Room of the Week: An Art-Filled, Beautifully Blue Living Room
An entrancing blue rug reflects the harbour views and modern art in this well-coordinated living area
Vanessa Walker
28 November 2017
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Photos by Maree Homer
Styling and answers by Danielle Trippett of Danielle Trippett Interior Design and Decoration
Who lives here: A professional couple with adult children who are no longer at home.
Location: Sydney’s North Shore, NSW
Room size: Approximately 14 x 6 metres, incorporating the dining area, sitting room and a reception area that houses a grand piano.
Styling and answers by Danielle Trippett of Danielle Trippett Interior Design and Decoration
Who lives here: A professional couple with adult children who are no longer at home.
Location: Sydney’s North Shore, NSW
Room size: Approximately 14 x 6 metres, incorporating the dining area, sitting room and a reception area that houses a grand piano.
Brief
My clients built this home in 2002 and had decorated it in what was, at the time, a very on-trend dark-brown palette with earthy red accessories. Over the years, they have collected and commissioned some stunning modern art, which was not being shown to its full potential. On my first visit, it was apparent that the bright colours in the art did not complement the interior furnishings. However, I was wowed by the amazing harbour views and wanted to pull the deep watery blues into the scheme.
Above all else, functionality was paramount as this family-oriented couple wanted to entertain and use this room regularly, so the interior had to be child friendly and capable of hosting large groups.
My clients built this home in 2002 and had decorated it in what was, at the time, a very on-trend dark-brown palette with earthy red accessories. Over the years, they have collected and commissioned some stunning modern art, which was not being shown to its full potential. On my first visit, it was apparent that the bright colours in the art did not complement the interior furnishings. However, I was wowed by the amazing harbour views and wanted to pull the deep watery blues into the scheme.
Above all else, functionality was paramount as this family-oriented couple wanted to entertain and use this room regularly, so the interior had to be child friendly and capable of hosting large groups.
Starting point
I was inspired by the water and found this reflected in the swirling patterns of Indigenous artist Minnie Pwerle’s designs. We custom-sized a large square version of this artwork as a bespoke floor rug. The rug became the focal point of the living room, like a piece of art on the floor. The colours of the modern artwork also played a part. I picked up the sunny yellow, greys and metallic golds as accent colours to the blue and white scheme.
The sofas were still in good condition, so were reupholstered in a rich blue chenille velvet; we added texture with silk scatter cushions to enhance the artwork over the sofa wall.
I was inspired by the water and found this reflected in the swirling patterns of Indigenous artist Minnie Pwerle’s designs. We custom-sized a large square version of this artwork as a bespoke floor rug. The rug became the focal point of the living room, like a piece of art on the floor. The colours of the modern artwork also played a part. I picked up the sunny yellow, greys and metallic golds as accent colours to the blue and white scheme.
The sofas were still in good condition, so were reupholstered in a rich blue chenille velvet; we added texture with silk scatter cushions to enhance the artwork over the sofa wall.
I included feature pieces of furniture such as the faceted smoked-eucalyptus buffet and marble side tables to enhance existing pieces, as well as gold sculptural feature lamps and a new dining room pendant light to play up the gold accents.
Key design aspects
Materials palette: I created a layered interior by using various fabrics such as chenille velvets, silk sateens and damask. In the furniture and accessories I choose rattan, warm wood tones, metallic gold lighting, blue textured glassware and classic Chinese ginger jars.
Materials palette: I created a layered interior by using various fabrics such as chenille velvets, silk sateens and damask. In the furniture and accessories I choose rattan, warm wood tones, metallic gold lighting, blue textured glassware and classic Chinese ginger jars.
Colour palette: The interior was given a dramatic makeover and freshened up with a rich blue and white palette, touches of radiant yellow and metallic gold. We also painted some feature walls in a deep blue for strong impact and to enhance some major pieces of art.
Key pieces of furniture: The Camp Sites rug was custom-made by Designer Rugs based on the artwork of Minnie Pwerle. The Rockefeller sideboard is from Boyd Blue and the Mason Gold pendant light is from Cromwell Australia.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture
The furniture was specified to be flexible and easily moved, depending on the use and number of guests, as well as to feature the harbour view. The sofas can face each other or one can go to the side wall and one to the window.
The furniture was specified to be flexible and easily moved, depending on the use and number of guests, as well as to feature the harbour view. The sofas can face each other or one can go to the side wall and one to the window.
Why do you think this room works?
Overall the room complements rather than competes with the stunning outlook, but is also a beautiful setting in itself once the sun sets.
My clients wanted to change the mood of this room and make it a brighter space for both day and night. I think the fresh palette achieved this change from its once dark and moody interior. I think I have achieved a room that is visually striking and beautiful, and one that enhances the already striking harbour water views.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
More
See more Rooms of the Week
Overall the room complements rather than competes with the stunning outlook, but is also a beautiful setting in itself once the sun sets.
My clients wanted to change the mood of this room and make it a brighter space for both day and night. I think the fresh palette achieved this change from its once dark and moody interior. I think I have achieved a room that is visually striking and beautiful, and one that enhances the already striking harbour water views.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
More
See more Rooms of the Week
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Blue is such a cool restful colour, it is just not used enough. LOVE that magpie.
Whilst blue would not be my first choice, this room is perfect, can't say there is very much I don't like and even the extremely bright rug looks fantastic.
Just goes to show how when a room is "done right" how it can be irrelevant what colour palette is used!
This same elegant look could be achieved with other colours too.
Love Minnie Pwerle's work.