Hi friends! It's time for another room dreaming session. This time we're talking living rooms! In our studio house, the living room is the first room you see when you walk into the entryway. We hope to create something comfortable, easygoing and versatile.
In the above photo (via Lonny Magazine) I absolutely adore the unique shelving. I think a wall of irregular open shelves sounds like so much fun! I love the wall color too!This first view of the living room faces the front porch, with the entryway to the left. We know that we're painting the trim bright white, not sure about the walls yet.
Curtains are important. I want something light and airy that lets in a lot of natural light. Since I used lace curtains in nearly every room in my home I am planning to explore new options and branch out from there. Any thoughts or suggestions?This is the view when you look into the living room from the entryway. This is where I envision the seating. I could talk about couches and chairs all day. Just ask my husband! I love chairs more than any other type of furniture shopping. So, with that said…
Initially, I'm thinking something leather (or faux leather with this look—via Desire To Inspire) would be fun. It's a versatile style that we haven't played within any of our spaces yet. I haven't found the perfect sofa yet, so I'm open to suggestions. We're definitely interested in a neutral option, but not married to the idea of leather. Secretly, I hope to find an amazing vintage sofa. I mean that's always the goal, but I won't hold my breath!
I want to have fun with the chairs in this space, while still sticking with neutral colors. These chairs—1/2 (sold out booo!)/3/4.—all stand out to me as great options. I love the hanging wicker chair we added to my living room at home. It adds so much to the design of the room and it's just really fun to sit in. I also love these leather butterfly chairs. They're so fun and they remind me of my grandmother's cool 1960s ranch oak furniture a little bit.
Speaking of hanging chairs, don't think I've forgotten about Rubyellen's living room hammock. That might need to happen whether in this room or in another. Too cute!This wall faces the front windows. The doorway looks into the second living room (which we're planning to use as our group office room). I love the extra large open doorway.
This view shows you the doorway to the entryway. This is where I envision adding a faux fireplace!
Fireplaces. Sigh. I love em. When we realized that this home's original fireplace had been removed at some point (bummin') I immediately started thinking about options for building some sort of DIY mantel or just-for-looks fireplace. Bricks could be fun. I also love both these images above (via Graham & Co and HGTV Remodels). I have a lot more research to do, but this project is VERY exciting to me. Plus, look at those walls (above) they need a fireplace. They just do
The light fixture went with the previous owner, so the possibilities here are very open at this stage! In case you're curious, yes that weird metal cord cover will soon be gone (or, well, hidden).
I've never tried a painted ceiling, but I absolutely LOVE them. This room feels right for the painted ceiling. Here are a few that inspire me:(via Apartment Therapy, Indulgy, Kathryn Scott)
I realize that third one isn't really paint now, but wouldn't it be cool if it was? I like the idea of stripes. Anyway, a painted ceiling with neutral walls and furniture sounds like a pretty sweet plan to me.
So many decisions! This room is basically a blank canvas, and I hope we can do it justice. Eeep! I'm really enjoying reading all your thoughts on these posts. xo. Elsie
ps. For more obsessive daily studio inspiration, follow my studio inspiration board on Pinterest.
Credits // Author and Photography: Elsie Larson, Inspiration images are linked throughout.
Beautiful!
Hi there! I do have a suggestion about the curtains. I work at a Marimekko store and we have a large variety of white-ish fabrics for curtains which let the light get through but still give you privacy. There are many pretty patterns, white on white. My favorite is called “Tuuli”, it resembles a tree with branches and leaves. Worth looking into it! 🙂
In our new home we did almost all of the windows with sheer roller shades, kinda like these: http://www.selectblinds.com/images/productimages/rollershades/Carousel/Sheer-Weave-3000-Roller-Shades-0.jpg
Ours have a linen like finish so they’re a little more textured, but they look bright and airy and let all of the light in without compromising privacy. They’re very modern, and look great paired with drapes as well.
I love the idea of a DIY false fireplace. So cozy!
I love that mustardy wall with the open shelving, and also the emerald ceiling. So gorgeous, seriously.
-Jen
yourstrulyjen.com
Love the first image!!! What a great home office space!
I love the painted ceiling idea 🙂 Can’t wait to see the finished place 🙂
Such potential! I love all your ideas. Also, thought this might interest you– there’s a show here in Australia called The Block (a renovation show), and one year a team did a kitchen with glossed floorboards on the ceiling instead of the floor, and it looked amazing. Here’s a link, if you’re interested: http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/theblock2012/galleries/237029/the-block-2012-room-reveal-mike-and-andrews-kitchen.slideshow
xx
There is something about looking at an empty room that excites me! Like looking at a blank canvas!
I’m in the process of renovating my entire house, I’m suffering with “idea overload” and I don’t have the budget to keep up with myself! I think in the end you should just make the room a place you want to relax in, your sanctuary, where you feel comfortable and at home. Sometimes following a decorative theme or being too matchy-matchy can make a room feel stiff, less inviting or not so comfortable – so just roll with it. Have fun!
GREAT Blog by the way!
Rachel Emmilee 🙂
What an awesome playground! I realize that dreaming of a spacious studio space is on my to do list. Dreams come true, sometimes. Although it should be very close from home, too…
I too am a lover of fire places. I would suggest adding a pellet stove, stove fireplace or something similar. It is relatively inexpensive and simple and can look really great. Generally you add a small patch of tile for the stove to sit on and you have a small hole cut into the side of the house or in the roof to run the tube chimney out of for ventilation. I have also seen them run through a window where one of the panels had a custom hole cut for the chimney. My favorites (and some of the most expensive kinds) are Esse stoves and Rayburn stoves. These brands also feature cooktops.
Oh and these are amazing
http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/97/b1/1e97b1997e37e492d0558be4f16e971b.jpg
check out this beaut http://bloodandchampagne.com/images/bloodandchampagne1639.jpg
The Stockholm sofa from IKEA (which you may or may not be aware of) comes in a gorgeous light brown leather – very similar to the one in the picture! http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00245045/#/20245049
And the Anywhere Fireplaces might be a nice addition to your faux fireplace idea! One of the wall mounted ones with a cool vintage mantel framing it!
This house looks in great shape. I can’t wait to see the lighter brighter version of it.
vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
i LOVE the idea of a painted ceiling! the turquoise color is fantastic
xxoo,
nikki
www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
I am feeling a lot of house envy right now! You guys are going to have so much fun decorating this space!
So many options waiting to see the end result. Fingers crossed.
http://thinkworkandgo.blogspot.com/
Hi from Spain Elsie! (and sorry for the grammatical errors) I want to show you a Valencian school of languages (the town were I live) which has a very inspiring design:
https://eltornilloquetefalta.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/academia-de-idiomas-2day-languages/
Just look those beautiful walls!
I wish I had a place like yours for doing something like this.
I hope you enjoy it and found it as inspiring as I do.
Hi Girls, my name is Luciana and I am from Brasília, Brasil.
So, forgive my english mistakes…and my typewriting too.
I’m a follow of ABM… i just love everyhomemadething, so just love yours.
As you sugested I took a look at you on printerest and I found I little mistake about an artist reference…
When se see a beautiful white and blue moisac wall and you say thats is Oscar Niemayer, it’s not. It’s Athos Bulcão. He’s a very important brasilian artist and my city, Brasilia, is full of her mosaics every where.
Hope help.
Kisses, Lu
I love the curtains at Urban Outfitters. They’re inexpensive and nearly all of them are light & airy with dreamy colors, patterns and textures. They’re great accents to have!
wow, that painted ceiling! amazing!
xo, cheyenne