A Colonial update: Comfy, colorful and moody

The Challenge:

To bring symmetry and flow to an asymmetrical, narrow space and create a “moody” vibe that wasn’t too dark.

The Solution:

My client’s Colonial home had no existing foyer space. And to make matters worse, there is a large bay window that is not on center to the opposite wall of doorways.

We focused on a floor plan that was centered around the fireplace of the end wall. This allowed us to create symmetry in an asymmetrical space. The sofa is centered on the fireplace with two swivels chairs opposite that are separated by a coffee table.

We selected swivel chairs to allow for a conversation pod with the sofa but also for people to spin around and enjoy the wood-burning fireplace. Additionally, by creating a furniture plan around the fireplace, this allowed the sofa to float in the room, which in turn created a passageway in front of the stairs for our “fake foyer.”

In our “fake foyer,” we added a console table flanked by ottomans for a place to take on or off shoes, or to allow additional seating to be pulled into the room.

Creating a moody vibe was a balancing act. The clients wanted wallpaper and dark walls but didn’t want it to feel like a cave. Wrapping the walls in dark wallpaper was the boldest move in the space. Instead of painting the trim white, we selected a green from the paper. This allows for subtle contrast between the trim and the walls instead of a jarring contrast with the more typical white. The ceiling, however, was painted white to reflect and bounce light down.

Additionally, we selected a lighter rug to counterbalance the ceiling and light accents in the window treatments, console and record player cabinet. Pro tip: nothing in these accent pieces is a solid color, which can read like solid blocks. The window treatments have tape with a pop of blue. The console is a lacquered, shiny white, and the cabinet is in a white linen with gold studs.

For the upholstery, we relied heavily on blending pattern and texture. The sofa is in a piano-like pattern that can stand on its own and also work with the wallpaper. The swivel chairs are a weave of cream and beige. The woven leather pillows on the swivel chairs bump up the style just enough.

Finally, we addressed the lighting. With a floating couch, it’s really tricky to have lamps nearby because of the hazard of exposed cords. Instead, we added a perforated brass pendant. We also added a wall sconce in the corner by the record player and a lamp on the console. When you think about lighting, you also need to think about mirrors, as they bounce around the light.

In the end, the clients had a space that satisfied the practical flow and was comfy, colorful and moody.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRIAN WETZEL The boldest move in this living room right off the main entrance was wrapping the walls in dark wallpaper from Cole & Son. Instead of painting the trim white, they selected a green from the paper for subtle contrast between the trim and the walls.

The ceiling was painted white to reflect and bounce light down. To counterbalance the ceiling, a lighter rug and light accents in the window treatments, record player cabinet and console were selected. A mirror over the fireplace effectively enhances the light.