Finally finishing the living room decor

It’s hard to believe we have been in our “new” house for three and a half years now! We have slowly but surely worked on the décor since we moved in, with a big project every year. Now, we are finally ready to finish the main floor, including the central room in the house, the living room.

I wanted a living room that was at the heart of the house, not tucked to the side. This room functions as a living room, a music room (our grand piano is located here), and a passageway from one side of the house to another.  This is a room that is used in some capacity every day.

Right now, the only things in the room are the piano, a custom rug, and an old wing chair that I use primarily in the winter to sit by the fire.  Honestly, the lack of furniture has not bothered me in the slightest, as I like the airy feel of the room and the unobstructed view of the outdoors. Also, we tend to use this room more as a salon than a living room, so it is a great entertaining space when we have functions at our house – in the winter months, we usually set up a bar in the living room and it makes a great cocktail hour space. In nicer weather, we set up a bar on the stone patio outside the living room, and we throw open the living room doors. Guests go back and forth between the two spaces.

I have had plenty of time to think about how this space might be furnished based on how we use the room and live in the house, and I have been collecting pictures that reflect the “feel” that I would like in this room. Of course, furniture layout is often dictated by architecture and space planning needs, but there is something about this collection of  living rooms that really captures my eye.

This living room has always been one of my favorites. I like the lack of clutter and the leggy nature of the furnishings. This Houston house was featured in Veranda, and the interior design is by Eleanor Cummings.

Another favorite, and another Houston house, featured in Milieu Magazine. The beautiful architecture, steel windows, paneled walls, and antique fireplace create a stunning backdrop, and I like that the furnishings are minimal and quiet both in style, line, and color. The different size chairs are a pleasing and interesting touch, and are all unified by the same fabric.

Another living room whose furniture is quiet and lets the architecture and the amazing view take center stage. I love the idea of a bench/chaise instead of a sofa; it keeps the room feeling light, and can be moved easily if the room needs to serve as an entertaining space.  I wrote about my love for benches in design in a post last year, click here to see it. Design by Ohara Davies-Gaetano.

This beautiful living room has been one of my favorites for a while. The design is by Phoebe Howard.

I like how this living room is designed around the space of the room itself, rather than focused on the fireplace. Design by Jim Howard.

Another space where the furniture arrangement is not focused specifically on the fireplace. The chairs can be placed in relation to the fireplace, but they are somewhat free-floating and also relate to the sofa and to the volume of the room. The square ottoman is also a nice touch, instead of another sofa.

I am a fan on minimal furnishings, and this very European style room has a spare feel. Because there is just one sofa, and what appears to be a few ottomans instead of chairs, the space feels very streamlined.

Another pretty room where the furniture seems to be centered in the room rather than focused on the fireplace.  This seems to be a common theme in the pictures I am showing; I think it creates a pleasing perspective when the room is mainly viewed from front to back, and creates a less cluttered look. I also don’t like to see the back of a sofa when looking into a room, so the use of a bench appeals to me.

Two stools are also a  great alternative to a sofa. Design by Suzanne Kasler.

I saved this picture because I liked the furniture arrangement, and the use of stools.

A room by Phoebe Howard, which caught my eye both because of the grand piano, and also because the seating arrangement is centered on the window rather than in alignment with the fireplace.

A living room by Suzanne Kasler has an interesting assortment of chairs and an armless sofa, rather than two sofas flanking the fireplace. This room is actually quite large and there is a sofa against the wall on the other side of the room, creating another seating area.

Another one of my favorite living room scenes, from my Pinterest files. The distinctive curved sofa holds its own, with a few beautiful chairs for extra seating.

A light furniture arrangement with two chairs flanking the fireplace.

A room on my living room pinterest files that caught me eye. I like the idea of a bench, two chairs, and a sofa with exposed wood legs.

I also have a fondness for a sofa that faces the fireplace, as seen in this room. I’m not sure how it would look to have a sofa with its back to the piano, but in a room without a piano this is a lovely arrangement.

I will conclude with one of my favorite living rooms, via Architectural Digest, design by Rela Gleason and architecture by McAlpine Tankersley.  I never tire of looking at this living room. Note how the room has an alcove for the grand piano, and is also used as a passageway as well as a seating area. Although this is nothing like my house, the space resonates with me. I love how a bench is used in the middle of the space to define one side of the room from another, and that the seating arrangement is tucked against the windows, with comfortable chairs adjacent to the piano and to the fireplace, so they each can be enjoyed. The cased opening to the right of the fireplace is loosely reflected in the paneling of the wall to the left of the fireplace, and a round mirror adds an interesting shape to the space. The chandelier is not centered in the room, but is focused over the seating  area. I wonder if there is a matching chandelier on the other side of the room.

I am looking forward to seeing what my designer comes up with after we meet to discuss the space! So many possibilities.

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Pleated lamp shades: classic or out of style?

After receiving a delivery of antiques and furniture from my sister (who downsized from two houses to one, renovated, and redecorated all within the span of a few years), I found myself with many new surfaces, and in need of a few lamps.  Over the past few months, I have scoured many wonderful home décor stores around Atlanta and have also visited many online shopping resources.

One thing I have noticed: the standard shade that often comes with a lamp is in most cases drum shape (which seems to be the current trend – the top and bottom of the shade is the same size – it looks like a drum, hence the name) or empire shape (where the top opening is smaller than the bottom opening), and is usually a smooth finish.  Most of the lamps I have purchased recently come with a shade (linen or paper).  The lamp seen above is one I own – it was selected by my designer – and the standard shade that came with the lamp is a drum style. This is one of my favorite lamps, and the shade that comes with it is perfect for the lamp.  The lamp is made of concrete and has brass accents, and it looks great just about anywhere. This lamp can be found online here.

This is a lamp I have frequently admired, from Visual Comfort – it’s a classic narrow neck vase form.  The standard lampshade is a nice gentle empire shade whose top is slightly smaller than the bottom. This lamp can be found online here.

I also saw this lamp in Mrs. Howard (an Atlanta store owned by designer Phoebe Howard).  The standard shade had been replaced by a custom made pleated linen shade, and to me it gave the lamp an entirely different look and feel. This is when I realized that many of the lampshades in my house are pleated . I truly love the look of a nice pleated lampshade, particularly when the shade is made of linen. 

Lampshades are an interesting topic to research, and there are a lot of opinions out there. When I looked into what designers are liking in lampshades these days, it seems that drum shades and the empire shades in a more streamlined shape seem to fit the more streamlined approach (and lamp style) that some designers are gravitating to these days.   With a cleaner lined, simpler shade, the base can be the star of the show. And the opinion on pleated shades? Some say they are not in style right now and to stay away from them, although one source gave large pleats grudging approval.  Perhaps this is because pleated shades can be considered very traditional. Ultimately, it is a style and fashion choice, and everyone has their own opinion.

One of my favorite lamps in my own home came from Mrs. Howard. The pleated shade is the perfect touch, and replaced the standard shade that came with the lamp.

Personally, I am a die hard fan of pleated shades, particularly the box pleat style that is always featured so prominently in Mrs. Howard and in Phoebe Howard’s designs.  I think it is such a lovely detail on a lamp, particularly when the lampshade is entirely fabric (I like linen, but also like silk for dressier areas).  The light glows beautifully through a fabric shade. 

I asked one of the sales people at Mrs. Howard about her thoughts on box pleats lamp shades, and she said that they are a classic, and they have a very custom look as they are typically hand made and not mass produced.  At Mrs. Howard, they often replace the standard shade that comes with the lamp with a more custom shade, and in many cases this is a pleated shade.  Perhaps this is why so many of my lamps come from Mrs. Howard (such as the one pictured above, with a pleated linen shade).

So here is an ode to box pleat lamps shades. When looking through my files for images, I noticed that once I found a pleated lamp shade in a designer’s work, I often found quite a few pleated lamp shades throughout the body of their work. This could be personal preference, customs of the region, or the shops and craftsmen that a particular designer uses, but I thought it was an interesting observation.

Pleated shades always seem to be present in my favorite bedroom pictures. This stunning room was the cover for a recent Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles; interior design by Carter Kay Interiors, photography Emily Followill.

Another Carter Kay vignette with my favorite style lamp, and my favorite style shade.

A wonderful and youthful room by Ashley Whittaker. Note the pleated drum shade, which I haven’t seen very often but it is a great look. Image via House Beautiful.

A lovely bedroom found on Pinterest.  This is one of the prettiest bedrooms I have ‘found’ this year; the soft and soothing color scheme is my favorite for a bedroom, and there are so many charming details – the headboard, the lamps on the mantel, and of course the pleated shades. Source unknown.

Circa Interiors often feature pleated lampshades in their designs.  I love the look of a pleated lampshade with a crystal or glass lamp.

One of my favorite bedrooms of all time, in designer Lori Tippins’ house. The pleated shades are such a great element of the room. Lori worked with the legendary designer Dan Carrithers before she went out on her own, and he was a fan of pleated shades too.   Image via Traditional Home, photo by Emily Followill.

The bedroom of a friend is so beautiful – this image appeared on Mrs. Howard Personal shopper, as they did the interior design. Look how pretty the light looks with a pleated shade. These are probably linen.

Another beautiful bedroom that appeared on Mrs. Howard Personal shopper. I think Phoebe Howard creates the most beautiful bedrooms, and the soft touches like pleated shades are part of the appeal.

A vignette from Phoebe Howard’s own bedroom, in her Atlanta apartment (since sold). She clearly likes the pleated shade on a personal level, using one with a Vaughan lamp.

This picture epitomizes what I love in décor today – many contemporary touches such as the art, the floor lamp, and the drum shape of the shade, but balanced with a very traditional architectural envelope and soft touches such as the pleating in the lamp and the tufting on the love seat.  Image found on Pinterest, source unknown.

One of my favorite Atlanta design teams, Huff Dewberry (who are also Dan Carrithers alums) create wonderful interiors, and pleated lamp shades can often be found in their designs. This vignette appeared in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

Another vignette from Circa Interiors, which was featured in their wonderful book The Welcoming House.  This is one of my favorite design books of the year, and would make a great hostess gift or Christmas gift. Click here to see it on Amazon.

Another image I found on Pinterest, I clearly have a fondness for pleated shades and glass lamps! I think this is such a pretty vignette. I really like the color of the shades, and of course love that they are pleated – it’s an elegant detail.

I thought these shades were interesting, as they are pleated but also squared off.  Many of my favorite pictures of pleated lampshades reflect pairs of lamps on consoles. It’s such a pretty look. Via Mrs. Howard.

Yes, another vignette from Mrs. Howard, but it’s so beautifully composed. Often the pictures are taken with the lamp on, and I love seeing how the pleated linen lampshade diffuses the light.

Miles Redd also uses pleated lampshades in his designs, and this picture caught my eye.

Windsor Smith also uses pleated shades in many of her designs. I am realizing how much I admire the look of a pleated shade crafted in a custom fabric – these charcoal shades are a beautiful touch. The cords are probably photoshopped out, but I suppose they must plug them in through a floor plug? Note how there is another shade created in the same fabric, on the other side of the room.  As a side note, what a magnificent chandelier.

This vignette was designed by Suzanne Rheinstein, who often uses pleated lampshades in her layered designs.

One of my favorite rooms by Suzanne Rheinstein – it’s so beautifully composed. Note the elegant tall lamps with the pleated lampshades.  Image via Architectural Digest.

Another Miles Redd design, with traditional lamps and shades flanking the softly abstract art. I must admit, I love it when the art is custom created as a design element of the room, pulling in all of the colors.

A warm and cozy den by Ashley Whittaker – the pleated shades make a cozy room even cozier.

A favorite scene from Mrs. Howard – the lamps and shades are perfect for the space.

A Phoebe Howard design again – the lamps and shades are one of my favorite touches in this room.

I had a feeling that Loi from Tone on Tone might have a pleated lampshade or two in his own home, and sure enough, he does. This is my favorite picture from the Traditional Home article featuring his house in DC.

Jackye Lanham uses pleated shades quite a bit in her designs.  This image came via architect Bill Litchfield’s website.

I need to cut off somewhere, and this ia a great place to stop. One of my favorite rooms by Jackie Lanham. Note the intricate details of the pleated lampshades that she uses with the simple cream ceramic lamps.

Here is a fantastic blog post I found on lamp shades through the decades, with pictures from every era. http://designfabulous.com/tag/lamp-shade-trends/ This blog author gives the stamp of approval to pleated lamp shades as long as they are box pleats (which is the style I like) – she calls box pleat shades the perfect marriage of the feminine and the masculine, and a fit for any design style.

So, what do you think of box pleat shades?  Do you think they are hopelessly out, or do you think that they are a classic?  Clearly, I am a huge fan and think they are a classic.  What style of lampshade are you liking these days?   I am also curious if you ever replace the standard lamp shade with a custom made shade.

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