Decorating & Design
This Is How To Elevate Your Family Room
Photography Virginia Macdonald. Design Debra Salmoni, Debralilliandesign. Styling Me & Mo Creative .
Decorating & Design
This Is How To Elevate Your Family Room
Designer Debra Salmoni shows us how she created warm, comfy luxury in a well-balanced, layered family room.
"High contrast – black windows, white walls – with warm accents and wood floors was our design direction and I wanted to carry that into the styling,” says designer Debra Salmoni. A balance between comfy and luxe was the goal. “The oversized warm grey custom sectional sofa accented with cognac leather chairs and hits of black in the coffee table and armchairs are choices that create an inviting yet elevated space,” she says. Here, Debra shares how she chooses elements – from big-ticket items to inexpensive florals – to create livable luxury.
“Add greenery! It’s cost effective, with a big payoff. A beautiful tree branch in an interesting vase can create height, which is so often needed when most of the furniture is at the same eye level.”
Design tips to makeover your family room
- “Contrasting colours (even neutrals like black and white are colours!) reliably deliver the wow factor we all strive to achieve in our homes,” says Debra. Even functional items can help to build the palette and mood. Chopped wood, stacked neatly and ready for the fire, repeats the warm tones of the cognac chairs.
- Debra intuitively builds a palette based on her client and the style of their home. “But I don’t use more than one small tight pattern in a space,” she says. “Typically, if I’m going for a bolder look, my rule is one larger pattern and one organic pattern.”
- “Varying heights in a room is incredibly important for balance, which is why we added the floor lamps on either side of the sofa,” says the designer. “As well, I love a good tree in a corner to allow for an organic element, and to offer a visual break from the chairs and sofa.”
- “Styling this space was all about adding layers!” says Debra, who adds that throws, books, pillows and vases make the room feel finished. “Accessories let you inject personality into your design. Adding visual interest is an opportunity to showcase objects from your travels, as well as to put something on display that will evoke conversation.”
- “The room is very symmetrical, so we accessorized with soft lines and curves – the circular statues, curvy vase and green branch leaning to one side – to break up all the squares and rectangles,” she says.
- Debra chose the animal-print carpet to add subtle pattern and to soften the predominance of straight lines in the room. Wool was preferred for its durability, softness, warmth and luxurious feel.
- Don’t overlook drapery. “This soft white wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling drapery adds so much dimension and depth,” says Debra. “Not only is it functional – creating privacy and sun coverage – it draws the eye to the ceiling height, making the space feel even grander.”
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