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Lee’s Design Dilemma

Posted by
August 18, 2009

Lee wants to upgrade her front room to create a warm and welcoming space that works seamlessly with the rest of her home. Here’s her letter:

Help save my front room! I’d say my style is modern and casual but with a warm vibe (not too stark and sleek). I’d love to see this entry space (we have no real entry hallway) involve a sitting area under the window and somehow become a casual reading room. I’ve never really paid attention to this room but it’s the first one people see! If we can keep this wall color that would be great, but I’m tired of the yellow & maroon scheme so new accessories & accent colors are welcome. Budget is an issue. I’ve done well decorating most rooms with Target, the Salvation Army and garage sales. The couches in these pictures are basically broken – they were hand-me-downs and did not survive us. The curtains were made long ago but I think they’re too much for the room. I’d like to keep the bookcases but the rug can go. The window is a nice size, and (we have three kids under 8) my 2 yr old and I like to sit and look out the window together. Looking forward to your suggestions! -Lee

This space is primed for a major makeover. Here’s the plan:

And now for the mood board breakdown.

1. We’re bringing Lee a whole new look for her front room with warm wheaty tans, some rich navy blue and even a few pops of citrus orange to work with her soft buttery yellow walls.

2. Since we’ll be keeping the bookcases and turning this room into a reading room, we dug up some large and lovely ready-to-hang art that won’t break the bank (canvas options are often cheaper than getting a large frame and a print). This giant 35 x 35″ piece will look great centered between those bookcases to fill a bit more of the negative space. And the navy blue & wheat-yellow tones will really complement our new color scheme.

3. To add even more to that nook between the bookcases, we’d love to see these inexpensive but oh so dramatic paper pendants hanging on either side of the new wall art. The fact that they’re over 5 feet long (and just $39!) will add immense ambiance on either side of the plush reading chair that we’ll be tucking between them (centered between the bookcases under the print).

4. These warm amber colored candle holders are super affordable- and they’ll add a pop of warmth to the bookcases and the gorgeous existing coffee tables that we’d love to keep in the room. And speaking of the bookcases, they’ll look a lot lighter and less crowded if some of the books can be pared down and a few decorative accessories (ex: woven baskets, navy vases, etc) can be interspersed so the shelves can “breathe” a bit.

5. We can’t get over how perfect this navy patterned pillow will be for the chair in our reading nook between the bookcases (it’s amazing how well it ties into the new sofa without looking matchy-matchy). And the $15 price is oh so right. Oh and a few of these tan pillows will tie the sofa in with the chair for a totally cohesive yet layered and textured look that will feel sophisticated yet super inviting.

6. For the corner of the room shown in the last photo, we thought a round pedestal table (for setting down mail or even playing a board game or doing a puzzle) would make the room even more functional and fun. We hunted high and low for the most affordable one we could find, and found this one that can be painted a sandy tan tone (Benjamin Moore’s Ashen Tan) or even a rich navy color (Benjamin Moore’s Vermont Slate) with this easy furniture painting tutorial. Then this super affordable 15″ woven pendant can be hung centered above the table to add even more of that polished and inviting vibe that can be seen from the moment someone steps into the space.

7. Here’s the chair (for just $134!) that we’d love to see centered under the new art between the bookcases with our hanging paper pendant lights dangling on either side of it for a little reading nook that feels cozy and warm. And just think how good it’ll look with our patterned navy pillow to finish things off. We’re dorky-excited about that little accessory.

8. These breezy curtains are the right price, and the texture and warm yellow undertones that they’ll add to the space will really make the room feel softer and lighter. We’d also love to see two of these sculptural table lamps (with wood bases that echo the existing coffee tables and bookcases in the room) on either side of our new sofa which will be placed under the big picture window. Voila: instant height, balance, and even more reading light.

9. This punchy orange tray (so stylish yet so well priced!) will look great atop one of the existing coffee tables full of games or books or even centered on the new pedestal game table in the corner of the room. And the easy wipe material will even protect the wood pieces in the room from drink rings.

10. Here’s our super affordable Ektorp sofa in “Klintbo Blue” from Ikea. Ektorp sofas are known for their fabulous price and awesome upholstery options and we flipped for this casual yet oh-so-interesting navy slipcovered version that will really breathe life in the entire room (for just 499 beans).

11. Underfoot we’d love to see a warm braided jute rug and this 8 x 10 beauty is a great price for such a large size. Woven rugs like these not only look lovely in white and cream spaces, but also go gorgeously with navy and yellow color schemes for a casual nautical reference that doesn’t hit you over the head.

12. These glass side tables (on clearance!) will look great on either side of the new sofa with our sculptural wood-based lamps on them for a finished and functional effect.

So there you have it. A front room for reading and gaming full of soft and inviting style. We can’t wait to see what you guys think!

Update: We sadly can no longer find the time to take on client commissioned mood boards (we now whip up general inspiration boards instead) but if we ever reinstate them we’ll make a big announcement!

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