Client Brief -
Design a formal living room from a blank slate, with a timeless and class aesthetic which incorporates an antique large scale map as a focal point.
Inspiration -
The nautical history of Newburyport, Schumacher's Imperial Trellis fabric in navy and white, and a gallery wall of a historical map.
Challenge -
Incorporating the designer elements the client had provided as inspiration, while keeping an eye of the budget. Since Schumacher's fabric is quite expensive, I chose to use it in a small but impactful way - as pillows on a white sofa. To create a similar look to that of old map of Paris framed in a grid, seen in the collection of an LA art gallery, I located a map of Boston Harbor from the 1890's in the online archive of the Library of Congress. I downloaded a high resolution, full-rights copy for free and had the black and white image split into a grid of 12 to print individually. I then purchased simple black frames from IKEA and was able to replicate the gallery piece for a fraction of the price. The Boston Harbor gallery wall became the focal point of the room, a source of local history and the detail which tied all the other elements together.
Outcome -
A bold color for the room was selected to match the navy in the Schumacher fabric and highlight the crisp white manel and french doors. A custom Tibetan rug was designed with a large coral pattern in neutral tones of grey and white - a subtle nod to the sea. A mother of pearl chandelier was selected to incorporate materials from the ocean, and also to create a unique pattern on the ceiling (a surface often overlooked when designing spaces). The furniture was selected to be comfortable enough to lounge and put your feet up by the fire - even in a formal living room. The coffee table and end tables resembled old chests, with dark wood and iron details. Finally, the accessories included a simple model of a ship, unique glass art with "fossilized" jelly fish, and complimentary artwork which reflected the nautical theme.
BEFORE
AFTER
