Photographer: Jay Goodrich This 2800 sf single-family home was completed in 2009. The clients desired an intimate, yet dynamic family residence that reflected the beauty of the site and the lifestyle of the San Juan Islands. The house was built to be both a place to gather for large dinners with friends and family as well as a cozy home for the couple when they are there alone. The project is located on a stunning, but cripplingly-restricted site overlooking Griffin Bay on San Juan Island. The most practical area to build was exactly where three beautiful old growth trees had already chosen to live. A prior architect, in a prior design, had proposed chopping them down and building right in the middle of the site. From our perspective, the trees were an important essence of the site and respectfully had to be preserved. As a result we squeezed the programmatic requirements, kept the clients on a square foot restriction and pressed tight against property setbacks. The delineate concept is a stone wall that sweeps from the parking to the entry, through the house and out the other side, terminating in a hook that nestles the master shower. This is the symbolic and functional shield between the public road and the private living spaces of the home owners. All the primary living spaces and the master suite are on the water side, the remaining rooms are tucked into the hill on the road side of the wall. Off-setting the solid massing of the stone walls is a pavilion which grabs the views and the light to the south, east and west. Built in a position to be hammered by the winter storms the pavilion, while light and airy in appearance and feeling, is constructed of glass, steel, stout wood timbers and doors with a stone roof and a slate floor. The glass pavilion is anchored by two concrete panel chimneys; the windows are steel framed and the exterior skin is of powder coated steel sheathing.

Family/Living Room Side View

Mackin Architects

Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts open concept living room in New York with beige walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and no tv.

Aspen Alps Condominiums U105

Menendez Architects PC

The wide sliding barn door allows the living room and den to be part of the same space or separated for privacy when the den is used for overflow sleeping or television room. Varying materials, window shade pockets and other treatments add interest and depth to the low ceilings.

PEI Nova Scotia

KISTLER & KNAPP BUILDERS

Foster Associates Architects
This is an example of an expansive contemporary formal open concept living room in Boston with orange walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and no tv.

Lawless Rereat

Searl Lamaster Howe Architects

Designed in sharp contrast to the glass walled living room above, this space sits partially underground. Precisely comfy for movie night.
Photo of a large country enclosed living room in Chicago with beige walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, black floor, wood and wood walls.

Holladay Residence

Clayton Vance Architecture

Inspiration for a large transitional open concept living room in Salt Lake City with a standard fireplace, grey floor, white walls, slate floors, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Modern Chalet

Kirsten Robertson 425

http://www.A dramatic chalet made of steel and glass. Designed by Sandler-Kilburn Architects, it is awe inspiring in its exquisitely modern reincarnation. Custom walnut cabinets frame the kitchen, a Tulikivi soapstone fireplace separates the space, a stainless steel Japanese soaking tub anchors the master suite. For the car aficionado or artist, the steel and glass garage is a delight and has a separate meter for gas and water. Set on just over an acre of natural wooded beauty adjacent to Mirrormont. Fred Uekert-FJU Photo

Bull Mountain Residence

Allee Architecture + Design, LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury formal open concept living room in Bridgeport with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, white walls, slate floors and no tv.

Living Room

The Well Dressed Window

Material like grass shades at the window help to add texture and bring the natural elements in.
Photo of a mid-sized beach style formal open concept living room in Seattle with beige walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, no tv and grey floor.

Afton Blvd

Hartman Homes

Hartman Homes Spring Parade 2013
Mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in Minneapolis with white walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Snug Sitting Room

Kellie Sabey Homes

Miriam Sheridan Photography
Photo of a mid-sized country living room in Surrey with grey walls, slate floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Honka Log-House Ireland

User

Gareth Byrne
Mid-sized country open concept living room in Dublin with slate floors, a wood stove and a stone fireplace surround.

Sea Arches of Mendocino Coast

User

Sea Arches is a stunning modern architectural masterpiece, perched atop an eleven-acre peninsular promontory rising 160 feet above the Pacific Ocean on northern California’s spectacular Mendocino coast. Surrounded by the ocean on 3 sides and presiding over unparalleled vistas of sea and surf, Sea Arches includes 2,000 feet of ocean frontage, as well as beaches that extend some 1,300 feet. This one-of-a-kind property also includes one of the famous Elk Sea Stacks, a grouping of remarkable ancient rock outcroppings that tower above the Pacific, and add a powerful and dramatic element to the coastal scenery. Integrated gracefully into its spectacular setting, Sea Arches is set back 500 feet from the Pacific Coast Hwy and is completely screened from public view by more than 400 Monterey cypress trees. Approached by a winding, tree-lined drive, the main house and guesthouse include over 4,200 square feet of modern living space with four bedrooms, two mezzanines, two mini-lofts, and five full bathrooms. All rooms are spacious and the hallways are extra-wide. A cantilevered, raised deck off the living-room mezzanine provides a stunningly close approach to the ocean. Walls of glass invite views of the enchanting scenery in every direction: north to the Elk Sea Stacks, south to Point Arena and its historic lighthouse, west beyond the property’s captive sea stack to the horizon, and east to lofty wooded mountains. All of these vistas are enjoyed from Sea Arches and from the property’s mile-long groomed trails that extend along the oceanfront bluff tops overlooking the beautiful beaches on the north and south side of the home. While completely private and secluded, Sea Arches is just a two-minute drive from the charming village of Elk offering quaint and cozy restaurants and inns. A scenic seventeen-mile coastal drive north will bring you to the picturesque and historic seaside village of Mendocino which attracts tourists from near and far. One can also find many world-class wineries in nearby Anderson Valley. All of this just a three-hour drive from San Francisco or if you choose to fly, Little River Airport, with its mile long runway, is only 16 miles north of Sea Arches. Truly a special and unique property, Sea Arches commands some of the most dramatic coastal views in the world, and offers superb design, construction, and high-end finishes throughout, along with unparalleled beauty, tranquility, and privacy. Property Highlights: • Idyllically situated on a one-of-a-kind eleven-acre oceanfront parcel • Dwelling is completely screened from public view by over 400 trees • Includes 2,000 feet of ocean frontage plus over 1,300 feet of beaches • Includes one of the famous Elk Sea Stacks connected to the property by an isthmus • Main house plus private guest house totaling over 4300 sq ft of superb living space • 4 bedrooms and 5 full bathrooms • Separate His and Hers master baths • Open floor plan featuring Single Level Living (with the exception of mezzanines and lofts) • Spacious common rooms with extra wide hallways • Ample opportunities throughout the home for displaying art • Radiant heated slate floors throughout • Soaring 18 foot high ceilings in main living room with walls of glass • Cantilevered viewing deck off the mezzanine for up close ocean views • Gourmet kitchen with top of the line stainless appliances, custom cabinetry and granite counter tops • Granite window sills throughout the home • Spacious guest house including a living room, wet bar, large bedroom, an office/second bedroom, two spacious baths, sleeping loft and two mini lofts • Spectacular ocean and sunset views from most every room in the house • Gracious winding driveway offering ample parking • Large 2 car-garage with workshop • Extensive low-maintenance landscaping offering a profusion of Spring and Summer blooms • Approx. 1 mile of groomed trails • Equipped with a generator • Copper roof • Anchored in bedrock by 42 reinforced concrete piers and framed with steel girders. 2 Fireplaces Deck Granite Countertops Guest House Patio Security System Storage Gardens

Lincoln

Annie Hall Interiors

Michael Lee
Design ideas for a large contemporary formal open concept living room in Boston with white walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Deer Crest, Park City, Utah

Elevation Design Group

Doug Burke Photography
Large arts and crafts formal enclosed living room in Salt Lake City with beige walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and no tv.

Custom Transitional

Peery Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional formal open concept living room in Other with white walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, no tv, multi-coloured floor and a concrete fireplace surround.

Napa Modern

Kimberley Kay Interiors

Clean lines with two sectional sofas facing each other added lots of room for guests to have room to relax and chat.
This is an example of a large mediterranean formal living room in Phoenix with white walls, slate floors, a corner fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Brookline Carriage House

Elms Interior Design

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Mid-sized contemporary formal open concept living room in Boston with white walls, slate floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and grey floor.

Laura Fedro Interiors, Inc.

Raser Loft in Bozeman, Montana
Design ideas for a small contemporary enclosed living room in Other with a corner fireplace, a wall-mounted tv, beige walls, slate floors and a metal fireplace surround.

Modern Tradition

City Homes, LLC

Troy Thies
Photo of a large transitional formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with white walls, a wall-mounted tv, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

All Fireplace Surrounds Living Room Design Photos with Slate 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.