It was a pleasure to help this single dad transform a previous French Country motif into a Handsome Space with Masculine Vibe. The homeowner loves the blues you find in the Caribbean so we used those as accent colors throughout the rooms. Entry We painted the walls Sherwin Williams’ Latte (SW6108) to add warmth. We accessorized the homeowner’s beautiful burl wood cabinet with vibrant artwork and whimsical Chinese horses. I always recommend task lighting in a Foyer, if possible, and the rectangular lamp shade is the perfect shape to fit on the small end of the cabinet. Powder Room I adore the Candace Olson wallpaper we used in the Powder Room. The blocks look like sections of wood. It works great with the existing granite. Other examples of wallpaper here and here. Great Room We touched every surface in this Great Room from painting the walls Nomadic Desert (SW6107) to painting the ceiling Double Latte (SW9108) to make the room feel cozier to replacing the carpet with this transitional style with striated pattern to painting the white built-ins. Furniture placement was a real challenge because the grand piano needed to stay without blocking the traffic flow through the space. The homeowner also wanted us to incorporate his chess table and chairs. We centered a small seating area in front of the fireplace utilizing two oversized club chairs and an upholstered ottoman with a wood tray that slides. The wood bases on the chairs helps their size not overpower the room. The velvet ottoman fabric with navy, azure, and teal blues is a showstopper. We used the homeowner’s wonderful collection of unique puzzle boxes to accessorize the built-ins. We just added some pops of blues, greens and silver. The homeowner loves sculptural objects so the nickel twig wall decor was the perfect focal point above the mantle. We opted not to add anything to the mantle so it would not distract from the art piece. We added decorative drapery panels installed on short rods between each set of doors. The homeowner was open to this abstract floral pattern in greens and blues! We reupholstered the cushions for the chess table chairs in a fun geometric fabric that coordinates with the panel fabric. The homeowner does not use this set of doors to access the deck so we were able to position the table directly in front of them. Kelly Sisler of Kelly Faux Creations worked her magic on the built-ins. We used Sherwin Williams’ Mega Greige (SW7031) as the base and then applied a heavy bronze glaze. It completely transformed the Great Room. Other examples of painting built-ins here and here. We hoped you enjoyed this Handsome Space with Masculine Vibe. It was quite a transformation!

Swampscott Waterfront

APEX Carpentry LLC

The painting is by a local Salem artist Suzanne Vincent brought in by the home designer Kristina Crestin. An incredible job of helping bring this beautiful home we built to its fullest potential.

The Past Comes to Life in Lincoln Park

Lake Effect Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in Vancouver with a music area, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and no tv.

Locust Valley, NY

Staged to Sell or Dwell

This is an example of a large beach style enclosed living room in New York with a music area, white walls, medium hardwood floors, no tv, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Lower Hillsborough

Huntington House Interiors, LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in San Francisco with a music area, yellow walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and no tv.

fireplace ‘daring’, windowsill

Studio Edwin de Kuiper

Edwin de Kuiper
Mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Amsterdam with a music area, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Mau Home Remodel

Bora&Co Construction

Martinescu Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized modern loft-style living room in Seattle with a music area, white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Santa Monica Canyon Home

Ava Suren Interiors: ID

Design ideas for a large eclectic open concept living room in Los Angeles with a music area, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Comfortable Living Room in Shrewsbury

Marylou Fraser Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional enclosed living room in Boston with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and a music area.

fireplace ‘daring’, windowsill

Studio Edwin de Kuiper

Edwin de Kuiper
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Amsterdam with a music area, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

ALUXURA | Residential Piano Salon

ALUXURA

Bespoke Piano Salon renovation to include Shaker Wall Paneling, Built-in Cabinetry, French Doors with Transom, and Fireplace Mantel Extension. Photo: MCA

12 Miller Hill Road, Dover, MA 02030

Amy Mizner, Benoit Mizner Simon & Co.

http://12millerhillrd.com
Inspiration for an expansive traditional open concept living room in Boston with a music area, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Maison à Fayence : Coin Musique

Image Inside

Melgrani Olivier
Photo of a large transitional loft-style living room in Nice with a music area, white walls, laminate floors, a corner fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and beige floor.

Entertainment Room

Chase Ryan

Wet bar in great room, custom teak carving, Hancock and Moore bar stools.
Design ideas for an expansive traditional open concept living room in Austin with a music area, brown walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and multi-coloured floor.

Spectacular on Somerset

kellydesigns

Diane Wagner
Mid-sized transitional enclosed living room in New York with a music area, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Styled with Sophistication

Emily Winters

A family's tailored home that is airy and light with many sophisticated details and warmth in layering textures. Photos by Becky Grinwald, Peabody's Interiors

Masterplan designed by Jeri Nilson March 2016

Pedersen's Furniture Co.

Photo by Donna Katen.
Large traditional open concept living room in San Francisco with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a music area and no tv.

100 year-old house renovation

The Somerset Hills HandyMan & Co.

Large traditional enclosed living room in New York with a music area, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Malvern Project

Window Concepts

This Malvern, Pennsylvania home features Woven Silk Fabricut fabric, "Select" brand decorative wood rods and finials. Window Concepts refreshed all draperies in the living room, dining room and the master bedroom suite and sitting room. Photography by: Letitia Clark

Kensington London Renovation builders

KNOETZE Ltd.

www.knoetze.co.uk
This is an example of a large modern enclosed living room in London with a music area, white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a wood fireplace surround and a built-in media wall.

Living Room Design Photos with a Music Area and a Wood Fireplace Surround

A living room, often referred to as a lounge room in Australia and New Zealand, is the hub of the home. If you only have one living room in the house, it’s likely to serve multiple purposes: be it a place to watch TV, play games, spend quality time with family or hang out with friends. If you have the luxury of two living areas, one is usually a formal living room or lounge room, reserved for reading, relaxing and entertaining. A successful living room design is inviting, has enough seating for the whole clan – a comfortable couch is a must – and encourages conversation. Browse photos on Houzz for living room layouts, furniture and decor, and strike up a conversation with the interior designers or architects of your favourite picks. For even more living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which living room layouts will work best for you?

Every living area will have design challenges. A long, narrow lounge room, for example, risks looking like a hallway if furniture is lined up against the walls. Instead, opt for small furniture items, like a cosy two-seater couch, and create various focal points throughout the space. In square living rooms, a symmetrical layout encourages a formal setting. Place seating on either side of the room, with a focal point in the middle to pull the room together. For a truly intimate vibe, replace your couch with some occasional chairs positioned around a coffee table or ottoman. This will make the main focus conversation. An open-plan home – one where the lines are blurred between kitchen, dining and living – may require a layout that focuses on definition. You’ll want to make sure furniture doesn’t block the flow between spaces, and instead use something like an area rug to create zones.

How can you decorate your living room?

The living room can be a place in which to show off your personality, but if you want a timeless living room scheme, stick to neutral walls, couches and ottomans. Colour can be added through accessories, and is a lot more interchangeable! Rugs, cushions and throws are great for adding colour, while mirrors, lamps and ceiling lights will set the mood. Make your living room unique by including family heirlooms and photos. For a polished look, try creating a coffee table vignette – you could use books as pedestals or group items together on a tray. Try adding a vase, a mixture of round and rectangular objects and some books.

What are some small living room ideas?

Small living room designs can be tricky to work with, but aren’t doomed to fail. Often, you just have to get creative with furniture. An open-back chaise can create a sense of spaciousness, while small side tables paired together can substitute a coffee table. Even better, an ottoman can be used as a footrest, coffee table or extra seating. Big furniture items like the couch are best kept in light colours, and if there’s room for a coffee table, a glass-top one is best. If you have two spaces in one – perhaps your living room sits in front of a single-wall kitchen – make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. For definition, just add area rugs, or use your couch as a dividing wall. It’s worth having a few furniture pieces, whether a bookshelf, couch or entertainment unit, in the same colour as the walls, too, so they blend into the room and visually expand the space.

Is open-plan living for you?

Today’s homes often embrace open-plan living, whereby the living room runs off the kitchen and/or dining areas. Open-plan living allows greater functionality, but can risk creating a vast, soulless space if not done right. To avoid a cavernous feel in an open-plan design, define areas with furniture, rugs and lighting, or consider using a wall divider. Also be sure to keep flooring, lighting and materials consistent throughout, for cohesiveness. Noise may be an issue – someone banging pots and pans while you’re watching TV, for example – so include lots of soft furnishings, such as rugs, curtains and couches to help absorb the noise. You will also need to factor in plenty of storage, so mess is kept at bay.