Hard To Layout Living Room

Decorating Dilemmas is a weekly column in which our stylists answer your design questions, so you can tackle your home decorating project with complete confidence.

Dear How to Decorate,

I recently moved into a new home (from a small city apartment) and I am struggling with how to decorate the living room. It’s my favorite room in the house – with river views, a fireplace, leaded glass doors/windows and lots of light – so I want to get it right.

I love Ballard and would be so grateful for your help! Can you please share ideas for the layout, key pieces and fabrics?

The walls are a light blue/grey (Behr – Urban Mist) with bright white trim. I’ve attached pictures of some of my must-keep inspiration pieces – lots of blue and cream to work with.

We are looking to buy new furniture. I love the Griffith sofa (and chairs) with pewter nailheads, but am open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

Carrie

Carrie,

From the description of your new living room, we think it would be a favorite room of ours as well. The inspiration pieces are key in providing direction for the styling of your space.

With the length of your room, the layout we created will work beautifully with two conversation areas. The first area takes in the river view with a Griffin sofa covered in Trilby Basketweave Natural facing the window. We added throw pillows in brilliant colors of Velvet Indigo and Teal.

On either side are our Thurston Chairs covered Indochine Ikat Denim along with our Metallic Garden Seat. We added the Elsie Coffee Table in front of the sofa for a finishing touch.

Between the two French doors, our San Marino Secretary in distressed gray over white will give the wall an anchor point. Add in our Louis Side chair covered in Cheetah Gray for an unexpected surprise. Consider adding mirrors to capture and reflect the natural light that floods the room.

Our new Wood Columns are perfect pieces to showcase the corners near the French doors. The Ananda Serving Table, against the opposite wall, provides a fabulous serving piece for cocktail parties. Tucking Courbe Ottomans under this table is a great way to store extra seating for the occasional extra guest.

In front of your fireplace, we recommend repeating the Griffin Sofa but this time add a pair of our Larkin Chairs covered in Velvet Teal. Consider backing both sofas with the Morgan Low Bookcase for a small library that is easy to access.

Pull up a pair of the smaller Olivia Mirrored Side Tables and a floor lamp for reading. On the wall near the fireplace, we suggest using another Casa Florentina piece … the large Josephina Bookcase with doors in Distressed Blue. This piece carries a voice large enough to stand alone in such a grand space.

Remember to add plenty of lighting and beautiful drapery panels to frame the stunning views! Choosing unique accessories will refine the space and complete the room.

Happy Decorating!

The How to Decorate Team

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