Play With Pattern Richly patterned elements can make a space feel much more amorous. In this eclectic den, Coddington Design coated one wall in a bold, graphic orange-and-grey wallpaper. "The habit gray velvet couch, white coffee table, Moroccan-style area rug, and vintage, silver side tables highlight the overall look," say the designers. The end result is modern, but warm.
Opt for Warm Woods Maximizing light and sea views is often a primary aim of waterfront structure, and one which may come in the form of forfeiting coziness for chilly angularity. But architect Joseph Tanney was cautious to steer clear of this snare. He explains how he struck just the right balance in this endeavor: "The long and linear coastline is captured inside the proportions of this tropical space, while the use of warm woods, fabrics and lighting create an intimate space in contrast to the expansive views of the ocean framed by floor-to-ceiling windows"
Go Crazy for Color It may seem counter-intuitive, but deep, rich colors can be more powerful options in tiny spaces (or anywhere you would like to create personality and add atmosphere) than the pale, reflective colors most of us are inclined toward. "If the distance is small, treat it like a stone box," says designer Ann Lowengart. "Paint the walls an impactful color, utilize high-gloss for vibrancy, add pieces with varying textures and coating in a lot of accessories. That's all convinced to include up to a dramatic, entertaining and cozy area."
Contain Art Designer Amy Elbaum used rich color and texture -- and a show-stopping painting -- to make warmth and richness in a little, architecturally undistinguished space. She states: "In this small condo living room, we wanted to create a relaxing and romantic space for your customer and their growing family. Lots of comfortable seating upholstered in rich velvet and mohair together with a patterned wool rug rug give the space a warm, inviting texture. The built-in bookcases and multiple cocktail tables give necessary surface and storage space to provide a functional yet comfy room."
Comfort Is Key Combining elegance and comfort in precisely the exact same space is crucial, especially when square footage is at a premium. "I wanted to give the homeowners a chic area, but keep it youthful, so they'd feel totally comfortable hanging out and relaxing there," says designer Jenny J. Norris of the compact living room. She adds: "The midcentury modern-inspired sofa paired together with the swing-arm light brings just a touch of classic, while the wooden stools add a dash of glam. The arctic landscape photo hanging above the couch is so calm in this little space, especially juxtaposed with the picture rug"
Go Rustic In a lodge-style living room, a mix of natural materials and rich colors creates the ultimate in rustic relaxation. But it's the focal-point fireplace, with its stacked stone facing and wood mantel, that provides the room its heat, visually anchoring the collecting centre and providing heat to your woodsy space too. Layout by Lands End Development.
Pile About the Patterns Staging a home for sale is about creating the space seem accessible and inviting to prospective buyers. With this house in North Vancouver, Fluff Designs attracted elements of softness and character to a room that could feel too cool and contemporary. Pillows in a selection of colors and textures gave the minimalist sofa a lusher appearance; a geometric patterned rug helped ground the seating area within the sleek, open space; and an abstract artwork brought attention to the fireplace, accentuating the warm and cozy potential of this room.
Display Family Photos Open expanses of wall area can make any space feel empty and chilly. To fix this issue in a family room, designer Kelly Brown took a very personal approach. "Hidden in a computer file, my clients had these beautiful family portraits shot with a very gifted photographer. They had been having trouble deciding which ones they desired to publish and display so rather than the dreaded task of picking and choosing, I suggested two gallery partitions to fill the vacant spaces and exhibit the warmth and love which was captured inside them. Whether enjoying games on the enormous dining-table-turned-coffee-table or sitting back on the oversize sectional to watch films, it's a fun, bright, kid-friendly area they love sharing with family members and friends."
Maximize Modest Spaces Compact spaces are naturally comfy, but the trick could be keeping them from feeling oppressively tiny. Here, designer Scott Sassoon converted a fundamental white box into a snug den and exhibit space for his client's collection of antiques and books, wrap the room from floor to ceiling into cerused white oak paneling, for a look that's rich and warm but still light and contemporary. Custom made cabinets and shelving with integrated LED light strips highlight the collection. "The custom built-in sofa and upholstery supply design continuity and comfy room usability," says Sassoon.
Small Can Be Big Rather than trying to make this tiny living space feel bigger, designer Anna Williams took the opposite tack, capitalizing instead on the diminutive proportions. "We utilized a warm gray on the walls to create an intimate space," she states. "Darker colors and luxurious fabrics on the furniture such as the navy blue sofa and gray rug -- highlight the comfy atmosphere. We included white accent furniture to give a few freshness and keep the room from feeling overly dim. Frosted French doors bring about extra light, while allowing the region to feel private."
Insert Impact With Window Treatments Creating an elegant impact in a little space takes a careful selection of materials and palette. Designer J. Allen describes how it's done: "By draping the windows using a graphic pattern up into the ceiling, we could add a little bit of drama whilst creating the illusion of higher ceilings and more room. The monochromatic palette provides a cozy factor that also gives the living room a more spacious feel by enabling the eye to flow uninterrupted across the room. Glass tables and Lucite accents add interest without including visual weight while still layered patterns and textures like Mongolian fur, velvet and Ikat give the space a lavish sophisticated feel. The end result is a major design for a little living room!"
Consider Flow in Open-Concept Spaces Giving a joint space a feeling of intimacy can pose a challenge, especially when that distance is so long and narrow as the one in this undertaking. Designer Anna Braund started by creating a cohesive envelope for the entire space. "To give the rooms a seamless transition, and cause them to appear larger than they are, we picked for neutral, light furnishings and finishes in both the kitchen and living room, breaking the delineation between the spaces so that they read as one large space," she states. Instead of picking a high-contrast palette, or completing each space in a different way which would make them feel more different from one another." She used a prized artwork as inspiration for the decor: "The painting held sentimental value for the owners, so I used it as a springboard for picking fabrics and ascertaining the palette for the space," she states.
Play With Scale To provide a long, narrow room in a tiny apartment a feeling of expansive presence, designer Angela Raciti chose a surprising approach. "The trick to getting this distance to work sounds counterintuitive," she says. "I utilized key, larger scaled pieces that were multifunctional. The built-in works as a press console whilst concealing wires and the cable box, and the acrylic coffee table serves its function when taking up no visual space. The muted color palette flows from room to room, and the panels on the French doors creating a welcoming entrance to the bedroom. Floor-to-ceiling panels on the bedroom windows accentuate the airy ceiling height and add a second layer of softness."
Incorporate Character How do you create character in a space you do not own? By layering textures and patterns, as Helen Nicholson did in this apartment in Edinburgh, Scotland. "The apartment has a breathtaking view of Edinburgh Castle," says Nicholson. "So we wanted to incorporate a lot of antique furniture alongside more contemporary pieces and lots of yummy textures. The chair between the windows is an original Charles II chair dated from round the 1660, and this sits contrary a first Harry Bertoia 'Diamond Chair' from the early 1950's. We love to mix it up."
