Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Craftsman Manor Resurrection

Board & Vellum

Photograph by Travis Peterson.
Large transitional formal open concept living room in Seattle with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Napoleon Fireplace Design Gallery

Wyckoff Heating Cooling

Photo of a large modern formal enclosed living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Palo Alto Modern High Tech Home

Design Loft Company

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal enclosed living room in San Francisco with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, a ribbon fireplace, no tv and beige floor.

Living/Dining Room

De Mattei Construction

Design ideas for a large contemporary living room in San Francisco with light hardwood floors, a stone fireplace surround, white walls, a ribbon fireplace and no tv.

Tall Timbers, WaterColor

Anthony J. Vallée

Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open concept living room in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv, beige floor and planked wall panelling.

Triton Project 2

Leili Design Studio

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, no fireplace and no tv.

Our Work

Apex Custom Fabrication

Large contemporary enclosed living room in Toronto with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv and recessed.

River Oaks Contemporary Complete Transformation

Pipkin Homes LLC

Inspiration for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Traditional Living Room

Photo of a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Surrey with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Pasadena Warm and Inviting Living Room

LN Properties, LLC

Inspiration for a large transitional formal open concept living room in Los Angeles with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, beige walls and a concrete fireplace surround.

Salon séjour

Leroy Merlin OFFICIEL

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Lille with blue walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and no tv.

Great Room

Joseph Farrell Architecture

Interior Design by Pamala Deikel Design Photos by Paul Rollis
This is an example of a large country formal open concept living room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, no tv and beige floor.

Our Work

Gabellini Sheppard Associates

Inspiration for a scandinavian formal living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and no tv.

Best Rd - Living Room Fireplace Wall

Studio Sarah Willmer Architecture

Living room fireplace wall with bookshelves on either side. Photographed by Eric Rorer
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open concept living room in Seattle with a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, white walls, light hardwood floors and no tv.

Floating Mezzanine Game Room

Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction

Floating above the kitchen and family room, a mezzanine offers elevated views to the lake. It features a fireplace with cozy seating and a game table for family gatherings. Architecture and interior design by Pierre Hoppenot, Studio PHH Architects.

Strawberry Hill Drawing Room

Kindly

We transfored this formal living room from grey, cold and drab, to light, fresh and fun. using rounded furniture, a mix of textures and adding in pops of colour colours through art and accessories, we created a living room our client loves.

ASC Margaritaville

Amy Storm & Company

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, no tv, brown floor and timber.

Montenegro 4 Showhome - Sunset Ridge, Cochrane

Douglas Homes

Electric fireplace with a full height ceramic tile finish is a focal point on the open concept 9’ main floor.
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Other with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Haus K

STUDIO HANSEN

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary loft-style living room in Berlin with a library, white walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround, no tv and brown floor.

Living Room Design Photos with Light Hardwood Floors and No TV

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.