Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

Dural

Distinct Innovations Pty Ltd

We were commissioned to create a contemporary single-storey dwelling with four bedrooms, three main living spaces, gym and enough car spaces for up to 8 vehicles/workshop. Due to the slope of the land the 8 vehicle garage/workshop was placed in a basement level which also contained a bathroom and internal lift shaft for transporting groceries and luggage. The owners had a lovely northerly aspect to the front of home and their preference was to have warm bedrooms in winter and cooler living spaces in summer. So the bedrooms were placed at the front of the house being true north and the livings areas in the southern space. All living spaces have east and west glazing to achieve some sun in winter. Being on a 3 acre parcel of land and being surrounded by acreage properties, the rear of the home had magical vista views especially to the east and across the pastured fields and it was imperative to take in these wonderful views and outlook. We were very fortunate the owners provided complete freedom in the design, including the exterior finish. We had previously worked with the owners on their first home in Dural which gave them complete trust in our design ability to take this home. They also hired the services of a interior designer to complete the internal spaces selection of lighting and furniture. The owners were truly a pleasure to design for, they knew exactly what they wanted and made my design process very smooth. Hornsby Council approved the application within 8 weeks with no neighbor objections. The project manager was as passionate about the outcome as I was and made the building process uncomplicated and headache free.

Little Richardson

Mcmahon and Nerlich

Living room makes the most of the light and space and colours relate to charred black timber cladding
Design ideas for a small industrial open concept living room in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a concrete fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, grey floor and wood.

Southwest Contemporary

Design Directives, LLC

Marc Boisclair Kilbane Architecture, built-in cabinets by Wood Expressions Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/

Organic Modern, Cordillera Ranch

NR Interiors

I was honored to work with these homeowners again, now to fully furnish this new magnificent architectural marvel made especially for them by Lake Flato Architects. Creating custom furnishings for this entire home is a project that spanned over a year in careful planning, designing and sourcing while the home was being built and then installing soon thereafter. I embarked on this design challenge with three clear goals in mind. First, create a complete furnished environment that complimented not competed with the architecture. Second, elevate the client’s quality of life by providing beautiful, finely-made, comfortable, easy-care furnishings. Third, provide a visually stunning aesthetic that is minimalist, well-edited, natural, luxurious and certainly one of kind. Ultimately, I feel we succeeded in creating a visual symphony accompaniment to the architecture of this room, enhancing the warmth and livability of the space while keeping high design as the principal focus. The centerpiece of this modern sectional is the collection of aged bronze and wood faceted cocktail tables to create a sculptural dynamic focal point to this otherwise very linear space. From this room there is a view of the solar panels installed on a glass ceiling at the breezeway. Also there is a 1 ton sliding wood door that shades this wall of windows when needed for privacy and shade.

California Coastal, Mid-Century Modern Home Build in Laguna

Corbin Reeves Construction

Mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Orange County with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, concrete floors, no tv and beige floor.

Modern Farmhouse

Edgewood Builders, Inc

Photo of a mid-sized country open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, concrete floors, a wood fireplace surround and grey floor.

Kirkland 4 Star Built Green Custom Home

H2D Architecture + Design

The living room is designed with sloping ceilings up to about 14' tall. The large windows connect the living spaces with the outdoors, allowing for sweeping views of Lake Washington. The north wall of the living room is designed with the fireplace as the focal point. Design: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com #kirklandarchitect #greenhome #builtgreenkirkland #sustainablehome

Point Chev

Michael Cooper Architects

Mark Scowen
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary enclosed living room in Auckland with a library, multi-coloured walls, concrete floors, a hanging fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Maidstone

HW Interiors

Small transitional formal open concept living room in Miami with grey walls, a standard fireplace, concrete floors, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Oak barn tree - case study

User

Howard Baker | www.howardbakerphoto.com
This is an example of a country formal enclosed living room in Other with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

Lucius 140 Tunnel

European Home

The Lucius 140 Tunnel by Element4 is a perfectly proportioned linear see-through fireplace. With this design you can bring warmth and elegance to two spaces -- with just one fireplace.

Mid-Century Interior Remodel in El Segundo, CA.

Custom Design & Construction

Our homeowners approached us for design help shortly after purchasing a fixer upper. They wanted to redesign the home into an open concept plan. Their goal was something that would serve multiple functions: allow them to entertain small groups while accommodating their two small children not only now but into the future as they grow up and have social lives of their own. They wanted the kitchen opened up to the living room to create a Great Room. The living room was also in need of an update including the bulky, existing brick fireplace. They were interested in an aesthetic that would have a mid-century flair with a modern layout. We added built-in cabinetry on either side of the fireplace mimicking the wood and stain color true to the era. The adjacent Family Room, needed minor updates to carry the mid-century flavor throughout.

INTERIOR STAINING

LA Concrete Works

Poured brand new concrete then came in and stained and sealed the concrete.
Inspiration for a large industrial formal loft-style living room in Los Angeles with red walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Gas Fireplaces

Woodstove & Fireplace Shop

Design ideas for a large modern formal open concept living room in Boston with yellow walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and black floor.

Modern Loft Living

Bella Vista Developments

D & M Images
Inspiration for a small modern loft-style living room in Other with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Mountain Modern

Pearson Design Group

Expansive contemporary open concept living room in Other with beige walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a freestanding tv.

Old Stone Highway

BERG DESIGN ARCHITECTURE

Inspiration for a large contemporary open concept living room in New York with concrete floors, white walls, a standard fireplace, a music area, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Park Lane

Uptic Studios

Oliver Irwin Photography www.oliveriphoto.com Uptic Studios designed the space in such a way that the exterior and interior blend together seamlessly, bringing the outdoors in. The interior of the space is designed to provide a smooth, heartwarming, and welcoming environment. With floor to ceiling windows, the views from inside captures the amazing scenery of the great northwest. Uptic Studios provided an open concept design to encourage the family to stay connected with their guests and each other in this spacious modern space. The attention to details gives each element and individual feature its own value while cohesively working together to create the space as a whole.

Bayside Gem, Tiburon

Moore Design Group

A bespoke residence, designed to suit its owner in every way. The result of a collaborative vision comprising the collective passion, taste, energy, and experience of our client, the architect, the builder, the utilities contractors, and ourselves, this home was planned to combine the best elements in the best ways, to complement a thoughtful, healthy, and green lifestyle not simply for today, but for years to come. Photo Credit: Jay Graham, Graham Photography

All Fireplace Surrounds Living Room Design Photos with Concrete Floors

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.