New This Week: 4 Fabulous Fireplace Focal Points
These living rooms skip the TV to celebrate conversation and relaxation
Mitchell Parker
October 21, 2016
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
Last month we had two design professionals square off on whether it’s OK to hang a TV over a fireplace. One way to get around the dilemma: do away with the tech altogether and let that fireplace take center stage. Here, four living rooms show how various furniture arrangements can highlight a stunning design feature while creating a space that’s really all about hanging out with friends and family, minus a fight over the remote.
1. Blue and Breezy
Designer: Elizabeth Taich
Location: Chicago
Size: 156 square feet (14.4 square meters); 13 by 12 feet (3.9 by 3.6 meters)
Homeowners’ request: Fill an empty home with proportionately scaled furniture and decor using as much blue as possible. “It isn’t the biggest living room out there, so we made sure that the size of the furniture was proportionate and the colors weren’t too dark in order to make it feel larger than it actually was,” designer Elizabeth Taich says.
Fireplace focal point: The fireplace stands across from the front foyer, so Taich arranged the furniture perpendicular to the fireplace so people didn’t walk into the back of a sofa. It also helped open up the room more. “At no point was a TV ever considered for this room, as we always intended for this room to be more of a sitting and formal entertaining room,” Taich says.
Other special features: Reupholstered and refnished antique chairs. To make the room family- and dog-friendly, Taich used high-performance and treated fabrics.
Designer secret: “Don’t be afraid of using a patterned fabric for the window treatments,” Taich says. “If we had gone with a plain fabric, this room would not feel as special. While the pattern is fun, it is muted, so it wasn’t a huge risk, but it definitely added a layer of pop that we wouldn’t have achieved if we had played it safe.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “Figuring out how to do the window treatments in this space was a bit challenging,” she says. “We had two large windows, and we couldn’t decide whether to do two pairs of drapes or one large pair that spanned the entire length of both windows. Everyone had an opinion, from the window treatment workroom to my client, to even a wallpaper hanger who was working in the home. Because everyone was weighing in, I thought that maybe my client didn’t trust me.
“Ultimately, we decided to do one large set of drapes over the two windows, as I was afraid that having a panel of fabric behind the sofa might look odd. This was a moment that I second-guessed myself because of all the voices, but in the end, I’m glad that I listened to my gut and ignored the other voices in the room. Not only do the window treatments look great, but having one set actually helps elongate the room.”
Sofa: custom, with fabric by Fabricut; chairs: antique, with fabric by Stroheim; rug: Patterson, Flynn & Martin; coffee table: Wisteria; decorative pillows: custom, with fabric from Scalamandré; drapery fabric: Fabricut; drapery hardware: Brimar
See more of this home
Designer: Elizabeth Taich
Location: Chicago
Size: 156 square feet (14.4 square meters); 13 by 12 feet (3.9 by 3.6 meters)
Homeowners’ request: Fill an empty home with proportionately scaled furniture and decor using as much blue as possible. “It isn’t the biggest living room out there, so we made sure that the size of the furniture was proportionate and the colors weren’t too dark in order to make it feel larger than it actually was,” designer Elizabeth Taich says.
Fireplace focal point: The fireplace stands across from the front foyer, so Taich arranged the furniture perpendicular to the fireplace so people didn’t walk into the back of a sofa. It also helped open up the room more. “At no point was a TV ever considered for this room, as we always intended for this room to be more of a sitting and formal entertaining room,” Taich says.
Other special features: Reupholstered and refnished antique chairs. To make the room family- and dog-friendly, Taich used high-performance and treated fabrics.
Designer secret: “Don’t be afraid of using a patterned fabric for the window treatments,” Taich says. “If we had gone with a plain fabric, this room would not feel as special. While the pattern is fun, it is muted, so it wasn’t a huge risk, but it definitely added a layer of pop that we wouldn’t have achieved if we had played it safe.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “Figuring out how to do the window treatments in this space was a bit challenging,” she says. “We had two large windows, and we couldn’t decide whether to do two pairs of drapes or one large pair that spanned the entire length of both windows. Everyone had an opinion, from the window treatment workroom to my client, to even a wallpaper hanger who was working in the home. Because everyone was weighing in, I thought that maybe my client didn’t trust me.
“Ultimately, we decided to do one large set of drapes over the two windows, as I was afraid that having a panel of fabric behind the sofa might look odd. This was a moment that I second-guessed myself because of all the voices, but in the end, I’m glad that I listened to my gut and ignored the other voices in the room. Not only do the window treatments look great, but having one set actually helps elongate the room.”
Sofa: custom, with fabric by Fabricut; chairs: antique, with fabric by Stroheim; rug: Patterson, Flynn & Martin; coffee table: Wisteria; decorative pillows: custom, with fabric from Scalamandré; drapery fabric: Fabricut; drapery hardware: Brimar
See more of this home
2. Textured and Traditional
Designer: Sally Elstad of Elstad Interiors
Location: Chicago
Size: 210 square feet (19.5 square meters); 15 by 14 feet (4.5 by 4.2 meters)
Homeowners’ request: Turn a large, uninviting formal living room into one that would be comfortable, with a mix of aquamarine hues, traditional patterns and prints, modern clean lines and warm tones.
Fireplace focal point: Jerusalem stone tile with a hand-applied metal leaf detail clads the fireplace. “The people interacting together become the focal point, which is made possible by the furniture layout, comfortable upholstered sofa, lounge chairs, stool and bench, all centered around a large stone coffee table,” designer Sally Elstad says. “The fireplace thus becomes a lovely backdrop to what goes on in the room — reading a book by the fire, a couple snuggling on the couch or friends gathering to share great wine and conversation.”
Other special features: Velvet sofa. Silk drapes. Natural woven shades. Skirted side table. Wool and silk rug. Open layout.
Why the design works: “The room has personality,” Elstad says. “Like all personalities, it is unique, but there’s something in it that can be appreciated and enjoyed by anyone, regardless of personal preferences. Most importantly, the room works because the clients were able to fall in love with a space that had previously underwhelmed them.”
Designer secret: “Oftentimes clients can be drawn to trends, and it’s OK to look to them for inspirations, but it’s important not to let the trends design for you,” Elstad says. “You don’t want your client’s home to look just like their neighbors. Don’t play it safe. Mix, mix, mix.”
Also on the team: Judson Barrett-O’Keefe of Elstad Interiors (senior designer); Allison Fields of Elstad Interiors (assistant designer); Eric Hausman Photography; Andy Altawil of Amerg Construction (flooring contractor); Robert Knop of Knop Painting
Wall paint: Squirrel Tail, Benjamin Moore; coffee table: Global Views; bench: Bungalow 5, with fabric by Lee Jofa; lounge chairs: Vanguard Furniture, with floral fabric by Holland & Sherry; sofa: custom by Elstad Interiors, with velvet fabric by Fabricut; table skirt and sofa pillows: custom by Elstad Interiors; aquamarine rug: wool and silk, Hermitage collection, Loloi
Designer: Sally Elstad of Elstad Interiors
Location: Chicago
Size: 210 square feet (19.5 square meters); 15 by 14 feet (4.5 by 4.2 meters)
Homeowners’ request: Turn a large, uninviting formal living room into one that would be comfortable, with a mix of aquamarine hues, traditional patterns and prints, modern clean lines and warm tones.
Fireplace focal point: Jerusalem stone tile with a hand-applied metal leaf detail clads the fireplace. “The people interacting together become the focal point, which is made possible by the furniture layout, comfortable upholstered sofa, lounge chairs, stool and bench, all centered around a large stone coffee table,” designer Sally Elstad says. “The fireplace thus becomes a lovely backdrop to what goes on in the room — reading a book by the fire, a couple snuggling on the couch or friends gathering to share great wine and conversation.”
Other special features: Velvet sofa. Silk drapes. Natural woven shades. Skirted side table. Wool and silk rug. Open layout.
Why the design works: “The room has personality,” Elstad says. “Like all personalities, it is unique, but there’s something in it that can be appreciated and enjoyed by anyone, regardless of personal preferences. Most importantly, the room works because the clients were able to fall in love with a space that had previously underwhelmed them.”
Designer secret: “Oftentimes clients can be drawn to trends, and it’s OK to look to them for inspirations, but it’s important not to let the trends design for you,” Elstad says. “You don’t want your client’s home to look just like their neighbors. Don’t play it safe. Mix, mix, mix.”
Also on the team: Judson Barrett-O’Keefe of Elstad Interiors (senior designer); Allison Fields of Elstad Interiors (assistant designer); Eric Hausman Photography; Andy Altawil of Amerg Construction (flooring contractor); Robert Knop of Knop Painting
Wall paint: Squirrel Tail, Benjamin Moore; coffee table: Global Views; bench: Bungalow 5, with fabric by Lee Jofa; lounge chairs: Vanguard Furniture, with floral fabric by Holland & Sherry; sofa: custom by Elstad Interiors, with velvet fabric by Fabricut; table skirt and sofa pillows: custom by Elstad Interiors; aquamarine rug: wool and silk, Hermitage collection, Loloi
3. Pattern and Pop
Designer: Katie Schroder of Atelier Interior Design
Location: Denver
Size: 364 square feet (33.8 square meters); 28 by 13 feet (8.5 by 3.9 meters)
Homeowners’ request: Keep the integrity of the pattern-bordered wood floor, original ceiling light, fireplace tile and stained-glass windows while adding patterned drapery and making the long, narrow room feel cozy and functional.
Fireplace focal point: “Aesthetically it is much more pleasing to have the original fireplace of this 1920s home be the focus of the space,” designer Katie Schroder says. “I believe in this day and age of technology, it’s important to not have that be the focus of each space.”
She played with three or four furniture layouts before eventually settling on a long four-seat sofa to anchor the arrangement. “It enhances the space without looking odd,” she says.
Other special features: Plaid wing chairs. Antique wood chairs. Gold and glass end tables. Local artwork. Bright, patterned drapery.
Designer secret: “Keeping old, interesting features of a 50-plus-year-old home even when doing a large remodel is important,” Schroder says. “Get professional help if you’re unsure a feature is worth keeping. Play up a room’s quirks and funny shapes.”
Also on the team: Madeleine O’Connell (artwork); Patti Brooks of Design Essentials (custom drapery and pillows)
Extended sofa C18-ES in Tadashi Pacific fabric, Duke chair C22-CH and Duke ottoman C22-OT with Arnette Radish fabric 4153 by Pindler: all by Vanguard Furniture; Bannister garden console table 542-967: Tommy Bahama; drapery fabric: Anson Flame 4160, Pindler; St. Tropez Sanremo bunching cocktail table 339-944: Lexington; Rocco table lamp: Arteriors
See more of this home
Designer: Katie Schroder of Atelier Interior Design
Location: Denver
Size: 364 square feet (33.8 square meters); 28 by 13 feet (8.5 by 3.9 meters)
Homeowners’ request: Keep the integrity of the pattern-bordered wood floor, original ceiling light, fireplace tile and stained-glass windows while adding patterned drapery and making the long, narrow room feel cozy and functional.
Fireplace focal point: “Aesthetically it is much more pleasing to have the original fireplace of this 1920s home be the focus of the space,” designer Katie Schroder says. “I believe in this day and age of technology, it’s important to not have that be the focus of each space.”
She played with three or four furniture layouts before eventually settling on a long four-seat sofa to anchor the arrangement. “It enhances the space without looking odd,” she says.
Other special features: Plaid wing chairs. Antique wood chairs. Gold and glass end tables. Local artwork. Bright, patterned drapery.
Designer secret: “Keeping old, interesting features of a 50-plus-year-old home even when doing a large remodel is important,” Schroder says. “Get professional help if you’re unsure a feature is worth keeping. Play up a room’s quirks and funny shapes.”
Also on the team: Madeleine O’Connell (artwork); Patti Brooks of Design Essentials (custom drapery and pillows)
Extended sofa C18-ES in Tadashi Pacific fabric, Duke chair C22-CH and Duke ottoman C22-OT with Arnette Radish fabric 4153 by Pindler: all by Vanguard Furniture; Bannister garden console table 542-967: Tommy Bahama; drapery fabric: Anson Flame 4160, Pindler; St. Tropez Sanremo bunching cocktail table 339-944: Lexington; Rocco table lamp: Arteriors
See more of this home
4. Cozy and Contemporary
Designer: Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living
Location: Mill Valley, California
Sizes: 204 square feet (18.9 square meters); 12 by 17 feet (3.6 by 5.1 meters)
Homeowners’ request: A sophisticated, edgy and inviting space in which to reconnect as a couple and entertain friends. “Think Lenny Kravitz meets Mill Valley family life,” designer Tineke Triggs says.
Fireplace focal point: Triggs felt that with a fireplace surround of waxed leather extending all the way to the high ceiling, she had few options for anything that could compete with it as a focal point. Instead, she played it up even more by creating a clear path to it, flanked by two custom sofas. A barely there coffee table also keeps the visual weight on the fireplace, while a satin brass chandelier accentuates its height.
Designer secret: “Adding texture to a square space adds so much interest and dimension,” Triggs says. “The puzzle lamps, waxed leather fireplace, the lamb fur on the stools — all of these textures and various shapes bring some much-needed depth to the overall design.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “Space planning was a challenge here, as we wanted to have two large sofas with large tufted arms that felt grand and inviting, but we didn’t have a lot of room to work with and we didn’t want to block the fireplace views in any way,” Triggs says. “We realized that standard-size sofas would have been too large, but just shortening the sofa length would have resulted in large tufted arms that were out of proportion with everything else. The solution was to have the sofas custom made, which allowed us to pare down the size of both the arms and the length so that everything stayed in proportion with each other and the room. Getting the scale right is everything.”
Also on the team: Chambers + Chambers (architect); Christopher Stark (photographer)
Sofas: custom, with Plantation fabric by Kravet; pillows: custom, with fabric by Romo and with Annina fabric in indigo by Beacon Hill; window treatments: custom, with Katachi fabric in Sketch by Pollack; Puzzle lamp and Jacques coffee table: Jonathan Adler; Tibetan lamb stools: Outpost Original; rug: custom, Himalayan Weavers; Kelly chandelier: Gabriel Scott
See more of this home
More
Good Furniture Combos for Tight Living Rooms
Design Debate: Is It OK to Hang the TV Over the Fireplace?
How to Decorate Your Fireplace Mantel
Designer: Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living
Location: Mill Valley, California
Sizes: 204 square feet (18.9 square meters); 12 by 17 feet (3.6 by 5.1 meters)
Homeowners’ request: A sophisticated, edgy and inviting space in which to reconnect as a couple and entertain friends. “Think Lenny Kravitz meets Mill Valley family life,” designer Tineke Triggs says.
Fireplace focal point: Triggs felt that with a fireplace surround of waxed leather extending all the way to the high ceiling, she had few options for anything that could compete with it as a focal point. Instead, she played it up even more by creating a clear path to it, flanked by two custom sofas. A barely there coffee table also keeps the visual weight on the fireplace, while a satin brass chandelier accentuates its height.
Designer secret: “Adding texture to a square space adds so much interest and dimension,” Triggs says. “The puzzle lamps, waxed leather fireplace, the lamb fur on the stools — all of these textures and various shapes bring some much-needed depth to the overall design.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “Space planning was a challenge here, as we wanted to have two large sofas with large tufted arms that felt grand and inviting, but we didn’t have a lot of room to work with and we didn’t want to block the fireplace views in any way,” Triggs says. “We realized that standard-size sofas would have been too large, but just shortening the sofa length would have resulted in large tufted arms that were out of proportion with everything else. The solution was to have the sofas custom made, which allowed us to pare down the size of both the arms and the length so that everything stayed in proportion with each other and the room. Getting the scale right is everything.”
Also on the team: Chambers + Chambers (architect); Christopher Stark (photographer)
Sofas: custom, with Plantation fabric by Kravet; pillows: custom, with fabric by Romo and with Annina fabric in indigo by Beacon Hill; window treatments: custom, with Katachi fabric in Sketch by Pollack; Puzzle lamp and Jacques coffee table: Jonathan Adler; Tibetan lamb stools: Outpost Original; rug: custom, Himalayan Weavers; Kelly chandelier: Gabriel Scott
See more of this home
More
Good Furniture Combos for Tight Living Rooms
Design Debate: Is It OK to Hang the TV Over the Fireplace?
How to Decorate Your Fireplace Mantel
J.S.Brown & Co. is an award winning, full service Design / Build remodeling contractor with more than three... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Whatever your next project may entail, Whisler Home Improvement is here to help. We are committed to treating our... Read More
Related Stories
Living Rooms
25 Living Rooms With Roaring Fireplaces
Pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa and cozy up to these heartwarming scenes of hearths ablaze
Full Story
Houzz TV Favorites
Houzz TV: Flickering Virtual Fireplaces to Warm Your Heart
Sit back and enjoy a crackling fire set to seasonal music and surrounded by ideas for your own dream living room
Full Story
Living Rooms
How to Design Around a Corner Fireplace
Arranging furniture in a room with a corner fireplace can be tricky. See how others have done it and get tips
Full Story
Photo Flip
20 Covered Patios With Heartwarming Fireplaces
Check out this gallery of covered patios with outdoor fireplaces to keep you toasty all year long
Full Story
Most Popular
Before and After: 4 Fantastic Fireplace Makeovers
See how new materials, surrounds and mantels transform these fireplaces and the rooms they’re in
Full Story
Living Rooms
New This Week: 7 Living Rooms With Stylish Fireplace Designs
See how design and building pros use various materials and features to create a dramatic fireplace focal point
Full Story
Before and Afters
Before and After: 6 Dramatic Fireplace Makeovers
By Becky Harris
See how designers refresh the look of a fireplace with everything from a simple paint job to a new stone surround
Full Story
Photo Flip
20 Feel-Good Fireplaces to Warm Your Spirit
Check out this gallery of stylish hearths with roaring fires
Full Story
New This Week
New This Week: 9 Fantastic Fireplace Design Ideas
Custom details, stylish materials and neat storage features bring function and looks to these living room focal points
Full Story
Living Rooms
A Sliding Door Hides the TV in This Attractive Living Room
By Erin Carlyle
See how a designer transforms the barn door concept using walnut veneer and modern styling over a fireplace
Full Story
Love the fireplaces, and the rooms that are blue or gray.
Love the interior and i like the fire places. I enjoyed reading this article.