Recipe for Style: Chic Living Room by James Rixner

James Rixner designed this room last year for the Kips Bay show house. We think it's worth a longer look as it has many subtle ideas for apartment sized living spaces. It is a chic look that works just as well in simple modern day apartments without much architectural detail as well as older homes with lots of period charm. More below:

The ingredients that go into this style mix:

softened yet still somewhat sputnik chandelier for the living room
strong doses of symmetry in the details - the two stools, two slipper chairs, the drapes, the large sculptural pieces, the b&w framed pieces of art, the two matching table lamps AND the cocktails
a limited, restrained color palette with enough punches of black to keep the eye moving around
vertical stripes on the stair risers
girly round pillows on a low slung exotically-shaped sofa
echoes of the x base stools in the crosshatched coffee table base
white on white floral arrangements and vases
a single, well lit, large scale piece of art anchors the entire left wall and visually balances the large built-ins on the other side
light textured carpet adds texture and a luxe, cushy vibe

Read more about the room (along with sources) at House Beautiful.
More info on the designer: James Rixner

Previous Recipe for Style:

Shipley & Halmos Office

Photos: House Beautiful

Comments (19)

It reminds me of the set of a Rock Hudson-Doris Day film - I just love it!

posted by bepsf on July 23rd 2008 at 4:25pm
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Oh I'm in looooooove. I NEEEEEED that chandelier!

posted by atlantadesigner on July 23rd 2008 at 4:38pm
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I like it. I like it a whole bunch. It is fancy pants.

posted by Seaside on July 23rd 2008 at 4:48pm
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Yeah, that chandelier is pretty incredible. Here it is:

http://tinyurl.com/5rea99

Would love to find a more...ahem...budget friendly version.

posted by tdominey on July 23rd 2008 at 5:11pm
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looooooooooove it!!!

posted by dougdavis on July 23rd 2008 at 6:31pm
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Wow, this blows me away!

posted by suzy8track on July 23rd 2008 at 6:32pm
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well let's see.....rent payments for quite some time ooooor a chandelier? If someone sees something similar for those of us with more meager budgets, please....do share the link.

posted by atlantadesigner on July 23rd 2008 at 7:09pm
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I've been looking for round pillows like that! Where, oh where can I find them?

posted by broccoli on July 23rd 2008 at 7:27pm
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Tres chic!

posted by BonivaGScott on July 23rd 2008 at 9:46pm
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very nice but most of it's style is a pretty clear rip off of 60's mod style or what you kids like to call mid-century modern. The most interesting thing are the stairs.

posted by TheoJ on July 23rd 2008 at 10:11pm
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How elegant!

posted by TPND on July 24th 2008 at 1:28am
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Love the coffee table!! Anybody know where it's from?!

posted by ccull05 on July 24th 2008 at 5:34am
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Oh that chandelier is to. die. for.
It looks like they pulled it right out of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

posted by suziegoombs on July 24th 2008 at 5:39am
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So feminine... but clean. LOVE.

Some day I hope to have a small sitting room off my dining area and this is perfect.

Hmm... i wonder if my buddy in the lighting ind could get me a deal.

posted by DahliaCactus on July 24th 2008 at 6:05am
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i love every last detail of it. the stairs are gorgeous, the furniture is beautiful and that chandelier..... LOVE!

So did anyone figure out how to get the budget-friendlier version yet?

posted by Coopers_mama on July 24th 2008 at 6:46am
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wow....I would want a budget version as well...it is stunning!

posted by hanako66 on July 24th 2008 at 7:16am
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I'm not sure I see what's 'feminine' about this room, but it is great to seen a clean, quiet, interesting design that doesn't fall back on an unimaginative 'paint everything white' colour story.

posted by amed studio on July 24th 2008 at 12:41pm
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The rug is awesome anyone help me please where can i buy this cushy white rug??? Thanks!

BTW, i like the whole room its STUNNING beauty!

posted by Timoshka on July 24th 2008 at 9:48pm
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It's elegant, but feels like a period room in a museum.

posted by Lisa Hunter (Montreal) on December 10th 2008 at 8:27am
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