Living room view from the ktichen

Peconic Bay Waterfront

Vital Habitats

Harold Ashwell

Changing Spaces

The main bedroom lounge is an extension of the main bedroom and an area where one can watch TV and work at the ample space the long desk provides. It has large L-Shaped custom made couches that are extra deep for comfort and relaxation. Textured fabrics were used for a few scatter cushions and a large chunky knit throw is the perfect cover to snuggle under on a chilly evening. Grass cloth wall paper in a light blue hue adds texture to the walls in this lounge area and a large Katherine Wood commissioned artwork works beautifully in this space against the wall paper. Custom made coffee table and side tables were manufactured in Oak and adds another material and layer to this area. A large lamp with raffia shade gives this lounge a tranquil ambience in the evenings. A soft area rug grounds and warms the space and adds yet another texture and depth of tone.

Irvine Terrace

Photography by Leigh Ann Rowe

BLUE LAGOON - Kyal and Kara

DIY Blinds

We first fell in love with Kyal and Kara when they appeared on The Block and have loved following their progress. Now we watch them undertake their first knock-down rebuild with the fabulous Blue Lagoon beachside family home. With their living, dining and kitchen space, Kyal and Kara have created a true heart of the home. Not only is this a space for family and friends to hang out, it also connects to every other area in the home. This fantastic open plan area screams both functionality and design – so what better addition than motorised curtains! The entire kitchen was designed around multi-tasking, and now with just the press of a button (or a quick “Hey Google”), you can be preparing dinner and close the curtains without taking a single step.

Tree Lodge

Geri Designs

Tumbled limestone features throughout, from the kitchen right through to the cosy double-doored family room at the far end and into the entrance hall

Basement Envy Anyone?

Innovative Design Build

This full basement renovation included adding a mudroom area, media room, a bedroom, a full bathroom, a game room, a kitchen, a gym and a beautiful custom wine cellar. Our clients are a family that is growing, and with a new baby, they wanted a comfortable place for family to stay when they visited, as well as space to spend time themselves. They also wanted an area that was easy to access from the pool for entertaining, grabbing snacks and using a new full pool bath.We never treat a basement as a second-class area of the house. Wood beams, customized details, moldings, built-ins, beadboard and wainscoting give the lower level main-floor style. There’s just as much custom millwork as you’d see in the formal spaces upstairs. We’re especially proud of the wine cellar, the media built-ins, the customized details on the island, the custom cubbies in the mudroom and the relaxing flow throughout the entire space.

DeVinci Cast Stone-Quick Ship Mantels

DeVinci Cast Stone

The Classic -DIY Cast Stone Fireplace Mantel Classic Modern Cast Stone Fireplace Surrounds made out of lightweight (GFRC) Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete. Our mantels can be installed indoor or outdoor. Offered in 2 different colors Builders, interior designers, masons, architects, and homeowners are looking for ways to beautify homes in their spare time as a hobby or to save on cost. DeVinci Cast Stone has met DIY-ers halfway by designing and manufacturing cast stone mantels with superior aesthetics, that can be easily installed at home with minimal experience, and at an affordable cost! Builders, interior designers, masons, architects, and homeowners are looking for ways to beautify homes in their spare time as a hobby or to save on cost. DeVinci Cast Stone has met DIY-ers halfway by designing and manufacturing cast stone mantels with superior aesthetics, that can be easily installed at home with minimal experience, and at an affordable cost!

Quincy Lift

GLDESIGN

The Ray, a plantation retreat

Architecture BRIO

Rockport Cottage Conversion

WORKS by Jesse DeBenedictis, LLC

Family room of this Rockport Cottage Conversion with bead board exposed beam ceiling, granite mantle, reclaimed shiplap detail on walls.

Hamptons cottage gut renovation

CONSCIOUS BODY CONSULTING

with the fireplace dividing the only shared space the challenge was to make the room flow and provide all necessary functions including kitchen, dining, and living room all in one

Edwards Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

Kiawah Residence

Jan Jones LLC

Water Walk

Jacoby & Sons Custom Home Builders

Brentwood: Home Renovation

Studio Kosma

Daniel Island Creek View

Phillip Smith General Contractor, LLC

Swarthmore Home

Kari Weaver Design

Santa Barbara Style Coastal Modern

C A L A F I A Home Design

Needing a refresh for their media room, clients in this Santa Barbara style home opted for a custom mix of contemporary and classic. For comfortable seating, we refurbished a rare mid-century lounge chair from Brazil, upholstered a slope-arm sofa in laundered linen, and created a custom ottoman from a vintage kilim rug. We established our palette with a traditional rug in ocean tones, adding modern ceramics and hand-woven textile accents to add warmth and patina.

Beachfront Elegance - Enchanted

Asher Slaunwhite + Partners

The connection to the surrounding ocean and dunes is evident in every room of this elegant beachfront home. By strategically pulling the home in from the corner, the architect not only creates an inviting entry court but also enables the three-story home to maintain a modest scale on the streetscape. Swooping eave lines create an elegant stepping down of forms while showcasing the beauty of the cedar roofing and siding materials.

Beach Style Living Room Design Photos with Exposed Beam

A living room, often referred to as a lounge room in Australia and New Zealand, is the hub of the home. If you only have one living room in the house, it’s likely to serve multiple purposes: be it a place to watch TV, play games, spend quality time with family or hang out with friends. If you have the luxury of two living areas, one is usually a formal living room or lounge room, reserved for reading, relaxing and entertaining. A successful beach style living room design is inviting, has enough seating for the whole clan – a comfortable couch is a must – and encourages conversation. Browse photos on Houzz for living room layouts, furniture and decor, and strike up a conversation with the interior designers or architects of your favourite picks. For even more beach style living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which beach style living room layouts will work best for you?

Every living area will have design challenges. A long, narrow lounge room, for example, risks looking like a hallway if furniture is lined up against the walls. Instead, opt for small furniture items, like a cosy two-seater couch, and create various focal points throughout the space. In square living rooms, a symmetrical layout encourages a formal setting. Place seating on either side of the room, with a focal point in the middle to pull the room together. For a truly intimate vibe, replace your couch with some occasional chairs positioned around a coffee table or ottoman. This will make the main focus conversation. An open-plan home – one where the lines are blurred between kitchen, dining and living – may require a layout that focuses on definition. You’ll want to make sure furniture doesn’t block the flow between spaces, and instead use something like an area rug to create zones.

How can you decorate your living room?

The living room can be a place in which to show off your personality, but if you want a timeless living room scheme, stick to neutral walls, couches and ottomans. Colour can be added through accessories, and is a lot more interchangeable! Rugs, cushions and throws are great for adding colour, while mirrors, lamps and ceiling lights will set the mood. Make your beach style living room unique by including family heirlooms and photos. For a polished look, try creating a coffee table vignette – you could use books as pedestals or group items together on a tray. Try adding a vase, a mixture of round and rectangular objects and some books.

What are some small living room ideas?

Small living room designs can be tricky to work with, but aren’t doomed to fail. Often, you just have to get creative with furniture. An open-back chaise can create a sense of spaciousness, while small side tables paired together can substitute a coffee table. Even better, an ottoman can be used as a footrest, coffee table or extra seating. Big furniture items like the couch are best kept in light colours, and if there’s room for a coffee table, a glass-top one is best. If you have two spaces in one – perhaps your beach style living room sits in front of a single-wall kitchen – make sure they are connected by decor, colour and style. For definition, just add area rugs, or use your couch as a dividing wall. It’s worth having a few furniture pieces, whether a bookshelf, couch or entertainment unit, in the same colour as the walls, too, so they blend into the room and visually expand the space.

Is open-plan living for you?

Today’s homes often embrace open-plan living, whereby the living room runs off the kitchen and/or dining areas. Open-plan living allows greater functionality, but can risk creating a vast, soulless space if not done right. To avoid a cavernous feel in an open-plan design, define areas with furniture, rugs and lighting, or consider using a wall divider. Also be sure to keep flooring, lighting and materials consistent throughout, for cohesiveness. Noise may be an issue – someone banging pots and pans while you’re watching TV, for example – so include lots of soft beach style furnishings, such as rugs, curtains and couches to help absorb the noise. You will also need to factor in plenty of storage, so mess is kept at bay.