Last week I finally finished decorating my living room. I had a photo shoot/interview with a design magazine and a camera crew coming from HGTV so I had to get my living room looking hot!
My living room is very small and awkwardly shaped. I always had a sofa and no matter how many times I moved it around or what size it was it never seemed right for the space, so I decided to mix it up and try some thing a little different.
I wanted to create enough seating for guests but I also didn’t want the space to feel busy and full of furniture. So my solution was to purchase four chairs, which I was lucky to have found two sets of cane chairs that looked almost the same. I had them lacquered in black gloss and each pair was re-upholstered in the same coordinating fabric.
I also purchased a large Asian cabinet that was deep enough to hold all of my books, cd’s and a small stereo. I also used a bar cart instead of shelving unit to open the space up but still create some storage against the back wall.
This turned out to be a great solution for my space and could be for someone who has a small living room or an awkward size room. With just four chairs, a circular coffee table and a rug you can center almost any room.
Another idea is to replace two of the chairs with a lounge or a chaise with something like this from Ikea or this one from Z Gallerie.
Or perhaps four upholstered chairs like these from Plummers if you have enough room.
Following is a list of where I found most of my items for my living room.
4 Cane Chairs and Bamboo Coffee Table – Vintage (Misc. Antique stores)
Asian Cabinet – Vintage, Casa Victoria
Drapes (Ritva) - Ikea
Small Vintage Lamp and Bamboo Bar Cart – Torrance Antique Market
Mirrors (Riska, not available), Shag Rug – Ikea
Key Box – Jonathan Adler
Upholstery Fabric and Trim – Michael Levin’s
Vintage Books and Paintings – Ebay
Tall Vintage Lamp – Antique Store, Santa Barbara
Saarinen Marble Table – Craigslist, Austin
Paint – Behr Trail Print 790- F6
-Vanessa (aka Turquoise)
VERY Kelly Wearstler -- reminds me of the pictures of her apt from her book. Good job! Very inviting...I LOVE the Asian cabinet.
Really lovely! I'm especially loving the bamboo table and cane chairs. But what I love most about this Designer Dissection is your modus operandi of mixing vintage/thrift/flea/ebay finds with lower-cost pieces from mass retailers like Plummer's, Z Gallerie and IKEA! I'm always impressed by how you achieve these high-end, luxe looks on a more accessible budget.
Turquoise you're my idol. I love your work.
Holly
I think the idea of having a living room that has no sofa is absolutely revolutionary.
If your space simply won't accommodate one and you've managed to actually come to that conclusion and come to terms with it, then I think that this solution is absolutely ideal, and it looks fantastic. You've managed to create something that still looks substantial and centered, and yet light DOES manage to pass through the weave of the wicker so it doesn't cut the space off visually. This is really gorgeous! And congrats on your shoot!
Gorgeous! Turquoise, I love the look you've achieved with your curtains (to the floor and flanking the windows). I want to do the same in my apartment but I have baseboard heaters running the entire length of the wall. I think shorter curtains would look awful. Any ideas?
Christina,
I have the same issue - baseboard heaters and a desire for full length curtains. I would love to hear anyone's ideas on this, too!
Gorgeous, Turquoise. Your style is simultaneously sophisticated and relaxed. When can i move in?
And Turquoise, I LOVE your new living room! I just had my dining room painted a dark chocolate brown with white trim and you've given me great inspiration for some finishing touches! Thanks!
Thank you all for your super nice comments!
I really do appreciate all of them.
Christina & pdx brooke- An idea for your space instead of drapes could be roman shades.
Check out jonathanadler.com under interior design- he has green roman shades in a brown dining room. It has a detailed trim box like valance to the top.
I am not sure where you live or what exactly your room looks like, but I thought the photo on JA's site might be of some design inspiration.
Good luck!
http://jonathanadler.com/shop/design.php
Turquoise,
Thanks so much for your ideas and encouragement!
TQ: Thanks for reference, the valance idea is nice. Adler's sofas are gorgeous! Does anyone have any comments on quality?
I love it! It looks great. You did such a good job.
AWESOME SEXY LOVE IT...
See! THIS is how you do brown walls. So SOOOOO lovely.
And thank you for the advise on my room, looking forward to making it back over
Cheers!
K
Unbelievably gorgeous...of course...as usual. You are SO talented! I miss you!
Christina - regarding Jonathan Adler furniture quality...a rather high-end furniture shop in Portland OR sells his line of furniture.
So knowing what other lines of furniture this store stocks as well, I'd venture the Adler quality is pretty darn good (MitchellGold might be comparable) and the price might be kinda high, too.
Wow I thought Mister Adler was the king of self promotion. Seems like you are giving him a run for the money.
And, hmmmm, here when someone says "reminds me of Kelly Wearstler" it is apparently a good thing. But when Jontahan Adler "is inspired by" someone, he is a style thief.
Vanna,
It looks great! Sorry I did not do this sonner, I am in NYC and having a blast! Keep up the FAB work that you do.
oxox
Cee
It looks more than nice. Have you bought something from livingroom furniture this site? I have to congratulate you for not putting a TV set in there. Most of the people do it and ruin what is the best in such a room. The chairs are very nice, but what pleases my eye is the carpet. I bet it is wool!
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