LIVING ROOMS REMAIN RELEVANT

<To Previous Gallery (Home Additions)   To Next Gallery (New Homes)>

Living Rooms have gone through several transformations since the Edwardian and Victorian eras, but their importance is still acknowledged.  The function of the new living room is flexible, defined by the needs of the family, individually and collectively.

"We need space that liberates us, allowing our spirits to soar and our imaginations to take flight."  John Saladino

1970's Townhome. When the homeowners moved back to the U.S. from Europe, they purchased a townhome with "good bones" and changed every room to fit their needs.  It was very important for the living room to have a designated "reading corner". DESIGNER'S SOLUTIONS: The rough-sawn cedar ceiling and trusses were stained a weathered gray, to blend with the background color, and to accentuate bright colors selected by the homeowners.    The custom new gray and yellow marble fireplace is the focal point of the living room; the "reading corner" is adjacent.  The picture showing the living room in the foreground with the dining room in the background also shows the sky; the original architect designed the roof to roll back! Also see pictures of the bathrooms, master bathroom/bedroom, kitchen, and the hot tub room.

New Home. The walls and ceiling are horizontal rift oak; custom stepped crown, casing, and baseboard moulding repeat the stepped art-deco theme used in other parts of the home.  Non-structural columns have a horizontal brush-broom texture; subwoofers are installed in the bases.  Custom troughs at the bottom of structural glulam beams provide dimmable indirect lighting for the room, and dimmable LED sconces enhance the columns' texture.  This living room received the Portland Home Builders' Association Excellence Award for Best New Home.  Also see pictures in the Bathrooms, Kitchen, and New Homes galleries.

1990's Home. "Is there anything we can do to make the living room feel more cozy?"  DESIGNER'S SOLUTIONS: Lower the ceiling, while creating a den-retreat for the husband and wife. It's still technically a living room, although the husband has converted it into a personal pub. This project received two national design awards; one was for creative reuse of space within the existing footprint of a home. 

Top