Living Room & Dining Room
A timeless yet on-trend living room in a 1930s home
Image: Janis Nicolay | Design: Ami McKay
Living Room & Dining Room
A timeless yet on-trend living room in a 1930s home
Featuring trends both fresh and timeless, this luxe West Coast sitting room strikes a stylish confident pose.
The secret to living large in a 150-square-foot room lies in selective style. Lacking the luxury of lots of space in this Vancouver home, designer Ami McKay and spouse-slash-construction manager Don Thomas of Pure Design had to employ an exacting eye and choose elements for the sitting room that were nothing short of perfection: inviting and comfy, high quality and über-functional, timeless and on-trend. The pieces work together to add modern character to the home’s vintage 1930s envelope, delivering that quintessential of-the-moment decor mix that lends personality and charm to any space. Here are the highlights.
1. Arc On
Sculptural arc lamps are nothing new, but these long-necked adjustable beauties are so versatile they never seem to go out of style. “They’re great for lighting intimate spaces in lieu of a ceiling mount,” explains Ami.
2. Heart of Glass
Move over, French doors. In more modern spaces like this, a wall of black-framed warehouse-style windows is stealing your spotlight. Here, they add industrial drama and echo the geometry of the open-framed furnishings, as well as the hits of black that pepper the room.
3. Colour Code
If you’re investing in big-ticket items, keep longevity top of mind and opt for neutral hues. Add interest with texture, and choose a colourful hero like this fun energetic rug. Should the homeowners ever crave a fresh accent shade, they can simply switch out this one piece.
4. Tanned Hide
With its graphic square frame and caramel-coloured cushions, the sidechair is masculine to the eye but feminine to the touch. The Pure Design team loves its supple, slightly worn leather for its ultra-luxe feel. “It goes with every look and adds warmth to any space,” says Ami.
5. Photo Finish
A classic style move that never gets stale, adding personal travel photos lends character. When matted and framed, a trio of black and white architecture shots (another trend we’re seeing lots of) looks gallery-worthy...but comes at a fraction of the cost.
6. Bar Star
“These days, we’re adding built-in bars to most of the houses we’re designing,” says Ami of the 1950s trend that has returned to living rooms of late. Perfect for preventing kitchen congestion during get-togethers, this one maximizes every square inch and boasts storage for everything from wine and spirits to serveware.
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