Working on a Budget: The Living Room.

Greetings to one and all,

It's been a long while since I've written a blog, mainly due to time and work but also because to be honest, I haven't much been in the mood for writing. But here I am thinking about various things and I've recently met with a lovely young couple who were looking to put together a house, on a limited budget [FYI ALL budgets are limited] and so as an exercise I am working on finding high style items and decorative elements that won't break the bank. So look forward to a series of affordable and high style rooms done if not on a shoestring at least on a shoe.

After the kitchen the 'Formal" Living Room is often the most expensive room in a house, sadly it's also the least used room in a house, reserved for Sundays, holidays and company. I've never understood why people continue to have them, no one, or almost no one lives formally anymore and it certainly isn't needed  for show when you're building an enormous house, But there they are, always in the front and always wanting to be decorated first....so everyone can skip right thru to the kitchen!

The look is classic transitional, you can do this in various style houses from a white box interior to a period room and it will work beautifully.  Keep your colors subtle and patterns minimal and it will look modern, or use patterns for a more eclectic feel.

An nice pair of slipper chairs in old leather. Just leave them as they are, the patina will give the room added depth.

It helps if you already have a Braque or Picasso, but if you aren't so lucky a Venetian mirror would be a good touch, OR you could commission Ric Best Art to paint something for you.

It's aways nice to have a few low tables, why not choose some that are like small pieces of jewelry

Lighting is important and you could decide that a little drama might lighten up the mood. Venetian sconces fit the bill.

Add some strategically placed uplights and your lovely, freshly painted walls will glow. I'm liking lampshades less and less, so the ambient light will declutter your visual sight lines.

If there's room, why not add center table.  A simple vase with branches is all you need in front of tall windows.  You could also decide to use this as a side table between armchairs.

A long and low slung sofa will give the room height and scale

Let's throw in a couple of other chairs as well....different types of seating ....always important.

Under foot? Why not a beautifully worn rug. Muted colors and a little texture will unify the room and give you that not store bought feel.

Nothing like a place to sit and write, or just browse online. Why not this French cartonnier. These Louis XVI chairs are always easy to find new, vintage or antique and if you buy a set for your dining room you can use a pair in the living room.

Yes, this could all be achieved for what one would expect to pay for a new high end reproduction dining table.... How? Knowing how to shop, where to shop and making a phone call.

Look for the dining room next!!

And that's all I've got for today.