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Living Room Styles

Oct 22, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips | Share

A few weeks ago we looked at dining room styles, so I thought it might be fun and useful to continue the series with living rooms, especially with the holiday entertaining season on the way. I hope this gives you some ideas of which one might be right for YOUR living room and lifestyle!

Vibrant Bachelor Pad

A retro-futuristic living room for a bachelor, with two pink B&B Italia multi-directional sofas with fuzzy throw pillows on a deep red wine-colored shag rug. An Eero Aarnio bubble swing chair hangs just in front of a large set of windows, with a patterned footstool in front. to the left of one sofa sits a clear perspex table with a burgundy table lamp.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

You could call this playful, eclectic condo a retro-futuristic design! Reminiscent of the 60s with the Eero Aarnio bubble swing chair, yet offering plenty of totally modern materials and finishes, this sensual bachelor pad is also easy to care for, brilliant for a person on-the-go who likes to entertain. The B&B Italia sectional lounge furniture offers multi-directional seating, and a plush crimson rug is great for large informal parties.

A retro-futuristic living room for a bachelor, with one red and two pink B&B Italia multi-directional sofas on a deep red wine-colored shag rug. To the front is a modern white dining table, two yellow kitchen chairs, and two clear green perspex modern chairs. On the wall behind one of the pink sofas is custom-made shelving and storage, with bright green wood and clear perspex sliding panels. An Eero Aarnio bubble swing chair hangs just in front of a large set of windows, with the projector screen hung just above, ready to pull down for a movie projected from the ceiling.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Because this space doesn’t use a fireplace for its living room focal point, instead I custom-designed wall-mounted shelving and a media cabinet that also serves as a bar. It’s perfect for showing off my client’s cool collectibles, and hiding away the cords and cables so commonly found with boys and their toys, like the ceiling-mounted projector used for movies and games.

Comfortable Mid-century Meets Global Chic

View of a conversation corner on a blue rug, with a contemporary sofa and matching chair in grey with multi-patterned throw pillows. To the front right is a midcentury modern chair and Noguchi glass table, both with wooden frames. At the back corner is a large plant with wide fronds, and a set of French doors with light streaming in.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Do you love mid-century design but want more vibrant or interesting textiles? This living room may be for you! The shapes of the contemporary furniture are streamlined and simple, like mid-century furniture. The colors and patterns of the textiles are globally inspired, bigger and bolder, while mixing in contemporary touches.

View of a grey contemporary couch with multi-colored and patterned throw pillows from several cultures and countries. Behind the sofa are a pair of yellow glass table lamps with white shades. A colorful photo of Yosemite has been turned into a large canvas, hung on the wall behind. In front of the sofa is a glass-topped Noguchi mid-century modern coffee table, styled with a vase of flowers and a few shiny containers. Some green plant fronds peek in at the far right of the scene.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Mid-century is a great choice for people who like to collect and display original and reproduction furniture, and those who enjoy entertaining at home with cocktail parties or coffee and book clubs. Juxtaposing different contemporary materials like glass and wood, plus fabrics and patterns from faraway places, makes for an exciting space!

Contemporary Hillside Retreat

Looking into the living room of a San Francisco hillside retreat with light-colored walls and ceiling, to the front and right showing patterned upholstered chair with metal frame and a hot pink throw blanket covering the back, a round wooden coffee table dressed with a vase and several different shaped sky-blue shiny containers. Behind the chair is a set of stairs with black metal railings and warm wood top rails. to the right is the living room with a light colored corner sofa with chaise, covered in colorful throw pillows, and a contemporary light-colored chair with metal legs that match the corner sofa. In the center is a Noguchi-style coffee table with warm wooden support and glass top, dressed with multiple vases filled with flowers, and books. A dog sits upon the corner sofa chaise.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

If you love the idea of contemporary, clean lines, but don’t care for the mid-century style, then this hillside retreat’s living room may be the right choice for you. A mixture of colors, patterns, and textures provides interest, while the light-colored wall paint is the perfect background to let the colors do the talking.

Let the view be the star in this contemporary hillside retreat, showing patterned upholstered chairs with metal frames, a round wooden coffee table dressed with a vase and several different-shaped sky-blue shiny containers. A hot pink throw blanket covers the back of one of the chairs, and another tan upholstered seat to the right is covered in green-blue-brown striped throw pillows. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors form the corner of the room. Outside, stools provide moveable seating on the balcony, in front of a beautiful San Francisco night view through metal railings.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

A variety of surfaces like the Flokati rug over wood flooring means it will never be boring or unwelcoming. The simplicity of this contemporary design allows the view to really shine. If you don’t have a view, bring in artwork and sculptures as really great conversation pieces.

Gentleman’s Modern Classic

A gentlemanly living room, showing blue rug over hardwood flooring, dark brown leather club chairs dressed with American flag pillows, a large modern hair-on-hide octagonal ottoman used as a table, with whiskey and ice bucket on a tray. In the foreground is a red couch with several throw pillows. The right wall has bookshelves either side of a wood fireplace surround and mantel, dressed with artwork. In front of the mantel is a flower arrangement. Light streams in from the windows straight ahead of you. Wood paneling surrounds the windows, doors, and acts as cornicing. In front of the window is a light blue chaise lounge and 3-legged side table. A pendant light hangs from the ceiling.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

This living room would appeal to someone who values bold, rich colors, natural elements, traditional craft, and modern comfort. The masculine colors and patterns are balanced by a light paint color on the walls and ceilings. The octagonal hair-on-hide ottoman is a useful conversation piece, surrounded by more traditional furniture.

A soft white woolly rug beckons under the light blue chaise longue, offering a cozy spot to curl up with a book or take a nap on a rainy day, dressed with pillows and a throw blanket. Beside it is a delicate 3-legged table dressed with orange flowers, a book, and a round object.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

Warm wood trim and panelling around the windows and doors tones nicely with the aged leather club chairs. The soft woolly rug beckons under the chaise lounge, offering a cozy spot to curl up with a book or take a nap on a rainy day.

Close-up image of the right arm of an aged dark leather club chair with round nailhead edging. On the seat is a folded patterned blanket, and on top of that, slightly out of focus, an American flag pillow rests against the back of the chair.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

If you love one of these living room styles, or want to discuss an idea all your own, Kimball Starr can be your personal stylist! Call her today for a complimentary consultation!