DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN OF OUR LIVING ROOM

Development of our Living Room

First it began with the beams.  The floor is not yet laid.  And the shaker style windows are trimmed out. 

Blue was to be the dominant color and green the second.  I haven't used this combo for 15 years, at least, and from this photo I found my inspiration.  Seagrass rug, pine table, neutral sofa with pillows and florals. 

SOFT FURNISHINGS

I purchased the sofa from Arhaus and the chairs from Lee Industries.  The sofa that was delivered was 84" except I ordered one that was 104".  I like that they made the mistake. 

More inspiration - love the hydrengea floral pillows.   This 10" blue and white jar - will be used in the kitchen times 14.  

Arhaus

Lee Industries

FABRICS

Fabric used for the sofa pillows - all mix and match - some just the piping. 

 

Bought the chair too.  Thinking it's out of my comfort zone and little more contemporary. Very comfortable - great for card playing. 

We added bamboo fans and another 94" sofa.  Oh and a 65" TV floating on the wall. 

TV CABINET - 
ordered and arrived. 

Under the 60" TV I selected this cabinet from RH because of the size and look.  The TV equipment is huge and a lot of it - this should accommodate.  The windows will be replaced with a textured glass.  They say that using curtains is dated - but I could see using a fun print on the ends. 


COFFEE TABLE - 
I'm so confused - so my decision will be last - just have to keep remembering 'Coastal'!

My favorite coffee table was by RL and I ran down there to purchase the 60 x 60 when it was 50% off the showroom floor.  Sadly, they had sold 2 of them the day before.  I was waiting for my husband to see it - too late!

Accent Table

At a second hand store I found this cute side table - perfect for between the 2 chairs.  The beveled marble top is gorgeous and a label inside that says 'made in Italy' - all for $140.  I'll eventually paint it maybe cream or a distressed turquoise. 

Now that I have the TV cabinet - the coffee table is next.  I'm looking for something a little retro.  Not too heavy looking because it needs to be quite large and situated next the TV cabinet.  The area needed is 60 x 60.  This is smaller but you can pull out the added tables to create the size needed, but at the same time I'm worried it might look busy with all the legs in the center of the room.  
Dovetails

This is 44 x 44"  so the tables have to be about 21" square.  Then the tables need to be pulled out on either side to make the 60" square- about 8" each. 

now it comes in white!

RH Dutch industrial. 
sofas are 84" apart 
coffee table is 43" deep. 
That leaves 41" divided by 2 = 20.5" from the sofa.  You can get away with 18" apart.  I like about 12-14". 
So this is not only too small, it might be too rustic. I want more of a coastal feel. 

But this new white design comes in a 60" x 60"!
  

This BoBo coffee table gets a little too rustic with it's wood grain and it's too small a square.  But the placement is right for the room.  Thinking 60 x 60". 
Frankly - rather than rushing it, I'll just get everything in and then make a decision. 

I didn't like the fact that the sofa blocks the view of the room  - I can get more furniture in that way but it will only make it crowded and busy.  The placement above - I faced the sofas to each other and it opened up the flow of the room.

The chairs swivel - so now I need to look for some ottomans that make them comfortable when watching TV. 

CURTAINS

Nope, Too much

Green - nope - Still too much
I need coastal!

Ok - this is the look.  I purchased a light sheer with a linen lining - using a 2x width to make it full. 

Then I made an under curtain (in case i don't do the wicker shades) in a wheat color to have contrast in a 1.5 width.  A full panel that will store behind the curtain and pulled when needed. 

These large panel doors also need some of drapery - even if it's a mock on the side - so I did a double width to make 9 feet of white sheers. 

MORNING ROOM - table design

Temporarily, I have this folding drop leaf table in the breakfast room. An awkward situation with the banquette has occured because I need a table 68" x 42" and there is no such animal - so a table has to be made and I'm doing it in China.  This adorable French trestle table with it's cut outs does the trick. Now to decide what to stain it - or do I keep it raw?  Originally, I was going to do all raw wood items - but I do find if they are not stained the wood is open to the elements and they eventually crack (and not necessarily in the right place.)

I like the trestle table - you can scoot around the banquette without hitting the legs.  Also like the french feel and the cut out legs. 

BAR STOOLS

The kitchen is adjacent to the living room.  Small  blue and white Chinese jars will be added to the top display windows. 

3 pieces - odd number is always good. 

Here are the same stools with slipcovers.  

On to the Dining Room !

ITEMS I JUST DELIVERED

Antique Black Chinese Cabinet - with Antique silver hardware

41" wide x 20" deep x 72" high 

The silver hardware is slightly antiqued to show off the engraving. 
Removable shelves and hanging rod inside. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

French Style Shabby Chic Dresser

Painted in a blue gray with a brown stain top. 

50" wide x 20" deep x 34" high

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Antique style Bedside tables. Very French and very petite.

16" wide x 12" deep x 16" high

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TV CABINET

Another French style.  I actually purchase the handles in Hong Kong and take them to the factory - where they're painted shabby chic white.  

This is a slate gray with a brown antique stain - and slightly distressed. 

45" wide x 15" deep x 15.5" high

A PROJECT IN HAPPY VALLEY

The beginning of June I started a project in Happy Valley.  A young British businessman had just arrived in Hong Kong from Korea and fancied the look of Antique Chinese furniture. Because of this - we could put the flat together quickly.   After searching the Internet I came across this photo for inspiration.  Young, hip. contemporary but homey.  This started the color selection.  

The entire process took 3 weeks.  Everything was ordered before I left for my summer leave to the USA.  Delivery will take about 3-8 weeks depending on the pieces. He has a floor plan and knows where everything will be placed.  It should be done by the time I get back.  

FABRIC & COLOR SELECTION

 

 SOFA DESIGN. Originally he wanted a sectional.  But it gets in the way of the sliding doors to the patio.  A 90" sofa was designed - in 2 pieces (it will fit the elevator.)  The single cushion will hide the connection and actually function better. A soft caramel colored chenille was purchased in Shenzhen and sent to the factory. About 18 yards were needed.  We did a matching ottoman - instead of doing the sectional.  So another 4 yards were purchased. 

This easy chair design was selected to complement the sofa - and done in a black and tan tightly woven tweed. 

 I have about 5 factory direct sources for Antique Chinese. I remembered seeing this piece in the factory and transformed it by removing the center door and replacing it with frosted glass.  Handles are added to the bottom drawers.

Around the TV Wall I am suggesting a photo gallery.  Keep it simple and graphic.  Note all the photos are in gray tone.

This is the cabinet that started the design process, but it wasn't easy to find!  I played around with another 6 other cabinets (many of them already sold) until I landed the exact item I was searching for. It needs to be shortened 4 inches to fit the elevator - stripped and stained this beautiful pine color. 

To jazz up the space - this cool leather Ames chair is added next to the window and a black tripod floor lamp. 

I tried to add a contemporary coffee table but he likes items that are aged.  So we found this warm dark brown coffee table.  

RULE:  a room should only have 2 colors of wood.  Our 2 colors are the richness of dark chocolate and the inspiration of the pine. 

DINING ROOM

The dining room is part of the living room - we need to blend them - but give each their own identity. 

The marble Tulip table will add interest - soft lines and the coolness of the marble against all the wood and fabric. 

 This black sideboard was found in stock and not a thing has to be done with it.  We are housing it next to a socket - so we can add a lamp. 

I love this design for the dining chairs.  The arms make it comfortable for your guests and they can be pulled over the the living room for extra seating when needed.  Because the arms angle downwards we have to make sure they slide under the table. At the last minute I had to scramble - there was not enough fabric available for the dining room chairs (24 yards) - so we reversed the fabric being used on the side chair - to the dining room.   It all works.

ENTRY

When walking in the front door - we added this sideboard. Some of the shoes can be hidden away here.  A beautiful linen fabric mirror with nailhead design is going above it.  And this bright red bench placed opposite.  A punch of color for whimsy and the addition of a high gloss lacquer for shine. 

MASTER BEDROOM

    A sleigh bed was found at Indigo.  If you can find a bed - purchase it.  You're safer on something this intrigue - then trying to save money having it reproduced. 

I discovered these side cabinets for the bed and the customer loved them (he had liked something green in our initial consultation).  Unfortunately, they were sold - but that was a good thing - they were too large.  So we are having them reproduced in the size needed. 

Again, I introduced something contemporary and modern to achieve the youthfulness of the customer.  I'm suggesting to add white porcelain lamps to repeat the white of the leather.   Maybe make the shades in a fun green silk fabric.  A brown shaggy rug is added that the customer owns. 

ALAS and AGAIN, the item I was hoping for....was sold - but I found a body style that I can transform.  The above is the before and below will be the after. 

OFFICE / GUEST ROOM

We are adding a chaise sofa bed to the office.  It will JUST fit - but sometimes - you just have to do what you have to do. I suggested to cover it in green tweed to match the green side cabinets in the Master Bedroom.  When you move - items may not end up in the same room - blend your flat and think about the future possibilities. 

FINISHED!

Ames Chair and ottoman in the reading corner

Oval Marble table.

TV cabinet - OLD Antique Chinese 

Bedroom dresser

Extra large sofa made in 2 pieces to fit the elevator  - 90".  Added an small ottoman to use like a sectional when needed.