Living rooms should be both comfortable and welcoming, and that’s how I designed mine! Blue and white is such a classic color combination so I chose the lovely duo for my great room. I just love the high vaulted ceilings and the tall wainscot paneling on the walls! My black grand piano sits by the front window so I can play and feel like I am in my garden, which is usually in bloom with seasonal flowers.
The Marvin windows give a great view of our front garden and allow natural light to flow in, making the space crisp and bright. One of the main focal points of my living room is the vintage mahogany mantel, where I love to display fresh flowers in my blue and white china vases. The mantel is from an old home in Birmingham, and it’s thrilling to have a piece of history in our home.
My navy blue sofas are from Lee Industries, and they provide great places to entertain guests. A small group can chat by the fireplace while another group can enjoy views of the back terrace, walled rose garden, and the beautiful valleys and mountains beyond. The armchairs in this space are neutral in color with touches of blue in accent pillows and ottomans.
Across from the mantel, my living room connects to the kitchen with a large, stone-lined opening. A reclaimed header beam from an 1860s factory in Mississippi sits on top. To see my kitchen, visit this blog post I wrote on my amazing Viking appliances and kitchen layout. I wanted my kitchen to be a part of our living room so that when we all gather, we feel as though we are in one room. My family guests always want to be in the kitchen with me, so this works perfectly for me.
Throughout my entire home, I have antique, walnut-stained hardwood floors from River Bottom Pine. In the living room, this really ties in the mahogany mantel and other furniture pieces. I love a medium brown floor because the wood grain shows. Sitting in the middle of the space, a dark wooden table displays some of my favorite blue and white china pieces from my collection. Neal and I found this farm table at Scott Antique Markets in Atlanta, Georgia, and my dad refinished it in walnut, resulting in a lovely table.
We always tell our guests, “You are in the living room, music room, and dining room… It’s all in the great room.” This open space works for our family as we love to gather in the same room. I placed wall lanterns around the room, and these lights are always on at night. It just adds a warm glow to the room.
You should always surround yourself with colors and items that you love in your home. Blue and white is my favorite, as you know, and I just love the classic touches it gives my interior. Make your home yours with color and collections. Stay tuned for more rooms in my new home!
What is your favorite room in your home?
