While the idea of a front parlor room where you can make embroidered cushions and read letters delivered on silver platters is quaint, we had uncertainty if the original room would make sense in our modern lifestyle. After giving the home a few test months, we valued the separation of the front and back sections of the first floor. Since this is a smaller home, different areas for family to retreat in is key. Thus we transformed the original parlor room into a “calm room.”
The “calm room” is minimally furnished to nurture restful activities for modern times, like reading, homework or games.
The bay window brings in natural light and added seating, which helps keep the room uncluttered and relaxing. I kept the furnishings to a few functional pieces that are low to the ground–movable chairs like the rope poufs and stools, with plenty of books tastefully displayed. The home’s primary palette of blues and seaglass green is amply represented. A sisal rug is always key to bring in warmth and seamlessly integrate into the design scheme.
Upholstered pillows allow you to control the design.
The design theme of this room has a combination of influences, notably favorite places I have lived in like the Hamptons and Laguna Beach. Both coastal regions, though on different coasts, which share a casual elegance–comfortable, ethnic-inspired, light with beachy shades. I upholstered the pillows, valances and seat cushions with a Kravet fabric.
My most dependable design accent is coffee table books. If you saw my last storage facility you would say it is an obsession. Being an author of a few titles I am partial to what’s inside the book, though they also have design cred in accessorizing. I painted a brick wall white and kept the shelving for my books, which I organized by scale and color with a few accents here and there. (More to come later…)
Every home should have book shelves in at least one room.
The coffee table is an anchor piece in a designed home. What makes it on the table are favorite books chosen for size, color and style–peppered with supporting accents. When I came across Bitten by Witch Fever (which is actually a lovely book on colorful Victorian wallpapers) the scheme seemed intended for the room.
Coffee table book chosen for its pattern and color, which fits with the room’s theme. Design wise that is.
