Tonita’s Design Dilemma
When Tonita contacted us for some hasty help with her living & dining room, we dove right in. Here’s her letter:
Hey guys – love your site and your style. I’d like your help updating my living/dining room. Although I like the style and colors that I used in this room, I think it needs updating. I’m definitely traditional, but I think I’d like a few modern pieces to update the space. The walls, sofa, and curtains are all a similar gold/taupe color and the other colors in the room are raspberry red and off white. I think the color scheme needs some change, but can’t afford to change it all. The wall paint should stay along with the cabinet behind the sofa, the two wooden armchairs in the living room, the armoire, and buffet in the dining room. The dining room light fixture is only a few years old, but I think I’d like something more modern. I may be getting hardwood floors soon (dark brown) so a rug suggestion would help. I’m open to new slipcovers or furniture (I may switch to a sleeper sofa) or new accents – I’m looking forward to seeing your suggestions! – Tonita
Such a spacious, window-filled open floor plan shows definite potential. And we can’t wait to freshen things up with some traditional & chic additions. Here’s our mood board:
And now for the mood board breakdown.
1. Our color palette will include a rich mix of the existing tones in the room (black, brown, red, gold, taupe) and we’ll add some deep bronze tones for crisp traditional elegance along with some soft blues to balance all the warm tones for a serene and inviting space. And Tonita’s decision to replace the taupe carpet with dark hardwood flooring will really make everything look fresh and sophisticated in a snap.
2. We’d love to see two of these side tables (just $79 each!) flanking the sofa to add a bit of that clean modernity that Tonita requested. The black metal legs will tie in perfectly with her existing black sofa table and round mirror- and the wood top will pick up the brown tones in the matching arm chairs along with the dining room table. Oh and speaking of the dining room table, we’re assuming those slipcovered chairs are wood underneath, and we think removing the slipcovers will make for a cleaner and more polished look in an instant. Best of all, that change is free.
3. Tonita requested a rug for those forthcoming dark wood floors and we think this traditional yet oh-so-current stunner will really make the space. With loads of our existing red and tan accent colors along with some crisp cool blue tones, it’ll tie our entire color scheme together while defining the living area to boot.
4. And to bring in more of the cool blue tone from the rug, some icy blue velvet pillows on the sofa will create even more balance (by relegating the red tones to the matching armchairs and the new rug while adding blue tones to the couch, we’ll avoid red overload and create a subtle and sophisticated mix in the space).
5. This bronze convex mirror panel will add posh traditional elegance to the dining area when hung above the buffet (not shown). We adore the luxurious, rich patina that it’ll add to the space- and of course we love the fact that it’s deeply discounted!
6. And there’s more bronze where that mirror panel came from. This amazing bronze two-light pendant (on sale!) will look heartstoppingly amazing above Tonita’s dining room table. The clean lines make it current and fresh while the bronze finish makes it classic and timeless- it doesn’t get any better than that!
7. We’d love to see Tonita hang a bronze or black metal curtain rod all the way across that wall of windows behind the armchairs in the first picture. By extending the rod all the way across the window it will create an even more uninterrupted, expansive look. And the addition of these breezy floorlength curtain sheers (on sale!) hung all the way across the window (flanked by her existing silk curtains) will add gentle ambiance to the space while softening the look of those horizontal blinds.
8. By removing the stuffed armchair’s matching ottoman and centering a rich leather ottoman in front of the coffee table (for a whopping $370 off!), the dark leather will balance out all the taupe in the sofa and the armchair for a complete and inviting look.
9. And for more of our serene blue accent color, we’d love to see these airy vases on top of the buffet in the dining area to bring more of that color over into the dining area for seamless continuity throughout the open floor plan.
10. Last but certainly not least, two of these luxe metallic table lamps (with bronze accents) will add style to spare when placed on each of the new side tables flanking the couch. Introducing two matching oversized lamps is always a surefire way to add traditional elegance, and these golden mercury-based beauties really make our heart skip a beat (did we mention they’re half off?).
So there you have it. Tonita’s luxurious and traditional living and dining room. We can’t wait to hear what you guys think- especailly you Tonita! And if anyone else out there needs a custom mood board makever, click here to get the ball rollin’.
If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Just found your blog – love it! Would like to know the paint colors in the mood board. Our den has a similar palette with a huge rug with blue it that I’ve been trying to integrate with gold/taupe and crimson. Thanks!
Hey Jessica,
Since Tonita wanted to keep her existing wall color we didn’t recommend a specific paint color for the walls but you can achieve a similar look by painting yours Oakwood Manor by Benjamin Moore. Then just add crimson, taupe and gold in with accessories (curtains, pillows, etc). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I love the ideas, too, especially that rug!