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Design Dilemma: A Living Room Focal Point
Melissa Summers believes that it’s okay to have a glass of wine during the day, which makes her my kind of gal. She’s also a fellow blogger and a Detroit suburbanite – just like me! However, we have yet to meet in real life. Whether or not we ever get around to it may depend on how well I do with her design dilemma. The pressure is on.
“I’m struggling with my front room,” says Melissa of her rented town home. “It has great bones, a huge window and I love our new sofa. I found a chair and a desk I like at thrift stores we also have a shelf my husband built with his brother. But…
The mantel is not my taste (very traditional) but it can’t change it at this point. I like the general vibe but it’s so boring. I would like to paint the desk and accent the bamboo on it. What color? My husband is saying white, I’m not sure if it will go with the black bookcase.”
Melissa would also like some advice about how to pull the room together with accessories she can take with her. Here’s what I’ve come up with.
Creating a focal point
Melissa wants to paint the desk as her first step. The problem here is that she’s running head first into my number one rule, which is to choose paint colors last. So, I suggest that she create a focal point with artwork over the fireplace first. Then, paint the desk to coordinate.
There are lots of ways to do this without spending a fortune. My favorite way is with photography. Here I’ve used a photograph from Olya Photography. Her images sell for $70 for a 20”x30” print. I’ve approximated that size and added a 4” mat. Other options include taking four close-up photos of flowers, or other colorful objects. Have them printed in a large format at Kinko’s. Buy Fjallsta frames ($19.99) at IKEA and hang them in a grid.
I like the mercury objects on the right side of the mantel. Remove the fruit, divide them in two and place them on either side of the mantel. Focal point accomplished.
Painting the desk
Melissa wanted to do something with the desk that will highlight the bamboo. To accomplish this, paint these features an accent color, such as red or hot pink. Then, paint the entire desk dark brown. (See my post on how to paint laminated furniture here). Then, sand off the brown to reveal the red. BUT…
This won’t look contemporary. I think the desk would look much better either all brown or painted a funky color that coordinates with the art, such as a burnt orange. The photo, above, is my very bad attempt at depicting the red under brown thing. White will be too loud. Don’t go there.
Melissa mentioned that she likes orange and has some orange accent pieces elsewhere in the house. Because Melissa might move, it’s smart to choose things that can happily fit into different room settings. She can combine them later if need be.
Accessories
I have a photo of some linen curtains from Restoration Hardware. They’re a nice neutral in a standard size. This is important if you want to have any chance of using them again elsewhere. However, I had an idiot moment and just found Melissa’s photos which head this post. In the interest of time (and because the above idea is generally a good one) I didn’t redo the image.
But I think inset panels will work better than drapes with this window. Get out the trusty sewing machine and make up some ivory semi-sheer, pleated or gathered panels that will fit into the window casing and rise just above half-way. This will provide privacy and a contemporary look. It also uses a minimal amount of fabric, so the cost is low. You can find a great semi-sheer fabric over at Haberman’s.
I’ve chosen some pillows for the sofa that will tie the artwork in with the rest of the room and add some more color. The long pillows are from Rose & Radish. The square pillow is from Paper Cloud. Finally, hang the mirror over the desk and use the poster over the bookcase. This spreads the color throughout the room. The mirror will look great near the mercury objects.
That’s it. I think these simple things will tie this room together nicely. I hope Melissa likes my ideas, but I invite everyone to weigh in with ideas and resources of their own.
25 Responses to “Design Dilemma: A Living Room Focal Point”
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Posted by Pants on June 25th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Melissa’s husband here… Thank you for this great post. I think these are great ideas. Especially the inset panels for the windows rather than drapes. One final item we’re considering — a rug. We both like the Flor carpet tiles. Would you suggest something with a subtle or neutral pattern or do we go with a bold or striped choice?
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Posted by HouseofJules on June 25th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Great ideas! As soon as I saw that desk in the long shot of the living room, I thought “RED!”.
Jules
House of Jules
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Posted by Marla on June 25th, 2008 at 8:53 am
The suggestions for artwork both in the comments and post are nice - but Melissa takes some pretty wonderful photographs, especially of her children. I see some there in small frames, and it would be great to feature them in a bolder and more artful way. After all, one of my favourite quotes from “Funky Shui” was something to the effect “that the items in your home should remind you of your trip to Bermuda, not your trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond”.
And I like the items on the mantle - but I’d say odd numbers arrange themselves better, and to mix the clear glass with the mercury glass - and fill the clear glass items with collections maybe found by the kids to personalize them.
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Posted by Kelly M. on June 25th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I think the desk would look awesome in a red, fully in red and would make a statement. I also think red works with so many color patterns that it would be easy to tie into a new home if the need be…
Love all your ideas! Good luck to you both!
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Posted by Bailey on June 25th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I agree with the color advice and I think the desk should be a funky fun color. I would consider moving the sofa forward, closer to the fireplace and move the desk ( if space permits) to the corner by the window and the bookshelf, up against the back of the sofa. This would create an office “area” and would connect the seating area with the fireplace, which is a beautiful part of the room. May or may not work, space planning is hard just from looking at a photo.
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Posted by Sheri Bheri on June 25th, 2008 at 10:00 am
I’m not a designer, but when I saw that mantel, I thought that something soothing should be up there, not something that POPS.
I think the something that POPS should be put on the wall behind the sofa, so it’s reflected in the sunburst. THAT’s where I would but some huge orange THING.
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Posted by Grace on June 25th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Area rug! Then pick up the colors from that to accent the room. I just had this dilemma and it made a huge difference in my living room.
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Posted by Amy on June 25th, 2008 at 10:06 am
What about http://www.art.com for an affordable “focal point”?
There are also some very cool prints at http://www.deviantart.com/ - and I love the idea of supporting a budding artist. There’s a lot of anime and stuff, but there’s also a lot of great photography, etc. I could browse that site for hours…
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Posted by Mandy on June 25th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I love this blog. I find it fascinating to watch your thought process!
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Posted by DR on June 25th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Melissa has an incredible picture that she took of swimming noodles. It is colorful and abstract enough that you cannot tell exactly what you are seeing.
She has some amazing shots but that one is my favorite. It would give that same centralized element plus its her original work.
I don’t know how to link you to it but it’s on one of her posts.
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Posted by eleanorm on June 25th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
High-Gloss Black for the desk and chair!!!!!!! More shiny! Will tie together mercury glass, matte black bookshelf, and look punchy with anything orange or red. Definitely high-gloss black for the desk and chair.
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Posted by Mermaid on June 25th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I don’t know if this is sophisticated enough for a focal point, but some of the best artwork in my home comes from my kids. Depending on the piece it can be folksy, modern, colorful, etc. I’ve framed a few pieces at the local craft store and they look beautiful.
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Posted by Jennifer on June 25th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
These are all terrific ideas - especially the artwork. I’ve also framed my son’s art. I got some great advice from an art teacher once reagarding kids and art. She said to give them good quality papers and materials to work with. I find it makes a difference. Anyone’s work looks so much better on a good paper.
Regarding FLOR - I love it. I’ve used it in my own home and various clients’ homes as well. It’s perfect for homes with small children and if you move you can take it with you easily. I like Martha Stewart’s stripes and Twiggy.
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Posted by Jenn Bo on June 25th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Dear Pants:
Another HUGE fan of FLOR (which I discovered through jenville.com years ago).
I have done MANY Things with FLOR: striped poodle for the entryway (with a 8″ solid border cut from toy poodle), a striped poodle runner in the kitchen, toy poodle under the dining table, morning coffee near a sliding door to the back yard, and modern mix in our family room. For the modern mix, I purchased the tax mix and added a few Walking on Clouds in Lion’s Mane into the mix.
I love the modern feel. I love that the tiles clean up easily. I love that it made me feel creative.
Good luck!
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Posted by Nicole on June 26th, 2008 at 3:34 am
If you want to do floor tiles (rather than a rug), have you ever looked at the Angela Adams line from Shaw? I think that they are a fantastic way to get her signiture style on a small budget. I think this look would really suit your room as well. I love the retro feel that they have and I think that color ways are very sophisticated. On the other hand, I’ve seen the regular wool rugs on sale for really good prices in a few online stores and I personally think that I good wool rug is a great investment piece when you are renting.
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Posted by KB on June 26th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Great room! I immediately thought lime green for the desk, with orange as my second thought. I agree with a floor rug; I think a patterned one would be nice. I love the chair to the left of the fireplace, but I think it’s too small for that space; something taller or bulkier would work better to balance the big fireplace.
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Posted by Kyran on June 26th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I guess this makes me a taker not a giver, but I desperately want to know where that starburst wall art came from. I’ve got a blank wall that needs something atomic.
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Posted by ms on June 26th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I completely agree about moving the sofa closer to the fireplace, and maybe centering it more in line with the fireplace; reposition the desk somewhere behind the sofa. Burnt orange or high-gloss black for the desk. How about some kind of e-z-care plant life for an organic touch?
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Posted by hamstering on June 26th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
This room and board chair would be a nice replacement for the wooden chair (which I also LOVE but agree might be small for that placement):
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=4197457&cat=91552822
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Posted by Laurie Furber on June 27th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I like the mid-century vibe in the room, and I think it works with the traditional fireplace. I’d work it!
Something needs to stand out as the thing you build the room around. I suggest the sofa takes center stage, because it’s fabulous, and the color is very current. Find a killer vintage rug to go under it, then everything else can be designed from there.
Move the sofa closer to the fireplace, add your rug, paint the desk a sexy color like yellow (it will look great with the gray sofa, and will compliment the light finish on the coffee table and chair). That little grouping can be the anchor for the room and everything can radiate out from it. It might be cool to place the desk behind the sofa where you’d typically place a console. A bright yellow against that gray would be great — last month’s Elle Decor had a great trend article about those two colors.
For the accessories:
I like pillows from Jonathan Adler (www.jonathanadler.com) and they’d look great in this room.For the fireplace, a fun piece of modern art would be perfect — I love Jasper Johns’ “Numbers” and you can get a reproduction anywhere and have it framed. The painting was done in both a gray/black/white palette (perfect to compliment the sofa) and a primary palette (great to add some color to the room). Both have been reproduced as prints, and both would work in this super cool room.
MS has a good idea to add some live plants to the room — they look great and they contribute to removing toxins from your indoor air. NASA has published a good list of the top 10 plants that are best for cleaning your indoor air.
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Posted by califmom on June 27th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
My first thought on seeing the desk was ORANGE! It needs to be orange. Such an inexpensive way to add a contemporary look and a burst of color to a rented space.
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Posted by califmom on June 27th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Oh, a fun idea for the focal art piece is to get a large stretched canvas from the craft store, paint it all one color (black, white, orange, ?).
Then, select a couple accent colors, I wouldn’t do more than 2 or 3, even 1 would work. Lay down some drop cloths in the garage or out on the lawn, and let the kids have it “Jackson Pollack” style.
Personalized, inexpensive, and the colors you want. Again, you can paint over it, add your own personal flourish.
You might even consider using a metallic paint as one of the accent colors, especially with the mercury pieces on the mantel.
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Posted by Carolyn on June 27th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Your choices are lovely,but Melissa refers to herself as having a “very limited budget.” Do $183 pillows really qualify?
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Posted by deneph on June 27th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I completely agree with the folks that have recommended moving the sofa closer to the fireplace. Once you do that and tie it with a rug, the chair works (and you’ll prob. want to add another small chair in corner where the desk currently sits if you move it). I also think the desk and bookcase should be closer together. I would also tie the colors in your focal art with a rug (or flor tiles), as well as a small pillow or two on the sofa.
another great source for art is http://www.etsy.com
you can even search for art (paintings, prints, sculptures, fabric art, etc) based on a color! it’s all independent artists selling their work for way under retail prices.
I agree that figuring out your showcase pieces first, then drawing color from those, is a great jumping off point. Alternatively, if you have a color you’re just dying to use, then start with that, and build your space around that palette. Either way, it’s all about adding an infusing of color into your space to personalize it and set the mood. Good luck!