Kids grown, parents want to refeather nest

THE NEWS & OBSERVER, Raleigh, NC Saturday, July 16, 2005

Dear Designer: Have I got a room for you! We are empty-nesters who are living with the same furniture in the tired old living room that we had during the various stages of life with our three college students. The furniture needs to be retired, and we’re looking for something that shouts, “We’re people again, not just parents!” Other than a new light, neutral berber carpet and new faux wood blinds, the room is 13 years old. We’re open for something completely different if you’re open for the challenge. --M.H., Raleigh

Dear Designer turned to Sally Williams of Colorful Concepts to assist in helping the homeowners revive their ailing living room.

Dear M.H.: What an exciting time for you! To give this room that “fresh and new” look you’re hoping for, the primary goal is to bring some visual height to the space, which has 8-foot ceilings and little natural light. We’ve also kept in mind your interest in contemporary fabric and your desire to use the new carpet, blinds, accent tables and lamps in the room. Add to that a new color scheme, revamped fireplace, new seating, drapes and accessories, we are sure you will love the transformation.

Color Scheme. A soft, natural earth-tones palette of sand with sea glass blue-greens will blend perfectly with the natural slate stone tops on your new accent tables and the blues, greens and golds in your stained glass lamps.

As you add the lighter, brighter tones, lose the dark trim, fireplace and wallpaper. Then update the trim with Benjamin Moore’s White Opulence, OC-69. Use Mystic Beige, 2162-60, in eggshell on the walls above and below the chair rail. Go a shade lighter on the ceiling with October Sky, 2162-70, in a flat finish. The lighter shade on the ceiling will help to visually heighten the space.

Fireplace revamp. Highlighting the features of your large fireplace is important, but the fireplace shouldn’t overwhelm the other elements in the room. For the brick surround, use a blend of White Opulence (trim color) and October Sky (ceiling color). The goal is for the brick to be just a tad less white then the trim.

For the hearth, install a light-colored natural stone over the brick. Select a natural stone color that closely resembles the wall color, and a decorative stone border that complements the other colors in the room. The border should go all the way around the top edge of the face of the hearth.

Paint the underside of the fireplace mantel with the trim color. Use the same stone and border from the hearth to cover the top and sides of the mantle, as you see fit. If the shape of the existing mantle is too difficult to work with, remove it and select a mantle with clean lines. This will make the stone application easier.

Furniture, lighting, art and décor. Getting the furniture away from the walls will create a more welcoming space for relaxing and entertaining. You have ample space to “float” your sofa and chairs within about 6 to 7 feet of one another, creating a seating area where people can comfortably converse. Place the sofa to the left of the fireplace, and two chairs to the right, facing each other. You will still have a direct view of the TV from the sofa to the wall unit on the right-hand wall.

Some balance is needed on the wall where the fireplace is. You have a window to the right, but none to the left. Place your demilune console table on the left side and hang the coordinating mirror above it. Place one of the stained glass lamps on the table.

Trade the mirror above the fireplace for a large piece of framed art. De-clutter the mantel. Select a new fireplace screen with some curves to it, preferably with gold or brass-tone accents. The far left wall is a great place for a grouping of several works of art or family photos.

Place the other table lamp on the end table beside the chair furthest from the fireplace, and the floor lamp in the corner to the right of the fireplace. An additional floor lamp is needed next to the sofa. With these four light sources in the room, you can remove the light fixture from the overhead fan. (This also will add height to the center of the room.) Update the fan by changing the blades from brown to white.

Add several plants throughout, especially some fairly tall ones one either side of the TV unit, to soften this area, which people see first when they enter the room.

Furniture and fabric selections. Choose a rounded-back “conversation sofa.” With this sofa the person seated on the center is seated farther back then the people seated at each end. Therefore all three people can easily converse without having to lean forward or backward constantly. Choose chairs that closely match the sofa’s arm, cushion and leg style. A contemporary area rug, such as the bold “Waves” design with several shades from the color palette, is not only fun but also grounds the space.

Floor-length drapery panels also will help to visually heighten the room. The panels should be hung on a simple rod, similar in color to the ceiling. These panels should be purely decorative, hanging so as not to block any natural light. A striped fabric will continue to add height to the space. The same striped fabric will be perfect for accent pillows for the chairs.

Keep the room light and bright with fabrics in predominately sea glass tones with hints of sand. For the sofa and chairs, use fabrics with complementary small geometric patterns that will not compete with the rug. Accent the sofa with pillows in a bold fabric that resembles the area rug. Contrast piping on the accent pillows should be similar to Benjamin Moore’s paint shade Arizona-Tan, 2162-50.

Now, enjoy many wonderful evenings in this oasis of a living room.