Photo of a mid-sized traditional open concept living room in Cleveland with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Photo of a beach style living room in Other.

Design ideas for a transitional living room in DC Metro with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

This is an example of a small contemporary living room in Toronto with blue walls and carpet.

This holistic project involved the design of a completely new space layout, as well as searching for perfect materials, furniture, decorations and tableware to match the already existing elements of the house. The key challenge concerning this project was to improve the layout, which was not functional and proportional. Balance on the interior between contemporary and retro was the key to achieve the effect of a coherent and welcoming space. Passionate about vintage, the client possessed a vast selection of old trinkets and furniture. The main focus of the project was how to include the sideboard,(from the 1850’s) which belonged to the client’s grandmother, and how to place harmoniously within the aerial space. To create this harmony, the tones represented on the sideboard’s vitrine were used as the colour mood for the house. The sideboard was placed in the central part of the space in order to be visible from the hall, kitchen, dining room and living room. The kitchen fittings are aligned with the worktop and top part of the chest of drawers. Green-grey glazing colour is a common element of all of the living spaces. In the the living room, the stage feeling is given by it’s main actor, the grand piano and the cabinets of curiosities, which were rearranged around it to create that effect. A neutral background consisting of the combination of soft walls and minimalist furniture in order to exhibit retro elements of the interior. Long live the vintage!

This luxurious interior tells a story of more than a modern condo building in the heart of Philadelphia. It unfolds to reveal layers of history through Persian rugs, a mix of furniture styles, and has unified it all with an unexpected color story. The palette for this riverfront condo is grounded in natural wood textures and green plants that allow for a playful tension that feels both fresh and eclectic in a metropolitan setting. The high-rise unit boasts a long terrace with a western exposure that we outfitted with custom Lexington outdoor furniture distinct in its finishes and balance between fun and sophistication.

Inspiration for a traditional enclosed living room in London with white walls, carpet, a wood stove and white floor.

This is an example of a large country open concept living room in Salt Lake City with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Megan Taylor
This is an example of a modern living room in London.

Fiona Arnott Walker
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic enclosed living room in London.

Chris Snook
Design ideas for a traditional formal living room in London with multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Chris Snook
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic open concept living room in London with blue walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Eclectic living room in Mumbai.

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

This was a dream project! The clients purchased this 1880s home and wanted to renovate it for their family to live in. It was a true labor of love, and their commitment to getting the details right was admirable. We rehabilitated doors and windows and flooring wherever we could, we milled trim work to match existing and carved our own door rosettes to ensure the historic details were beautifully carried through. Every finish was made with consideration of wanting a home that would feel historic with integrity, yet would also function for the family and extend into the future as long possible. We were not interested in what is popular or trendy but rather wanted to honor what was right for the home.

The Louis medium sofa commands the attention of any room. An updated version of a nineteenth-century classic, our take has squared-off, ‘p’ arms, giving the sofa a more contemporary feel, allowing it to fit into homes of any style. Two plump, full-feather seat cushions encourage you to sink into its supportive backrest. What’s more, the sturdy base can split into two on the Large and Grande sizes making it easy to manoeuvre when space is tight. Finished with traditional studwork, the low-level arms allow for uninterrupted, lengthy lounging. Standing to attention on castor legs, Louis’s versatility makes it a hero in any home.

Charles Lauersdorf Realty Pro Shots
This is an example of a contemporary open concept living room in Orange County with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

A mixture of classic construction and modern European furnishings redefines mountain living in this second home in charming Lahontan in Truckee, California. Designed for an active Bay Area family, this home is relaxed, comfortable and fun.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional formal enclosed living room in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and no tv.