Warm Transitional Style Updates a Casual California Living Room
A design team works with a young couple to create a light and airy living room that fits their new West Coast lifestyle
When a professional couple with a young son moved from the East Coast to San Mateo, California, they wanted their Spanish Revival home to reflect their personality and new Bay Area location. While the husband likes a contemporary style, the wife prefers a more bohemian vibe. Mother-and-daughter design team Dominique Stenzel and Natalie Simpson of LBF Interiors worked with the couple to create a bright and stylish living room with an easy transitional style that makes both of them happy.
After: The designers chose a neutral beige (Temporal Spirit by Benjamin Moore) to freshen up the walls and ceiling. “Our intention was to bring something warmer but not too buttery yellow to the walls,” Simpson says.
They then painted the decorative ceiling beams a rich dark brown (Barista by Benjamin Moore) to give the homeowners the contrast they wanted.
The seating area includes a sectional sofa that is covered in a durable fabric and has tapered, brass-plated legs. The hand-woven, flat-weave area rug is made of wool and cotton. Its fretwork pattern in oatmeal and ivory lightens the refinished oak floor.
A pair of round nesting tables with sculptural metal bases and smooth marble tops provide a spot to rest a drink and help finish off the space.
The window in the rear looks out to the front yard, while the French doors on the right lead to a patio.
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They then painted the decorative ceiling beams a rich dark brown (Barista by Benjamin Moore) to give the homeowners the contrast they wanted.
The seating area includes a sectional sofa that is covered in a durable fabric and has tapered, brass-plated legs. The hand-woven, flat-weave area rug is made of wool and cotton. Its fretwork pattern in oatmeal and ivory lightens the refinished oak floor.
A pair of round nesting tables with sculptural metal bases and smooth marble tops provide a spot to rest a drink and help finish off the space.
The window in the rear looks out to the front yard, while the French doors on the right lead to a patio.
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Before: The couple felt that the existing fireplace, with its white plaster surround, was too traditional in style. The small scale of the surround also made the fireplace feel out of place in the room.
How to Decorate a Living Room: 11 Designer Tips
How to Decorate a Living Room: 11 Designer Tips
After: Instead of replacing the entire fireplace, which would have required expensive structural changes, the homeowners decided to give it a face-lift and make it a decorative focal point. Honed limestone tiles create a taller and wider surround that fits the contemporary look of the updated space. “Bringing that tile all the way to the ceiling really elongates that wall,” Simpson says. The tiles coordinate with the limestone slabs used for the sleek hearth and mantel. The steel fireplace screen features an attractive trellis design.
After these photos were taken, the homeowners decided to replace the art above the fireplace with a flat-screen TV that was installed on the tile.
After these photos were taken, the homeowners decided to replace the art above the fireplace with a flat-screen TV that was installed on the tile.
Two industrial-style, four-light armed wall sconces flank the fireplace, with two identical sconces on the wall across the room. An overarching floor lamp by the sofa provides additional lighting. It has an antique bronze finish and a linen shade.
“There was not enough attic space to include new recessed lighting, so we went with the floor lamp and sconces to give the room more light,” Simpson says.
Two industrial-style console tables under the sconces offer easy-access media storage, with display space on top for decorative accessories.
“There was not enough attic space to include new recessed lighting, so we went with the floor lamp and sconces to give the room more light,” Simpson says.
Two industrial-style console tables under the sconces offer easy-access media storage, with display space on top for decorative accessories.
A classic barrel chair features a distressed white oak frame with blue-gray leather upholstery. “It kind of hugs you, so it’s a very comfortable chair, and it invites you to read a good book and stay awhile,” Simpson says.
Find leather barrel chairs in the Houzz Shop
Find leather barrel chairs in the Houzz Shop
At first the homeowners considered buying a storage ottoman instead of a coffee table, but they couldn’t find anything that fit their budget and needs. Instead, they went with this contemporary iron-and-oak coffee table with a black finish. Storage drawers with brushed brass hardware conceal items like remotes and books to reduce clutter.
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Shop for coffee tables
Light and airy cotton drapes with a small leaf pattern offer privacy. Stenzel and Simpson added dimension by including sheer panels behind the cotton drapes. Closing just the sheers lets in some light while providing a bit of privacy.
Now the homeowners have the updated space to complete their California dream. “It’s their only living area, and meant to feel very warm and somewhere you want to spend time in,” Simpson says.
Takeaways
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Now the homeowners have the updated space to complete their California dream. “It’s their only living area, and meant to feel very warm and somewhere you want to spend time in,” Simpson says.
Takeaways
- Choose an area rug large enough so that most of the furniture can sit on it.
- Keep the main pieces neutral, and use pillows, throw blankets or rugs for a punch of color and pattern.
- Give thought to your window treatments, which can be a make-or-break item. “They really soften the room quite a bit,” Simpson says.
- Make a room more interesting by combining modern and traditional design details. In this room, a more traditional accent chair with a barrel back joins a more contemporary sofa and coffee table.
More on Houzz
Key Measurements for Your Living Room
Get living room design ideas
Find a home pro
Shop for living room furniture and accessories
Living Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A young professional couple and their son
Location: San Mateo, California
Size: About 330 square feet (31 square meters)
Designers: Dominique Stenzel and Natalie Simpson of LBF Interiors
Before: Because of their major move to California, the East Coast transplants had limited furniture that they set up on the fly, which they felt made the room feel incomplete and dreary. “Being too dark was one of their main concerns,” Simpson says.
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