Living Room Revamp Adds Appealing Energy
Vibrant furnishings and purposeful seating areas give this Massachusetts family a more inviting and functional space
This Massachusetts family of four transformed their living room into a flexible, comfortable space for any occasion.
Seating for conversation: Rogers placed two lime-green swivel chairs within the window space along the left side of the room. These chairs provide symmetry and are great for visiting with a friend.
Focal point underfoot: This custom rug was one of the first pieces the family and the designer picked out, and it guided the choices for the rest of the room. The designer worked with the family to pick custom colors that were then applied to this swirling pattern. Then, once it was ordered, they eagerly awaited its arrival for five months.
Custom rug: Davis & Davis, Williston Weaves, chairs: Kravet Furniture, fabric: Romo, back fusion fabric: Highland Court
Focal point underfoot: This custom rug was one of the first pieces the family and the designer picked out, and it guided the choices for the rest of the room. The designer worked with the family to pick custom colors that were then applied to this swirling pattern. Then, once it was ordered, they eagerly awaited its arrival for five months.
Custom rug: Davis & Davis, Williston Weaves, chairs: Kravet Furniture, fabric: Romo, back fusion fabric: Highland Court
Window dressing: Long drapes elevate and showcase the living room’s bay windows. Underneath the drapery, Rogers kept the family’s Hunter Douglas silhouette shades, which provide privacy and block light.
“[The drapes] set a gorgeous backdrop to the room, and make the bay look softer and finished,” Rogers says.
Above the other windows, Rogers added valances in a matching fabric. She chose shorter window treatments here to keep the focus on the bay windows and the green swivel chairs.
Pro tip: Install a useful, functional layer first, and then top it with something decorative, Rogers says. In this case, that’s the blinds and then the long drapes.
Window shades: Vervain
Find shades, curtains, valances and other window treatments
“[The drapes] set a gorgeous backdrop to the room, and make the bay look softer and finished,” Rogers says.
Above the other windows, Rogers added valances in a matching fabric. She chose shorter window treatments here to keep the focus on the bay windows and the green swivel chairs.
Pro tip: Install a useful, functional layer first, and then top it with something decorative, Rogers says. In this case, that’s the blinds and then the long drapes.
Window shades: Vervain
Find shades, curtains, valances and other window treatments
Reading corner: This chaise lounge sits in the corner across from the couch. Rogers proposed adding this area to the room to give it a cozier feel. “Nothing is more inviting and cozy than a chaise lounge,” Rogers says.
Chaise lounge: Bernhardt Furniture; fabric: Highland Court
Chaise lounge: Bernhardt Furniture; fabric: Highland Court
The art of nature: Two of the family’s style preferences — geometric and natural — came together in this corner through the butterfly art.
Lighting: The room includes an abundance of lighting fixtures. “Aesthetics and warmth come from creating layers of lighting,” Rogers says. “A room that has just recess lighting doesn’t have that warmth.” All of the fixtures in this room, except the lamp between the two green chairs, are on dimmers, which allows the family to adjust the lighting to the occasion.
Lighting: The room includes an abundance of lighting fixtures. “Aesthetics and warmth come from creating layers of lighting,” Rogers says. “A room that has just recess lighting doesn’t have that warmth.” All of the fixtures in this room, except the lamp between the two green chairs, are on dimmers, which allows the family to adjust the lighting to the occasion.
Inspirational entry: Through the doorway past the reading corner is the home’s front door and entry space. The green rug and stair runner inspired the redesign for the living room and its color palette. Immediately after entering the house, visitors notice similar colors flowing from the entryway into the living space directly to the left of the front door.
Entry furnishings: Rogers combined all three colors — green, orange and yellow — at the home’s entry table. This compact yet colorful area welcomes the family home and instantly establishes the color scheme found throughout.
Result: Rogers’ clients have already redone the entry, living room and powder room, and changed the house’s exterior paint color. With this room completed, Rogers says, they’re “already thinking about what the next project is.”
Mirror: Port 68; table: oomph; browse entry tables
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Result: Rogers’ clients have already redone the entry, living room and powder room, and changed the house’s exterior paint color. With this room completed, Rogers says, they’re “already thinking about what the next project is.”
Mirror: Port 68; table: oomph; browse entry tables
More
See more stories about living room design
Check out the latest living room photos for fresh inspiration
Find an interior designer in your area
Living Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four, including two young daughters
Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
Size: 290 square feet (26.9 square meters)
Designer: Kelly Rogers, owner of Kelly Rogers Interiors
The backstory: Since the family moved into the home in 2006, the home’s color palette has ranged from brown to brownish gray. The family started redesigning every room of the home and wanted to give it more color. While working on the entry, they decided to redesign the living room at the same time because the new stair runner would stretch right up to the living room.
Scope of work: The family worked with Rogers to purchase new furnishings for the space that would give it a whole new look. The planning and implementation of the design took six months from start to finish. Much of that time was spent waiting on the custom rug.
During the planning, the goal was to create a space that could serve as a multifunction room, from a trendy happy hour spot to a cozy reading corner. They wanted a room that was usable for entertainment and relaxation, and not just for show, Rogers says.
Color palette: The previously mentioned stair runner, which we will see later, and the green chair on the right, set the room’s green palette. Rogers then brought in emerald green in the carpet and drapes to create a more sophisticated palette that still felt bold and fresh.
On the large wall behind the couch are two major pops of color that stand out right away. “Art and accessories come in last,” Rogers says. “When we installed the room, I wanted to bring in some orange from the foyer. It’ s something you notice. They already had the yellow, and then the orange was commissioned to match.”
An anchoring table: The pointed legs on the centered coffee table help it blend smoothly into the carpet, giving it a more elegant and polished look.
Yellow and orange wall art: Carol Moe; sofa: Barrymore Furniture; coffee table: Woodbridge Furniture; find a coffee table for your living room