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William Chesley, the owner of this historic Prince George’s County, Maryland, home wanted to make the interior more compatible with its 1790 facade. One of his major concerns was changing the color emphasis from dark earth tones to a lighter and more elegant color palette. The other was devising a scheme that would allow him to keep the existing window treatments.

The major decorating project began with selecting lighter hues from the stripe and floral pattern of the drapery fabric for the new color scheme of salmon, aqua, and ivory. An exquisite striped brocade combining these hues was chosen for the traditional loveseats. Beautiful hardwood floors were uncovered when the rust wall-to-wall carpet was removed. A custom area rug with a flowered, banded border enhanced the newly mellow stained floors.

Formal mahogany Queen Anne furniture replaced the existing contemporary furnishings. The unique arrangement of the loveseats back to back in the center of the room made the room more suitable for entertaining small groups. Painting the walls a pale salmon created a warm glow that suits the elegant new look. Oriental art, bowls, and figurines complete the interior decorating. Once again this beautifully proportioned living room, with its twelve-foot ceilings, has the gracious ambience it deserves.

A beautiful new brick and stone ranch house with a river view is now the dream home of Wilburn and Virginia Sutherland of St. Charles, Illinois they have always preferred neutral colors and textures to create what Virginia calls a “comfortable contemporary” look. In decorating their new home they kept to the subtle tones, but added new sparkle when they introduced brass accents and touches of blue. 

Virginia chose a silky textured fabric in a southwestern pattern for the two loveseats, and then repeated the fabric in the window cornice. The vertical blinds allow them regulation of light, privacy, and the river view. Never having used wallpaper before, the Sutherlands were pleasantly surprised by its elegant look and easy maintenance. 

Lines were kept straight except for the round glass and brass coffee table that matches the brass etageres. The rich beige area rug has a decorative blue border, and pillows and the cornice as well are also treated to blue welting and banding. 

The Sutherlands were content with their lifestyle, and never desired any drastic redecorating. The subtle changes, keeping with warm neutrals and adding a measure of cool blue, gave them a newer, more formal look, without intruding on the established Sutherland “comfortable contemporary” feeling. 

Long before Gary and Cecilia Peters moved into their home in Florida, they had been collectors of western art. They were particularly fond of the authentic art of the Sioux and Zuni Indians. The Peterses’ splendid living room has been decorated to set off their favorite pieces.

Lavish leather sectional sofas and chairs are arranged to take advantage of the panoramic landscape, both exterior and interior. The impressive expanse of window is covered with soft sheers, but cornices and draperies in a dark-patterned fabric frame the windows. Mixing textures, and combining tailored elements with more graceful lines, contributes to the pleasing feeling of the room.

The Peterses’ warm colors, personal artifacts, and graceful window treatments add drama and excitement to this comfortably luxurious living room.

With their own hands, a young career couple with two children has lovingly restored this ninety-four-year-old New Jersey farmhouse. Redoing their home on weekends became Judy and Jim Knox’s hobby. Together they plastered and painted, replaced the windows, uncovered pocket doors, and recreated moldings. They were delighted when they saw the gracious floral fabric in wine red and cornflower blue on an ivory background because it was exactly what they had in mind. Walls were painted a daring dark winterberry color and the moldings and trim a clear oyster white. The Knoxes’ old living room furniture was moved to the family room, clearing the way to create the traditional English feeling they desired. Two comfortable wingback chairs in a blue mini-print, and a camelback sofa in the charming floral, brought the glorious new colors into the room. An additional small-patterned fabric was used to skirt a table. A glass and brass coffee table over a bordered rug made a lovely accent area, while matching Queen Anne cherry end tables complete the new furniture. The elegant lined floral swag and jabot installed under the restored molding allows lots of natural light into the room. This bright and inviting room has now become Judy and Jim’s very special place.

A fashionable young Illinois wife and mother, Jeanetta Sutherland, wanted a more dramatic look for her living room. After installing a textured wall covering with a warm, neutral background, a white Haitian cotton sectional sofa, and vinyl pinstriped vertical blinds, she felt the room was too bland.

Jeanetta and her husband, Randy, love black, so she was delighted when she found a contemporary floral in mauve on a black background. She then cleverly brought in two other fabrics in the same pattern, but in two different color schemes. The result was a living room without the blabs.

A simple treatment of a cornice was installed over the vertical blinds enhancing the overall look of the window. The teal fabric was used for extra large throw pillows and a skirted table. Jeanetta painted wicker accent tables and black. Rearranging the sectional sofa opened the room up and made it look more spacious.

With the daring use of color and prints, and a little of her own labor, Jeanetta was able to convert this once plain living room into an exciting oasis.

 His house began its life as a builder’s model, but it quickly became home to a couple who had retired to Florida. They couldn’t help but be attracted to the soothing atmosphere of the serene southwestern interior decorating.
 

Steering away from the more vibrant colors usually associated with this look, Carole Ponzio decided to decorate in more muted desert colors. She let the deep greens of the cactus and other plants provide color contrast, as well as the rich color and texture of the rough-sawn cedar fireplace.
 

A classic durries rug warms up the white vinyl floor and anchors the furniture arrangement. Pleated shades at the windows softly accent the arches. The textured sheer shades are framed by a cotton fabric with a flame stitch pattern.
 

The pine entertainment center houses the TV and VCR. Cube end tables and a large coffee table resemble marble, but are laminated. The recessed brass bases of the tables pick up on the diagonal brass strip of the fireplace.
 

Faux stone lamps and vases complete the southwestern feeling of this earthy room that was really decorated to be lived in.
 

Pulling It All Together
New
Furniture
Area rug
Window treatments
Lamps

The owners of this spacious home felt the need to warm up their living room. Used primarily for entertaining family and friends, the all-white room appeared forbidding and uninviting.