Style Counsel 12.3.2011

Saturday March 12th, 2011

Inner Balance

It’s tricky to get a very symmetrical room set to look casually elegant and at ease in its setting, but this living room manages it effortlessly.  We love how inviting it is – we’re dying to flop into those arm chairs and flick through a book – yet orderly and styled at the same time.

 

How has this been done to such harmonious effect?

• The natural elements in this room make a formal setting less rigid; the sisal basket, the slip covered chairs, the wooden consoles, the loosely arranged floral piece make the room inviting not intimidating despite the traditional set up.
• Chairs form all the seating provided in the room and the clever use of the less structured iron side chairs counter balances the matching set of armchairs and makes everything more fun.
• The coffee table is huge and makes the space more intimate as it fills the space and brings all the elements closer together. Besides, that’s where your pot of tea, glass of wine or cup of coffee will sit, and that’s important in a living room – the space should be used!
• There are lots of straight lines in this room – the mantle, the mirrors, the coffee table, the rug, but the console tables, the vase, the basket and the accessories are organic shapes which soften the overall look – a very important touch.
• This look works for a country house, a city loft, a beach side hideaway, a modern apartment or a traditional home – a very impressive achievement brought about by the subtle colour palette, tasteful use of timeless accessories, classic furnishing shapes and designs plus a sensitive yet classic layout.  One to copy!

 
You can steal this look with our help – here’s how!
 
The Emery lounge chair in linen or the Parker in hemp would give the same look as the featured armchairs. Try the Santa Barbara coffee table placed on the Nest rug and as side chairs you could go for Malawi, Dexter or St Barts as all would work really well.  Our Sawyer console is nice and natural and goes with the Wellington Mirror or you could mix it up a bit and team it with the Nicholson or Driftwood.  The magazine basket or jute baskets will give the right effect. Finally, pick some wild flowers and branches on your next walk and put them in the Charlize round vase and you’ve got it all going on!