Pulling a Room Together, E-Design Services

About a year ago a reader asked me if I offered e-design services.  She had more than just a “design dilemma”.  She needed help pulling a few of her spaces together.  Since she was a long-time reader, I replied,” I’d be happy to help you so long as you understand that:

A.  “I’m not a design professional”  and

B.  “I don’t really do this.”

A few weeks later, another reader emailed asking the same thing.  And then another.  And now, here I am getting ready to close out my first year of e-designing, feeling grateful for the opportunity to work with people to help them make their homes their happy places!  I still don’t consider myself an expert; I’m hardly a professional.  Most of my email correspondence starts with the greeting  – Hey girl!  But as it turns out that’s what my readers turned clients like most about working with me.  I’m honest about what you have that will work or can be worked around.  I always provide options to help people stay within their budget.   And I aim to help people create stylish, liveable spaces.   My goal is to get to know who I’m designing for so that the space is a real reflection of them.

A Living Room Before & Design Plan

So now that the cat’s out of the bag, I thought it would be fun to show you the living room design plan I just finished.  Corbie, who I helped with tackling her two-story entry foyer design dilemma, also wanted my help with her living room.  The room already has A LOT going for it with it’s tall ceilings, beautiful windows and fireplace!

Before

This space has great bones, but a few tricky things happening.  Corner fireplaces can be difficult to design around.  Windows and all the natural light they provide are wonderful, but in this case it is a little tough not having any “real walls”.   This room is just off the stairs coming up from the entry foyer.

Then there is this tall hutch that isn’t really Corbie’s style, but she has to find a way to work around.

The Design Plan

The furniture layout currently in place works for the shape of the room.  Floating the furniture in the middle of the space, and using a rug to anchor the conversation area works perfectly here.  All this space needs is a few little tweaks to really bring the design together.  Picking up on her love of blue as an accent color, I created a plan that will help to unify the space giving it a polished, finished look.

(Art, Console Table, Chairs)

Painting the wall above the fireplace a shade of cream/ off-white that matches the bottom fireplace surround will help to balance the height of the windows.  It will also make the fireplace more of a focal point.  This won’t be a dramatic shift.  But it will create a visual break from the walls allowing the fireplace to shine.  Then rather than a dark heavy piece of art, I incorporated a more modern style art print.

Bringing in two matching chairs in a navy velvet will play nicely with the taupe chenille sofa.  The nail head trim and leg style of the chairs will also compliment the sofa style.

To give Corbie a design plan that could evolve over time as her budget allows, I presented two options for the table on the back of the sofa.  The piece she currently has in place is a bit dark and heavy.  Painting it white or replacing it with this lighter wood console table will help to soften the look.

Replacing the small plant stand with a taller tree will draw the eye up toward the fireplace and add some life to the space.  Always say yes to plants!

(Coffee table, Side table, Reading Floor Lamp, Blue Pillow, Grey Check Pillow)

Bringing in a round coffee table will break up all the straight angles in the space as well as compliment the curve of the fireplace.   The silver metallic will also play nicely with the lamps she currently has.  A mix of lighter wood tones and silver metal finishes paired with the navy tufted chairs will create a nice polished, yet casual look.

(Basket, bowl, white pottery, blue and white vase, round basket)

Bringing in a collection of white pottery will help to soften the look of this hutch.  Baskets will give it some texture and help it to flow a bit better with the overall design of the space.

A rough mock-up of the design would look like this.  You’ll have to forgive my lack of photo editing skills.  😉

Something large in scale for that bit of blank wall space between the hutch and windows will balance the windows.  A slightly rustic piece like these french wine bottle riddling racks will bring in a casual, old world vibe that will compliment the architecture and wrought iron railings in her home.  I love them as they’re pictured here filled with air plants.  However with all the natural light this room receives they’d be beautiful filled with empty wine bottles.  The light would shine through the dark green glass and would look just gorgeous!

E-Design Services

I can’t wait to see Corbie use this plan to finish her living room!

My e-design calendar is booked through the end of the year, but if you’re interested in working with me beginning in January of 2017 feel free to email me at Carmel@ourfifthhouse.com!  I’d love to help you make your home your happy place!  Rates vary depending on each situation.  I can create a whole room plan or just help you fine tune what you already have in your space.  Most of the furniture selected for Corbie’s space is on sale right now, so if you see something you like now’s the time to hit go!