Living Room Ideas
Save the fire place and flooring option: The Huffs were drawn to the original 1957 wood veneer that still covered the fireplace, bedroom closet doors and a room-dividing built-in bookshelf. “It’s so rare; after 50 years not one person had painted over it or added fake crown molding or other architecturally inappropriate features to it,” Janel says.
For water basin? Japanese garden juniper (J. procumbens ‘Nana’, zones 4 to 9) is an old standby that is gaining new popularity, and rightfully so. Well known by Asian gardeners and bonsai enthusiasts, this juniper attains an average height of 1 foot, which makes it useful at the front of the border, creeping over low boulders or cascading over a stacked stone wall. Its bluish tint adds a rich layer of interest to rock gardens and decorative pots.
The new black range is now surrounded by countertops, and above it is a bit of family nostalgia. “The clients wanted to have something personal there, so we designed a stainless steel niche where they display photos printed on wipeable canvas,” says Copass. “They can switch it out when they want.” One of the clients sums up the project this way: “We told Melina that when people enter our home, we want them to feel comfortable, surrounded by warmth and, in a few places, to say out loud, ‘Wow’ — and that’s exactly the home we have now.”
AFTER: The wall between the kitchen and the breakfast nook was removed, making both spaces brighter. The designer left the original ventilation fan (located at the top of the corner cabinet), because it looked cool. The owners added their own hip note with uppermost cabinets made with glass fronts and small clips that hold the kids’ artwork like frames. “They change it out often,” says the designer. The countertop is aqua-colored lava stone. “Not only is aqua blue a very midcentury color; it’s a happy color,” says Copass. “The goal was to make this a happy, family-friendly place.” With that in mind, the designer chose cabinet knobs crafted with another midcentury hallmark: a starburst. The Roman shade was made with another fabric the designer created. “I first made this pattern for Disneyland,” Copass says. “If you go and visit Red Rocket’s Pizza Port, you’ll see it there. I had it done in different colors for this family.” The new banquette is covered with a vintage fabric the clients found. “It has a neighborhood theme, with children, houses and fire trucks,” the designer says. It’s complemented with a bright red 1950s metal chair — a remade flea market find.
One way of getting the color Sea Foam into the kitchen. `Blue is a smart choice for ceiling color because it mimics the sky, which can bring a tranquil feeling to a space. Note how the ceiling paint used here has a glossy sheen. Normally I recommend using flat paint for ceilings, as it’s best for hiding imperfections, but if your ceiling surface is in good shape, then a glossy sheen is a nice choice to help bounce light around a space. This is particularly beneficial if you are using a deeper, darker hue on the ceiling. A flat sheen won’t reflect light back into the space, so, depending on the color used, it can appear heavy and dull. A glossy sheen will reflect light and break up the expanse of strong color.'
Privacy fence and door painted another color. Also, door has three windows. AFTER: Lambur replaced the fence with one made from Mangaris hardwood for curb appeal and privacy. She painted the original front door a cheery yellow and the siding a dark charcoal. An existing Canary Island date palm and trumpet tree help obscure the view of the cottage from the street.
Split-leaf philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) is a climber, as are most philodendron varieties. It's also known as Swiss Cheese plant, due to holes on its large, glossy green leaves alongside deeply curved splits. This impressive plant is well suited to a large hall or a spacious room, in a spot with plenty of good light. Split-leaf can grow as tall as 10 feet, so it generally needs to be staked or given a pole on which to climb.
contemporary kitchen countertops by caesarstone caesarstone Nougat Caesarstone 2 Caesarstone is a great low-maintenance option for kitchen counters. The nougat color shown here looks a little retro-modern. Also great: Stainless steel, Richlite (made with resin and recycled paper) or a solid-surface material such as Corian would all be right at home in a ranch kitchen.
Iconic furniture. Classic contemporary furniture is paired with thrift shop finds to create a charming, personalized environment in which to relax and enjoy the pleasures of the desert.
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