Before & After: From Dark-Cluttered to Calm-Nordic Living Area
Better spatial planning and a calming makeover have changed the entire tone and look of this living area, on a budget
Vanessa Walker
3 May 2021
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Images by Sebastian Mrugalski
Styling and answers by Ciara Tapia, interior designer at Ciara Tapia Design
Who lives here: Two adults and two primary school-aged children
Location: Neutral Bay, NSW
Approximate budget: $15,000 for furniture and designer fees
Room purpose and size: Entrance, dining and lounge area
Styling and answers by Ciara Tapia, interior designer at Ciara Tapia Design
Who lives here: Two adults and two primary school-aged children
Location: Neutral Bay, NSW
Approximate budget: $15,000 for furniture and designer fees
Room purpose and size: Entrance, dining and lounge area
The entrance before works
Brief
The client likes the Nordic look.
Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to transform your home
Brief
The client likes the Nordic look.
Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to transform your home
The entrance after works
Bench seat: Skagerak; Muuto wall hooks and Gubi Adnet mirror: Top3 by Design
Bench seat: Skagerak; Muuto wall hooks and Gubi Adnet mirror: Top3 by Design
Starting point
The starting point was the spatial planning to make this space function and flow better.
Muuto Ambit rail lamp pendant light and Skagerak Georg bench seat and stools: Top3 by Design
The starting point was the spatial planning to make this space function and flow better.
Muuto Ambit rail lamp pendant light and Skagerak Georg bench seat and stools: Top3 by Design
Key design aspects
Colour palette
Colour palette
- White walls in Dulux Natural White.
- Feature wall in Dulux Tranquil Green.
- A monochrome palette from the entrance.
- Glimpses of a soft green wall from the entrance.
- Warm timber furniture accents.
Materials palette
- Furniture in oak, black accents and pastels.
- Leather, as seen in the sofa.
- Texture, introduced by the curtains and rug.
The living room before works
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture
We wanted the space to flow from area to area. In the original layout people zigzagged throughout the space. Visually, high elements such as the piano were next to a sofa that was low. There was too much furniture for the space; furniture that wasn’t really used.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture
We wanted the space to flow from area to area. In the original layout people zigzagged throughout the space. Visually, high elements such as the piano were next to a sofa that was low. There was too much furniture for the space; furniture that wasn’t really used.
The living room before works
Challenges you worked around
Due to budget restraints we had to retain a lot of the existing features, like cornices and windows that were not aesthetically working with the brief. We detracted from these by lowering the furniture and installing sheer curtains to the ceiling.
Browse more inspiring images of Australian living rooms
Due to budget restraints we had to retain a lot of the existing features, like cornices and windows that were not aesthetically working with the brief. We detracted from these by lowering the furniture and installing sheer curtains to the ceiling.
Browse more inspiring images of Australian living rooms
Keeping to the brief with simple Nordic style, we pared back the furniture and created sightlines through to each space without restrictions.
Puik occasional chair and footstool: Top3 by Design
Puik occasional chair and footstool: Top3 by Design
Why do you think this room works?
It instantly creates a space of calm with its palettes but also creates a sense of connection that was previously lost due to the spatial arrangement.
It instantly creates a space of calm with its palettes but also creates a sense of connection that was previously lost due to the spatial arrangement.
Your turn
What do you love about this makeover? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great interior transformations? Take a look at this Before & After: A Drab Master Suite Goes Coastal Chic
What do you love about this makeover? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great interior transformations? Take a look at this Before & After: A Drab Master Suite Goes Coastal Chic
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And ... I absolutely love the Pen sway lamp! I read that it is rechargeable- so it can move indoors or outdoors without trailing a cord. I wish I could find this in New Zealand.
HU-196416240 totally disagree! the light fixtures here are amazing! best thing about the reno!
I also ththink that their budget constraints were a blessing, and made the project. keeping things like the cornicing stops things going too far and loosing all the character and becoming generic.
Looks like a lot of people keen to know where the piano went! We worked with Ciara on this project and saw what she did with the piano :) There is a nook around to the right that has the piano and the television - making an entertainment side of the room. Most certainly still they are still there and in regular use! Ciara did a beautiful job!