The 75 Best Living Room Ideas for Beautiful Home Design
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Of all the rooms in your home, it's likely you spend the most time relaxing with family, welcoming friends, and just simply living in your living room, great room, or den. For these reasons, you want to design it with function, comfort, and above all, your very own personal style. To help you find inspiration for how to decorate your living room, we've curated some of the most beautiful living rooms from our favorite interior designers.
Whether your living room is small or expansive, your taste leans modern or traditional, your unique point of view should inform every design decision you make in your living room, from the style of your sofa to the fabric that covers it. Browse our collection that includes neutral living room ideas, as well as those with eye-catching living room color combinations that bring your space to life. Look to designers' favorite living room paint colors for walls, ceilings, and trim, or perhaps you've dreamed of wrapping your living room in richly patterned wallpaper. In these photos, you'll discover the most luxurious rugs and flooring, stunning window treatment ideas, and brilliant ideas for lighting for your living room for the most pleasing ambiance.
These grand, sophisticated, and even cozy living room ideas are sure to inspire your next living room design project. As you pour over fabric and wall patterns, color palettes, furniture, and more, we hope these pictures from our extensive house tour archives provide all the design inspiration you need.
Celebrate Original Details
Original ceiling plasterwork and wood paneling pair with an ocean blue cowhide rug (Moattar) and drip-glaze lamps by Paul Schneider Ceramics in this stunning Atlanta home's study by designer Heather Dewberry. The space is finished with Art Deco-inspired furnishings and an "indestructible dyed cowhide rug that's perfect for high-traffic events," says Dewberry.
Sink Into Citrus
This family room’s custom Ebanista chaise is dressed in lemon linen, which makes for a supremely cozy perch with a picture-perfect view of this Palm Springs villa's rose garden. Centered around a minimalist fluted cocktail table (Ebanista), the citrus-hued seating was the catalyst for the home's redesign.
Choose a Neutral Palette
In this Los Angeles home by designer Michael S. Smith, the great room is designed with neutral textiles from Lee Jofa (upholstery) and Dedar (curtains) that allow the art and lushly verdant garden views to take center stage.
Lighten Up with Fresh Paint
Mia Reay's English country house is a grand laboratory for exuberant color, wild pattern, and decorating with heirlooms, as illustrated here in the Green Hall, the room the family uses every day. Once a somber dark green, freshly painted paneling (Pea Green by Farrow & Ball) alongside Pierre Frey curtains proves a compelling combination, adding a lightness of spirit.
Surprise with Whimsical Elements
In Liz Lange’s restoration of Grey Gardens in East Hampton, teal pops from two vintage chairs by Mastercraft and an eye-catching light fixture overhead complement the sofa’s Arbre de Matisse Reverse upholstery (Quadrille) in a nod to Billy Baldwin.
Take Inspiration From Travels
Designer Summer Thornton pulled inspiration from both places near and far when it came to decorating the living room of her 19th-century Chicago townhouse. The apricot shade on the living room walls comes from a sunlit building she’d seen in Venice while the hand-marbled paper (Marbled Art) covering the ceiling also mimics styles found in that region.
Cozy Up in Max Comfort
A botanical-inspired brass pendant (Urban Electric) crowns the comfort-forward TV room in the Dallas home of artist Donald Robertson, designed by Cathy Kincaid. The window shade and ottoman fabric is Namay Samay. Raffia covered walls, Phillip Jeffries
Edit for What You Love
Designer Jane Schwab's Charlotte penthouse showcases a carefully edited selection of beloved objects, as seen here in the pale, loftlike salon. Schwab’s favorite color palette—shades of ice blue, cream, and beige—take on a soft luminosity, thanks to floor-to-ceiling casement windows that overlook the tree canopy. A light background highlights the Schwabs’ growing collection of contemporary art. Works by by Imi Knoebel adorn luminous plaster walls in the salon.
Mimic Landmarks
It had always been a dream for Garrow Kedigian to live at the legendary Carlyle Hotel, and so when that dream became a reality, the decorator looked for ways to pay homage to the iconic landmark. The citron color covering the living room walls nods to Dorothy Draper, whose signature yellow velvet banquettes are still found in the Carlyle lobby. Meanwhile, the black moldings were inspired by the building's iron doors and the faux window mullions.
Ground with an Earthy Palette
In this stunning Atlanta home by designer Heather Dewberry, the primary study's wooden cypress ceiling features a center star motif. An earthen palette grounds the primary sitting room with a verdant velvet sofa (fabric, Manuel Canovas) and botanical patterned curtains (fabric, Peter Fasano). Ottoman, Doorman Designs. Wallcovering, Lee Jofa
Opt for Nature-Inspired Art
Country Club by English painter Hurvin Anderson brings the garden views inside the living room in this Michael S. Smith-designed home in Los Angeles. Chaise, Atelier Viollet. Coffee tables, Alexander Lamont. Antique rug, Mansour.
Pull in the Palms
The great room of this Palm Springs villa features twin hand-carved wooden sofas with an antiqued and distressed 12-karat white gold finish (also by Ebanista). Their leafy green silk upholstery seems to pull the radiance of the surrounding palm leaves through the tall glass doors. Italian artist Daniele Bacci’s geometric paintings spark conversation. The sterling silver urn on a marble-topped Regency chest (Ebanista) originally belonged to Doris Duke’s estate.
Cover Walls with a Mural
This home on Maryland's Eastern Shore designed by Jess Weeth features a dreamy mural paper by Susan Harter that wraps this living room. Coffee table, Arteriors. Chair, custom by Bungalow Classic featuring Samuel & Sons trim.
Add Coastal Flair
This Ellen Kavanaugh-designed home in Sea Island, Georgia is a masterclass in easy, breezy living. The living room is peppered with a mix of vintage and custom pieces. Kavanaugh found the vintage accent chairs with Parsons arms at Circa Who and the rest of the seating—as well as the upholstery—is from Nicholas Wolfe.
Master Monochrome Decor
In this Naples, Florida, rebuild, Bobby McAlpine and Susan Ferrier selected a tropical grisaille mural (Ananbô) to headline the living room. Like the rest of the home, the fabrics and carpets are monochrome neutrals and earth tones. Sofa, Promemoria
Relax in Grandeur
Relaxed grandeur reigns in this Beverly Hills living room designed by James Radin for client Benjamin Soleimani. Vintage ikat throw pillows top the Claremont-covered sofa in this home that blends British and Persian antiques with invigorating color. Draperies, Lelièvre Paris
Create a Calming Retreat
Striéd walls, vintage lighting, and intimate seating areas define the living room in a youthful reboot of a 1920s New Jersey estate designed by Steven Gambrel. Gambrel and architect Eric J. Smith composed the home with invigorating pattern and brilliant finishes. Custom armchairs and ottoman, Dune
Hang Art in Creative Ways
In the family room in this Atlanta home, a painting by Liz Barber appears to float atop a mirrored wall. A constellation of plates is comprised of commissioned illustrations on porcelain by Molly Hatch. Interior design, Heather Dewberry.
Mix Colors and Styles in a Joyful Way
Janie Jones and Elizabeth Miles, the duo behind Hundley Hilton, may have different style preferences, but together they make one powerful design team. As illustrated in the joyful living room of their client's Birmingham cottage, they know how to mix various colors and styles with ease. The vibrant yellow sectional (Lee) paired with a mod game table and Pierre Paulin-style Z chairs create the optimal space for easy conversation.
Preserve Historic Architecture
Design team Bill Brockschmidt and Courtney Coleman aimed to preserve the historic architecture of New Orleans' famous Faulkner House Books while instilling a youthful spirit in the living quarters. Aerodynamic Italian chairs in a decadent silk brocade animate the room's existing silk draperies and duck-egg blue paint. The coffee table is covered in a velour textile by Arabel Fabrics.
Start with a Rug
Believe it or not, the soft sunset palette of Renvy Graves Pittman's Bel Air living room originated from the antique Spanish rug. The warm tones carry over onto the apricot silk draperies and the floral sofa, upholstered in Lee Jofa’s Hollyhock chintz.
Connect to the Garden
Brooke and Steve Giannetti, the married duo behind the architecture, design, and lifestyle firm Giannetti Home, aimed to maximize the Los Angeles villa's connections with the gardens. The living room features multiple French doors, framed by billowy Rogers & Goffigon drapery, that open into a sycamore-shaded garden for a private cocktail party.
Usher in a Gorgeous Green
Decorator Heather Chadduck Hillegas relied on buzzy patterns, verdant pops of grassy green, and a pearly coat of paint to give this century-old Arkansas farmhouse a fresh chapter. In the living room, the sofa’s leafy Malmaison Fontaine pattern (Jasper) and a vine-sculpted tole chandelier balance the traditional wingback chairs (Mrs. Howard) and a gilded French mirror.
Play with Pattern
Esther Cayzer-Colvin took a few decorating notes from her grandmother and co-founder of Colefax and Fowler, Nancy Lancaster, and played with buoyant patterns in the newly added drawing room of her Wiltshire estate. Italian-strung curtains in Turkish-inspired patterned linen (Carolina Irving) frame views of the lush gardens. The sofa and slipper chair are both from Howard & Sons.
Rethink Your Space
Before filling this Napa Valley cottage with heirlooms, designer Dan Fink and architect Carl Baker of Ike Kligerman Barkley needed to rethink the configuration and flow of the living spaces. The biggest change was the addition of the great room, which extends off the back of the house onto the pool and outdoor dining room. The beechwood armchairs are by Sergio Rodrigues (Espasso).
Reflect the Sunlight
To break up the ballroom-size living room in this Pebble Beach chateau, the designer Mary McDonald devised three separate seating areas, all accented by different rugs. A diamond-patterned sisal rug lays the foundation for an airy lookout. Pale, near-neutral blues on the sofa (fabric, Clarence House) and drapery (fabric, Kerry Joyce) amplify the sunlight in the living room.
Utilize Vertical Space
“I like to utilize the entire volume of a room,” says designer Anthony Baratta, pointing to an American painting by Tomory Dodge and oversize custom floor lamp, both of which take advantage of the capacious height of this New York City apartment.
Equally ample upholstered furnishings are clad in arresting colors and patterns, including cherry-red velvet (Pierre Frey) and the sofa’s block-printed linen (Christopher Moore). Plaster and marble objects, including an over-the-top amphora lamp, echo the color and classical tone of the original ceiling moldings. The medallion border on the drapes was inspired by one in a Christian Lacroix showroom.
Go for Old-World Grandeur
In the large living room of this Alabama home designed by architect Paul Bates and interior designed Melanie Pounds, a landscape diptych by Michael Dines hangs over a carved European mantel (Chateau Domingue). Sofas, Verellen (at left) and Dmitriy & Co. (at right).
Embrace Bold Color
Designer Todd Romano's San Antonio living room might as well be a virtuoso’s guide to owning the color wheel: Taxicab yellow, pure red, and cobalt are a mighty foundation for soft pastels and nuanced naturals. A pair of Chinese baluster vases fitted as lamps bookends a custom button-tufted sofa. Central artwork, C-Ring 1, Todd & Fitch.
Channel Midcentury Cool
In the living room of architect Ken Pursley's Charlotte, North Carolina, home, a Calacatta marble partition separates the seating area from an open kitchen, shielding countertop clutter while inviting conversation between cook and guest. The custom sofa was a wedding gift from fellow architect Bobby McAlpine.
Bring in Nature with Verdant Green
In the living room of designer Cece Barfield Thompson's New York City home, an oil painting by London artist Daisy Cook hangs over a nine-foot Schneller sofa upholstered in stain-resistant fabric (Perennials). The coffee table is crafted from a 19th-century Chinese screen. A sea of verdant greens brings fresh, natural flair.
Create Casual Quarters
The inviting, casual living room of this colonial Connecticut home designed by Philip Gorrivan is furnished with antique French leather armchairs and a sprawling sectional sofa covered in a vintage ticking stripe. Several of the pillows were crafted with fabrics the owners picked up on their travels.
Choose Royal Hues
In the living room of designer Ceara Donnelley's Charleston home, a custom mohair sectional (Dmitriy & Co.) wraps a R&Y Augousti table. Paneling color, Pelt by Farrow & Ball
Consider Scale
In the living room of this waterfront Maine home designed by architect Gil Schafer, troweled plaster walls give a sense of age, while the scale of the owners’ antiques demanded bigger rooms. An antique needlepoint sofa is slipcovered in a cool ocean-blue linen (Larsen), a nod to the seaside locale.
Go Mad for Plaid
This radiant New York City study designed by Anthony Baratta is dressed in a Lee Jofa tartan pattern recolored specifically for this room (Anthony Baratta credits the “perfect pitch” of his team, Erick Espinoza and Jamie Nagoon, for refining such hues). The armchair upholstery is inspired by an early American weaving; the leather chair is antique English.
Mix Modern and Rustic
'Primitive modern' is how designer Mikel Welch would describe his personal design aesthetic, and he channeled himself as a client for this comforting living room at the 2021 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach. Welch says he loves to blend old, rustic pieces and vintage finds with his affinity for modern homes to create a unique space—and that is certainly on display here.
The designer used pieces from his own furniture collection to anchor the space, while filling in with furnishings from Jayson Home. The oversized abstract art above the console table is from Briggs & Co. The room is painted an airy Swiss Coffee in matte from Benjamin Moore's Aura line and the breezy window treatments were fabricated by The Shade Store.
Stun with Abstract Art
At this Dallas home designed by architect Ryan Street and interior designer Meredith McBrearty, a contemporary abstract by Louisiana painter José-María Cundin ignites a textural symphony of natural neutrals. The living room sofa is by Joseph Jeup, and the pair of armchairs is by B&B Italia.
Lighten Up Window Coverings
In this light-filled retreat in Naples, Florida, designed by Summer Thornton, gauzy block-printed drapery (Muriel Brandolini) filters sunlight into the great room. Sofas, Montauk Sofa
Refresh Tradition
At this Bronxville, New York, historic Tudor home designed by Carrier and Company, the living room’s colorful and printed upholstery enlivens oak paneling that is original to the home. They selected furniture shapes that nod to history (a Bridgewater sofa, wingback chair, candlestick lamps), then dressed them up as if for a gala in blue velvet, cerise stripes, black-and-white geometrics, even red leather, which trims the coffee table. A shimmery, pale carpet adds radiance to the room. Walnut veneer drawings, Neal Perbix. Mohair sofa fabric, Maharam. Coffee table, Julian Chichester.
Evoke Seaside Glamour
At the 2020 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, the living room evoked so much Mediterranean charm, you could almost feel the warm ocean breeze right in the middle of Texas. Inspired by the iconic La Fiorentina, designer Mark D. Sikes utilized his signature blue-and-white color palette to reinterpret the historic, elegant space into one fit for a North Dallas manse.
The star of this room is the magnificent wallcovering by Iksel Decorative Arts that envelopes the space in European seaside glamour. Elegant tailored-pleat drapery fabricated by The Shade Store gave the room a romantic, dreamy feel. The history of La Fiorentina was beautifully continued through this inviting, serene living space that evoked the same casual elegance and grace.
Mix Warm and Cool
Designed by Brockschmidt and Coleman, the Nashville, Tennessee, home of Keith and Jon Meacham features a convivial living room with the perfect mix of cool and warm hues that's often filled with lively guests gathering for cocktails before dinner. Curtains, Claremont.
Wow with a Wanderlust Vibe
At this Connecticut home designed by Miles Redd, a pair of commissioned Tim Kent paintings portraying Babylonian scenes adds a sense of wanderlust and fantasy to the family room. Faux shagreen desk, Made Goods
Let the Architecture Sing
"We started with the living room, and it was such a dramatic space with the scale, windows, and ceiling heights, and I really wanted to let the architecture sing," says designer Anne Spilman of this Sea Island, Georgia, home. "I knew that the rest of the house would then have a lot more color through fabrics, rugs, and tile, and we could really do the white up here."
Play Up Pattern and Color
In this Sea Island, Georgia, home designed by Anne Spilman, a Holland and Sherry rug brings a lively pattern to the floor while Brunschwig & Fils chair fabric, Holland and Sherry curtain fabric, and a seafoam green couch welcome in color.
Create a Light-Filled Lounge
In the spirit of French Deco, architect Yong Pak and designer Melanie Turner worked together to create this light-filled salon, complete with two cozy seating areas and a dining table for 12, this 100-year-old Atlanta home. In the main seating section, a conical Murano glass chandelier glimmers over pair of Louis XVI–style commodes and retro-inspired sofa (Björk Studio). The artwork above the mantel is by the late artist Todd Murphy.
Choose Charming Chintz
The entire scheme of this charming living room in a Big Sky, Montana condo stemmed from the owner's love of Pierre Frey's floral linen, Mortefontaine. Designer Palmer Weiss covered two swivel chairs and several pillows in it, then carried the aubergine, soft brown, and olive tones throughout the rest of the room. The 19th-century portrait of Pocahontas is by Victor Nehlig.
Go for Gold
Decorator Angie Hranowsky gave each room of this late-20th-century Tudor it's own personality. In the yellow living room, golden walls (Golden Straw, Pratt & Lambert), a peach velvet sofa (Pierre Frey), and pillows in purple and pale seafoam green assert youthfulness and vibrancy. Trim is painted a deeper shade of yellow (Hay, Farrow & Ball).
Throw Back with '80s Glamour
With a shared love for 1980s design and glamour, designer Miles Redd and his client, Sam Milner, played with bold color and lively pattern in the jewel-toned living room of her Greenwich home. Rich sapphire, emerald, and ruby tones seen in the chintz-covered furniture and Persian carpet inspired the room's taffeta curtains, silk walls (Kravet), and velvet pillows.
Masterfully Mix Materials
A soulful mix of natural materials, soft suedes, Belgian linens, and luxe velvet brings a sense of Old California back into this 52-acre vineyard estate by Ken Fulk. At the center of the living room, a Belgian linen sofa (Gregorius|Pineo), a leather armchair (McGuire), and a bundled oak table with polished nickel (Azadeh Shladovsky) offer ideal spots to perch beside the peninsular fireplace. while offering a striking mix of material beauty.
Celebrate Small Spaces
Architect Peter Block constructed this Arts and Crafts–inspired cottage on Brays Island to offer prime flexibility in a small footprint. Designer Beth Webb filled the living room with a plush sofa (Mrs. Howard) upholstered in soft wool (Holland & Sherry) to provide the resting spot after dinner in the adjoining dining room. "The spaces open graciously to each other," says Block, as shown here in the living and dining areas.
Emblazon with Riotous Color
Lacquered green walls and vivid dragon-print draperies (Jim Thompson) usher guests in to converse and relax in this jubilant New York living room by Chiqui Woolworth. The artwork over the mantel, Contemplation, is by Anne Rose, the owner’s mother.
Instill Island Vibes
When renovating his 70-year-old midcentury cottage on Harbour Island, designer Matthew Carter used a color palette of deep greens, dark browns, and a blend of whites to make each room feel more organic. For the living room, the Kentucky-based decorator paired a classic sofa (George Smith) with armchairs in a blue-check fabric (Alan Campbell). At the center is a 1970s coconut shell table.
Practice the Art of Restraint
Los Angeles–based designer Richard Hallberg used a cloud-like palette and a symphony of objéts to tie together each room of this historic Nashville mansion. Chess by John Cage (1968) hangs over a custom sofa within the living room. Soft linen upholstery fabric is by Formations.
Connect with Pattern
To unify the two halves of the large drawing room in his English countryside cottage, textile designer Richard Smith covered the walls of each section in the same shell-pink wallcovering (Madeaux). The flame stitch fabric covering the settee can also be seen on pillows in the other side of the parlor.
Incorporate Handmade Elements
Handmade terra-cotta floors, a brass hearth surround, and tiles crafted in Tangier, Morocco, bring elemental beauty and warmth into the living room of landscape architect Marco Bay's Portofino escape. The blue and green glassware on the mantel echoes the sparkling Mediterranean outside.
Warm Up with Wood
Designer and TV host Mikel Welch proves neutrals and wooden accents are far from boring in this New York City apartment. Welch repurposed barn doors as an innovative wall decor piece that warms up the entire space.
Delight with Design Surprises
A modern-leaning design duo, Le Berre Vevaud awakened this mid-19th-century Paris loft with elemental furniture and bursts of vibrant color like the pair of Œuf chairs by Jean Royère in a punchy yellow, the sculptural, channel-tufted sofa by de Sede, and a trio of engraved brass coffee tables by Emmanuel Jonckers.
Soothe with Simplicity
In this living room by renowned decorator Joy Moyler, soft upholstered furniture, dreamy lighting, and a calm neutral palette create a soothing atmosphere to relax and catch up with family.
Blur the Lines Between Indoors and Out
The living room of this Naples, Florida, home designed by Celerie Kemble becomes a refined waterfront lounge thanks to retractable glass and a shallow pool with floating stepping pads en route to the terrace. Slipper chair and pillow fabric, Penny Morrison and de Le Cuona. English 1930s side tables, Lee Stanton Antiques
Usher in Heirlooms
In the living room of Jenna Bush Hager's Long Island, New York, home, sapphire velvet upholstery (Donghia) and tassel fringe (Samuel & Sons) refresh a classic sofa. Armchair fabric, Morris & Co. Vintage coffee table, Baker. Chandelier, Stray Dog Designs. Egret painting, George W. Bush. Interior design, Traci White Designs
Double Up on Seating Areas
"Prioritizing conversation is key," says designer Richard Keith Langham, who designed this Greenwich, Connecticut, living room. The back-to-back sofas create two seating areas and alternate vantage points, ideal for creating more intimate conversation zones in a larger space.
Fancy a Fireside Setup
In this Southampton living room designed by Markham Roberts, a game table by the fireplace creates an intimate gathering spot for chess or a cocktail.
Swathe a Room in Floral Motifs
With dreamy views of the flourishing gardens outside her Mountain Brook, Alabama home, designer Caroline Gidiere incorporated subtle floral motifs throughout her living room. The sofa's slipcover is in a custom Colefax and Fowler print found on a floral document fabric in England's Bowood House. The Regency game table and antique chairs are flanked by Chippendale mirrors and lamps from Bungalow 5.
Ground with Vintage Textiles
In this California home by Peter Dunham, vintage pieces such as the chintz on Syrie Maugham armchairs and Flemish tapestry covering a round ottoman enliven a space with context and history.
Soothe with Symmetry
In this Upper East Side townhouse, designer Jeffrey Bilhuber used a pair of slipper chairs and love seats to a create a pair of artful mirror-image seating areas flanking the fireplace.
Maximize the Glamour
Glimmering surfaces, unique pieces, and impeccable views of the Mecox Bay assert a sense of glamour within this Hamptons house's living room. New York–based decorator Alex Papachristidis worked with various artisans to create one-of-a-kind piece such as the lighting hanging from the ceiling by Hervé van der Straeten.
Dream in French
In the living room of Micky Hurley's Paris apartment, a collection of 12 marble Caesar intaglios mingles with treasured oil paintings from Hurley's ancestors. A pair of stamped Louis XV fauteuils from Greta Garbo's estate flanks a tufted sofa found at Bonhams.
Meld the Indoors and Out
In the living room of Diana Ross' former New York apartment, designer Jeffrey Bilhuber brought the sparkle with lacquered walls and mirrored inset panels. Curtains in bright, leafy green—a bold and unexpected choice for a space with walls lacquered a quiet ivory—is meant to meld with the hundreds of acres of trees below, thrillingly on view through the apartment’s tall windows. “It’s so that nothing gets between you and that view of Central Park,” says Bilhuber. Custom sofa in a blue Cassaro fabric. Ottomans in a Brunschwig & Fils fabric. Brass cocktail and side tables, Michael Dawkins Home. Rug, Holland & Sherry. Pendant, Studio Van den Akker. Artwork, Caio Fonseca.
Pick Parisian Pastels
"Juxtaposing elements that don't normally belong together makes everything feel more exciting," says French designer Jean-Louis Deniot on his approach to designing this 18th-century Paris apartment. In the living room, colorful midcentury and contemporary furnishings such as the curvy sofa covered in a flecked bouclé (Raf Simons) and pink porcelain side tables (Djim Berger) stand out against gray-painted 18th-century boiserie.
Pile on Pattern
In the living room of this Miami beach retreat, designer Sig Bergamin plays with two dozen patterned fabrics and jewel tones to create a festive and welcoming vibe. A deep-red striped daybed fabric by Robert Kime mingles with an amethyst-and-gold-accented art series, adding a layered look to the room.
Enliven with Lemon and Lime
Designer Mark D. Sikes awakens the decor of this midcentury ranch with splashes of color and ornate wallpaper in each room. The living room walls, painted Citron by Farrow & Ball, liven up the architecture of this 1950s home. The geometric rug is from Patterson Flynn Martin and the floral drapery and tufted sofa upholstery are from Lee Jofa.
Immerse in Colorful, Wild Pattern
Designer Katie Ridder challenges classic, demure Hamptons style with electric shades of blue and red and rich patterns in the living room of this Hamptons home. The solid turquoise sofa and Chinese-red pillow fabric playfully accent hues within the hand-painted Iksel wallcovering. The sofa upholstery is by Jim Thompson.
Delight with Objects and Art
This Palm Beach living room of antiques dealer Lars Bolander doubles as an art exhibition with paintings and sculptures decorating every corner. The console displays objects from the Bolander’s travels, including a French drawing and bowls from Greece and India. The metal fig tree sculpture is by Luciano Zanoni. The sculptures at left and on the console are by Dominique Pollès, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. James Harpel.
Live with History
Storied antiques work harmoniously with fearless colors in the living of designer Meg Braff’s 1960s Long Island ranch. Braff found this 17th-century Chinese coromandel screen at a local estate once designed by Mario Buatta. The vintage sofa is trimmed in a four-inch fringe by Houlès. The sofa upholstery fabric is from Zoffany.
Dazzle with Pastels
Designer Miles Redd uses an exaggerated pelmet in the living room of this Victorian home to disguise a low window and draw the eye upward. The custom tufted sofa is in a Brunschwig & Fils silk velvet. The window treatment fabric is by Fisherman’s Fabric and the lacquered walls are Bird’s Egg by Benjamin Moore.
Let the Outdoors Inspire
In the generously proportioned living room of this Palm Beach villa, designers Bunny Williams and Elizabeth Lawrence use apple green seating as a way to make the space feel young and fresh. The room's palette stems from what Williams describes as an "aha moment" that she had while staring out the windows during the project's very early planning stages."I was looking at all the foliage, and I suddenly decided to do everything in an acid apple green," she says of the upholstered furniture. "When you do one color, it's less busy," she says.
Williams paired the vibrant hue with chocolate brown accents and splashes of eggplant and magenta, surrounded by ivory walls. The serene backdrop was deliberate, she says, "because I knew that the clients would be buying a lot of contemporary art with bright colors." The antique Italian chair in a Zimmer+Rohde fabric is from John Rosselli Antiques. The custom curved sofas are from Liz O'Brien.
Match the Beauty Beyond
With layers of vivacious fabrics and touches of French flair, designer Susan Bednar Long unlocks the magic of this 200-year-old Provence living room. Drapery fabrics by Braquenié and Chelsea Textiles compliment the home's bountiful gardens while bringing to life the living space, which was formerly the barn. Oversize sofas (by Sits and Pierre Frey) ensconce a custom strié velvet ottoman.
Douse Walls in Watery Blue
Designers Bunny Williams and Elizabeth Lawrence swath the guesthouse living room of this Mediterranean-style villa with watery blue tones inspired by its Palm Beach setting. The room features a modern take on a classic Mediterranean tile wall that was created through photo imaging by Artgroove Studio. The armchairs are by O. Henry House and the elephant stool and mirror are from John Rosselli Antiques.
Marry Modern and Classic
This Atlanta living room designed by Melanie Turner marries classical influences with modern flair with the help of a tiger-striped sofa in a Scalamandré velvet. The teal pillows are in a Schumacher fabric with Samuel & Sons trim. Walls in Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball and artworks by Hendrik Kerstens and Trine Søndergaard.
Echo Seashell Shades
Designer Susan Zises Green infuses pink, cream, and coral shades into this Palm Beach living room to echo a collection of seashells. An antique stool awaits guests, and flowers by Tom Mathieu add vibrant life throughout. The custom sofa and both pairs of armchairs are upholstered in Claremont fabrics, topped with pillows in Fortuny fabrics, and flanked by side tables by John Rosselli Antiques. The lamps are Daniel Barney and frame artwork by Diane Petry.
Lacquer the Walls
Black-and-white patterns pop against lacquered green walls in this Washington, D.C., living room designed by Alessandra Branca. The room’s sofa and chairs are from the designer’s Casa Branca collection, and the chairs are covered in a Schumacher fabric. The 1940s lacquer cocktail table is from Maison Jansen and artwork by Ellsworth Kelly.
Make Moroccan Magic
In the living room of this Kips Bay Show House, designer Cindy Rinfret uses patterned grass cloth wallcovering and panels—designed in collaboration with Nicolette Mayer—to make the room feel well-traveled and collected. The gold leaf lighting by Currey & Company creates a sense of harmony with the entry’s domed, Moroccan-influenced architecture. In the corner, a 1970s original Jansen palm tree adds a playful nod to Palm Beach. Drapery fabrication by The Shade Store.
Define Seating Situations
The expansive living room of this 1930s Spanish Colonial home
designed by Cathy Kincaid is divided into intimate seating groups to create a cozy atmosphere. The custom sofa at right is in a Claremont fabric, while the facing armchairs are in a Rose Tarlow Melrose House fabric. The French canvas screen is 19th century and the rug is by Doris Leslie Blau.
Add Texture Underfoot
A Portuguese needlepoint rug adds pattern and texture to the neutral living room of this Long Island home. Designer Frank de Biasi furnished the room with a vintage sofa by Maison Carlhian. The arm chairs are vintage Howard and Sons and the slipper chairs are vintage Maison Jansen. Speciality items in the room include the custom cocktail table, early-19th-century Danish secretary, and artwork by Ugo Rondinone.
Serve Up Rustic Style
In this New York home designed by Nick Olsen, exposed wood beams and a painted floor serve as a rustic backdrop for exuberantly upholstered furniture. The armchair and ottoman, covered in a Bennison Fabrics crewelwork, are from Ann-Morris. The walls are painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore.
Showcase Fine Antiques
In this living room designed by John Oetgen, the crisp white walls and marble floors create a gallery-like backdrop perfect for showcasing fine antiques. The custom sofa and Louis XVI-style armchairs are covered in Dedar fabrics. The acrylic side table is by Travis & Company, and the antique rug is by Moattar, Ltd. The marble flooring is by Materials Marketing.
Frame Up Peak Views
In this Aspen getaway, designer Victoria Hagan used bronze window casings to frame floor-to-ceiling mountain views. The custom sofas are covered in a Romo fabric by Classic Design. The pair of chairs are designed by C.J. Peters, and the armchair is in a Chapas Textiles fabric by Frank Rogin. The custom cocktail table is by Victoria Hagan Home Collection and the Hervé van der Straeten console is from Ralph Pucci. The custom rug is by Mansour.
Expertly Mix Materials and Textures
This seaside California living room designed by Mark D. Sikes is a lively mix of materials: wicker, limestone, and wood. The sofa by Hickory Chair is in a Pindler linen. The Bielecky Brothers armchairs showcase a Carleton V cotton. The round table is by John Rosselli Antiques, and the floor lamp is by Visual Comfort & Co. The chandelier is from Formations.
Design with Antiques
An antique French settee wrapped in a Great Plains fabric anchors this Atlanta townhouse living room by John Oetgen. The antique Swedish armchair is in a Dedar fabric, the bench is designed by Formations, and the mirror is an 18th-century carved Italian treasure. The Italian sconces are antiques from Travis & Company.
Bring on the Drama
In this coastal California home, designer Christina Rottman frames the home’s view of the Pacific Ocean with Chivasso transparent and C&C Milano silk curtains. The custom sofa is in a Sabina Fay Braxton velvet and Rose Tarlow Melrose House leather. The cocktail table is Jean de Merry and the vintage chairs, in a Castel fabric, are from Demisch Danant. The art above the fireplace is by Roi James, and the pendant is Hervé van der Straeten.
Make a Quiet Backdrop With Neutrals
The natural style in this Aspen, Colorado, home was designed by Richard Hallberg, who used muted tones to make a quiet backdrop in harmony with its mountain surroundings. The furniture includes a custom armchair in a Romo fabric, a cocktail table by Chista, and a table by Tom Palmer.
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