OUR CLIENTS HAD SOME VERY CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS COTTAGE RESTORATION – THE BUDGET WAS STRICT, IT NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY SELF CONTAINED AND SUITABLE FOR BNB GUESTS AND THEY WANTED IT TO FEEL “MORE OPEN”. THE STONE FEATURES OF THE ORIGINAL 1800’S BUILDING WERE ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. THIS COUPLED WITH THE PROPERTY IT WAS BUILT ON CREATED ALL THE INSPIRATION WE NEEDED TO FULFIL THE BRIEF. IN THE MAIN LIVING AREA WE OPENED UP THE SPACE WITH GABLED CEILINGS CREATING A BEAUTIFUL ENTRANCE AND EXTRA ROOM FOR STORAGE ACCESSIBLE VIA LIBRARY LADDERS . WE ADOPTED A WHITE COLOUR SCHEME FOR THE WALLS AND CEILING TO MAKE SUCH A SMALL SPACE FEEL AS ROOMY AND BRIGHT AS POSSIBLE AND AS A STARK CONTRAST TO THE ORIGINAL STONE AND SLATE FLOORS. WE ALSO ENCLOSED A VERANDAH ON THE BACK OF THE 2 ROOM COTTAGE TO FULFIL THE “SELF CONTAINED” REQUIREMENT MAKING ROOM FOR A SMALL BATHROOM AND KITCHEN. WHILST WE HAVE ADOPTED A ‘COUNTRY COTTAGE’ FEEL, THE SPACE IS A BLEND OF BOTH VINTAGE AND MODERN DECOR.

Interior Residential

Precision Painting And Faux Finishing

Mid-sized traditional enclosed family room in Albuquerque with brown walls, slate floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and multi-coloured floor.

Betonoptik im Büro Maler Weiden

Sebastian Kopp Malermanufaktur

Maler Weiden Betonoptik Oberpfalz
Inspiration for a small modern open concept family room in Other with grey walls, slate floors and black floor.

Traditional Christmas

The Glade Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional open concept family room in Melbourne with pink walls, slate floors, green floor and timber.

Liberty Homes Custom Home in the Poconos

Liberty Homes Custom Builders

This mix between rustic and contemporary is beautiful.
Inspiration for a large country open concept living room in Other with beige walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and black floor.

Fireplace

Barnard And Deck

Stone added to a once traditional fireplace and using the clients existing starburst mirror.
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Other with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, white walls, slate floors and grey floor.

Sunroom Before

Remya Warrior Designs

Paul Scharff Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional sunroom in New York with slate floors and a standard ceiling.

Marrickville House

Schwensen & Co

Family room off the kitchen
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open concept family room in Sydney with white walls, slate floors and grey floor.

Traditional Christmas

The Glade Design

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional open concept family room in Melbourne with pink walls, slate floors, green floor and timber.

Yogarden Greenhouse

NexGenGreen

Adjacent, but not attached to the main home, this semi permeable greenhouse uses a solar shade to water the plants within, and is built with mostly recycled materials donated by the builder and collected by the client.

Solar addition

dreamdoctor

Best shower ever; like a warm/hot waterfall and no glass shower walls to squeegee. Heck of a view. Comes in handy for washing things that don't fit in anything else - it is part of my "potting shed" too. Mark Clipsham

Liberty Homes Custom Home in the Poconos

Liberty Homes Custom Builders

This mix between rustic and contemporary is beautiful.
Large country open concept living room in Other with beige walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and black floor.

York, ME Raised Corner Greenhouse

Sunspace Design, Inc.

Not far from the Maine coastline, this renovation project showcases the power of creative reimagining. With an elevated deck in need of replacement, the clients envisioned a new space that would fill with sunshine and offer them the potential to nurture plants throughout the year. Offering full-service design and construction, Sunspace stepped in to make it happen. The Sunspace team began by replacing the existing deck structure, creating a solid, raised, insulated foundation that would receive the greenhouse addition. A high-quality aluminum frame was chosen for its durability and sleek lines, blending with the home's existing architecture and fitting snugly into the corner of the exterior walls. The generous use of insulated glass floods the interior with natural light while maintaining a comfortable growing environment all year round. Functionality within a small space is key in this design. Venting windows in the lower sections and operable roof vents ensure proper airflow and temperature control, essential for a thriving plant collection. The interior is thoughtfully finished with planting benches and shelving to establish an organized, inviting workspace. And with direct access from the home, a trip to the greenhouse is an effortless escape for the clients, a world of vibrant growth never further than a few steps away.

Beauty in Bridgewater

Plush Design Interiors

delightful 3 bedroom home with 2 living spaces and plenty of beautiful garden. Private and comfortable with a flexible floor plan and modern neutral decor.

Sunroom Before with traditional furniture

Remya Warrior Designs

Paul Scharff Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional sunroom in New York with slate floors and a standard ceiling.

Warmth of Home

Julie Graf, One of a Kind Design

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Other with beige walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Put Down Roots

User

Creating a space that’s able to adapt from season to season is as simple as centering it with understated and sophisticated foundation pieces, like the charcoal gray Mischa sofa and warm cocoa-finished Livingston occasional tables. By selecting neutral staples such as these, you can continually swap out the accessories to reflect your evolving taste. If the sunny weather has you drawn to a summer fresh palette of yellows, blues and creams, the Boho Chevron rug – made of durable polypropylene – and the shapely Tulare Puff accent chair are bright and delightful additions.

River Plantation

S Squared Design, LLC

Large transitional open concept living room in Houston with grey walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Cottage renovation

Fruitful Homes

Look on the Bright Side

User

Happiness springs eternal when you’re surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colors, and with a multitude of multi-hued accents, our cover room is as high-spirited as they come. Try adding lively pieces like these to your own home, and you’ll see that there will never be a dull moment.

Living Design Ideas with Slate Floors

The best room for gathering with your family and friends in a cosy environment is your living room or family room. You want to hang out where the lounge furniture is the most comfortable and sofas or chairs create a sense of homeliness. Filling this important space with cheap furniture is unlikely to bring you the same long-lasting comfort as a quality chaise lounge or a couch. These choices will directly affect the quality of your evenings as you wind down from the daily grind. While planning a renovation or redesign, weigh up the priorities of seating, heating, an entertainment unit and bookcases. Identify your main activity in the room and and design around that. Many living rooms aren't complete without a fireplace, but if you can't accommodate that, invest in built-in or furniture that suits your home. Common trends include Danish furniture and other kinds of Scandinavian furniture. Plush sofas, recliner chairs and sofa beds will always be popular. Finally, when the big components are planned out, think about what colour scheme and decor will best suit you and your family. If needed, an interior designer can help here.

Should I include a fireplace in my living room or family room?

Depending on your climate, a fireplace might be a great way to add warmth and interest to your living space. Even if your location is warm year-round, you can always add a faux fireplace or nonfunctioning fireplace as part of your decor. There are many options to choose from, so be sure to check them out. A wood-burning fireplace gives an authentic experience, though a gas one still emits heat without the mess. A double-sided or corner unit strays from the ordinary, or you can go with a wood stove fireplace if you're looking for a piece of art. If you want a contemporary touch, veer away from the traditional wood or tile mantel by going with stone, concrete or metal instead.

What kind of built-ins should I add to my living room?

Although it might not seem glamorous, having enough storage is instrumental when it comes to keeping the room organised and practical. Built-in bookcases, shelves and cabinets are a great way to add hidden, functional storage for all the knickknacks you accumulate. Movie and gaming buffs will love a custom entertainment centre, with enough cabinets for movies, speakers and electronic accessories; you can even create a media room with a projector and lounge chairs! If you still have room to spare, include a booth for homework or craft projects.

How do I decorate my home interiors?

When it comes to decorating, neutrals are always the safe option because they look good and never go out of style. They also give any artwork you hang enough breathing space. If you do want to try out a bolder colour scheme, add colour with walls and accessories. That way, if you get sick of a colour, you can quickly repaint the walls and find new knickknacks, instead of having to replace your sofas every time trends change. Popular colours include blue, green and grey, but don't be afraid to try bright colours like red or yellow, even if it's just on an accent wall. Finally, make sure there is plenty of light. Recessed or track lighting are great ways to hit every corner — better yet, add more natural light by installing additional windows or a skylight.