This time of year, nothing beats the beauty of a garden in full bloom. But the nature-inspired living room scheme we developed for a pair of empty-nesters comes close.
Our clients wanted to capture nature’s splendor within their interiors – which is no big surprise given that the wife is a certified Master Naturalist. Our living-room plan combines fresh florals, organic textures, and earthy colors, along with a functional furniture layout.
Great Setting and Great Bones
The ’30s-era home in Washington, DC’s Spring Valley neighborhood sits on a tree-lined lot.
Its picturesque setting and views helped bolster the case for bringing the outdoors in. The house is also blessed with good bones. Structurally, it was sound, but the décor felt a bit uninspired. Take a look at the before:
The owners’ former kittens had done a number on some of the furnishings (they now have a lovable dog, Daisy, whom would have to factor into our design).
Most of the furnishings would have to be replaced, with the exception of the owners’ existing antique secretary.
Functional Furniture and Built-in Plan
One of our clients’ main goals for their living room redesign was ample seating for their family (the couple has three grown kids who have flown the nest). They also wanted a gracious, polished space for entertaining friends. We developed a furniture plan that would easily seat six and sourced transitional selections from Hickory Chair with comfort in mind. Under our arrangement, the sofa remained on the long wall opposite the fireplace. We replaced the two tattered settees, however, with two pairs of slipper chairs – a more accommodating and flexible arrangement.
A large, round coffee table in front of the sofa and two small accent tables between the pair of slipper chairs provide plenty of space for setting drinks. We decided to forego end tables in service of a longer sofa. Here’s a rendering of our vision for the space:
Our plan also swaps awkward and over-laden bookcases, which flank the French doors leading to the dining room, with floor-to-ceiling custom built-ins designed by A. Houck Designs.
The painted built-ins will fill the spaces completely and offer a more uniform, bespoke look than the dark-wood bookcases.
Nature-Inspired Living Room Design
Information gleaned during our robust discovery process informed the design. Given the age of the house and our clients’ preferences, we knew the living room décor would lean traditional. The couple has a penchant for color but sought a somewhat peaceful palette for the space. And, of course, it was clear from the get-go that hues, textures and motifs from nature would figure prominently in the scheme.
A gorgeous linen-blend fabric from Romo with camellia blossoms embroidered on a pale gray ground served as a starting point for our nature-inspired living room scheme.
Our window-treatment plan combines drapery panels fabricated in this cornerstone textile with fully functioning sheer panels, which will serve as a privacy screen as needed.
We pulled shades of yellow and gold from the inspiration fabric for the sofa’s stunning cut-velvet fabric and the slipper chairs’ textural, botanical-inspired jacquard weave is shown below.
A Thibaut grasscloth in a warm-gray hue (think foggy morning) will envelop the walls. A modern Oushak rug in tranquil shades of blue, green and gray will define the seating area. Brass and gilded finishes in the lighting and accent pieces complete the scheme and add a touch of shimmer.
This nature-inspired living room design extends the splendor of springtime throughout the year. We can’t wait to show you how the gardenesque plan came together. Please stay tuned for our Big Reveal. In the meantime, enjoy the beauty of the season – and perhaps consider bringing the outdoors in. We’d be happy to help.
Happy Ten-Year Anniversary to Creating Spaces!