Windows were added to this living space for maximum light. The clients' collection of art and sculpture are the focus of the room. A custom limestone fireplace was designed to add focus to the only wall in this space. The furniture is a mix of custom English and contemporary all atop antique Persian rugs. The blue velvet bench in front was designed by Mr. Dodge out of maple to offset the antiques in the room and compliment the contemporary art. All the windows overlook the cabana, art studio, pool and patio.

2018 | Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room

Robin's Nest Interiors

LIVING ROOM This week’s post features our Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room for the homeowners who relocated from California. The first thing we did was remove a large built-in along the longest wall and re-orient the television to a shorter wall. This allowed us to place the sofa which is the largest piece of furniture along the long wall and made the traffic flow from the Foyer to the Kitchen much easier. Now the beautiful stone fireplace is the focal point and the seating arrangement is cozy. We painted the walls Sherwin Williams’ Tony Taupe (SW7039). The mantle was originally white so we warmed it up with Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019). We kept the upholstery neutral with warm gray tones and added pops of turquoise and silver. We tackled the large angled wall with an oversized print in vivid blues and greens. The extra tall contemporary lamps balance out the artwork. I love the end tables with the mixture of metal and wood, but my favorite piece is the leather ottoman with slide tray – it’s gorgeous and functional! The homeowner’s curio cabinet was the perfect scale for this wall and her art glass collection bring more color into the space. The large octagonal mirror was perfect for above the mantle. The homeowner wanted something unique to accessorize the mantle, and these “oil cans” fit the bill. A geometric fireplace screen completes the look. The hand hooked rug with its subtle pattern and touches of gray and turquoise ground the seating area and brings lots of warmth to the room. DINING ROOM There are only 2 walls in this Dining Room so we wanted to add a strong color with Sherwin Williams’ Cadet (SW9143). Utilizing the homeowners’ existing furniture, we added artwork that pops off the wall, a modern rug which adds interest and softness, and this stunning chandelier which adds a focal point and lots of bling! The Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room really reflects the homeowners’ transitional style, and the color palette is sophisticated and inviting. Enjoy!

Restauro Complesso ViaNuova

Arch. Alessandra Cipriani

Soggiorno / pranzo con pareti facciavista
Inspiration for an expansive country open concept living room in Florence with beige walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, orange floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Yellowstone Club Residence

Tate Interiors

Longview Studios
Inspiration for a country formal living room in Other with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Vintner Tuscan

The Vintage Wood Floor Company

Cozy family room with raised reclaimed wood and reclaimed wood beams. Stone wall work and stone tile floor.
This is an example of a mid-sized country open concept living room in Orange County with terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Projet Bertha

Karen Tinka Design Intérieur

This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic open concept living room in Paris with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, orange floor and exposed beam.

Méditerranéen Salon

Photo of a large mediterranean formal enclosed living room in Bordeaux with beige walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and orange floor.

Devonwood Midcentury

Neo and Associates

Photo of a midcentury living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and orange floor.

Living Room

Coastal Construction Services Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and orange floor.

Bethesda Family Room

Lily Mae Design

Inspiration for a transitional formal enclosed living room in DC Metro with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Living Rooms

LK Design NC

Open space floor plan. For this residence we were tasked to create a light and airy look in a monochromatic color palette. To define the family area, we used an upholstered sofa and two chairs, a textured rug and a beautiful round wood table. The bookshelves were styled with a minimalistic approach, using different sizes and textures of ceramic vases and other objects which were paired with wood sculptures, and a great collection of books and personal photographs. As always, adding a bit of greenery and succulents goes a long way.

My Houzz: A Celebration of Color in an Artist’s Family Home

Margaret Wright Photography

Photo: Margaret Wright Photography © 2017 Houzz
This is an example of an eclectic formal enclosed living room in Charleston with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and orange floor.

Gillis Residence

Process Design Build, L.L.C.

Traditional living room in Phoenix with concrete floors, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Santa Rosa Oakmont Hillside Whole Home Remodel

Leff Construction Design/Build

Inspiration for a living room in San Francisco with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and orange floor.

Classic Beauty

Robinson Home

The formal living room and dining room of a classic Architect Neel Reid designed home. Decorated by Robinson Home in historic Macon, GA.
This is an example of a large traditional formal enclosed living room in Atlanta with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and orange floor.

Carefree Arizona

Don Ziebell

Lisa Romerein (photography) Oz Interiors (interior design) Linthicum (construction)
Inspiration for a mediterranean formal living room in Phoenix with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Restauro Complesso ViaNuova

Arch. Alessandra Cipriani

Soggiorno con angolo lettura
Photo of an expansive country open concept living room in Florence with beige walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, orange floor, vaulted and brick walls.

Cottage Country

Toronto Designers

From deep mahogany wood and yellow walls, this fresh take on this cottage brought it right up to trend without major renovations.
Inspiration for an expansive country formal open concept living room in Toronto with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and orange floor.

Pittstown

Meet the Nortons Real Estate Photography

This is an example of an expansive traditional open concept living room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and orange floor.

Projet Bertha

Karen Tinka Design Intérieur

Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic open concept living room in Paris with white walls, terra-cotta floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, orange floor and exposed beam.

Living Room Design Photos with a Stone Fireplace Surround and Orange Floor

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.