Contemporary Living Room to Stylish Antiques
Most living room makeovers you see will take place in the other direction. People have an old, busy interior and they want to make it simple and contemporary. With this space we had an entire open plan living room apartment to makeover and decorate.
We start here with the living room space
It is open plan and very well designed, with loads of natural daylight.
White throughout except for the carpet which is charcoal in color and a Tawa timber veneer to the fireplace surround.
So why change it?
Because the new owner had his own personal style along with a collection of antique furniture, rugs and artwork.
The existing decoration would not compliment his collections and even though it was bathed with natural daylight, the space still appeared cold, especially at night.
White throughout except for the carpet which is charcoal in color and a Tawa timber veneer to the fireplace surround.
The existing decoration would not compliment his collections and even though it was bathed with natural daylight, the space still appeared cold, especially at night.
The Design Brief:
Transform the space to enhance the owners collection of antique furniture, artwork and carpets using wallpaper and fabrics with a new sofa and provide new storage space for a vast collection of books.
Make the space feel homely relaxed, and warm to live in.
Design Method:
Select wall coverings that would enhance the natural colors of the timber antique furniture.
Find fabrics for drapery that would create some texture and provide color to warm the space and tie in with the existing upholstery fabrics.
Design an appropriate bookcase to compliment the existing space and joinery and tie in with the owners furniture.
Source a style of sofa that would bring the existing furniture together with the introduction of new drapery fabrics.
Conclusion:
A new Tawa timber veneered bookcase, adds color and texture to the once sterile space and provides excellent access to the collection. This space has now become a library in the open plan living area.
Beautiful floor to ceiling french pleated velvet drapery with a gold and bronze art nouveau flower pattern provides a plush finish to the room and in the evenings provides a rich warm glow.
New rolled arm sofas with a distinctive floral motif provide a focal point to the decoration and combine the reds of the existing upholstery and carpets.
A crushed silk look wallpaper in a antique bronze provides a wonderful backdrop for the timber antique furniture and the existing Tawa cabinetry as well as the artwork providing a subtle texture to the entire living room.
Overall the space is barely recognizable. Texture and color have made a huge difference to the living room area. It hasn’t made the room feel any smaller it just provides a softer more romantic feel to the cool and sterile radiance of white.
Written by Lee Brown
