Refresh your look with rich new colors, a fireplace facelift, natural light, and more
Written bySunsetAugust 4, 2009
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Photography by Lisa Romerein
1 of 10Photography by Lisa Romerein
Design ideas from living room remodels around the West
Before: Santa Monica cottage living room
The small, rather dark 1930's living room gave way to a light-filled, loftlike space (see next page).
Photography by Lisa Romerein
2 of 10Photography by Lisa Romerein
After: Airy cottage
The living room is now a colorful new gathering area. Light floods into the room and reflects off the white walls and mantel.
For contrast, the wooden floors are stained in a custom mix of ebony and dark walnut shades; the high-gloss polyurethane top coat reflects even more light.
Designer Julie Hart sparks the interiors with colorful accent pillows, throws, and pottery that she coorÂdinates with a rotating collection of art.
This living room's previous incarnation included a massive gold-veined mirror that concealed the unfinished double-sided fireplace.
Plantation shutters blocked an enormous expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows.
A team of workers had to chip away for days on their hands and knees to unearth the original terrazzo floors.
Lisa Romerein
8 of 10Lisa Romerein
Midcentury abode (after)
A handful of dramatic pieces stand out against this room's quieter elements. A pair of towering vintage majolica lamps (Carl's Lamps & Custom Shades, 323/651-5825) creates a yin and yang effect atop an understated low credenza of wenge and white CaesarStone (a quartz-polymer material).
The mix of items from another era with midcentury classics and some contemporary pieces keeps the overall look anchored to the home's origins while adding individual style.
Now the ceiling soars. Tall glass doors replace the small windows flanking the fireplace. A striking stairway leads upstairs, and ribbed cast-concrete fireplace create an inviting gathering place.