Design Excellence Award Winners - A Sampling of 20 Years of Professional Honors

We helped conceptualize then build a waterfront home on a fabulous lot, with the goal to maximize the indoor/outdoor connection. Enormous code-compliant glass walls grant uninterrupted vistas, plus we supplement light and views with hurricane-strength transoms above the glass walls. Both functional and decorative pools are constructed on home’s three sides. The pool’s edges run under the home’s perimeter, and from most angles, the residence appears to be floating. From the front yard, can see into the living room, through the house, to the water/inlet behind it!

Traditional Living Room

Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Seattle with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, coffered and wallpaper.

Southside Residence

Studio Architects

Inspiration for a small traditional open concept living room in Other with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in media wall and coffered.

Seattle Frink House

Sheila Mayden Interiors

Fireside nook in large, Traditional-Style, formal living room.
Mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, coffered and wallpaper.

HOUSE IN KENSINGTON

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

Photo of a large traditional formal enclosed living room in London with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv, brown floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Stately Traditional

Glas Associates

A formal living room with a coffered ceiling and arched windows
Traditional formal living room with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and coffered.

Manor Estate

M-Squared Contracting Inc.

This estate is a transitional home that blends traditional architectural elements with clean-lined furniture and modern finishes. The fine balance of curved and straight lines results in an uncomplicated design that is both comfortable and relaxing while still sophisticated and refined. The red-brick exterior façade showcases windows that assure plenty of light. Once inside, the foyer features a hexagonal wood pattern with marble inlays and brass borders which opens into a bright and spacious interior with sumptuous living spaces. The neutral silvery grey base colour palette is wonderfully punctuated by variations of bold blue, from powder to robin’s egg, marine and royal. The anything but understated kitchen makes a whimsical impression, featuring marble counters and backsplashes, cherry blossom mosaic tiling, powder blue custom cabinetry and metallic finishes of silver, brass, copper and rose gold. The opulent first-floor powder room with gold-tiled mosaic mural is a visual feast.

Private Residence-Edison NJ

Susan Barbieri Interior Design LLC

Photo of a traditional enclosed living room in New York with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and coffered.

East Greenbush, Interior Design, After....

B Designs Interior's

Great Room/Family Room. Check out the befores, to view the transformation!
Expansive traditional formal enclosed living room in Other with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and coffered.

Custom Residence

Zen Architect

New large Estate custom Home on 1/2 acre lot http://ZenArchitect.com
Design ideas for a mediterranean formal enclosed living room in Los Angeles with yellow walls, carpet, no tv, beige floor and coffered.

North Asheville Renovation

Brent Campbell, Architect

This is an example of a traditional enclosed living room in Other with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a concealed tv, brown floor and coffered.

Seattle Frink House

Sheila Mayden Interiors

Shelter-arm sofa in Traditional-style living room
Mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv, coffered and wallpaper.

Water Remediation & Restoration

Shack Built, LLC

Open concept living room in Kansas City with a music area, yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, coffered and panelled walls.

Manor Estate

M-Squared Contracting Inc.

HOUSE IN KENSINGTON

STEPHEN FLETCHER ARCHITECTS

This is an example of a traditional formal enclosed living room in London with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv, brown floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Cozy Traditional Living Area

United Signature Tacoma

High ceilings complimented by clerestory windows ensure great sunlight coming through the comfort of the home.
Photo of a traditional formal open concept living room in Seattle with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, a concealed tv, brown floor and coffered.

French Country

Pillar & Perch: Architects + Builders

Large family and dining area.
Inspiration for a large open concept living room in Other with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, brown floor and coffered.

HILLSIDE

Domiteaux Garza Architecture

Design ideas for a large contemporary open concept living room in Dallas with yellow walls, limestone floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and coffered.

Private Residence

Constructive Design Services

Custom detailed stenciling with gold on black in traditional coffered beamed ceiling Living Room lfgross
Large traditional formal enclosed living room in Tampa with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor and coffered.

Seattle Frink House

Sheila Mayden Interiors

Formal living room with wrap-around windows
Large traditional enclosed living room in Seattle with yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, brown floor and coffered.

Living Room Design Photos with Yellow Walls and Coffered

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.