Astrid Madsen
The living room is often the heart of any home – a place to unwind, read a good book, or savour a cup of coffee. In this article, we explore a stunning living room design that combines contemporary elegance with a touch of opulence. Located in a new-build property in Blackrock, this project showcases the exquisite work of Lana Dullaghan Designs. Lana’s expertise not only covers full interior design but also extends to colour and design consultations, allowing her to collaborate closely with clients to bring their dream spaces to life.
Crafting a Vision
For this particular project, Lana embarked on a journey to create a living room that exuded a sense of modern luxury while retaining the warmth and comfort of a true home. Her design approach revolves around understanding the client’s preferences and then suggesting furniture designs and other elements that harmonize seamlessly with the envisioned space.
The Power of Statement Sofas
The centerpiece of this living room is undeniably the custom-made sofas, meticulously designed to complement the room’s aesthetic. These sofas are upholstered in sumptuous velvet – one in a vibrant orange and the other in a calming teal. The choice of these distinct colors serves to highlight the sofas as the focal point of the room.
Lana explains her strategy: “The sofas are the focal point, so I wanted to highlight them. That’s why I chose two vibrant colors to contrast against the neutral walls. I wanted to balance the bolder orange tones with something more peaceful, so teal was ideal, as it’s a very relaxing and peaceful color.”
While both sofas share a similar style, Lana made subtle alterations to suit their respective positions in the room. The open-ended design of the orange sofa invites you to recline with a book, strategically paired with a floor lamp for optimal reading conditions. Furthermore, the lack of an armrest on one side of this sofa enhances traffic flow, considering the room’s two entrances.
In contrast, the teal sofa features arms on both sides, taking advantage of the available space. This strategic design choice ensures that the style of the two sofas is connected yet distinct, harmonizing beautifully with the overall concept.
Luxurious Velvet and Brass Accents
The choice of velvet upholstery not only adds a luxurious feel to the room but also introduces warmth, perfectly complementing the pale grey walls and neutral décor. Velvet is an ideal material for a space that might not see as much wear and tear as other areas of the home.
Adding to the sense of opulence, the brass legs of each sofa align seamlessly with the project’s aim of creating a luxurious yet homely atmosphere. Lana explains, “The overall concept was simple elegance, and I wanted to bring in that luxury look, as well as introducing a bit of art deco-inspired furniture with the curvy sofa designs.”
Soft Furnishings: Layering Textures and Colors
To further enhance the room’s ambiance, Lana carefully curated soft furnishings that added layers of textures and colors. A bespoke Roman blind adorns the large window, providing both functionality and an open, spacious feel to the room. Its fabric harmonizes with that of the sofas and cushions, creating a cohesive design.
Custom-made cushions, featuring a combination of velvet and cotton fabrics, offer a mix of luxury and simplicity. These cushions subtly introduce additional colors, complementing the abstract art hanging behind the orange sofa. Lana explains her approach: “I connected all the colors, with fresh tones also brought in through the artwork. That, in turn, flows into the colors of the rug. The different patterns and similar colors add extra interest to the room without being overpowering.”
Stylishly Decorative Lighting
In the realm of lighting, Lana’s design ethos of sleek elegance and luxury simplicity shines through. A large floor lamp gracefully mirrors the curvaceous lines of the seating, imparting a sense of modern luxury. The simple white shade, with its silk-like texture, is adjustable, adding an element of convenience and an art deco flair.
In an adjacent corner, a pair of elegant brass side tables from Mindy Brownes Interiors contributes to the room’s practicality. These adjustable tables can be folded away or moved around to suit various needs, ensuring the space remains open and uncluttered.
Mirrors and More: Adding Depth and Style
Strategically placed metal mirror art, featuring teardrop shapes, adds decorative elegance and practicality to the room. Positioned opposite the large window, these mirrors reflect light, creating an open, airy ambiance and connecting the furniture shapes with their curvy design.
The main light fixture in the room echoes the luxury art deco theme. A brushed brass finish and five white gloss glass globe lights contribute to the room’s elegance while serving as a feature piece.
Invisible Shelving: Practical and Stylish
For storage solutions, Lana incorporated open glass shelving with polished chrome frames. This choice maintains the room’s spacious feel and allows ornaments and books to appear as if they are floating in mid-air. Lana explains her choice: “We mixed the metals as we didn’t want too much brass. It also makes it more homely. I always think that if all the metals are the same in a room, it makes it more like a hotel. I wanted to make the shelves ‘disappear’ so I chose metal that connected with the grey walls and glass, so they weren’t too obvious. It’s therefore the ornaments that you see first.”
Adding the Final Flourishes
To complete the room, Lana suggested the addition of plants to introduce a natural element and create subtle drama. A brass tropic lamp, shaped like a palm tree, not only adds to the natural theme but also provides mood lighting in the evenings.
A brushed brass mirror above an existing electric fire adds a vintage touch and infuses warmth into the room with its golden tones.
This stunning living room design perfectly marries luxury and comfort, creating an inviting space that exudes contemporary elegance. Lana Dullaghan’s meticulous attention to detail, her understanding of her client’s vision, and her ability to weave together colors, textures, and styles have resulted in a space that truly reflects the client’s personality and desires. It’s a testament to the power of thoughtful interior design in transforming a living space into a haven of beauty and relaxation.
