Scenario Architecture SaveEmail 7. Leave a space unfilled We talk a lot about clutter, but it’s time to say sayonara (Japanese for ‘goodbye’) to all that mess. Space is so prized in Tokyo, that residents routinely view it as a feature in its own right – the mantra being that sometimes emptiness can be beautiful. In a small space, it may seem counterintuitive to create this kind of breathing space when you could be cramming in more stuff, but it can be good for the soul. In fact, in Japan, incompleteness is considered beautiful, as it enables contrast with the busy. So next time you decorate, leave a corner untouched or a wall blank and see what you think. This dining room is a great example of making this sort of emptiness work – the logs, flowers and soft cushion ensure it’s not a stark corner, but that luxurious white space keeps this interior feeling quiet and calm.
Pop culture Be careful with this idea, though done right it could solve all manner of issues. In this Newtown terrace in Sydney, there was nowhere else to put the TV except here – so it rises out of the cabinetry when you need it. It’s very James Bond and in the wrong hands could be fairly tasteless…
When our practice was commissioned to modernise this period home and open up dark rooms without losing the essence of its history, our client was extremely nervous. The thought of knocking down walls to reveal rooms beyond was daunting. A technique we used and discussed previously was to install large mirrors on either side of the fireplace to give the illusion that the fireplace itself was a standalone feature between two rooms. The ceiling appears to float right past the face of the fireplace to the room behind. More importantly, the mirrors provided a transparent backdrop to display the oversized ceramic vases while at the same time reflecting light into the now bright room.
In this case the garden seat is the right thing because it is a careful extension of the sculptural pieces placed very thoughtfully on the bookcase — extending a needed touch of blue into another part of the room and adding a surface for flowers to rest on. It’s just the right thing in this very meticulously planned living room.
shelves
good TV set-up
I washed it with a thin layer of black oil paint
Note the use of storage cubes in lieu of a conventional coffee table; they can also double as seating when friends pay a visit.
For this second original fireplace in the house, Harris painted the mantel and wall a matte charcoal. She says you can go both ways with trim painting: matching the trim to the wall color adds subtle texture to the room, blending surfaces together, while the unified color accentuates the room’s height. Alternatively, traditional contrasting trim creates more movement and visual breaks.
This custom-mixed brick-toned red lives happily in the kitchen, where color psychologists claim it stimulates the appetite.... I love the shade
I love the red
metallic wallpaper bring in shining glamor. Try this for curtains!!!! - metallic
Apply gilding and painted finishes to walls, mouldings, trim, ceilings, and furniture.
golden toned stencil border.
idea - also like Anne's in L'ton
A medium-scale geometric would work beautifully; this is also something to consider for your throw pillows.
instead of sticking with the same exact red throughout the dining and living spaces, layer your reds. The brownish red from your painting can be dominant, then pair it with a mix of muted and high-energy options.
Here the panel track has been left exposed to reveal its simplicity. The panels can be very lightweight, in which case sliding them out of the way is easy. The material of these resembles bamboo or woven wood, which is commonly used in Roman shades.
I love these panels!
I like the boxed-in shelving
OK — feel free to take baby steps. Do you feel the zing that just that tiny bit of chrome yellow on the handrail brings to this room? Better yet, the animal-print pillow is in a nonmatching shade. Perfect.
Do you think yellow ought to be limited to cottage or country interiors? Take a gander at this room and think again. High-glam contemporary blacks, grays and yellow? Without a doubt.
I like the balance here. I also like the plain mirror!!
including the "above' space!
Painting your surround, mantel and chimney breast a color that contrasts with the rest of the woodwork — particularly if the rest of the millwork is white — is a stellar way to bring interest and depth to your room.
Distinctive quality. Pick three distinct patterns and give each one its own layer. In this instance, playing elongated shapes against squares adds another level of pattern to the mix.
This room exemplifies the stunning use of textiles. The pair of dog pillows set the stage on the sofa, while the ethnic-inspired art prompts the diverse color palette. The linear rug and floor pillows add yet another dimension.
I like the balance in the built in - is it because of the central "plank" look in the shelving?
Deal with the hearth this way??
put molding on top!
less is more? beside the fireplace? she maintains a Scandinavian sensibility in the way she decorates, from the chalky grays and whites to the rustic woods and layers of texture.
When it comes to dressing the table, Chamard likes to assemble pieces from his black and white pottery collection down the center and fill them with flowers. “I collect only vases in these colors,” he says. “I found that when you stick to a color, it doesn’t matter if the finish is matte or glossy.”
soft blue
colour scheme
Here the designer selected a monochromatic palette of various spa greens and threw in touches of black in side tables and lampshades. Notice the great black and white trim that was selected for the leading edge of the curtain. Small detail, big impact.
table on an angle!
I like the bookcase in relation to the table
simple bookshelves
I like the vertical artworks
Large statement pieces like this — and the massive coffee table — balance one another and mean you don’t need to have as much “stuff” for the room to feel furnished.
I like the Glass in front!!! of the mirror!!
Better yet, create the look of miniature trees in country-inspired planters with boughs from the garden (or tree lot). The mix shown here has a little of everything, from crock to watering can to simple pottery, and arrangements like these can be used inside or set outside in a protected area.
mirrored splashback in living room!
Q