Living/Family Rooms
The living room is separated from the dining room and kitchen by a pony wall (you can just see the top of the abstract painting that hangs over the sofa peeking above it). Before the remodel, this shot would not have been possible, as the breakfast room was separated from the dining room by a floor-to-ceiling wall. “We just don’t live like that anymore,” Mallory says of the old space and the decision to open it up. “It’s much more desirable to be able to flow between spaces. And, now that the wall is gone, you can see through the windows of the dining room as you sit at the breakfast table and enjoy the view.”
RANCH HOUSE UNCHANGED FLOOR PLAN Although the layout and the indoor–outdoor nature of the home were carefully preserved, many of the tired finishes had to be replaced. “Throughout the house, furniture and accessories are large and simple, making for a graphic decorative statement. In this cabinet, the designer included natural elements such as corals, shells and ammonites. “I love mixing in items from nature,” she says. “They look pretty, they blend well with any style and they add dimension to a room.”
Many ranch homes of the time were built with sunken or step-down formal living rooms. It’s a feature that has, by and large, been remodeled away in many houses. Mallory and her clients chose to preserve the element, and to reach this room you must go down two steps. The space itself is furnished with a mix of classic, colonial, rustic and midcentury pieces — a similar stylistic brew that might have been found in many ranchers in the early 1950s.
Figure 2 Fire/TV room divider with 270 degree turn able TV box. Designed and commissioned by despina design Cabinetry by Touchwood Interiors TV installation by Perth Audio Visual Photo by Pearlin design & photography
Extending this countertop serves a dual purpose: It opens plenty of space to tuck in stools, and it also expands the work area when no one's eating.
This circular breakfast bar has several things going for it. Not only does it allow for easier conversation than a traditional side-by-side seating arrangement, but it also has the feel of a table. A dropped cabinet separates it from the work surface without putting too much distance between the two.
A slim breakfast bar runs the perimeter of this screened-in porch — an ingenious way to maximize space and keep the focus on those amazing views.
The rear of this half-wall could easily have languished as wasted space. Thankfully, someone saw an opportunity and put it to work with a simple bracketed strip of wood that creates the perfect spot for perching with coffee or cocktails.
Finally, if you have a kitchen that does not have an overhang for stools, but you love the concept, consider this imaginative solution. Put a tall table like this one up against your counter and voilà! Instant bar, instant homework station, instant wine and appetizer headquarters, instant welcome.
or with a giant screw mechanism, like on this one. An adjustable stool is a seriously good idea, and one that could singlehandedly dry up the used-bar-stool market. Vintage Toledo Bar Chair: Restoration Hardware
Glass shelving above a pass-through allows for an open, minimalist feel while presenting lots of opportunity for lighting details.
Create a pass-through that doubles as a display for special dishes and glasses. Spotlight special pieces for a bit of drama.
A coffee table alternative. Why go with just a coffee table when a trio of petite, sculptural stools is so much more functional? Use them clustered together between parties, then divvy them up when guests arrive to be used as extra side tables and seats. A cushy, upholstered ottoman will also work splendidly and will provide more space for spreading out or putting feet on — perfect if you prefer a larger coffee table.
Earthy elements such as nubby, textural fabrics and a handmade rug made of wool and silk help blur the line between the contemporary and the natural. Lest you forget your impressive location, a map of San Francisco incorporates the blues of the water and sky.
Living Room Earthy elements such as nubby, textural fabrics and a handmade rug made of wool and silk help blur the line between the contemporary and the natural. Lest you forget your impressive location, a map of San Francisco incorporates the blues of the water and sky.
Warm and worldly, this living room features a harmonious blend of natural materials and textures. An open floor plan and subtle distinctions of function were created
COFFEE TABLE BASE
URLhttp://www.terratelms.com CategoryLiving Room StyleContemporary LocationBoston
URLhttp://www.terratelms.com CategoryLiving Room StyleContemporary LocationBoston
ORIGINAL RANCH HOUSE WITH SAME FLOORPLAN The family room is topped by another classic ranch house feature: A wood-paneled ceiling and exposed rafters. “They were in pretty bad shape, and very dirty,” says Mallory. But she and the owners didn’t want to paint them, choosing to sandblast and refinish them instead. The statement ceiling is balanced by a floor crafted from reclaimed walnut.
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