Your Design Kit (family room)
(USA clients)
Welcome to your Design Kit! I loved working on your home and I think I’ve come up with the perfect solution for your space, based on the photos and comments you’ve given me as we’ve gone through. This custom Design Kit has all the information you should need to finish off your space, including a floor plan, colour palette, moodboard, furniture choices and more! And remember, you don’t need to feel limited by the ideas here. If you love them, go ahead and use them all! Or, simply use these as suggestions to help guide and inform your own decisions. Now, let’s take a closer look at your existing space and your style!
What we need to work on Colour Scheme. At the moment the space feels very light and beachy, even though this isn’t a style you like. To create the look of the rooms you like, we need to bring in doses of stronger colours and splashes of black. Furniture. Most of your existing pieces are fairly neutral and can work with your new style, however I have suggested some new pieces to help tie everything together. Finishing Touches. To make a room feel finished, even on a budget, it’s important to add those finishing touches; some personalised artwork, cushions and accessories. I’ve suggested a few new accessories as well as some modern artwork to finish your look off.
The Colour Scheme The wall colour you have is lovely, and perfect for the space. I’ve added a Persian style rug and a few bold coloured pieces to create that layered feel. A more neutral based colour scheme allows you to bring in pops of strong colour, like the red in the rug, turquoise foo dogs and some bright abstract art.
Style & Inspiration
Your style is ‘Vintage Eclectic’. You like cosy, layered rooms which use a mix of furniture pieces from different eras and styles. These spaces have a layered over time feel, and a casual yet glamorous vibe. Key elements you will see in these room include large rugs, lots of textiles and creative layered vignettes on all surfaces. The wonderful thing about this style is it doesn’t have to ‘match’ and any colour scheme from light and bright, to bold jewel tones can work beautifully.
To create a cosy, warm look a key element is to add splashes of black and deeper tones.
Jewel toned, patterned rugs are beautiful pieces and are the perfect way to bring a cosy vibe to a room.
Use a mix of timber, metallics, darks and lights to create a cosy vibe in your space.
Neutrals are great for accessorising but mix them with punchy black to stop your space feeling bland.
Fireplace Room Moodboard
Bench Seat Fabric
Family photos either side of the fireplace.
TV Room Moodboard
The Investment Pieces In your questionnaire you said you wanted to achieve that cosy, layered look you love, without the space feeling messy. You seem to be having trouble creating this casual yet glam look, while still working it into the existing pieces of your room and the light-coloured floors.
This sofa is gorgeous and really suits your style well. Although it has modern lines, the tufting and higher arms creates a vintage feel, while the dark charcoal fabric is the perfect way to add a dose of drama to the fireplace room.
A chunky modern coffee table is a nice contrast to the traditional rug and breaks up the heavy pattern. This is the perfect place for your pretty tray and a few coffee table books to create that cosy atmosphere around the fire.
Adding large armchairs to this space, makes the built-in seating feel a little strange. Here, I’ve suggested some Bentwood style armchairs that won’t take up too much visual or floor space, and bring in a touch of traditional. Pair them with your existing ceramic drum as a side table.
A bench is a great way to create a visual barrier in a room, and create the feel that the fireplace area is a separate, cosy space. The good thing about the bench is that it doesn’t take up a lot of room on the floor, and having no back means it doesn’t block off the space completely.
Rugs are key in creating a cosy, inviting atmosphere. Here I’ve suggested a larger sisal rug to tie in with your existing one. You can then layer this with a traditional Persian style rug to bring in a dose of stronger pattern. I would actually be happy to use an extra large Persian rug by itself here, but look at your options and see whether budget allows!
Your existing TV cabinet looks like a good quality piece however it does work against the look you are trying to achieve. I would work with it for now, but would look for a darker, more glamorous piece to use in the future. As an alternative, this piece does have quite nice lines, and what I’ve suggested here is an update with a dark charcoal paint job and some new gold ring pull handles. This will dramatically update the look, and makes the space feel less beachy and more in line with your vintage style.
Coffee tables are so important to create a cosy space, and to allow you to bring in the accessories that really make a space pop. This simple, contemporary coffee table from Freedom is a good price and size for the space, and it’s simple lines are a nice contrast to some of the more country style pieces you already have.
Accessories - Fireplace Room
I’ve suggested two neutral, patterned cushions as a base (a black and white ticking & a modern grey geometric) as well as a teal geometric to brighten up the area.
I would suggest a simpler look for your window seats with a bold black and white striped fabric. Ikea has a reasonably priced canvas in a similar style but most fabric stores will have something in this look. Rather than piling this area with extra scatter cushions I would have a seamstress or upholsterer make a simple, tailored rectangular cushion to run the length of the seat for back support.
Using Ikea Ribba frames in black, I would suggest adding a pair of black and white photos (family ones would be lovely) above each window seat to frame the fireplace.
A little metallic side table like this adds a little bit of glamour and a great spot for a drink or reading material.
Accessories - Living Room
To tie in with your existing Chang Mai pillows I’ve suggested another of the grey geometrics, and a simple charcoal velvet cushion.
To stop your TV becoming the focal point in the room, try placing it to one side of the TV cabinet, and adding a lamp to the other side, and some small accessories. This gold geometric lamp has a great glamorous feel that will work well with your cushions. Your foo dogs will be a lovely pop of colour on the coffee table - place them on top of some coffee table books. Finally, a modern vase with some long stemmed flowers (real or faux) will liven up the space.
I would love to see a bold abstract piece above the sofa. Art is very personal so pick something you love, and choose a piece which pulls the colours from your cushions. I would also suggest a large black and print either side of the TV to balance this area; these are simple architectural sketches but anything in black and white would be perfect.
now for the practical things... (shopping & layout)
(USA clients)
Furniture Layout I know you’ve said you are happy with the living room layout, but I have suggested one other layout to try. Either will work with the pieces and artwork I’ve suggested so go with whatever feel comfortable in the space. A key thing to remember is don’t be afraid to float your pieces off the wall. Moving your sofas forward 20-30cm helps the space feel more open and less cramped.
Shopping List Portside Sofa 2.5 Seater $573 inc freight Milan Direct
White Coffee Table $150.45 inc freight Wayfair
Bentwood Classic Armchair $464 (for 2) inc freight Wayfair
Loft Tufted Bench $255 Wayfair
CBD Coffee Table $299 Freedom
Sisalo Flatweave Rug (989-J84N) $499 (free shipping) Cyrus Persian Carpets
Shopping List Chiraz Floor Rug (Red) $218.99 inc freight Zanui
Aluminium Polished Table $172 (free shipping) Wayfair
Set of 4 Pillow Covers $80 (incl postage) Etsy Seller nakaliesheek
Bjornloka Fabric $9.99 per metre Ikea
Audrey Lamp (Gold) $134.10 Beacon Lighting
Waterloo Bridge by Edgar Degas $204.90 (black frame, acrylic - also available unframed) Allposters
Shopping List Architectural Prints $59 each inc shipping Etsy PiastrelliStudio
Pulse Vessel $49.95 Freedom
Velvet Cushion (Grey) $29.95 each Freedom
Ticking Cushion $48 each (inc shipping) Etsy seller Linenandoak