THE CHALLENGE
Betsy Purves recently inherited a baby grand piano from her grandparents and is trying to figure out how best to incorporate it into the 12-by-18-foot living room of her D.C. rowhouse. She has a recreation room elsewhere in the house for toys and other kid-friendly activities, so she is looking for a design that is not too formal but not overly casual.
THE PROPOSED SOLUTION
Designer Michelle Borden separates the space into two zones: one for music and one for living. To help define the space and create a focal point, Borden suggests adding a fireplace mantel in the middle of the long wall where the sofa used to be. She suggests a palette of blues and neutrals to keep with the homeowner’s preference for cool tones.
BORDEN'S SUGGESTIONS
White walls will work with the room’s abundant natural light. Try Origami White from Sherwin-Williams, with Anew Gray on the fireplace mantel for a bit of contrast. Use plug-in sconces to add task lighting over the sofa without taking up floor space. A wood media console and brown leather ottomans bring warmth and texture to the otherwise cool palette in the design. In a small space, go for pieces that can do double duty. Four small ottomans can be moved around to use as extra seating, or pushed together as a coffee table. Floating shelves on the wall behind the piano can hold family photos, small-scale art, sculpture and even sheet music. Sheer curtain panels dress the window and add softness without blocking light. A smaller area rug helps define the seating area. The tone-on-tone pattern adds interest without overwhelming the long, narrow room.
Borden, with Perceptions Interiors (215-313-4332 perceptionsinteriors.com), is based in the District.
SPLURGE OR SAVE
SPLURGE: Adrian 84-inch media cabinet in walnut with graphite base and natural steel hardware ($2,199, roomandboard.com), left. SAVE: Two-tone wood diamond Rouvin media cabinet ($549.99, worldmarket.com).
SPLURGE: Classic articulating arm single sconces with tapered brass shades ($210 each, potterybarn.com), left. SAVE: Arstid brass wall lamps with white shades ($19.99 each, ikea.com).
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SHOPPING GUIDE
Furniture: Harmony down-filled swoop-arm 82-inch sofa in ink blue Performance Velvet ($1,699, westelm.com); brown leather poufs ($199 each, cb2.com); Dorchester two-seat bench in hickory brown ($249, ballarddesigns.com).
Accessories: Linen sheer trim 84-inch curtain panels in white/navy ($59 each, potterybarn.com); “Waters Edge” 48-by-38-inch original color wall art with walnut floating frame ($514.99, greatbigcanvas.com); Infinity copper mantel mirror ($299, cb2.com); Wescott flush 53-inch fireplace mantel ($533, woodlanddirect.com); Lack wall shelves in stained oak effect ($19.99 each, ikea.com); Maze 9-by-12-foot area rug in shadow blue ($1,199, westelm.com).
See past room makeovers at washingtonpost.com/housecalls. Tell us about your design challenge. Send photos, room dimensions and contact information to makeover@washpost.com.
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