Julie Bowen's '70s-inspired living room is retro yet chic – you can get the look from $15

Emily Henderson, a prominent interior designer, recently unveiled a captivating redesign of a 1930s living room, showcasing a masterful blend of old-world charm and contemporary aesthetics. This particular project, undertaken for her friends, involved carefully curating finishing touches, furniture, and decor that honor the home's original character while injecting modern edge and personality. The redesign is a testament to transitional design, effectively merging disparate styles to create a cohesive and unique space. A standout piece in this living room transformation is a luxurious blue velvet sofa, a design by Sarah Sherman Samuel, which retails for approximately $14,900. Recognizing this as a significant investment, the article delves into sourcing the exact sofa and also provides more affordable alternatives to achieve a similar aesthetic. Beyond the sofa, other notable elements of the design include a vibrant green leather rug, chosen for its durability and distinctive texture, and a substantial stone coffee table from Soho Home. The choice of a large, modular coffee table addresses a common design challenge of finding adequately sized pieces for spacious living areas. The design process involved integrating existing elements that the homeowners had already selected, such as a Farrow & Ball wallpaper. Despite not being Emily Henderson's initial choice, she embraced its bold yet subtle pattern, allowing it to contribute to the room's transitional style rather than clashing with it. This approach highlights a flexible design philosophy that prioritizes client preferences and existing features. The lighting in the living room also received careful consideration. Given the home's 1930s architecture, which often features lower ceilings, Henderson opted for a unique flush-mount fixture from The Urban Electric Co. This piece provides a statement without the visual intrusion of a long pendant, demonstrating a practical yet stylish solution to architectural constraints. Emily Henderson's design ethos in this project is characterized by a fearless approach to color and texture. The living room seamlessly integrates diverse elements such as blue velvet, rust velvet, green leather, marble, and patterned wallpaper. Despite this rich mix, the space maintains a balanced and sophisticated atmosphere, preventing any single element from overwhelming the eye. The designer describes the overall effect as an "incredible vibe," where each piece functions as a focal point without competing with others, contributing to a chic and unified interior. The article provides readers with practical shopping guidance, presenting both the high-end pieces used in the design and more budget-friendly options. This allows individuals to replicate the look and feel of Henderson's eclectic and transitional design within their own homes, regardless of their budget. Key pieces available for purchase or inspiration include the Anthropologie Andi Sofa as a velvet sofa alternative, the exact Farrow & Ball Helleborus Wallpaper, the CB2 Camilia Patchwork Dark Green Hide Area Rug, a Crate & Barrel Dualité Travertine and Burl Wood Block Leg Coffee Table, a West Elm Zigzag Table Lamp for edgy lighting, and World Market Cecilia Rust Velvet Scalloped Upholstered Stools as versatile accent pieces. This detailed breakdown ensures that readers can understand and implement the design principles demonstrated by Emily Henderson. #InteriorDesign #EmilyHenderson #LivingRoomDesign #TransitionalStyle #EclecticDecor #HomeRenovation #FurnitureSourcing #LuxuryDesign #BudgetFriendlyDecor

This lookbook presents a curated selection of eight living rooms that embody the opulent and distinctive design characteristics of the 1970s. These spaces draw on retro aesthetics, featuring rich, vivid colors, diverse textures, and period-appropriate furnishings to create decadent interiors. The collection showcases various residential projects, from urban apartments to renovated townhouses, illustrating how designers and homeowners have embraced and reinterpreted 1970s style. The featured designs include Helios 710, a London penthouse by Bella Freud and Maria Speake, which incorporates striking hues like glossy black sofas with burnt orange cushions and an emerald-green carpet, aiming to evoke 1970s glamour. Univers Uchronia, a Paris apartment by Julien Sebban, highlights an eclectic approach with oversized flower-shaped cushions, low-slung coffee tables, bold colors, and shiny surfaces, reflecting the Uchronia studio's signature style. Another example is the Oscar Freire apartment in São Paulo, reconfigured by Claudia Bresciani and Júlia Risi for an illustrator. This space utilizes black-and-white geometric flooring and orange-hued furniture to integrate the kitchen, lounge, and studio areas, drawing inspiration from classic 1970s interiors. In Ireland, the Lovers Walk townhouse, renovated by Kingston Lafferty Design, features blue velvet sofas and a green swirly book-matched marble wall in its living room, influenced by Verner Panton's use of playful shapes and clashing colors. The Mossel Bay home in South Africa, designed by architect Yvette van Zyl for her own residence, employs a curved and sculptural approach for its tactile 1970s-style interior. This design includes custom-framed glass louvres, paper lanterns, and orange seating, completing a modernist-informed aesthetic. Ben Garrett and Rae Morris's Zero House in the UK pays homage to its mid-century origins with a dark red and brown color palette inspired by Stanley Kubrick's films, incorporating a geometric maze-patterned rug and reeded 1970s-style glass for windows. Club Unseen, an immersive installation by Studiopepe during Milan Design Week, presented three chic living spaces that captured the essence of 1970s nightclubs through graphic shapes, grid patterns, pastels, and metallic finishes. Lastly, the Primrose Hill townhouse in London, refurbished by Studio Hagen Hall prior to Zero House's transformation, adopted a 1970s California modernism approach. Its open living area features bespoke velvet sofas on a raised conversation platform with hidden storage and custom-made elm recesses, showcasing classic 1970s materials. These projects collectively demonstrate a contemporary appreciation for the distinctive and often extravagant design elements of the 1970s, applying them to create visually rich and characterful residential interiors. #ResidentialInteriors #RetroDesign #1970sStyle #LivingRoomDesign #InteriorDecor #Lookbook #MidCenturyModern #HomeFurnishings

Brynn Jones, owner of Aralda Vintage, and her husband, Ness Saban, an indie film distributor, transformed their 1963 Robert Lee-designed home in Los Angeles. Jones, who has a lifelong affinity for 1960s and 1970s aesthetics, recognized the potential in the three-bedroom house despite some outdated decor. While Saban initially needed more convincing, Jones envisioned the possibilities, leading them to enlist Frances Merrill of Reath Design to revitalize the property. The home’s original dark wood paneling and brickwork, which date back to 1963, were considered essential elements to retain for their warmth and coziness. However, the kitchen and bathrooms, which had undergone poor remodels in the 1990s, required complete renovation. Jones's design vision was heavily influenced by her love for vintage fashion, drawing inspiration from the homes of style icons like Gloria Vanderbilt, Diana Vreeland, and Diane von Furstenberg, as well as '60s and '70s design magazines. Merrill embraced this approach, encouraging unusual color combinations and bold patterns. The initial phase of the renovation involved a simple yet impactful change: repainting the common areas, original built-ins, and doors from an institutional gray to a rich emerald green. This color choice effectively unified the existing paneling and brickwork. In the kitchen, a glossy chartreuse tiled backsplash was introduced, creating a vibrant contrast that surprisingly complemented the walnut and cream cabinets and dark wood. The primary bathroom became a canvas for more experimental color, featuring a checkerboard pattern of light purple, burgundy, and scarlet tiles, a peachy marble countertop with rose veins, and purple marble lining the shower. Jones acknowledged the intensity of this design, humorously noting a friend's comparison to a Stanley Kubrick film. Beyond color, patterns played a significant role in the home's transformation. The office features a botanical Hermès wallpaper, providing a psychedelic backdrop for a custom desk and wall unit. The main bedroom embraces a moodier ambiance due to a lack of natural light. Jones selected a kaleidoscopic House of Hackney design for the window drapes, bedding, and wallpaper, extending it to the ceiling. Despite the abundance of prints, Jones found the olive green and dark teal color palette to be calming, while Saban humorously described the room as being inside a wrapped, inverted present. The final phase of the renovation focused on the nursery for their son, Odin. Jones aimed to create a stimulating and charming space that avoided a stereotypical kid's room feel. This was achieved with a daybed reupholstered in dinosaur fabric, baby bedding made from mismatched Liberty London textiles, a dusty-blue sky mural by Londubh Studios painted across cabinetry and the ceiling, and a plush custom carpet designed to resemble a coral reef, laid over a purple linoleum floor. The nursery also features a custom clothing and storage nook, a former closet converted into built-in cabinetry, painted in dusty blue and pale lavender to provide a soothing atmosphere. This playful and imaginative design philosophy, first established in the nursery, extends throughout the entire home. #HomeTour #VintageInspired #InteriorDesign #LosAngelesHome #RetroDesign #BoldColors #PatternMixing #RenovationProject #ReathDesign

Joon Loloi, a newly established home decor company, has launched its inaugural collaboration with Seattle-based designer Heidi Caillier. Caillier is recognized for her Scandinavian-inspired and romantic interior designs, characterized by expert layering. The collection features a range of vintage-inspired textiles, including area rugs and throw pillows, designed to serve as foundational or finishing touches for living rooms and bedrooms. These textiles aim to introduce texture and charm, creating a cozy atmosphere. The collection offers diverse designs, from floral and abstract geometric patterns to classic checkers, stripes, solids, and plaids. Several pillows incorporate textured patchwork motifs and detailed fringed trim. Caillier's design inspiration draws from natural flatweaves and romantic florals, with an emphasis on creating mix-and-match pieces that evoke a sense of nostalgia. The color palette primarily features natural and neutral tones such as tans, creams, greens, blues, golds, and reds, designed to complement vintage furniture, artwork, and accessories. This aligns with Caillier’s established approach to interior design, where vintage elements are frequently integrated into her projects. The collaboration includes a variety of price points, making the collection accessible to a broad audience. Pillow covers begin at $35, while doormat-sized rugs are priced from $49. The larger and more intricately crafted rugs, some of which are hand-knotted and hand-loomed, reach into the low thousands. All items from the collection are currently available for purchase on Joon Loloi's website. The website also features interior images, including photographs from Caillier’s personal residence, showcasing how the textiles can be incorporated alongside patterned wallpaper and vintage furniture. This visual guidance helps customers envision the pieces within various home settings, particularly appealing to those who appreciate vintage aesthetics in their decor. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #VintageInspired #TextileCollection #HeidiCaillier #JoonLoloi #Rugs #Pillows #LivingRoomDecor

Finding stylish, high-quality home decor that is also affordable can be a challenge in an oversaturated market. Many consumers face difficulties with product quality and return processes, especially for larger items. To address this, a list of reputable and affordable home decor stores has been compiled, featuring recommendations from experienced interior designers. These designers, who routinely furnish homes for various clients, are well-versed in identifying quality items that do not come with excessive price tags. Their insights provide valuable guidance for individuals looking to enhance their living spaces without breaking the bank. The article highlights several online and brick-and-mortar stores, each praised for different strengths. Etsy and Chairish are recommended for unique, one-of-a-kind vintage finds that add distinct character to a home. Jenni Kayne Home is favored for its curated assortment of timeless and well-made pieces, ranging from pillows and candles to furniture, embodying an effortless California aesthetic. Anthropologie stands out for its wide selection of decor items, including cushions, lighting, and tabletop pieces, all featuring character and thoughtful detail at reasonable prices with quick shipping. For sustainable and unique options, Chairish is again mentioned for its array of non-mass-produced accessories, particularly useful for styling bookshelves. The Inside is noted for its custom throw pillows available in diverse prints, shapes, and sizes, offering unique fabrics like velvet, floral, botanical, and animal prints. Eleven Home Aesthetics is recommended for charming vintage accessories such as candle holders, books, and pottery, which infuse homes with unique character. T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods are cited as excellent budget-friendly options for mixing high and low items in a space, providing a wide variety of inventory. Soho Home, while generally higher-end, also offers affordable decorative items that reflect the aesthetic of its iconic Soho House properties. Jayson Home, with its brick-and-mortar store in Chicago and online presence, is celebrated for unique finds that range from small trays to custom sofas and vintage pieces, serving as a trusted source for designers. Housewright Gallery is appreciated for its curated home goods, including throw blankets and vintage items, alongside art from Pacific Northwest artists. CB2 is a top pick for modern "object d'art" and constantly updated selections. Hawkins New York is recognized for unique homewares, including glassware, vases, and kitchen items, created in collaboration with global partners. Finally, Gramercy is praised for its selection of unique, machine-washable blankets in various colors, ideal for adding a pop of color and protecting furniture. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #AffordableShopping #OnlineStores #VintageDecor #DesignerRecommendations #BudgetFriendly #HomeFurnishings

The Art Deco era, characterized by sleek lines, geometric shapes, and a sense of glamour and glitz, continues to influence modern interior design. This aesthetic is experiencing a notable resurgence, with many designers and homeowners incorporating its elements into contemporary living spaces. Pinterest, a key platform for design trends, has identified the Art Deco revival as a significant trend to watch, highlighting a growing interest in this opulent style. This article explores various ways to infuse Art Deco charm into a living room, drawing inspiration from archived designs and recent decorator show houses. Several examples illustrate the versatility of Art Deco in different settings. In an Atlanta home designed by Yong Pak and Melanie Turner, chevron stripes on a rug and a crystal chandelier in the living room evoke a Gatsby-esque atmosphere. At the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach, Marshall Watson & Reid Deane Ganes created a tropical Art Deco paradise using retro palm frond wallpaper, geometric rattan furniture, and abstract wall art, demonstrating how the style can be adapted to specific themes. Jan Showers brought glitz to a Kips Bay Dallas lounge with a gilded de Gournay wallcovering, and strategically placed back-to-back settees to encourage conversation, inspired by Hubert de Givenchy’s Paris townhouse. Further examples showcase the breadth of Art Deco applications. Eddie Maestri's music room at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas embodies the Jazz Age with streamlined accents and a geometric bar. Janine Carendi MacMurray's design in an 1845 Greek Revival home successfully integrates avant-garde art and artistic rugs, reflecting the abstract art trends of the Roaring Twenties. A 1920s Atlanta home, updated by Huff-Dewberry, Inc., embraces its original era with velvet pieces and a gilded mirror, highlighting the enduring appeal of vintage glamour. Natasha Baradaran’s living space at the 2022 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas features a circular sofa, glass-topped coffee table, and a glamorous chandelier, showcasing a sophisticated interpretation of the style. Anna Brockway, co-founder of Chairish, designed a vintage-inspired living room with an Art Deco black table, fringed velvet sofa, and shapely artwork, demonstrating how individual pieces can contribute to the overall aesthetic. Steven Gambrel’s approach to a 1920s New Jersey estate involves linear furnishings and brass accents, offering a more neutral and subtle take on Art Deco. Mary McDonald and Daniel Kahan updated another 1920s estate with curved geometric shapes and modern-meets-vintage furniture, emphasizing the dramatic flair inherent in the style. Lastly, Norman Askins’s design for a Georgia home features a diminutive seating area with a fringed settee and a brass-tipped glass table, subtly incorporating Deco classics, while Caroline Gidiere's Georgian-style home includes a formal seating area with a lacquered coffee table and gilded mirror, providing a poised, traditional slant on Art Deco. #ArtDeco #LivingRoomDesign #InteriorDesignTrends #GlamourousDecor #RoaringTwenties #HomeDecor #DesignInspiration #VintageStyle #KipsBayDecoratorShowHouse

The article presents a comprehensive guide to 22 furniture stores in Boston, catering to a wide range of tastes, budgets, and styles, from high-end showrooms to vintage markets and bargain outlets. Each entry provides a brief description of the store's offerings, its aesthetic, and key highlights, along with its location and website. The selection includes luxury brands, traditional crafters, modern chains, sustainable options, and unique antique finds. Minotti, an Italian luxury brand, offers annual collections of sophisticated seating and tables. Thos. Moser, a Maine-based company, is known for its handcrafted wooden furniture featuring visible joinery. Boomerang's, with multiple locations, is highlighted for its Jamaica Plain store, offering a diverse and changing inventory of pre-owned furniture. West Elm provides modern, simple designs suitable for city living, with a large selection ranging from living room to kitchen items, including products from local makers. Lekker Home specializes in contemporary decor with a Scandinavian design focus. Infusion Furniture features handcrafted pieces by woodworker Quentin Kelley, blending traditional and contemporary styles. Circle Furniture, a family-run business, emphasizes sustainability and New England-made furniture, offering an eclectic mix of pieces. Machine Age is a unique Dorchester store boasting a vast collection of 20th-century furnishings sourced from America and Western Europe, ideal for finding distinctive antique items. Design Within Reach aims to make modern design accessible, featuring creations from renowned designers in a multi-floor showroom with full-room vignettes. B&B Italia showcases timeless contemporary furniture from its own collections and other brands, offering design consultation services. Modern Relik provides an "experience-oriented" showroom with an in-store coffee bar, allowing shoppers to leisurely browse and try out various furnishings and accessories. Hudson Interior Designs offers a curated selection of home goods, blending classic and unexpected elements with a youthful twist. Room & Board features a five-floor showroom with over 90% American-made pieces, organized by category and function for systematic browsing. Basics Carpet and Furniture in Allston offers essential home furnishings like rugs, sofas, and sectionals with free delivery. Pompanoosuc Mills emphasizes quality with solid hardwood furniture crafted in Vermont, characterized by elegant lines. Restoration Hardware's Boston flagship is described as opulent, featuring various collections spread across multiple floors, from children's playrooms to conservatories. SoWa Vintage Market is a Sunday indoor market for eclectic and hard-to-find vintage art, lighting, seating, and decor. Roche Bobois, with showrooms near the Public Garden and Natick, presents vividly colored, innovative furniture, including the iconic Mah Jong sofa, prioritizing comfort alongside unique designs. Ligne Roset, a French brand, exhibits contemporary comfort through high-end monochromatic and two-toned furniture for bedrooms and dining rooms. Cambridge Antique Market offers a treasure trove of antique and midcentury modern furniture and accessories across multiple floors. CORT Furniture Clearance Center in Saugus provides previously leased and new furniture at significant discounts, with inventory updated weekly. Finally, Gray House Art & Antiques in Manchester-by-the-Sea is a hidden gem offering a mix of old and new art, international decor, and vintage furniture, creating a homely atmosphere. #FurnitureShopping #Boston #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #LuxuryFurniture #VintageFurniture #ContemporaryDesign #LocalBusinesses

This article explores ten distinct moody living room ideas designed to cater to various aesthetic preferences, ranging from classic to contemporary styles. Each idea emphasizes specific color palettes, furniture choices, and decorative accents to create a cozy and dramatic ambiance. The article draws on insights from design professionals, including Francesca Wezel from Francesca’s Paints, Jamie Watkins from Divine Savages, Ruth Mottershead from Little Greene, Tara Felice Engelberg from Tara Felice Interiors, Barrett Oswald from Barrett Oswald Designs, Patrick O'Donnell from Farrow & Ball, and Annie Sloan from Annie Sloan. Their expert opinions guide readers on how to achieve a desired moody aesthetic while maintaining balance and visual interest. The first idea focuses on mid-gray tones, suggesting colors like 'Croft' for a calming yet dramatic effect, especially when contrasted with lighter woodwork. This approach is ideal for those new to moody interiors, offering a gradual transition to darker shades. Following this, bohemian designs are introduced, advocating for rich jewel tones and deep earthy neutrals such as terracotta and dark greens. Jamie Watkins highlights the use of dark, large-scale floral wallpapers to infuse a romantic and moody feel, complemented by curated gallery walls with gilt-style frames. Chocolate brown emerges as a stylish and cozy alternative to black, with Ruth Mottershead recommending 'Chocolate Color' or 'Purple Brown' for their warmth and softness. The article suggests pairing these deep browns with modern or contemporary furniture, geometric rugs, and tactile lamps to enhance the inviting atmosphere. Dark blue, particularly Farrow & Ball’s 'Railings' or Benjamin Moore’s 'Old Navy', is presented for its ability to transform a light and airy space into a casual and calming lounge. Tara Felice Engelberg's example illustrates how painting ceilings in a dark hue can visually lower the space, creating a uniquely intimate setting. For a modern moody living room, deep green is highlighted as a key trend, offering an elegant and sophisticated depth. The article recommends grounding the green with gray flooring and incorporating black accents. Cozy features are emphasized as essential for a moody living room, with Barrett Oswald Designs showcasing how bold artwork and strong imagery can enhance the dramatic feel of saturated dark navy walls. Patrick O'Donnell reinforces that darker colors create a magical, cocooning quality, particularly effective in the evenings. Dark plum is suggested for its dramatic and warming qualities, especially beneficial for north-facing rooms. Annie Sloan advises using rich, jewel-toned colors to create an atmospheric and indulgent space that expresses a bold style. The article then delves into shades of gray, suggesting a multi-toned approach where darker shades are dominant, complemented by mid and lighter grays for accentuation. Lick's 'Grey 07 Matt' is noted for its green undertones, adding depth and softness. Black walls are presented as the ultimate moody living room choice, with advice on how to balance the intensity by incorporating warming colors like tan leather, oatmeal drapes, and earthy accessories. The use of a black velvet shade like Lick's 'Black 02' is recommended for its warmth compared to true black. Finally, retro style moody living rooms are explored, demonstrating how the moody aesthetic can be adapted to various interior designs. A dark green-black shade like Little Greene’s 'Obsidian Green' is proposed as a softer alternative to jet black, with emphasis on strategic lighting to create a warm glow. The article concludes by reiterating the versatility of moody living room ideas, offering diverse color and style options beyond traditional dark hues. #LivingRoomDesign #InteriorDesign #MoodyInteriors #ColorPalette #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #BohemianStyle #ModernDesign #RetroDesign

This article explores twenty diverse bohemian (boho) living room ideas, showcasing how this design aesthetic prioritizes individuality and comfort over rigid rules. Boho style is characterized by a mix of patterns, layered textures, and eclectic elements, moving beyond common misconceptions of excessive macramé or cluttered spaces. The featured examples illustrate various interpretations of boho, from glam to Southwestern influences. One example is Elena Reygadas's Mexico City living room, which blends vintage flea-market finds, designer pieces, and Mexican craftsmanship. It incorporates a fringed hammock, antique sofas, and handcrafted objects, creating a layered and artistic atmosphere with natural materials. Jacques Grange's Portuguese villa presents a rattan haven with wicker furniture and hanging birdcages, utilizing playful colors and rustic elements for a relaxed and whimsical charm. Stacey Hill's San Antonio home, designed by Lake | Flato, features an eclectic mix of Mexican Santos, Maasai beads, and antique finds in warm tones, with a notable monumental blue painting adding artistic flair. Rebecca Gardner's Greenwich Village apartment embraces a raucous boho style with saffron silk faille curtains and a paprika-toned rug, curating a whimsical and intimate space. An outdoor living room in a Mexican oasis showcases vibrant, open-air elements and a Careyes-style built-in sofa, complemented by colorful wall art by Saul Kaminer. Nick Fouquet's Topanga Canyon dome house features a geodesic design, integrating natural materials and vintage finds like a Malm fireplace and custom furniture to create a cozy, free-spirited environment. The Miami Beach apartment of Tom Healy and Fred Hochberg, designed by Charlap Hyman & Herrero, offers a bohemian surrealist escape with vintage rocking chairs, biomorphic side tables, and dried grass lamps. A Santa Barbara beach house adopts a relaxed boho style with a velvet green sofa, antique rugs, paisley curtains, and grass-cloth wallpaper, offering a toned-down aesthetic. Christina Juarez's New York apartment demonstrates brilliant boho style with a maximalist approach, drenching the space in color and pattern, including ikats, zigzag rugs, and layered art. An Upstate New York ranch house incorporates modern and vintage pieces, like a Jean-Michel Frank sofa and a Pedro Friedeberg-style chair, with straw marquetry walls and an alpaca rug for organic warmth. John Robshaw’s Connecticut country home living room is dominated by stripe patterns, creating a rich and artistic energy. A New York apartment presents a chintz-boho style with floral-patterned cushions, gold-hued tables, and chintz-upholstered chairs, offering a fresh yet classic bohemian twist. Maryam Montague’s Marrakech oasis reinterprets Moroccan boho with vintage rugs, custom sofas, beaded accents, and antique mirrors against modern architectural elements. Lari Pittman and Roy Dowell's Los Angeles home highlights artistic boho with bold wallpaper as a backdrop to an eclectic blend of cultural art, textiles, and contemporary pieces. William Cullum’s Greenwich Village apartment blends eclectic vintage pieces and bold colors for a glam boho look, featuring 19th-century antiques, personal artworks, and striking textiles. A Southwestern boho living room combines cactuses and natural wood flooring with a teal couch for a relaxed and colorful vibe. A plant-filled sanctuary emphasizes lush plants, neutral textiles, and soft furnishings to create a cozy and calming atmosphere. A bold boho living room uses a macramé wall hanging for texture and a striking red chair to contrast with neutral tones. Kathryn Ireland's Santa Monica home offers a whimsical boho style with eclectic furnishings, including a 19th-century Uzbek textile, French and Mexican antiques, and patchwork rugs. Finally, a paradisiacal living room features a bird of paradise plant and a hanging chair, bringing natural, tropical elements and a relaxed feel to a wood-themed space with abundant natural light.

The 1970s interior design trend is currently experiencing a significant resurgence, characterized by its warm, welcoming, and liveable aesthetic. This style is defined by lush green indoor plants, a prominent use of timber, and a variety of textured surfaces, alongside handmade crafts and thoughtful workmanship. The enduring appeal of this decorating approach is rooted in its ability to create comfortable and inviting spaces that resonate with a sense of nostalgia and playful boldness. Interiors stylist and author Jessica Bellef highlights the bold and fun expression inherent in 1970s-inspired interiors. She suggests that in challenging times, this style offers a retreat into a sense of endless fun and a longing for bygone days, allowing individuals to express personal taste through a period known for empowerment and discovery. This modern interpretation of 1970s style is influenced by the minimalism of the 1990s and a broader desire for a simplified life. The core elements of 1970s design, such as furniture shapes, layouts, textures, and color palettes, are present but applied with more restraint and a heightened focus on connecting with nature. Sustainability is a key consideration in the contemporary adoption of this trend. Bellef emphasizes that purchasing vintage items is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to furnish a home, advocating for extending the lifespan of original 1970s designs and repurposing them. This approach helps combat the issue of overflowing landfills and excessive production of new furniture, marking a step towards more conscious consumption. Materials play a crucial role in achieving the 1970s aesthetic. Bricks, for instance, are making a significant comeback, with their textured, earthy colors appearing widely in both interior and exterior applications. New homeowners and those renovating are incorporating raw brick into feature walls, fireplaces, and exposed structural elements, either by retaining original 1970s-1980s features or mimicking them in new constructions. Timber is another essential material, often seen in furniture pieces or architectural details like warm wood paneling and floating timber stairs. The 1970s color palette, when reinterpreted for modern homes, moves away from the more garish elements of the past. Instead, it focuses on natural color schemes and soft furnishings that prevent the space from feeling heavy. Jessica Bellef advises balancing bold colors with natural surfaces to introduce beautiful textures and a connection to the outdoors. Earthy tones such as mustard, ochres, tans, and browns form the foundation, complemented by leaf green and soft orange. The inclusion of plenty of white in cotton, linen, and other textured fabrics adds warmth without creating visual clutter. Pops of color are effectively introduced through lamps, lighting, art, and decorative objects like glass and pottery, all contributing to carefully curated vignettes. Bellef encourages embracing color, even if it's an earthy tone, as the presence of a bold, saturated hue provides the characteristic punchiness of a 1970s-inspired interior. When it comes to furniture, rattan pieces, such as sideboards, armchairs, and seating, are integral to the 1970s style, though moderation is advised. Bellef recommends selecting one or two statement pieces that capture attention, such as low-slung, chunky seating or an elaborate pendant light crafted from a striking combination of glass, brass, and artistic lines. These carefully chosen elements contribute to a cohesive and authentically inspired 1970s interior that feels both modern and timeless. #InteriorDesign #1970sStyle #HomeDecor #RetroRevival #SustainableLiving #EarthyTones #Timber #RattanFurniture #DecoratingTrends

Interior designer Trilbey Gordon was tasked with creating a show apartment for a London residential development company, aiming for a chic, relaxed living space with a downtown Parisian aesthetic. Gordon focused on making neutrals warm and inviting by incorporating diverse textures. She utilized tactile fabrics such as bouclé wool for the sofa and alpaca for the armchair, alongside unlined mohair wool crochet for blinds and heavy satin silks for bed frames, headboards, cushions, and curtains. Textured wallpaper was also employed to add visual interest to plain walls, especially in areas lacking period features. Gordon emphasizes the importance of combining various textures to enhance a neutral color palette. She highlights that balance is crucial, as a space can feel unwelcoming without sufficient textured elements. By maintaining a similar color scheme across these elements, depth and a sense of coziness can be introduced. She advises physically feeling materials before committing to them. Gordon also expresses her preference for clay paint and plaster due to their tactile and visual qualities, noting how some textures evoke luxury while others suggest simplicity. She provides an example from a country project where she used a natural palette including unlined linen curtains, sheer linen half blinds, sisal rugs, unglazed ceramics, tapestries on wool, mohair cushions, and reclaimed wooden floorboards to create a coherent mood. Bespoke finishing touches play a significant role in her design philosophy. Art serves as a primary source of inspiration, and she ensures that rooms are designed to showcase clients' art collections effectively. She also values sourcing unique, custom-made furniture pieces that can stand alone as artistic statements. The comfort factor is another key consideration, given that modern life often involves communal living. Gordon stressed the importance of details that make inhabitants feel at home and comfortable. Her approach ensures that while pieces can be visually stunning and impactful, the overall space remains warm and inviting for guests. Trilbey Gordon's design for the show apartment successfully blends sophistication with comfort, achieving a contemporary living room with a Parisian influence through careful selection of textures, bespoke items, and an emphasis on creating a welcoming atmosphere.

The article introduces the new John Lewis Pleat sofa, highlighting its unique design and comfort as it becomes available for purchase. The author, Sara Hesikova, a content editor at Ideal Home, shares her positive impression of the sofa, stating that it's an "icon in the making" after having tested approximately 250 sofas. The Pleat sofa features deep seats made from foam derived from recycled post-consumer mattresses, emphasizing both comfort and a touch of sustainability. Its design draws inspiration from art deco styles, offering a timeless aesthetic while also incorporating contemporary sofa trends. Key features that make the Pleat sofa stand out include its curved seat and armrests, aligning with the popular curved sofa trend. The default warm brown shade, known as 'Ginger' chenille, is identified as a significant sofa color trend for the current year and beyond. The chenille material also adds a tactile texture to the piece. Currently, the four-seater with a chaise in Ginger chenille is available for immediate delivery within seven days, priced at £3299. A left-hand chaise option is also offered. The sofa's modular design allows the chaise section to be separated from the main sofa, providing versatility. The most distinctive element of the Pleat sofa is its pleated base, which gives the sofa its name. Mia Larden, a homeware designer at John Lewis, explains that the pleated plinth was a crucial design detail from the outset. Initially conceived for the seat back, the pleating was repositioned to the plinth as the design evolved. This placement helps break up the otherwise solid fabric block and introduces a fresh approach to fabric manipulation, elevating the overall design. Larden describes the sofa as blending low-slung comfort with retro-inspired texture and shaping, with soft curves inviting comfort and the velvet upholstery adding richness. For those willing to wait 12 weeks, a made-to-measure option is available, allowing customers to choose from over 90 different fabrics. A three-seater size, starting at £1849, is also offered for the made-to-order version. Unlike the chaise model, the three-seater comes as a single piece and cannot be separated. The Pleat sofa is part of John Lewis’ Modern Luxe trend, characterized by curved and sculptural silhouettes, luxurious materials, and an earthy color palette of browns and greens. Mia Larden suggests pairing the Ginger chenille sofa with earthy tones, natural woods, and sculptural silhouettes for a Modern Luxe interior, though it can also fit into more eclectic settings with bold patterns and tactile layers. The article also mentions other items from John Lewis's Modern Luxe collection, such as a burl wood-effect coffee table, a chrome and chocolate chenille accent chair, and a retro glass side table with an amber top. #JohnLewis #SofaDesign #HomeDecor #FurnitureTrends #ModernLuxe #InteriorDesign #LivingRoom #NewCollection #HomeFurnishings

The living room, often the first space guests encounter, plays a crucial role in shaping the overall impression of a home's decor. An outdated element within this space can inadvertently suggest that the entire house is in need of a refresh. Interior designer Lauren Saab identifies a common mistake that can make a living room appear dated: relying on a matching furniture set, typically comprising an overstuffed sofa, loveseat, and armchair. Saab explains that this three-piece furniture set instantly dates a living room and diminishes its depth. These sets, often featuring recliners and cupholders, are designed for comfort but frequently disregard proper proportion, spatial rhythm, and aesthetic intent. When all seating pieces are identical, the room lacks hierarchy and a distinct character. This uniformity makes the space feel impersonal and uninspired. According to Saab, a living room adorned with a matching furniture set resembles a showroom display rather than a curated, timeless design. She notes that this arrangement immediately dates a home to the early 2000s, characterized by overpowering scale, synthetic materials, and visual repetition that creates monotony instead of refinement. Such a setup often appears staged, static, and disconnected from contemporary living styles. The goal for a living space should be to feel tailored and curated, reflecting individual taste and a sense of history, rather than merely coordinated. This design faux pas in the living room can impact perceptions of the entire house. As the "visual handshake" of the home, a bulky, generic, or over-furnished living room can lead guests to assume a similar aesthetic indifference pervades the rest of the residence, even if that is not the case. The living room sets the tone for the home's interior design, and an outdated approach there can undermine efforts in other areas. For those seeking a budget-friendly update, Saab recommends keeping the primary sofa and removing other matching elements. This strategy helps reduce visual repetition without requiring a complete overhaul. Rearranging the remaining furniture can create more breathing room and shift focus away from uniformity. Incorporating an accent chair with a different shape or tone, perhaps in a contrasting material, can introduce visual interest. Further styling with textural pillows or a large, impactful object can add presence and character to the space. For a comprehensive makeover, replacing the entire matching set is advised. Saab suggests opting for a well-scaled, design-forward modular sofa, upholstered in natural materials like linen or cotton velvet, paired with a contrasting accent chair made of leather or a structured woven textile. Completing the look with a sculptural coffee table crafted from wood or stone reintroduces balance, contrast, and intentionality. These changes aim to create a living room that feels thoughtfully assembled and reflective of modern design principles, moving away from the mass-produced, uniform appearance of matching furniture sets. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #LivingRoom #FurnitureTrends #DesignTips #HomeImprovement #ModernDesign #BudgetDecor

This article highlights a vibrant design project undertaken by Leah Ring of Another Human for a 1923 bungalow in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles. The client, owner of a high-end pet supply store, sought to transform her two-bedroom home, which she shares with her two dogs, from a 'white box' into a space filled with color and personality. The project focused on interior design rather than structural renovations, emphasizing custom furnishings, rugs, lighting, wallpaper, and paint. Ring's approach involved embracing and enhancing existing quirky elements, such as stained glass windows. The small footprint of the bungalow was leveraged to create a cohesive color palette that flows throughout the adjacent rooms. The design concept blended 'east-coast granny chic' with 'Topanga canyon hippie in the '70s' vibes. In the living and dining room, a cheerful lavender tone (Benjamin Moore's Grape Ice) was chosen for the walls, complemented by a bright rug. The space incorporates vintage furniture alongside custom pieces, such as an upholstered bench with a skirt for whimsical aesthetics and hidden storage. This area was designed to feel layered and collected, with a focus on eccentric charm. The kitchen retained its retro character, with new lighting and a colorful runner adding updated personality. The primary bedroom features a peachy wall color (Benjamin Moore's Juno Peach) to create a warm, glowing atmosphere. It combines custom elements, like the headboard and a pillow made from a vintage quilt, with vintage nightstands, lamps, and a pendant, aiming for a serene and layered feel. A second bedroom was converted into a personal dressing room. This space includes a custom, wall-to-wall storage unit designed by Objects for Objects, intentionally built in free-standing sections for portability. The dressing room features yellow walls (Benjamin Moore's Citrus Burst) and vintage rug and light fixtures, with a sarong from Lisa Corti used as a curtain panel. The office, a crucial workspace for the client, showcases House of Hackney’s Artemis wallpaper in a vibrant colorway, which was a key inspiration for the project. The wainscoting is painted in Benjamin Moore's Adriatic Sea, and the room is furnished with vintage desk, chair, and table lamp. The bathroom incorporates textiles, with a kilim covering a built-in ledge under a glass top, enhancing the bohemian, lived-in aesthetic found throughout the home. Leah Ring emphasizes her client's adventurous personality and her willingness to embrace bold design choices. She advises against boxing oneself into a single aesthetic, suggesting that inspiration can be drawn from diverse sources like movies, songs, fashion campaigns, or travel memories to create truly unique interiors. Ring also highlights her preference for vintage and custom furnishings due to their eco-friendly nature and their ability to add character and unique stories to a space. For those still developing their style, she recommends visual communication through broad references, gradually narrowing down to specific elements that resonate most with the client's desired vibe. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SmallSpaceDesign #ColorfulInteriors #VintageDecor #BungalowStyle #LosAngelesHomes #CustomFurnishings #BohemianChic

This article details the transformation of a 1930s Colonial-style house in Maplewood, New Jersey, from a stark, personality-lacking home into a space filled with warmth, character, and vintage flair. The homeowner, who had painted most rooms white for resale, sought the expertise of Hollie Velten-Lattrell of Spaces by Hollie Velten to imbue the downstairs entertaining areas with cohesion and moody warmth, incorporating rich prints and vintage furnishings. Velten-Lattrell, acknowledging the trend of Brooklyn residents moving to New Jersey, aimed to create sophisticated, adult spaces that were far from stuffy, yet comfortable enough for family life and entertaining. The design process began with the homeowner's existing pink kitchen, which served as a vibrant starting point for the rest of the home's color palette and personality. Velten-Lattrell's unique design approach involves exploring client memories and personal inspirations, such as letters from a grandfather, childhood wallpapers, Wes Anderson films, Parisian hotels, and Gertrude Stein’s salons. These diverse inputs guided the creation of distinct moods for each room. For instance, the tiny vestibule was adorned with vibrant wallpaper, and the stair hall was enlivened with earthy, yet bold colors. The expansive living room, previously dominated by blue paint and lacking adequate lighting, was given a dramatic makeover with pistachio walls, a purple rug, and a caramel sofa, leaning into a moody aesthetic. The designer drew inspiration from Victorian and Art Deco salons to delineate various functional zones within the large rooms, including a 'parlor' in the stair hall and 'salon' and 'drawing room' seating areas in the living room. The interiors are a curated mix of antiques, vintage furniture, Scandinavian lighting, and custom-designed pieces by Velten-Lattrell. The entrance features bottle-green woodwork and stylized lily wallpaper in greens and blues from Zak + Fox, setting an inviting tone. The parlor, envisioned as a reception area, combines dusty pink walls with cool blue woodwork, featuring a tramp-art framed mirror and an antique cane-backed seat. The salon is configured for social gatherings and games, while the drawing room offers a cozy retreat for reading and relaxation, complete with a digital artwork above the fireplace that cleverly conceals a television screen. The thoughtful selection of fabrics and accessories further enhances the home's unique character. Windows are dressed with shaped pelmets in Flora Soames fabric, and chairs are upholstered in ochre cotton velvet from Dedar with Schumacher blue fringe. The coffee table ottoman is wrapped in leafy fabric from House of Hackney, and side tables include a fantastical papier-mâché piece. Art Deco fan-like chairs with rust fringe, custom ottomans covered in Décors Barbares fabric, and a variety of lamps—from a mid-century Swedish brass floor lamp to 1960s Finnish leaf-shaped sconces and a new Mackenzie Childs lamp—contribute to the eclectic yet harmonious design. Even the original Colonial-style mantel was updated with a hand-painted pink tile surround, echoing the kitchen's color and adding a vibrant touch. This detailed renovation illustrates a successful blend of personal history, artistic influences, and expert design to create a deeply personalized and aesthetically rich living environment. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #ColonialStyle #VintageFurnishings #MoodyInteriors #ColorPalette #CustomDesign #MaplewoodNJ #SpacesByHollieVelten

Justice Quinn, an interior designer, successfully furnished his entire living room for under $2,000, a remarkable feat given current economic conditions where even a single decent sofa can exceed $1,500. This achievement occurred after Quinn and his wife moved from a large ranch home to a 1,300-square-foot builder-grade house in Tulsa, Oklahoma. To adhere to their strict budget, they extensively utilized Facebook Marketplace, a platform Quinn has relied on for furniture sourcing for many years. Quinn's success is attributed to his expertise in identifying high-quality vintage pieces. He developed this skill by frequently visiting estate sales and researching the provenance of convincing furniture finds. He explains that he acquired every item in his living room from Facebook Marketplace at exceptionally low prices. For instance, he purchased a leather Maralunga two-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for less than $500, a piece that would typically retail for over $4,000 on other secondhand e-commerce platforms. The renovation of their new home began with plastering the fireplace to update its appearance. Quinn's friend from Organic Finishes, who was initially tasked with touching up walls, suggested plastering the entire living room, a suggestion they embraced. They also painted an unsightly wood beam with Benjamin Moore's White Dove to soften the room's aesthetic and replaced outdated builder-grade light fixtures. A standout acquisition was a massive chandelier from a Catholic church in Wichita, Kansas, which Quinn purchased for approximately $100 and had custom painted. Quinn's approach to furnishing involves a slow and deliberate collection process. The living room furniture consists of pieces he accumulated over several years, items that did not end up in client projects. This allowed them to furnish their new, smaller home immediately upon moving. He notes that while clients desire vintage and curated spaces, they understand the time commitment involved. Quinn dedicates half of his time to sourcing from estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, and private sellers, and the other half to working with local dealers and makers. He finds that collaborating with local craftsmen often results in quicker turnarounds compared to large retail stores. Key to Quinn's success is trusting his intuition when selecting pieces. He cites an early 20th-century antique cabinet with hand-etched details and Jean Prouvé taper-style legs, which he bought for just $10, as his favorite current piece. He advises against buying items merely because they are trendy, instead advocating for purchasing what genuinely appeals to one's eye. Once an item is acquired and its quality confirmed, he researches its design and origin. His primary motivation for purchasing is based on personal conviction rather than designer labels. Quinn also employs a unique negotiation strategy on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. When he encountered the chocolate leather Vico Magistretti sofa, recognizing its rarity in the Midwest, he proactively offered the seller more than the asking price. He explains that when communicating with sellers on these platforms, a brief and enthusiastic message expressing appreciation for the item, coupled with an offer slightly above the asking price, can be effective. He believes that by acquiring items at their lowest perceived value and investing in their restoration—through new fabric, reshaping, or restitching—they can be revitalized. Despite paying a little extra occasionally, Quinn feels this approach has consistently led him to discover exceptional furniture. #InteriorDesign #BudgetDecor #FacebookMarketplaceFinds #VintageFurniture #HomeRenovation #DIYDesign #ThriftedHome #DecoratingTips #AffordableLivingRoom