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Living Rooms My Grandmother Would Love (But I Do, Too)
My grandmother is super cool. She's this teeny-tiny 91-year old who is more stylish than anybody I know. When I was little, I spent hours playing with her collections of shoes and jewelry (only the costume stuff - she's also pretty smart). When she and my grandfather were young, their style was fairly modern. Apparently at one point, fairly early in their marriage, my grandfather built them a set of Bauhaus-inspired furniture for their living room.
Sadly, that collection of furniture disappeared at some point. And oddly, by the time I met my grandmother, her design style had evolved beyond Bauhaus - way beyond. Now, the living room in the house she shares with her brother has a much more traditional vibe - ornate frames, lots of art and lots of rugs, and a slight, but not overbearing, sense of formality.
As I get older, I feel my design aesthetic getting more traditional, too. I wonder if it happens to all of us.
At any rate, thinking about my grandmother's preferences can be inspiring. These photos are all of living rooms that I know she'd love, and I do, too:
Sadly, that collection of furniture disappeared at some point. And oddly, by the time I met my grandmother, her design style had evolved beyond Bauhaus - way beyond. Now, the living room in the house she shares with her brother has a much more traditional vibe - ornate frames, lots of art and lots of rugs, and a slight, but not overbearing, sense of formality.
As I get older, I feel my design aesthetic getting more traditional, too. I wonder if it happens to all of us.
At any rate, thinking about my grandmother's preferences can be inspiring. These photos are all of living rooms that I know she'd love, and I do, too:
This vignette reminds me of the two parts of my grandmother's design life: the abstract art for her younger, racier days, and the ornate table for now. Plus, that combination always makes me think of Parisian apartments - something both my grandmother and I love.
I love this room's sculptural fireplace and the way the tailored table keeps the curtains from feeling too heavy. (Curtains, BTW, are a big hit with my grandmother.) Plus, the muted colors keep ornate details from being overwhelming.
My grandmother is the queen of the faded Oriental rug and I can't lie, it's a look I love. In this case, the dark wood adds to the traditional feel of the space, but the interesting table mixes things up a bit. And I love that cream colored sofa - it's a perfect burst of light in the otherwise dark room.
This space actually feels a little more "fresh" than my grandmother's house. Even though she has a sunroom with big windows (and even though she lives in Annapolis), this much white and the contrasting blue would be too nautical for her. However, those detailed candlesticks are perfect for her.
actually a little more "fresh" than nan, but those candlesticks add just the right amount of detail
actually a little more "fresh" than nan, but those candlesticks add just the right amount of detail
This room, like the blue and white one above, gets a lot of light, but it's more my grandmother than the above room, thanks to the neutral colors.
I like the way this room combines furniture with simple lines - like what my grandmother used to have - with elegant architectural details and a grand ceiling.
This room's symmetry, drapes, and rug all scream my grandmother's name.
There's something about this room that really appeals to me, and I think it starts on the floor. I like the way that faded rug covers the painted floor. I also get the vibe that this could be a casual space, but it's a little more formal (though well-used) thanks to nicer, more formal pieces. That's exactly how my grandmother's house feels.
I must really love faded rugs because that's what attracted me to this space, too. That, and the books, which my grandmother and I agreemake great design elements.