Staging is the art of enhancing the visual appeal of your home, to increase its market value, attract a larger pool of potential buyers and getting you an offer in the shortest amount of time. My stagings are intentionally designed to be warm and inviting while showcasing features and create a "wow" impression at the moment a prospective buyer enters the home. Serving the San Francisco East Bay Area.

APARTAMENTO EN PALS

RAFAEL VARGAS FOTOGRAFIA SL

Royal Richmond

April Hamilton Interiors LLP

Beautiful silk swags for cream based living room design. Glad pendant with swirl mantle mirror and large silk jacaranda rug

Libertine

Unique Homestays

Whitchurch Victorian Drawing Room

Laura Porter Interior Design

Grade II Listed Cottage: Sitting Room

Natalie Davies Interior Design

Currently living overseas, the owners of this stunning Grade II Listed stone cottage in the heart of the North York Moors set me the brief of designing the interiors. Renovated to a very high standard by the previous owner and a totally blank canvas, the brief was to create contemporary warm and welcoming interiors in keeping with the building’s history. To be used as a holiday let in the short term, the interiors needed to be high quality and comfortable for guests whilst at the same time, fulfilling the requirements of my clients and their young family to live in upon their return to the UK.

Refined Rustic in Carlisle

Roland Builder, Inc.

Alan Wycheck Photography

Stocked Tile

First Flooring & Tile, Inc.

Pearl Silver Tile available @ First Flooring & Tile, Inc.

Victorian House - London

Hartmann Designs Limited

Vale Cottage

Ashleigh Clarke Architects

We were commissioned by our clients to design a light and airy open-plan kitchen and dining space with plenty of natural light whilst also capturing the views of the fields at the rear of their property. We not only achieved that but also took our designs a step further to create a beautiful first-floor ensuite bathroom to the master bedroom which our clients love! Our initial brief was very clear and concise, with our clients having a good understanding of what they wanted to achieve – the removal of the existing conservatory to create an open and light-filled space that then connects on to what was originally a small and dark kitchen. The two-storey and single-storey rear extension with beautiful high ceilings, roof lights, and French doors with side lights on the rear, flood the interior spaces with natural light and allow for a beautiful, expansive feel whilst also affording stunning views over the fields. This new extension allows for an open-plan kitchen/dining space that feels airy and light whilst also maximising the views of the surrounding countryside. The only change during the concept design was the decision to work in collaboration with the client’s adjoining neighbour to design and build their extensions together allowing a new party wall to be created and the removal of wasted space between the two properties. This allowed them both to gain more room inside both properties and was essentially a win-win for both clients, with the original concept design being kept the same but on a larger footprint to include the new party wall. The different floor levels between the two properties with their extensions and building on the party wall line in the new wall was a definite challenge. It allowed us only a very small area to work to achieve both of the extensions and the foundations needed to be very deep due to the ground conditions, as advised by Building Control. We overcame this by working in collaboration with the structural engineer to design the foundations and the work of the project manager in managing the team and site efficiently. We love how large and light-filled the space feels inside, the stunning high ceilings, and the amazing views of the surrounding countryside on the rear of the property. The finishes inside and outside have blended seamlessly with the existing house whilst exposing some original features such as the stone walls, and the connection between the original cottage and the new extension has allowed the property to still retain its character. There are a number of special features to the design – the light airy high ceilings in the extension, the open plan kitchen and dining space, the connection to the original cottage whilst opening up the rear of the property into the extension via an existing doorway, the views of the beautiful countryside, the hidden nature of the extension allowing the cottage to retain its original character and the high-end materials which allows the new additions to blend in seamlessly. The property is situated within the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and our designs were sympathetic to the Cotswold vernacular and character of the existing property, whilst maximising its views of the stunning surrounding countryside. The works have massively improved our client’s lifestyles and the way they use their home. The previous conservatory was originally used as a dining space however the temperatures inside made it unusable during hot and cold periods and also had the effect of making the kitchen very small and dark, with the existing stone walls blocking out natural light and only a small window to allow for light and ventilation. The original kitchen didn’t feel open, warm, or welcoming for our clients. The new extension allowed us to break through the existing external stone wall to create a beautiful open-plan kitchen and dining space which is both warm, cosy, and welcoming, but also filled with natural light and affords stunning views of the gardens and fields beyond the property. The space has had a huge impact on our client’s feelings towards their main living areas and created a real showcase entertainment space.

James Schwartz, Schwartz Pictures

Bespoke storage on side of the chimney

Karo and Co Interiors Ltd

Bespoke furniture design, featuring shelving system with storage underneath on both sides of the chimney. This made to measure storage perfectly fits alcoves that ware not perfectly even. Inside both cabinets we added extra shelves and cut outs for sockets and speaker wires. Alcove units were spray in lacquer to match F&B colours in lovely matt satin finish. As a final touch: beautiful brass handles made by small business owner and chosen from our "supporting small businesses" supplier list.

West Yard Farm

Lightmaster Direct

Finished project photos from van Ellen & Sheryn Architects. Other photos from our lighting designers.

Woodbine Cottage

M&Y Interiors

Дача Горки

АрхиМастер - Архитектурное бюро Юрия Скороходова

Victorian Family Home Dorset

Coral Interiors

Sasfi Hope-Ross

Stoke Newington

Laroya & Co.

Described by the home owners friend as "a room from Mad Men"...the oversized pendant light, geometric wallpaper and the brass drinks trolley all add to the decadent 60's look. Grey tones of the wood flooring add warmth into the space Noga Photo Studio

Fireplaces

Spanjer Homes

Modern Cottages & Small Imprint Homes

Cenova Homes

Formal Living Room Design Photos with a Wood Stove

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 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 living room ideas, check out the Stories section on Houzz.

Which 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 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 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 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.