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Empty Room Equals Homeowner Panic!

Dear Designer: I moved to a new house—a center hall Colonial in Madison—and the living room is empty. Where do I start?

—H.G. Madison

I asked two other designers what they might do with a blank slate and a fixed budget—a hypothetical 100 percent. We let our imaginations run and three different points of view surfaced.

This “pretend” room would be a typical sheet-rocked rectangle with two matching windows looking out at the street, a fireplace on a center wall, and a builder’s 2 ¼” wide wood floor.

Margot Roane, a designer from Madison, has an eye and experience for great finds in antiques and vintage furnishings.

“I always look at the ‘bones of a room’ architecturally,” Roane says. “Does it need crown molding, built-ins to house books and personal collections? Is the mantle the right scale for the room? All these questions need to be addressed before any decorating begins. So 25 percent of my budget will pay for architectural fixed finishes and paint.”

Roane would delegate another 40 percent of the project to her favorite things: interesting objects.

“Now that so many of those great little antique shops have closed, the current way to shop for antiques is in the multi-group antiques centers,” she points out. “I like the Stamford Centers off Canal Street, and all the centers along the shoreline, including the new one that opened in East Haven next to, believe it or not, Home Depot.”

Roane’s room would have a French wood armchair covered in a hip animal print; an old farm table cut down to coffee table height; patina green lanterns on the mantle; and a console that was once used as an English library table with years and years of worn rich wood that speaks to you like new wood never could.

An additional 25 percent of Roane’s budget would pay for newly made upholstered sofa and a pair of comfortable lounge chairs. Now she is left with 10 percent that would go to some simple linen print drapery panels hung on iron rods with rings.

Roane has conjured up a very cozy, eclectic setting that feels like it has evolved over time.

Michelle Raiti is a Guilford interior designer with an extensive background in fine art. She used a big portion of her bankroll for beautiful wall treatments. Michelle also reps a stunning wall covering company called Maya Romanoff, so she knows the greatest new specialty products.

Raiti says, “Creating interest and individuality in a not-so-interesting room is a challenge.”

She believes vertical surfaces should be celebrated.

“It’s an opportunity to add architectural detail instead of simple paint,” she says.

She’d choose a fabulous wall covering, taking up 40 percent of her budget. Ajiro Coffers, a wood veneer from Maya Romanoff, gives the room dimension.

Raiti won’t forget to dress the windows, which she says are naked otherwise. She’d use 15 percent of her budget on a simple metal curtain rod with light colored panels that drape to the floor, giving the windows a finished look and the room a soft touch.

Using the balance of her money, Raiti keeps the floor covering and furnishings textural and clean. Solid, light upholstery with classic lines will add longevity to the design, along with pillows in punchy colors, and a neutral patterned area rug.

“For something different, perhaps I’d use a single character/antique piece like an old dresser or cabinet,” Raiti says. “The old wood will warm up the new room.”

Voila! No more blank sheetrock walls and naked windows, but rather a cozy, comfortable room that family and friends will enjoy.

Finally, my room is centered in mid-century, modern, uncluttered—a design anchored by comfortable upholstery. I have to confess one of my favorite jobs is designing custom seating. Covered in a sturdy but elegant parachute fabric, my undulating seating would be a combination of modular pieces including a chaise and ottoman.

The colors of the furniture, light and silky, would contrast dramatically with a high gloss, rich navy wall glaze. All the trim would be sharp decorator white. Furniture would take up about 35 percent of the allotment, and figure 20 percent on paint.

Now for some pop and pattern. I found a graphic indoor/outdoor blue-and-navy rug that adds a modern twist. This is very economical and indestructible. It looks like a million bucks, but only eats up another five percent. The carpet pulls the entire color scheme together with a wild pattern.

Accessories would be large and striking. I always encourage my clients to group for impact if they don’t have large pieces to use.

I’d use 20 percent for accessories, lights, and huge green trees for natural sculptural interest. Adding “up” lights under the trees will cast romantic shadows across the ceiling and walls.

Windows would wear wide plantation shutter cordless blinds for the Mad Men touch; about five percent of the budget. Case pieces, tables, etc., would have a white lacquered finish. For the last 15 percent, I think my room needs a large round mirror over the fireplace and a corner bar with Lucite stools to complete the ’50s vibe.

With a pared down color and pattern approach, my room is cool, calm, and modern.

Jennifer Walker is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Her design/consultation business is located in Stony Creek: 203-488-6856 or online visit www.walkerinteriors.com. Email your design dilemmas and questions to jennifer.walker@snet.net for publication in the column.