CRAMTON AVENUE
THE GOAL
My goal is to help you pull together a cohesive look and feel for your mid-century home that is clean, warm, stylish, and YOU. We will utilize your existing art and furniture in an intentional way while complimenting them with new pieces for a more finished and useful space. All elements will be carefully selected based on what is functional and beautiful while paying homage to the era of the house (without being too kitschy) and Asian-inspired style. A mix of textiles, materials, and shapes will be used to create a balanced, effortless look.
ENTRYWAY
In your entryway, we are mostly in need of some texture and color. Instead of adding a large area rug, consider moving the artwork (will recommend another space for it) and adding a textile-based large scale piece of art in its place. If you’d rather add a framed or canvas art piece instead, add the texture back in with a throw sheepskin on the chair for texture.
Add another chair (a pair to the shell one you have there currently) to the left of the art piece for balance (or a large house plant).
To the left of the door, move the photograph you have framed in there now with ANOTHER one framed in the same style (one on top of the other). This will help balance the wall.
To the right of the bedroom/office, add a small console with a mirror above. This is a good drop zone for guest keys, purses, etc. The mirror (as opposed to art) is also functional for guests coming and going. This can be vintage + round mirror OR something combined like this piece above from CB2.
Your bench can remain as is. Add a small runner, horizontally in front of the door for shoes/feet. This should be something low pile, durable, and dark so as to not compete with the wall color (and for function).
Another option for the entry would be to add the credenza from the basement to the main wall with a large scale round mirror above it. On the opposing wall where I recommended the small console/mirror on the last page, you could instead have the shell chair facing out with a smaller piece of portraitaligned art above it. If this is the case, I’d add a Turkish or Persian style runner in front of the credenza for color( and to further define the space).
In this plan, you should also add a lamp, tray, books, and set of new or vintage vases on top of credenza. I can help with final styling once layout is confirmed. You could also consider adding a house plant to the left of the credenza in this option for some height & life. The framed photographs and bench would remain the same as recommended on last page.
FIREPLACE ROOM
Tall Cabinet
Fireplace Wall
Optional Rug
Wall Unit
Contract 4-Seat Sofa
Contract 3 or 4-Seat Bench
Coffee Table Club Chair
Contract 3-Seat Sofa
Club Chair
Sofa Table
Optional Bench
Optional Rug
Lamp
Large Plant
The layout I am recommending for your living room is similar to your current layout (as it makes the most efficient use of space; however, with some tweaking we are able to get more seating and functionality for adult lounging, hosting, reading, every day use etc. Pulling back the sofa and adding some additional seating in front of the fireplace allows for better communication with a larger group (as opposed to adding a larger seating area by the wall unit). Further explanation to come with corresponding pages.
Two Millbrae Contract sofas should be purchased (almost like a sectional) with a table (wood/chrome from your basement) in between. By using a combination of the 4-seat and 3-seat sofas, you will maximize your space. If you’d like a little more breathing room, utilize a 3-seat and a 2-seat sofa. I’d like to keep the space relatively neutral with just a couple of pops of color (like the mood board). So, if you choose to keep these sofas neutral, consider popping color in the chairs. If you would like the sofas in a pop of color, keep the chairs neutral. Fabric options are numerous, so once you decide on a route, you can confirm with me what you’re leaning towards. The color pop I think would look best in your space is a blue or green (as I am recommending red in the pool room). This will be very calming and inviting.
Both the brown and gray fabric pictured here are from the Coalesse line, but would need to get the fabric spec’d.
To add a little bit of formality and glamour (while still being inviting and comfortable), utilize two oversize club chairs in a velvet or luxe weave material. These should have minimal legs so as to not compete with the sofa legs. Additionally, the chairs should have no tufting. CB2 has a viable option with a number of color choices; however, for a nicer one consider the Davos Lounge Chair or something similar.
You can utilize your existing coffee table since the Noguchi shape balances well with the squared lines in the space; however, since you are hoping to entertain more, consider adding a large scale, round coffee table (drum style) for function (more places to set drinks, plates, etc.). Brass (Milo Baughman-esque) or an organic concrete would add a nice mix of materials (that will be balanced with styling elements).
To anchor the main seating space, consider adding an area rug (approx. 9x12 or 13) in a neutral color (can even have a little shag if you want some texture).
To the left of the sofa, utilize your existing mantis style lamp (similar to location placement now) and then add a large-scale table lamp with white drum shade on top of the side table on the right (this can be interesting/vintage or neutral).
Behind the smaller sofa utilize your sofa table. If you replace it, consider something in wood. You may even consider a credenza behind the sofa for additional storage/display/serving; however, it depends on the length of the sofa you choose (2 or 3 seat for the smaller). You can also utilize your black bench against the window wall. On the far wall, add a tall cabinet for storage & visual anchoring of the vertical space (you can add styled elements on top depending on height) and a large house plant (like you currently have or larger) to the opposite corner. The cabinet can be mid century or Asian-inspired to add some depth and interest to the space. Stick to black or wood.
On the large drywall wall, add an 8-9’ Paul McCobb style wall unit (walnut is ideal). This will add needed height to the open wall in addition to storage & shelving for styling, serving, etc. This will also serve as a nice focal point. To the left of the wall, add the two large scale pieces of art that are currently in the entry. To the left of the art (corner) add your lounge chair and ottoman (or larger, Womb-Style one if purchasing new). This is a great, more personal space, for lounging and reading.
In front of the wall unit, for additional seating and balance, add a leather bench in the same Coalesse Contract system. You can add a 3 or a 4-seat bench depending on the size of wall unit that you get. Add two bolsters to the end for high style. The exact leather can will be chosen based on final elements for the main seating area and tone of wood for the wall unit.
Above the fireplace, you can either add a piece of art for more drama or leave it blank (since enough other elements in the room speak for themselves). If you do want to add art, I would consider adding something gray or dark blue (or green depending on what you accent with).
For final styling, add books, a few throws, pottery, some decorative items for the built-ins, etc. You can even add some greenery to the built-in shelving wall. I can always come help with final styling. Sourcing takes a bit of time for each individual piece and will be dependent on the size of the wall system.
DINING ROOM
Your dining room should feel clean, beautiful, and functional. Above the credenza, remove the art and add a large mirror with a little bit of character (or a pair of two matching mirrors). This can be a vintage piece or new (the painting has been recommended to be moved to the pool room).
Above your dining room table, hang a light fixture as the focal point of the space. Many light fixture options will work; however, it is important for it to have something unique about it.
Remove the red cabinets (these, too, will be used in the pool room) and instead add some floor to ceiling open shelving or wall unit system against the wall. The wall is really calling for height and presence (like the wall in the living room). Depending on the width you find, you can balance the wall out with a house plant or two.
On the shelves, mix in some of your smaller artwork, liquor/drink accessories, and pottery items.
On the wall opposite the shelving unit, add your two large scale black and white pieces of art (stacked on top, not side by side). Consider new framing for these.
If you want to add some color or change up the art a bit, get a photograph or abstract art in a very large scale (instead of two pieces) that includes at least some of whatever color you are using in the living room as your color pop.
If you end up going with white carpet in the dining room, you may want to consider adding a flat woven floor rug. This can be gray/neutral or in a color if you go with a more neutral piece of art work (like your two black and white photographs).
MASTER BEDROOM
I’d love for your bedroom to feel like a zen-like retreat with a little bit of vintage flare. Since your bathroom is more on the luxe side, I’d like a nod to the Hollywood regency/Asian style as well. I love where your art is in the bathroom. It’s very fitting, but we want everything else to follow suit. First, I recommend getting larger side tables to the right and left of the bed. The scale should be like small side dressers. A burl wood Mastercraft style side table would compliment your black bed and art well. On each side table, add a substantial, but modern lamps in addition to one of each of these art pieces to be styled with each side on the wall.
Your bedding sheets and pillow cases (4 pillows) should be all white, but layered with a linen, organic duvet cover in a blue shade, sea foam, or neutral (but contrasting to white). The hint of color would add a lot to the space. Underneath the bed, ½ under, consider adding a Flokati rug for extra texture and visual interest.
Your dresser can remain as is for the short term (since it matches the bed); however, long term consider replacing it with a burl/black dresser instead. Above the dresser add a long, modern, simple wall mirror. Accent the dresser top with a simple tray and some white, modern ceramic pottery.
Clear everything else out from the front right corner of the room and start from scratch. Hang the circular artwork centered on the wall to the right of the window. Also on that wall, add one of your black floor lamps and a colorful accent chair.
Add just simple white roller shades for blocking out the sun, and consider adding a large house plant to the right or left side of the room for some asymmetry and greenery.
Add some throws for comfort, texture, and softness.
On the front wall, add a neutral colored sofa with a large scale piece of artwork above. Nothing you currently have fits the scale a it should be at least 48� wide (LEAST). Consider something on canvas since everything else in this room art-wise is framed. If you take my recommendation for the fireplace room and buy a different coffee table, move your Noguchi one in here.
POOL ROOM - KIDS AREA
The new kids area should be fun, vibrant, eye catching, and functional. I don’t have the exact measurements of the space (not in the Sketchup File); however, I am using best judgment and I can alter as needed pending follow up. On the back, far wall by the window, add your two wing chairs. This can be a cozy area by the window to read, play instruments, etc. On the wall in this area, consider hanging the colorful baby art to the left of the window and instruments on the wall as needed. The art will pop from far away due to the vibrant colors.
Where the television will be mounted (center area), add the your reddish-orange overdyed rug to anchor just that middle space (centered long ways with the television). On top of the rug, centered with the TV, add two opposing, matching linen sofas with a coffee table in the middle. Shown are a few examples from CB2 and Anthropologie. Another idea to explore, would be to make a super casual modular seating zone here (like the Pierro Lissoni style sofas from Living Divani). This can be a bit pricey and would require careful measurements, but would certainly be fun/ standout. If you want to go this route, let’s continue to discuss.
Music + Chairs Area
TV Area
To bring the color pop towards the door and for some extra storage, add your red cabinets to the left side of the room. The tops can be styled as needed with additional art/accessories. I agree with your assessment to add a long table (wall mounted or free standing) to the main wall on the right for homework, projects, etc. This should fill the whole space, though, so again, careful measurements will be needed. Consider hanging your large scale, colorful abstract art piece above the desk area, and add some task lamps/accessories as needed.
For seating at the table, you can add a long bench or three office chairs for comfort. This one pictured is from Coalesse, but any vintage or new office chair would do, too, as long as it contrasts against the table.
Throughout the entire space (as pillows, poufs, etc.) u t i l i z e y o u r collected textiles. These color pops will really make the room feel youthful and fun.
Additionally, add colorful artwork as necessary (will know better, again, once measurements are 100%.
So, what’s next?
Whew! That was a lot of information. Now that you have seen the inspiration/recommendations, soak it all in. Let me know if you have any questions. After processing the information, you have a couple of options. ü Call or e-mail to set up an appointment to discuss your likes/dislikes of the design and how we can move forward together with Hunt & Gather managing the project (we would discuss what items you would like to purchase yourself, what I should be hunting for, budget, and timeline). ü Start working on the room on your own (purchasing items, hunting for things, etc.) and only call me when you need clarification, recommendations, or final styling. Remember, the WHY is more important than the WHAT, so if you don’t like a pillow/lamp/etc. that I recommended, find something with similar lines or a similar purpose (or a cheaper price) and consider purchasing that instead! ü Nothing. This wasn’t what you were looking for, and you would like to discontinue working together. Additional pricing for services would be given at the follow-up meeting that fit your specific needs. Hope you love the design concept! Can’t wait to hear from you!
THANK YOU Kelley Howley Hunt & Gather 740 Curve St. SW info@huntandgatherGR.com