Guest Picks: Living Room Inspired By Mary McDonald
Let's start with the windows and some luxurious-looking drapes. These drapes are off the rack and very affordable.
There's a pair of oval-back French chairs at the other end of the room. I found these reproduction chairs, and I think you will love the price and the look.
McDonald mixes all shades of green. Her couch is a deep, dark green, but you could choose another tone.
This well-priced little sofa could give you the feeling of McDonald's sofa, but without being a literal copy.
The toss pillows on McDonald's couch are done in Clarence House Tigre velvet, which retails for over $1,000 per yard. I found these at a price you can afford.
The side tables in McDonald's living room are two tiered with marble tops. I couldn't find anything at a good price point for us real girls, so I chose this one with two glass shelves and a chinoiserie feel.
If you want a marble-top table, you could use this square one instead of a round one.
McDonald accessorizes with lots of little vases and objects in various shades of green. This is an instant collection of small ceramic pieces.
The coffee table in McDonald's living room is black marble with waterfall sides. I chose this one because the sides are closed and I like the handle detail. It's also a trunk, so it's great for storage.
I did find an affordable black marble coffee table. It's sold in a set, but never use all the tables together. Break up the set, and just use the coffee table in the living room. You could use the end tables as nightstands or give them away.
McDonald has a collection of green objects on her coffee table. I chose these inexpensive green glass vases as a gesture towards what she did. Look for them at second-hand stores.
There's a white bench across from the couch, and I think this one is a pretty good replica.
McDonald has a yellow stripe pillow on the white bench. I just wanted the feeling of it, and this velvety one looks expensive, but it's not.
There's also a leopard throw on the white bench. You can afford this super soft and cuddly one.
At one end of the room is a pair of French-style chairs upholstered in green velvet. You don't have to have the exact same thing and can still get the look with a pair of these tufted beauties.
Tufting not your thing? A pair of these green wingback chairs would also work.
There is a pair of antique console tables in the room that do not have stretchers on the bottom. I like this one because it looks like an antique.
McDonald loves chinoiserie, and this well-priced console table would work in a room inspired by hers.
There's a very chunky simple mirror over each console table. Something like this would work.
It looks like there is a gold-toned lamp on each console table. Check your local thrift stores for brass lamps like your granny used to have. I've seen them priced from $5 to $20.
A pair of these well-priced lamps would look great as styled on the console tables.
McDonald loves her blue and white Chinese porcelain. She tucks large pieces under each console table.
Try to change up the shapes of the blue and white porcelain in your collection.
Why not do green and white porcelain too?
Let's move to the fireplace mantel. McDonald went very traditional in her new living room and hung a pretty landscape over the mantel.
Search Etsy, eBay, and flea markets for a vintage landscape painiting.
These modern urn forms would look great on the mantel. If you don't have a fireplace, style a chest or credenza with the same elements.
This pair of green glass lamps would work in the McDonald–inspired room. Remember that you don't have to copy it item by item — maybe just add a piece or two to feel like a Million Dollar Decorator.
Collect all kind of vases in green, glass or ceramic.
Don't have room for a collection of vases? This witty and pretty print is another interpretation.
Temple jars are very Mary McDonald.
This lamp with a green urn-shaped base has the flavor inspired by McDonald's room.
McDonald has been collecting furniture and accessories for years, and she can instantly pull together a fabulous look from her stash.My Guest Picks for you are inspired by this room from the designer.
Q