck to support the weight, then it was hand-welded on-site. There was a brief moment when trying to schedule all the moving parts — the metal delivery, the welding, the stone installation — that we thought to ourselves, ‘Is this all going to come together?’ Sure enough, it did and added the right amount of contemporary edge to the room — exactly what the client wanted.”
Looks Like Grass wallcovering: Donghia; custom built-in: D. Michael Collins; travertine tile: Cumar; custom metal fireplace surround: Loki Custom Furniture; chairs: A. Rudin; rug: Steven King; bench: Cisco; drum table: Palecek; light: Visual Comfort; art above fireplace: Karine Léger, Lanoue Gallery
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Designer: Shelby Knoles of Willow & Co.
Location: Shaker Heights, Ohio
Homeowners’ request. An eclectic and somewhat midcentury vibe while paying attention to the traditional-style details in the room.
Designer secret. “Bringing in desaturated blues and greens is the best option for a client that wants a bright and open space and is afraid of color,” Knoles says.
Chandelier: Aerin, via Visual Comfort; Reeve coffee table, chairs and curtains: West Elm; Camp bench: Katy Skelton
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Designer: Keely Gloude of McKee & Co.
Location: Corona del Mar neighborhood of Newport Beach, California
Homeowners’ request. For this new home, they wanted the furniture, finishes and accessories to reflect a clean, organic simplicity.
Special features. Wood-wrapped fireplace wall. Low-slung firebox with marble surround and floating hearth. Oversize wooden coffee table. White fabric sofas. Broken-in leather armchairs. “By keeping the color scheme neutral, it allows you to appreciate your surroundings — not only the beauty of the outdoors but each piece of furniture, accessory and even the bold print art as part of the overall design,” designer Keely Gloude says.
Designer secret. “Sticking close to the architecture of a space and building slowly, piece by piece, helps keep your design focused on what you are trying to achieve,” Gloude says. “I like to start with the main furniture pieces and make sure as your eye travels the space, that one particular thing or area does not overpower your design.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “My clients, and most for that matter, when they buy versus build, desire instant gratification. We did need to slow down a bit at times to make sure we were achieving the look we wanted. It’s OK, and often helpful, to take a step back from your project and get a fresh perspective. Either great things happen when you do this, or it simply confirms you are on the right path.”
All furnishings, finishes and accessories: via McKee & Co.
