1960s formal and open concept living room photo in San Francisco with gray walls

“People tend to want to place their sofas right against the wall,” Lovett says. “I always try to float the sofa a bit and give the sofa some breathing room. Here, we didn’t have floor outlets or any eye-level lighting. Incorporating table lamps allows for mood lighting and ambiance. We placed a console behind the sofa to bring in large-scale lamps, which also helped fill in the negative space between the sofa and the bottom of the windows.” Photography: Amy Bartlam

A PLACE TO GATHER Location: Eagan, MN, USA This family of five wanted an inviting space to gather with family and friends. Mom, the primary cook, wanted a large island with more organized storage – everything in its place – and a crisp white kitchen with the character of an older home. Challenges: Design an island that could accommodate this family of five for casual weeknight dinners. Create more usable storage within the existing kitchen footprint. Design a better transition between the upper cabinets on the 8-foot sink wall and the adjoining 9-foot cooktop wall. Make room for more counter space around the cooktop. It was poorly lit, cluttered with small appliances and confined by the tall oven cabinet. Solutions: A large island, that seats 5 comfortably, replaced the small island and kitchen table. This allowed for more storage including cookbook shelves, a heavy-duty roll out shelf for the mixer, a 2-bin recycling center and a bread drawer. Tall pantries with decorative grilles were placed between the kitchen and family room. These created ample storage and helped define each room, making each one feel larger, yet more intimate. A space intentionally separates the upper cabinets on the sink wall from those on the cooktop wall. This created symmetry on the sink wall and made room for an appliance garage, which keeps the countertops uncluttered. Moving the double ovens to the former pantry location made way for more usable counter space around the cooktop and a dramatic focal point with the hood, cabinets and marble backsplash. Special Features: Custom designed corbels and island legs lend character. Gilt open lanterns, antiqued nickel grilles on the pantries, and the soft linen shade at the kitchen sink add personality and charm. The unique bronze hardware with a living finish creates the patina of an older home. A walnut island countertop adds the warmth and feel of a kitchen table. This homeowner truly understood the idea of living with the patina of marble. Her grandmother’s marble-topped antique table inspired the Carrara countertops. The result is a highly organized kitchen with a light, open feel that invites you to stay a while. Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room remodel in Birmingham with beige walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a stone fireplace

This living room has lots of windows and we didn't like the look of having a TV so we build a soffit and installed a retractable projector screen. The style is a mix of midcentury modern meets Nordic Style with ethnical touches and lots of different textures. Photo credit Aubrie Pick

arthur rutenberg homes
Example of a classic open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Tampa with white walls

Richard Leo Johnson Wallpaper: Schumacher Chenonceau - Charcoal Coffee Table: Jonathan Adler Jacques Cocktail Table Rug: West Elm Kasbah Wool Rug Table Lamp: Robert Abbey Fineas Table Lamp Roman Shade Fabric: Quadrille Montecito Zig Zag Loveseat: Bunny Williams Home - Nailhead Sofa Loveseat Fabric: Schumacher Varese Accent Pillows: Romo Breathe Velvet (custom) Desk Chair: Vintage (refinished) Antelope: Vintage

three blade fan, crown molding, drapes, tall sliders, water view, brown leather couch, area rug, rectangle coffee table, accent chair, built-in entertainment center, brown wood, framed tv, surround sound built-in, blue throw pillows, blue rug, diagonal flooring, natural wood floors, end table, table lamp, framed art, beige wall, white trip

Janine Dowling Design, Inc. www.janinedowling.com Michael J. Lee Photography
Example of a mid-sized classic open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in Boston with beige walls

photo by Marco Ricca
Large beach style dark wood floor bedroom photo in New York with beige walls

Example of a transitional formal family room design in DC Metro

The walls are covered in a linen paper which , along with the crunchy sisal carpet, adds texture and warmth.
Living room - mid-sized traditional enclosed dark wood floor living room idea in New York with blue walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

design by Pulp Design Studios | http://pulpdesignstudios.com/


Allen Cooley
Inspiration for a large transitional open concept dark wood floor living room remodel in Atlanta with white walls and a standard fireplace

Colorful guest bedroom in raspberry. Custom drapery. Nightstands by Crate and Barrel. Lamps and bed provided by client. Bedding by Matouk. Design By Krista Watterworth Design Studio of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Erica George Dines
Example of a cottage formal living room design in Jacksonville

Catch up on your latest book or cuddle up to watch a movie in this cozy living room retreat.
Family room - small transitional enclosed carpeted family room idea in Los Angeles with gray walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

This dining room was built around an artisan table that was a prized possesion of the clients. It was made entirely without nails by a Seattle artist. To compliment the table, Alexandra Rae created a room in the vein of master Mid Century furniture makers. The brass chandelier, carved floating buffet and tufted velvet saber leg chairs subtly nod to Mad Men chic. Details like the sculptural vases, hand carved candle sticks and poured concrete lamps ground the space with the same post modern artisanal personality of the dining table

Designer: Amber Clore, A.Clore Interiors Photos: Simo Drissi Photography
Example of an eclectic bedroom design in Orlando with gray walls