Living Room - 40's Style House |
| A soft,
greige-taupe was chosen for the living room and dining area walls. This neutral color
helps set the stage for the collection of furnishings. The existing simple fireplace surround was painted a glossy white to match the woodwork. To add a decorative note and create a greater sense of space, the over-mirror was added. By utilizing ready made mirror tiles with a beveled edge, the cost was kept to a minimum. These were secured to the wall and finished with molding also painted white. This ties the mirror to the fireplace creating a focal point. (Text continues below) |
|
| The windows have
been given a custom, yet affordable treatment. The bold graphic stripes of the draperies
are created by sewing wide strips of alternating colors of fabric. In our case, chocolate
and steel blue are used. The leading edge of the drapery has been given a detail of the
long suffering ball fringe in natural cotton. The soft sheen of the fabric catches the
light and gently coddles it in its voluminous folds. A fluted wood rod adds more glimmer
when painted glossy white. To create a greater sense of height, the draperies have been
mounted just below the ceiling. With their strong vertical lines, the draperies help raise
the visual height of the standard 8’-0” ceiling. We utilized a vintage sofa, still sporting its original fabric for the color scheme. Areas of it had worn over the years, but instead of replacing it, the fabric was gently cleaned and the worn patches discreetly disguised. There are several ways of doing this, we found a judiciously placed pillow in a jaunty animal print to be the quickest and easiest. An ottoman is great to pull out for extra seating. But it also works well as a coffee table. By adding a decorative tray, it becomes an extra surface for drinks or hors d’oeuvres. This garage sale discard has been fitted with new upholstery. Using two different types of fabrics creates a special look. The rough raffia cloth base anchors the piece allowing the plush mohair top cushion to take center stage. It looks removable, even though it isn’t. Extra detail was included along the seam of the cushion with a shimmering cord welt. Since the amount of yardage required for such a piece is quite minimal, a special piece of fabric can be used to showcase the top cushion. Especially in small spaces, extra surfaces are very important. We find ours in two small occasional tables. These little custom numbers were specially designed to fit the decorative scheme. Both table tops are created out of regulation MDF which were cut at the home center into manageable 24” x 24” pieces. But that is were the similarity ends. The table shown here has a slick painted surface. Inspired by the lush floral paintings of the period, a stenciling technique was applied. Instead of the typical brush-style of stenciling, spray paint was used. This gives the flowers a crisp yet voluptuous feeling. Their images were taken straight from a vintage floral fabric. To complete the moderne look, the table’s legs have been given a glossy coat of chrome spray paint. Taking a cue from Hollywood set designers, white plaster is the material of choice for the living room accessories. This effectively picks up the white painted molding. There is an anthropomorphic cast plaster side table as well as table top urns. Plaster lamps in organic forms like artichokes and nautilus shells are evocative of the great movie musical set pieces. The lamps are capped with simple white shades in lacquered card. This very simplicity helps them take center stage against the softly colored walls. |
| Click on one of the links below to see the other rooms: | |||
| Dining Area | Bedroom | Study | |