Not that kind of neutral
E-decorating Proposal
Client’s concerns:
•
This room doesn’t blend with the style in the rest of the house - especially with the adjacent, newly
renovated kitchen
•
Wants to replace sofas and tables but does not know what to buy
•
Challenged by adding decorative accessories to finish a look
Restrictions:
•
Television and speakers cannot be moved
•
The wall color must remain the same
•
Style needs to be fairly neutral and blend with the contemporary design throughout the rest of the home
My assessment:
•
The general scale and placement of the furniture is off
•
The integration of this room with the breakfast nook, kitchen and hallway is awkward
•
The television wall is stark and disrupts the overall balance of the room
Design:
The concept behind my design is to create a space that elegantly brings together what you already have and
what you want to purchase but still gives you flexibility if you wish to DIY some elements. At first glance the
room will be a mix of neutral tones, but looking closer there is a complex layering of details. Separating the
components, each is neutral, but as they come together their subtle contrasts in texture, finish and style play off
each other to create an intriguing space.
The foundations of the room - the sofas, wall color and rugs - are a mix of cream, light grey and taupe tones.
We will amp up this neutral palate with rich layers of accents. Touches of sparkly metallic finishes, glam
accessories, unfinished wood, moody pastels and battered industrial metal will play off one another. These
accessories are an eclectic mix, but still are subtle enough that they evoke an overall elegance.
The key that makes this design work is creating a balanced mixture of items that have masculine and feminine
characteristics. If that sounds obscure, but don’t worry we’ll be breaking down all the details. First, the main
guidelines are these:
1. Lay a neutral foundation: cream, light grey, and beige tones for the couches, rugs, walls.
2. Accessorize with masculine and feminine characteristics always in balance, not letting one be
predominant:
a) Rough wood and industrial metal finishes (masculine) vs. sparkly metallic and smooth glass
finishes (feminine)
b) Black accents (masculine) vs. dusty, washed-out pastels (feminine)
I will continue to break the design down into further detail below, but keep these tenants in mind as you
continue. They are the backbone and should help your understanding of why these elements work together
and will help you in making substitutions if needed.
Mood board:
1.
Main items in the room (sofa, wall color and rugs) will all be subtle variations of neutral tones. Stay
close to this palate but variety in textures and tones between these items is good – perfectly matched
sets are bad.
2. Our goal is to layer elements in the room in interesting and unexpected ways, however controlling the
palate and restraining contrasts for an overall elegance.
3. Accent colors, which will be used in throw pillows, tabletop accessories, and other details, are to be a
pale wash of pastels. Think of these more as “dusty pastels” instead of “baby pastels”. For example, these
.
, not these
. Black accents will be peppered throughout the space to balance the
pastel tones and to incorporate the black from the kitchen. Black can be added through any of the
accents as you like. For example, picture frames, details on lamps, pillows or even an ebony finish on an
occasional table.
4. Incorporate shiny, sparkly metallic accents where possible - lamps, candle holders, trays, picture frames,
etc. (these are feminine details).
5. Tables (coffee table, consoles, side tables, bookcase, etc.) can be a mix of natural wood finishes. A
variety of tones will work well together. But stick with medium warm brown tones (avoid cherry and
light oak finishes), and distressed knotted with texture is even better. Industrial metal details/accents
will also incorporate very well here (these are masculine details).
The room should look like it’s developed over time and not straight out of this season’s catalog.
Since the main items are neutral, they should be the easiest for you to find. But you can’t stop there
it’s the details that make this design interesting. So let’s push past your comfort zone and
accessorize. Don’t worry, I’ll help.
Layout:
1. Keep the two sofa layout, but replace
the sofas with lighter colored ones. Also
the whole arrangement should be
moved closer to the television wall to
form a more defined seating area.
2. Hang matching wall-to-wall curtains on
both the siding door wall and the
television wall. This will help balance
the sofa layout and will make a dramatic
difference in softening the room.
3. Add a console table behind the larger
sofa to help bridge the transition into
the hallway.
4. Add an occasional chair opposite the
sofas which balances and closes the
seating group. This also creates a new
reading nook in the far corner that is
currently empty.
(Dark grey line = 1foot)
Renderings:
So, are you ready to see how these details come together? Here are my proposed renderings for the space. These
are basically a digital collage transposed over your photos. They are not 100% to scale nor completely accurate
representations of how the items would appear in real life. Instead the goal is to help you visualize how all of
theses concepts can come together in your space. So please think of them as a conceptual tool instead of an
“after photo” of your space.
Any specific item can be swapped or substituted out if you’d like, as long as you follow the proposed guidelines
for the mix of textures & finishes, you should be able to find alternatives that work just as well.
View facing kitchen:
View facing TV:
View from sectional, facing TV:
Action Plan and Sourcing:
Below is a more specific breakdown to help you execute this design for your family room. I’ve included links to
the product images used in the rendering. However I also explain exactly why each item was chosen, with this
reasoning it should be easier for you to find accessible alternatives during your shopping trips.
Curtains:
Curtains should be an off-white or cream color and semi-transparent. The transparency should be opaque
enough that you could not read a newspaper held behind them, however gauzy enough not to block all
entering light from the window.
Hang curtain rods at the same height on both of the walls with windows. The curtains are to drape behind the
television. On the television wall you will probably need 4 curtain panels to cover the space. In general,
curtains should be between 1.5 and 2 times the width of the curtain rod to allow for proper draping. If the
panels are not draping as desired behind the television they can be joined with thin Velcro strips to ensure full
closure.
Though the curtains would drape behind the television, I propose letting them fall in front of the speakers. If
possible, paint the speakers the wall color to help them blend in better. Note: you will need to check the depth
the curtain rod hangs from the wall in order to let the curtains effectively fall in front of the speakers.
Sofas:
We’re keeping the general two sofa layout, but with some small changes. First, the whole arrangement needs to
be moved closer to the television wall. As of now, they are too far back and an awkward gap is created between
the television and the sofas. By moving the seating closer, the arrangement will appear more grounded and
coherent. (see floor plan layout for details)
The sofas should be a light to mid-toned neutral color (see the mood board for options). This will offer
versatility and a wide availability of options when shopping for the sofas. Since they’re neutral toned you’ll also
have more possibilities if you reuse them later on in the future.
The two sofas need to be different styles; we don’t want them to look like a matched set, or for one to look like
a larger sized version of the other. I propose the two sofas be similarly light-colored neutral with but with
slightly different hues. In other words the sofas should appear similar in the overall scheme of the room, but
with subtle variations to add interest.
For example, the sofas in the rendering show the smaller one with more feminine lines (curvy wooden legs, and
a traditional form), and the larger one with chaise lounge with more masculine lines (heavier overall form, and
cleaner more modern lines).
I am proposing a sofa with a short chaise lounge element because I think it would meet your needs well.
However if you prefer, the chaise sofa could be replaced with a traditional sofa without changing the plan. If
you do wish to use the chaise lounge, it needs to be fairly small in order to work in this layout. Please keep this
in mind during your shopping. It should be no deeper than 5.5 feet (measuring from the back of the couch to
the end of the chaise lounge).
Rugs:
I suggest two rugs for the space, and that they both are neutral colored and natural fiber. The natural fiber will
add a nice layer of texture to the design.
Jute or sisal rugs are good affordable options. However there is a wide range of quality and softness, so the
texture/quality can vary greatly. I would recommend trying to find local samples so you can test how the rug
feels (for example, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Cost Plus World Market and even Target should have some in
stock).
The rug for the main seating arrangement needs to be at least 8’x10’.
I am also proposing a runner behind the couch to help make that transitional space more cohesive. You have
some flexibility in the size of the runner. It should be longer than the console table, but not so long that it
extends into the high-traffic area formed between the sofa and sliding door.
If you don’t like fiber rugs, any other material rug can be substituted as long as it is similar in color.
Transition area – behind couch/hallway:
Currently the area behind the sofa is dead space and the transition between the hallway and the couch is
awkward. As mentioned earlier, I propose pushing the sofa closer to the television. This will free up enough
space to add a console table, runner rug (mentioned above), and small bookcase or bar cart to create a grouping
that will nicely transition between the kitchen and family room.
The console shown in the rendering is almost black which pops nicely against the lightly colored couch and
echoes the finish on the kitchen cabinets. You could substitute a console of another finish, however do not go
any lighter than a mid-toned wood, or it will blend too much with the sofa and rug. For example your floor has
a mid-toned wood finish, do not go any lighter than that.
This transitional space will be completed by adding a piece of furniture in the open space against the wall to
the right of the console table. I suggest either a bar cart of a slim bookcase for this space. This piece of furniture
should have some height (minimum of about 4 feet), otherwise it will be lost behind the height of the side
table and table lamp on that side of the room.
The rendering shows a tall and narrow bookcase for that transitional space, however if you are interested in the
idea of a bar cart, it could work well to create an “entertaining nook” since it is between your high-top kitchen
peninsula and breakfast nook.
Occasional Tables:
I propose a coffee table, a side table where the two couches meet, a media stand under the television and a small
table in the corner opposite the sofas.
The design and finish of the tables can vary according to your preferences, but it would be best if they are
different one from another. Like with the sofas, similar in tone overall but with slight differences so they don’t
look like a matched set. The side table, especially, could be a great opportunity to bring in an interesting thrift
store or second-hand piece of furniture.
The table under the television must be low, the purpose of this piece is to ground the television. Without it,
the television is literally just floating on the wall. Your best option is probably to look for a media stand,
however a low console table may work as well. I suggest a rough or distressed, mid-toned brown wood to
contrast the slick black finish of the television.
Keep in mind that these tables will bring masculine elements into the space (through the textured wood and
industrial elements). However in accessorizing, they should be topped and layered with light feminine items
(metallic finishes, sparkle and shine and some touches of pastel colors).
We talked about the possibility of DIY construction of these tables, which would be great! If you follow the
guidelines for texture and similar size/shape from the examples given they should work well in the space.
Reading Nook:
This is the empty space opposite the couches. Adding an upholstered chair here will help to balance the seating
arrangement of the sofas. In the rendering I show a deep grey tone. Other colors could work as long as they are
mid to dark toned and stay within the overall neutral color scheme. Avoid light tones that will blend into the
wall and curtains behind the chair. A side table and floor or table lamp will work nicely to complete this nook
and make it a great space to read and enjoy the room when not watching TV.
Gallery Wall:
I propose filling most of the wall behind the smaller sofa with a gallery wall of frames. The prints would all
look similar in that they are line drawings of a similar style, but the actual art would be a mix of technical
drawings, sketches and maps that have personal meaning for you. Since you mentioned you have some personal
drawings, my hope is that we will be able to age them (so that they blend with style of the other prints) and
then incorporate them into the mix on the wall.
I have shown the gallery wall with black frames to coordinate with the kitchen and other black accents in the
room. A matte black or slightly distressed black finish is preferred over high-gloss.
Accessories:
I have sourced some accessories to use in the rendering; however my choices can easily be substituted as long as
you stay with the following guidelines:
•
In general, keep in mind the balance of the masculine and feminine components of the room. For
example, if you have an industrial style, distressed table (masculine), consider topping it with lightcolored or sparkly accessories (feminine).
•
The accessories are the main way in which the feminine elements are used in the room. Any of these
items would work well: mirrored trays, mercury glass, sequined anything, light colored books, soft
toned textiles and natural textures like feathers and seashells.
•
The throw pillows on the sofas should be soft and faded colors (see the color swatches and examples in
the mood board). Faded ethnic prints would be a great way to include these colors and texture at the
same time.
We’ve covered all elements that will make this a very special room for you. I hope this proposal serves to not
just to list specific items to purchase, but that it also gives you a practical understanding why such items were
chosen - so that you are confident in shopping for alternatives. Please let me know if anything is unclear.
Image Sources & Credits:
Mood board:
Room images:
Andrew Flesher’s Apartment, Loftlife magazine
Jenn Marc’s living room, The Marion House Book
Atlantis Home, Rue Magazine
Artwork:
Beach Abstract, Sally King Benedict
Miscellaneous, 2009, Dale Frank
Accessories:
Sequined Pillow: Etsy, TheHomeCentric, Glamorous Throw Pillow
Vice Bookends: Restoration Hardware
Vintage Gold Metal Filigree Tray: Etsy, julianandbelle
Renderings:
Klyne 2-Piece Sectional (Left Arm Chaise, Right Arm Apartment Sofa) in Sectional Sofas | Crate&Barrel
Pauline Sofa, Z Gallerie
Target:Home Linen Grommet Window Sheer - 54x95"
BJURSTA Sideboard - brown-black - IKEA
Paul Loebach Tall Shelf | west elm
Hand-knotted Resonate Beige Wool Rug (2'6 x 10') | Overstock.com
UrbanOutfitters.com > Mid-Century Rocker Chair
Ettore Console - Anthropologie.com
Raw Edge Coffee Table | west elm
UrbanOutfitters.com > Industrial Rolling Side Table
Glass Jug Table Lamp | west elm
Z Gallerie - Surveyor Floor Lamp
Vise Bookends (Set of 2) | Bookends | Restoration Hardware
Mercury-Glass Vases | west elm
Large Atlantis Clam Shell | Z Gallerie
The Loaded Trunk,Carved Coconut
Quartz Tealight Holders – Vivaterra.com
Eggshell Mosaic Box – Overstock.com
Indian Sari Table Runner
West Elm Glazed Pillow Cover
Ikat lumbar pillow - Etsy, chicdecorpillows
Joss and Main Artic Fox Faux Fur Pillow
BHDecor, Etsy, Peach Gray waves throw
Overstock.com, Beige Embroirdered Pillows
Overstock.com, Square Briar Large Black and White Pillow
Kai 20x20-inch Pillow | Overstock.com
All images on gallery wall from www.vintageprintable.com