DANE AUSTIN INTERIOR DESIGN Boston & Cambridge

A love of blues and greens and a desire to feel connected to family were the key elements requested to be reflected in this home. Project designed by Boston interior design studio Dane Austin Design. They serve Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/charlestown-brownstone

Tribeca Residence

Engberg Design & Development

Living room wall paneling in rift white oak. Custom sideboard with hidden TV in rift white oak.

Living Room Fireplace

ODS Architecture

Large high ceiling living room faces a two-story concrete fireplace wall with floor to ceiling windows framing the view. The hardwood floors are set over Warmboard radiant heating subflooring. Russell Abraham Photography

Chelsea Long House

MWAI Architecture and Interiors

Alexander James

Transitional Coastal Living Room

Santa Barbara Designs of the Interior

This contemporary coastal home in Westlake Village is fresh, airy, warm and inviting all at once. The sheer window treatments softly cover the glare, without blocking the views of the lake; the large doors open up to a deck. The iron and glass cocktail tables were custom made, as was the iron table with stone top that showcases our client's treasured turtle with inlaid blue stone on his back.

photo: Lisa Petrole

Hamilton Snowber Architects

Gilcrest

Bonura Building Inc.

Modern Organic Cottage Fireplace

Granicrete Minnesota

This new home with refined architecture has a timeless and fresh design. The main level greatroom features a massive 60' linear fireplace. The 17' x 6' clean concrete surround has a long, narrow gas fireplace set into the Granicrete concrete. The wall was hand-troweled with virtually no irregularities to give it a smooth finish. The custom coloring has soft whites and grays that don't distract from the contemporary living area.

Beach Style Living Room

Lafayette Remodel

Dolan's Lumber, Doors & Windows

Brays Island Modern

Choate + Hertlein Architects

The spaces within the house are organized with the public areas running south to north, arrayed on the brow of the slope looking toward the water in the distance. Perpendicular, the private spaces (bedroom, baths, and study) run east to west. The private spaces are raised and have wood floors, as opposed to the concrete floors of the public areas. Phillip Spears Photographer

Vidro Do Mar

KBC Developments

Placed within an idyllic beach community, this modern family home is filled with both playful and functional spaces. Natural light reflects throughout and oversized openings allow for movement to the outdoor spaces. Custom millwork completes the kitchen with concealed appliances, and creates a space well suited for entertaining. Accents of concrete add strength and architectural context to the spaces. Livable finishes of white oak and quartz are simple and hardworking. High ceilings in the bedroom level allowed for creativity in children’s spaces, and the addition of colour brings in that sense of playfulness. Art pieces reflect the owner’s time spent abroad, and exude their love of life – which is fitting in a place where the only boundaries to roam are the ocean and railways. KBC Developments Photography by Ema Peter www.emapeter.com

Westport Beach House

Bensonwood

Stacy Bass Photography

san anselmo whole house remodel

building Lab, inc.

Sited in the woodsy hills of San Anselmo, this house suffered from oddities of scale and organization as well as a rather low grade of detailing and finish. This design savvy couple saw the property’s potential and turned to building Lab to develop it into a home for their young, growing family. Initial discussions centered on expanding the kitchen and master bath but grew to encapsulate the entire house. With a bit of creative thinking we met the challenge of expanding both the sense of and actual space without the full cost of an addition. An earlier addition had included a screened-in porch which, with the floor and roof already framed, we now saw as the perfect place to expand the kitchen. Capturing this space effectively doubled the size of the kitchen and dramatically improved both natural light and the engagement to rear deck and landscape. The lushly forested surrounds cued the generous application of walnut cabinetry and details. Exposed cold rolled steel components infused the space with a rustic simplicity that the original detailing lacked but seemed to want. Replacement of hollow core six panel doors with solid core slabs, simplification of trim profiles and skim coating all sheetrock refined the overall feel. Ultimately, pretty much every surface - including the exterior - received our attention. On approach, the project maintains the house’s original sense of modesty. On the interior, warmth, refinement and livability are achieved by finding what the house had to offer rather than aggressive reinvention. photos by scott hargis

Knopp Scott Residence

Synthesis Design Inc.

Wood burning fireplace with concrete surround, mahogany wood tv cabinet, floor to ceiling aluminum patio doors. Red Italian armchair with red ottoman, custom steel coffee table, heart pine wood floors with a custom design rug in a modern farmhouse on the Camas Prairie in Idaho. Photo by Tory Taglio Photography

Dogtrot

Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders

A large concrete chimney projects from the foundations through the center of the house, serving as a centerpiece of design while separating public and private spaces.

Living Room Design Photos with a Concrete Fireplace Surround

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.