DECORATING FROM SCRATCH
right after moving into a new home can be a daunting task. That’s what Calgary homeowner Stacey Bresnahan was facing before Style at Home and IKEA came to the rescue. “I was nervous just trying to figure out what to do with the living room,” says Stacey, a winner of the Style at Home Makeover Contest presented by IKEA Canada.
After purchasing this 1,100-square-foot home in northwest Calgary, Stacey temporarily furnished the living room with two club chairs, a sideboard and a few plants – but she knew the space’s high ceiling, white-painted brick fireplace, huge windows and hardwood floor merited a more stylish set-up. Open to both the kitchen and the dining area, the living room cried out for family-friendly coziness and functionality. Stacey, who works for WestJet and shares the house with her three children (twins Ben and Andrew, 11, and Keira, 8), sought something chic and comfy. “I wanted the space to be relaxed enough for the family to lounge in but stylish enough to host company,” she says, noting she also had her heart set on including a sectional. “It was important to have a place for people to just sit and chat.”
While Stacey was planning the design, a friend told her about the makeover contest. “Just a few weeks after moving into the house last fall, I won!” she says. “I couldn’t believe the timing.” Given the opportunity to get what she wanted with professional guidance, Stacey requested a clean-lined Scandinavian look with a light neutral palette and lots of storage.
Style at Home’s home and style director, Ann Marie Favot, agreed the bones of the house best suited an unfussy aesthetic.
How a Calgary homeowner won her way to the comfy and collected living room she always wanted.
“A Mid-Century Modern-inspired interior really complements the architecture,” she says. Ann Marie also approved the use of a sectional for the 16-by-17-foot space, selecting a modular version that’s both comfortable and practical. “The chaise part of the sofa is actually an ottoman, so it can be moved around,” she explains. “And the sofa seats lift up to reveal a spot to stow things underneath.” Essential storage was also incorporated via sleek wall-mounted cabinets, arranged to resemble a custom sideboard.
While a calm neutral colour scheme of grey, brown and white complements the room’s Scandinavian vibe, hits of pattern and a friendly mustard hue add interest alongside a combination of textural elements, such as the rattan chairs, jute rug and airy bamboo light fixture. Oversized accessories offer character without adding clutter, and a gallery wall serves as a focal point with personality.
The overall look is sophisticated, but it’s not too formal for this young family of four. “I didn’t want the space to feel too fussy,” says Ann Marie. “Stacey and her kids should be comfortable here and use the room often.”
Still in disbelief about the lucky timing of it all, Stacey is thrilled with the results. And so are her kids. “They actually didn’t spend a lot of time in the living room before,” she says. “They were always in the basement – but now they’re here all the time.”