Room of the Day: Cool Grays Replace Beige in a Glam Space
A West Hollywood living room goes from drab to fab to match the lively personality of its owner
After buying a white linen chesterfield sofa in hopes of solving a too-bland vibe and awkward layout in the living room of her West Hollywood townhouse, this homeowner quickly realized she needed expert advice. She hired Lucie Ayres to help turn the room into something upbeat, glamorous and fit for mixing a few cocktails during parties with friends.
AFTER: Moving the sofa against the wall between the windows allowed for two different seating groups on opposite sides of the room. Ayres shifted the TV from directly across from the sofa to above the corner fireplace, not an ideal angle for viewing but something that works for the homeowner and her guests and helped completely transform the feel of the room. “Guests are happy when they can watch the game from anywhere in the room, and the client can comfortably watch a movie at home without the TV being the room’s focal point,” Ayres says.
The two gray velvet armchairs swivel to orient toward the TV or sofa. Ayres banished the former beigey-white wall paint in favor of Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl.
She then replaced old draperies and sagging rods with crisp white treatments on all the windows and sliding doors. Installing them at ceiling level for consistency created a tailored, sophisticated look, as well as the illusion of added height.
White trim paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; Cooper swivel armchairs: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; black and white Channels throw pillow: Kelly Wearstler; custom drapery: Galaxy Draperies, fabric available through 22 Interiors
The two gray velvet armchairs swivel to orient toward the TV or sofa. Ayres banished the former beigey-white wall paint in favor of Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl.
She then replaced old draperies and sagging rods with crisp white treatments on all the windows and sliding doors. Installing them at ceiling level for consistency created a tailored, sophisticated look, as well as the illusion of added height.
White trim paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; Cooper swivel armchairs: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; black and white Channels throw pillow: Kelly Wearstler; custom drapery: Galaxy Draperies, fabric available through 22 Interiors
Ayres also teased out her client’s love of strong pattern and color, such as those found in designs by Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler.
The rug became a key component in the new look; it grounds the room while offsetting the dark espresso-stained wood floor. “This rug is delicate, but strong in its design and exactly the mix I was going for throughout the design of the townhouse,” Ayres says. “Nothing feels overpowering.”
Scalloped edges on the marble-topped white lacquer coffee table add a sculptural quality and glam vibe to the room.
Area rug: Reflections, designed by Allegra Hicks for The Rug Company; coffee table: Clove WH, Worlds Away; Tatum sofa side table: Arteriors
The rug became a key component in the new look; it grounds the room while offsetting the dark espresso-stained wood floor. “This rug is delicate, but strong in its design and exactly the mix I was going for throughout the design of the townhouse,” Ayres says. “Nothing feels overpowering.”
Scalloped edges on the marble-topped white lacquer coffee table add a sculptural quality and glam vibe to the room.
Area rug: Reflections, designed by Allegra Hicks for The Rug Company; coffee table: Clove WH, Worlds Away; Tatum sofa side table: Arteriors
The coffee table is large enough to accommodate a snack tray without it jutting over the edge.
For accessories, Ayres paired graphic finds, like the diptych “Diver” prints, with the linear elements of a floor lamp in the abstract shape of a cactus. The white and chevron-patterned sofa pillows and throw already belonged to the homeowner and blend in effortlessly.
Artwork: “Diver” from Trowbridge; Cactus floor lamp: Gallerie Noir
Artwork: “Diver” from Trowbridge; Cactus floor lamp: Gallerie Noir
A vintage bar cart found online holds refreshments when the homeowner entertains.
AFTER: “We thought the dining table and chairs were more practical and could ultimately seat more people, so we went for it,” Ayres says.
The chairs’ eye-opening yellow upholstery is likely to be a conversation starter. “I thought the space needed something bold and my client was up for it,” Ayres says. The dining table is made of black walnut and steel.
Table: Grace, Peter Francis; Amelie chairs: Calligaris, upholstered in Oslo Mustard Yellow fabric; Fornasetti decorative plates: Barney’s
The chairs’ eye-opening yellow upholstery is likely to be a conversation starter. “I thought the space needed something bold and my client was up for it,” Ayres says. The dining table is made of black walnut and steel.
Table: Grace, Peter Francis; Amelie chairs: Calligaris, upholstered in Oslo Mustard Yellow fabric; Fornasetti decorative plates: Barney’s
This table opposite the dining area has a big surprise: built-in speakers.
Here’s a floor plan of the living space, showing the living room and dining areas and the key furniture pieces in each.
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Living Room at a Glance
Who uses it: An anesthesiologist who works at a Los Angeles hospital
Location: West Hollywood, California
Size: 327 square feet (30 square meters)
Designer: Lucie Ayres of 22 Interiors
BEFORE: The homeowner felt her old living space, shown here, and adjacent dining area had too many neutrals, making it a bit low-key for her personality. She loves entertaining and watching sports with friends.
She bought the sofa thinking it would solve the awkward layout — the TV directly opposite the sofa led her to float the sofa in the room — but she soon discovered she needed professional help.