When I design a space, I like to find something to start with as my inspiration. Whether it's a piece of art, a fabric, a color scheme, something. Then I build from there.
Franz's mom was an artist. She painted. We got to see lots of her pieces when we took a trip back east before we were married. Each of the relatives has something she painted. We are lucky enough to have this gorgeous peacock piece:
It's about 14" wide by 48" high and painted in deep saturated shades of cobalt, turquoise, aqua and yellow on a piece of dark wood. I love the texture and depth that it gives the piece. We have it hanging in the entry, it's one of the first things you see when you come inside our house. There is a wall sconce above it and at night when the light shines on it, the colors become really vibrant. Designing a space around something that has so much personal sentiment and history behind it, makes it so much more meaningful.
Now that I have my inspiration piece, I can start looking at the rest of the room. Franz and I both prefer a cool color palette over a warm one. We really like blues and greens, and we both love the beach and ocean. Another reason to keep our existing drapes, carpet and wall color- they remind us of a warm sandy beach and provide a good neutral background so I can integrate some bold blues and greens into the room.
Here are some pictures of rooms that I've ripped out of magazines because I loved them so much. With this first picture, I love the chunky wood table. The wood grain is amazing, the large colored vases, the natural elements (bamboo curtain rods, linen looking drapes, twigs in the vase, large clam shell bowl).
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| Better Homes and Garden August 2010 |
In this kitchen I love the walnut floating shelves against the white walls.
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| Coastal Living June 2011 |
This house. Oh my, where do I begin. There's so much I love. The vaulted wood paneled ceilings in bright white, the capiz chandelier, the cushy sofa, the bright pillows, that rug, the celadon kitchen tile, the VIEW.
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| Coastal Living, not sure what month or year |
Sigh....how I love this last house. It was designed by Heidi Bonesteel and Michele Trout from the design firm,
Bonesteel Trout Hall. There are more images from this house on their website and they're all droolworthy. In the past year, twice I've found myself flipping through a magazine staring at the images of the interiors in awe. Both times when I re-read the articles more closely, I discovered the homes were designed by Bonesteel Trout Hall. This home is absolutely beautiful. It doesn't hurt that it's more than 5000 square feet and located in the hills of Laguna Beach and has a view that's to die for. I could move in tomorrow and feel right at home.
Okay, back to reality. Here's the floorplan:
The sofa needs to stay where it is. We actually have a great view out the sliding doors. This year we simultaneously watched four different fireworks shows across town from our patio. The dining table will stay where it is as well.
The major project I would like to accomplish is the tv wall. As a reminder, here's what it currently looks like:
Aaaaack! I can't believe this is my living room. Franz and I had to do some serious baby proofing when Avery started crawling- she was into everything.
Most All of our personal items got packed into boxes and put in storage. We don't have anywhere to put picture frames, vases, books, etc. So I would love to find a way for us to bring some of our "stuff" back into the house, yet away from little hands. Here's idea #1:
I'd like to find some kind of credenza for concealed toy storage. I'd also like to add some floating shelves- perfect for displaying some of the things mentioned above.
Idea #2:
Again, some kind of concealed storage below the tv and a wall of picture frames and objects surrounding the tv. I originally got this idea from this magazine picture:
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| Family Circle January 2011 |
I love, love, love how the tv blends in with the artwork. This could be fun and a lot easier to do than hanging those floating shelves. I also love the low credenza, but I'm looking for CONCEALED toy storage.
I've spent the weekend stalking Craigslist for some kind of credenza but didn't have much luck. I think I may have found some dining chairs though...I'll keep you posted.
For those of you with kids, do you have concealed toy storage in the living room? Does it help reduce the clutter? Which do you like better for our space- option #1 with the shelves, or option #2 with the picture gallery? Either way, I'm just really excited and looking forward to making this a space that all four of us can enjoy.
I love blues and greens and the ocean too! Our living/family room is actually blue- pretty rare around here since most people are into red. ha.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, that home you found is AMAZING(!) and probably big enough for both of us to share. . . .
I like option one unless you already have a lot of pictures that you want to display (vs things that are best displayed on shelves). I love the idea of concealed toy storage!! We've got a storage ottoman, which is fabulous. We also have all of Ansley's books in a crate so she can see them and get them. Right now it's easier than a bookshelf. Unfortunately not all the toys are concealed. The shopping cart, rocking horse, and little blue adirondack chair are in full view. It's not my favorite but we're also a bit short on storage.
I can't wait to see what you do!!
PS is that Curious George on Tv?
i love where you're going with this. you have such great ideas. we have 3 toy "buckets" from target. originally 1 for each kid with their specific own toys, but they all play with each others toys so much, that now everything is mixed. its an easy way to clean up, and i can easily carry a couple or all of the buckets to the basement when we need more space or are having grown up friends over. we have a bookshelf in our TV cabinet/entertainment center for the kids books. blocks and cars and trains have their own smaller buckets that slide under the end tables out of the way when not being played with. as the girls get older, they'll help you put stuff away better, and organization will come easier!
ReplyDeleteThe inspiration piece that Franz' mother painted is absolutely beautiful! As for the space by the tv I would opt to go with idea #2. I like the idea of the frames rather than the shelves and closed cabinets underneath rather than open because I think both concepts allow for the space to look clean and neat. Just my opinion. I am certain you will make the space look fabulous no matter what you choose! :-) Kristin
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so smitten with the peacock painting! Its wonderful. I also think the idea of mixing artwork on the wall along with the TV is a brilliant idea. Not so sure about the credenza, though. The idea of concealing toys behind closed doors sounds good on the surface, but our experience has been that little kids will hang on the doors (to the point that the doors hang crooked), run into them and hurt themselves or someone else, or constantly leave them open (which can be really, really, really annoying because you'll remind them 100 times to close the door and they just truly do "forget"). Of course, you do have to take your child's temperament into consideration and we have two very rambunctious boys and a little sis who tries to keep up with her brothers. How about an open shelving option like the one in your photo? Maybe while the girls are still small you use nice baskets (hey, more texture!) and conceal their things in there. I would also reduce the number of toys in the room and start rotating toys if you don't do that yet. Lots of times kids will throw stuff all over the floor because there is too much stuff to choose from and they are on overload. Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne has a fabulous chapter on this and other aspects of toy management. Just a few thoughts, but I know that whatever you come up with will be droolworthy itself. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour room will be so pretty with the blues and greens. :) I was first drawn to the idea of floating shelves, but I think either could work well.
ReplyDeleteJen, we are here in Cali but I don't have your email on my new iPad and not sure if I have your correct phone number. Can you email me so the iPad will pick up your email address. Send me your phone number too. Can't wait to see you!
ReplyDeleteHey Jen, I was at costco yesterday and saw a piece of furniture that was similar to the piece you have under your tv now. THe only difference was that it was dark brown and it had off white canvas baskets/drawers that went in each cube. Maybe you can do something like that.
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