Formal Living Design Ideas
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Décor AidWhen an international client moved from Brazil to Stamford, Connecticut, they reached out to Decor Aid, and asked for our help in modernizing a recently purchased suburban home. The client felt that the house was too “cookie-cutter,” and wanted to transform their space into a highly individualized home for their energetic family of four.
In addition to giving the house a more updated and modern feel, the client wanted to use the interior design as an opportunity to segment and demarcate each area of the home. They requested that the downstairs area be transformed into a media room, where the whole family could hang out together. Both of the parents work from home, and so their office spaces had to be sequestered from the rest of the house, but conceived without any disruptive design elements. And as the husband is a photographer, he wanted to put his own artwork on display. So the furniture that we sourced had to balance the more traditional elements of the house, while also feeling cohesive with the husband’s bold, graphic, contemporary style of photography.
The first step in transforming this house was repainting the interior and exterior, which were originally done in outdated beige and taupe colors. To set the tone for a classically modern design scheme, we painted the exterior a charcoal grey, with a white trim, and repainted the door a crimson red. The home offices were placed in a quiet corner of the house, and outfitted with a similar color palette: grey walls, a white trim, and red accents, for a seamless transition between work space and home life.
The house is situated on the edge of a Connecticut forest, with clusters of maple, birch, and hemlock trees lining the property. So we installed white window treatments, to accentuate the natural surroundings, and to highlight the angular architecture of the home.
In the entryway, a bold, graphic print, and a thick-pile sheepskin rug set the tone for this modern, yet comfortable home. While the formal room was conceived with a high-contrast neutral palette and angular, contemporary furniture, the downstairs media area includes a spiral staircase, comfortable furniture, and patterned accent pillows, which creates a more relaxed atmosphere. Equipped with a television, a fully-stocked bar, and a variety of table games, the downstairs media area has something for everyone in this energetic young family.
UserA 1980's townhouse located in the Fitler Square neighborhood of Philadelphia was in need of an upgrade. The project that resulted included substantial interior renovation to the four-story townhome overlooking the Schuylkill River.
The Owners desired a fresh interpretation of their existing space, more suited for entertaining and uncluttered modern living. This led to a reinvention of the modern master suite and a refocusing of architectural elements and materials throughout the home.
Originally comprised of a divided master bedroom, bathroom and office, the fourth floor was entirely redesigned to create a contemporary, open-plan master suite. The bedroom, now located in the center of the floor plan, is composed with custom built-in furniture and includes a glass terrarium and a wet bar. It is flanked by a dressing room on one side and a luxurious bathroom on the other, all open to one another both visually and by circulation. The bathroom includes a free-standing tub, glass shower, custom wood vanity, eco-conscious fireplace, and an outdoor terrace. The open plan allows for great breadth and a wealth of natural light, atypical of townhouse living.
The main entertaining floor houses the kitchen, dining area and living room. A sculptural ceiling defines the open dining area, while a long, low concrete hearth connects the new modern fireplace with the concrete stair treads leading up. The bright, neutral color palette of the walls and finishes contrasts against the blackened wood floors. Sleek but comfortable furnishing, dramatic recessed lighting, and a full-home speaker system complete the entertaining space.
Barry Halkin and Todd Mason Photography
Fredman Design GroupTo cultivate a sense of warmth and coziness where the family will gather, we added architectural ridge beams and rustic barn wood to the ceilings and updated the fireplace with shiplap. To surprise the client with a living room that truly got the heart of who they are as a family, we created a special nook reserved just for doing puzzles—their favorite way to spend time together.
Jill Buckner Photography
Woodford Architecture and InteriorsRichard Downer
We were winners in a limited architectural competition for the design of a stunning new penthouse apartment, described as one of the most sought after and prestigious new residential properties in Devon.
Our brief was to create an exceptional modern home of the highest design standards. Entrance into the living areas is through a huge glazed pivoting doorway with minimal profile glazing which allows natural daylight to spill into the entrance hallway and gallery which runs laterally through the apartment.
A huge glass skylight affords sky views from the living area, with a dramatic polished plaster fireplace suspended within it. Sliding glass doors connect the living spaces to the outdoor terrace, designed for both entertainment and relaxation with a planted green walls and water feature and soft lighting from contemporary lanterns create a spectacular atmosphere with stunning views over the city.
The design incorporates a number of the latest innovations in home automation and audio visual and lighting technologies including automated blinds, electro chromic glass, pop up televisions, picture lift mechanisms, lutron lighting controls to name a few.
The design of this outstanding modern apartment creates harmonised spaces using a minimal palette of materials and creates a vibrant, warm and unique home
VanillawoodCustom cadillac sofa large enough to fit the whole family, plus a couple other families too, designed for maximum lounging.
Formal Living Design Ideas
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