When designing a space, there are things we may want to change, but working with what you have is often more of a priority. I recently wrapped up a living room e-design project where we worked around the oak stained beams, window trim and fireplace surround. Often times, my first inclination is to paint that all out, to create dramatic, updated change. When that is not an option, it’s on to plan B. Plan B doesn’t always have to be the lesser option… it’s just a matter of selecting colors and fabrics that compliment the oak stained wood work, as opposed to competing with it! Since the space has a lot of warm wood tones (also including oak stained floors), the name of the game has to be to bring in some cool colors. Grays, blues and greens will be your friend and balance well against the warm woods. Here is the design board I created for them, where cooler tones reigned supreme…

Can I please have that blue chair all to myself?? By adding the blues, greens and grays, The warm woods will feel more welcome and will bring that mix of traditional with modern. The walls will be the soft gray color on the top left corner of the board and we will whitewash their brick with the color to the right of that. When showing my client this whitewash idea, I came across this blog post that showed an amazing before and after of their fireplace. I included a shot of the after on the bottom right side of the board. They also painted the brass fireplace insert black, which I also recommended to my client! It will be an instant modern update. They love the plans and I can’t wait to see their progress!

By the way, when researching rooms with stained oak trim, I came across the amazing parlor room of Nicole Balch, from the blog Making it Lovely. Her space is proof that stained oak trim can be chic…

I am excited to share a completed e-design board project with you today! My client was looking for a living room space that mixed traditional with modern, neutral with pops of color. She is so excited with the outcome and I have to say, I am too!!

E- Design Board Reveal…

The living room sits right off of the entry, so we incorporated the foyer into the design, as well. All of the color inspiration comes from the floral pillow shown at the bottom of the board. With that color palette, I sprinkled blues and greens throughout the space. My client really loves the quirky, whimsical art print shown at the top left side of the board. I love having fun with design. I think it’s important not to take yourself too seriously when decorating your home. Have fun with it and inject your own personality into the space. I always love walking into a space that makes you smile!

My client was so excited with the design and wanted to share her thoughts on e-design with all of you…

I just completed a living room e-design project for a client I have been working with for a while. I seriously love what I do and I get a little sad when projects are over, because I truly have so much fun with my clients! With this particular client, we seem to often be on the same wavelength… we bounce ideas off of each other and it’s a refreshing, fun collaboration when we work together! We made some changes and new additions to the previous living room design and I’m excited to show you the plan, today…

The Design Plan

Some of the items on the board, the client already owned, so I wanted to present the plan in a way that showed her pieces with the new ideas. I think they work well together! I am really excited about the idea of lacquering a secretary desk in a deep navy color. I am also giddy about the eclectic mix of pillows and patterns. As long as there is a common color within the fabrics, you can mix totally different prints in the same room and pull it off well! I think it will bring an eclectic, collected over time feel to the space. My client will also choose a Persian style rug to layer over a jute rug. The suggested three options are to the right of the board. Layering rugs is also another great way to bring a collected feel to a room. It’s a perfect way to mix neutrals with some pattern. You can also use the top rug as the main piece that brings the room’s color palette together or use a complimentary color that works with some of the elements in the room.