Our living rooms have been many things over the years as we adjusted to living in a household together. In the beginning, it was simply a place to sit in a small, shared apartment… an old futon, a tv, bookcases of dvd’s and the dogs’ crates dominated the space in a small apartment’s main room. Vertical blinds were almost always shut as we faced the parking lot and had such a lack of privacy, facing Kresge Lane in St. Matthews. For a brief stint, we had concrete floors and exposed ductwork as we overlooked downtown Louisville in a funky apartment. Then, during some of our darkest days, we took refuge in the living room I grew up in- my grandparents’ house. Doors and windows stayed shut as we both battled depression we were scared of…
When we moved to Louisville again in 2010, our Old Louisville manse had three living areas on the first floor alone. We weren’t quite sure how to use the space, so the largest and most “formal” space stayed empty until we moved, save for the original 1891 fireplace and a modern glass chandelier. The room we really used to live in was a front parlor, with built-in bookshelves, an animal print area rug, and a deep gray sofa that both of us and both dogs could fit on comfortably, but was way too large to move to what may be our forever home.
Now, happily situated in St. Matthews again, in a 2,100 square foot, three floor townhouse, our formal living room is finally being used for it’s real purpose. We live here.
While we do spend plenty of time together in our kitchen sharing the table at breakfast and dinner through the week (and way too much time in there on Sunday mornings with a tray of coffee), and we’re often in bed early with a book or two (or an iPad full of ebooks, in the man’s case), the living room is where we sit and work, where we mix up cocktails with friends, where we watch tv.
Our sofa and armchair are the Hunter from Mitchell Gold : Bob Williams in bottle green. I love that the chair is huge, and low slung, so it’s just as easy to perch here and entertain as it is to lean to one side, throw a leg over one arm and binge watch Schitt’s Creek. The sofa is lovely and very sturdy, but the man isn’t a fan of the missing back. Personally, I like that it encourages two people to sit up against opposite arms and converse, but it’s also the perfect size to curl up and take a nap.
The dark green velvet has been easy to clean, simply lint brushing off the upper side and flipping the cushions when I clean every week. The cream colored pillow is from Pier 1, and the ribbed texture looks so luxe next to the velvet.
Our foyer feels like a natural, paler extension of the space, with a console table from Hekman Furniture’s Metropolis collection. The end tables and the coffee table in the living room are of the same. I had already purchased the end tables and entry table when I spotted the coffee table for sale by owner for under $100. Sold!
The wingback armchair (James from MGBW) might be my favorite spot in here. the wings are huge and are perfect for slumping over and taking a nap when my feet are propped up on the poofy fur ottoman from Etsy.
Underfoot, the powershag rug from MGBW provides a soft and funky relief from the hardwood floors and glams things up a bit with its shimmer.
Our sofa table was a custom piece, designed by me, built out of walnut that Daddy and I harvested from the farm and milled ourselves. It’s a stunning piece, and fits perfectly in this corner. At the moment, it serves as a TV stand, but I have the feeling it will soon be just a table when our basement is finished and we can move the television down there.
With little details throughout like Bryan’s 19th century physiology books, a Yves Klein lithograph (titled Blue Disc but known in our house as the big blue dot), and cashmere and fur throws (depending on the weather), we’ve finally landed ourselves in a living room that serves it’s main function. A place to live and to breathe.
Sources:
Flooring : Gilford Flooring, Glascow Hickory in Mountain Dust
Paint : Pantone Jet Black
Sconces : Lamps Plus
Sofa and Armchair : Mitchell Gold Bob Williams
Wingback : Mitchell Gold Bob Williams
Rug : Mitchell Gold Bob Williams
End Tables : Hekman
Coffee Table : Hekman
Sofa Table : Custom
Small Table, Toss Pillow : Pier 1
Ottoman : Etsy
Large Lamps : Scout on Market
Silver Lamp : Target
Black and White Art : Custom
Art : Z Gallerie, Art.com
Photo Frames : Target, Pottery Barn
Circle Sculptures : Crate and Barrel
Accessories : Scout on Market, Mahonia
Mirror : Z Gallerie
Entry Table : Hekman
Buddha : Vintage
Candle Sticks : Z Gallerie
Drapes : Lowes
** this post is not sponsored in any way. all thoughts and opinions are my own **
** photos by Don Lehman **
Simply Gorgeous!!! Love Love Love