Monday, February 25, 2013

A young couples living room project!


Hi there......everyone watch The Oscars last night?  I lapped it up, and really enjoyed the show. So happy to see Argo do so well, though I would have been as happy had Silver Linings Playbook take the prize. Really happy Jennifer won, love how real she is and Daniel Day Lewis admittedly was fabulous as Lincoln though I have to admit I was rooting for Bradley Cooper who I thought was incredible in SLP.  I will cover my hits and misses on the fashion front later this week. Moving along......

I so enjoyed this recent project, and it turned out to be super successful as the young couple who hired me to create three mood boards ended up being so happy with them that they have already nearly ordered their entire living room! No grass growing under their feet, they lead busy lives and wanted to jump right in!

A little background, they are a young couple, married for a few years, he is almost done with his medical residency, and she is a teacher. They live in Chicago so wanted something polished and sophisticated but young. They are on a very limited budget but have great taste and both have an appreciation for design. They wanted an all white room (no kids) and they thought if there was a time to do this, it was now! Did not want to bring much color, wanted it monochromatic but were not opposed to a little bling (tasteful bling that is)  They needed to complete their living room for under $6000.

A challenge but certainly not impossible. The biggest splurge and their first purchase was the Thomas O Brien rug which they both fell in love with. But that purchase made for having to find great looking bargains for everything else. The white slipcovered sofa they found as a floor sample at a local store for 700.00, the two chairs from Ikea. And the accessories from a variety of places. Most pillows were between $24-50.00. The tables, on average about $200 and the chest which they both loved was the most expensive table, at $500. Mirrors and art were also very affordable.  He loves horses so one of the options was with a horse giclee. They celebrated their  honeymoon in Venice, hence the Venetian picture in mood board #2. She also didn't mind adding a touch of light blue so one of the paintings has the softest hint of pale blue. They both loved the idea of gold accents to glam it up and she loved the idea of a textured pillow featured in one of the boards.

So that's a little background. Now...the fun part! Here are the boards, all  similar in feel but each slightly different. They thought it would be fun to ask my savvy readers as I did last time with the beach house mood boards........ do you have a favorite?

Remember all sizes are not totally to scale so if a lamp looks too big or small or a pillow, bear in mind these are strictly concepts:)







So does one stand out to you as a favorite? If so which? There are many elements that are the same (things they liked) but we changed up things like the pillows, lamps, mirrors,art,etc.....I always love to hear what you have to say. Thanks for stopping by and wishing you a wonderful start to your week!




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46 comments:

  1. The art in #1 is beautiful but we love the pillows in #3 - we can see how hard it was for them to not love all three! Please post pictures of the final room all done up - it would be fun to see your mood boards come to life.
    xxoo
    C + C

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  2. Wow have to say you are really good. Looks like you nailed it. I love all but 2 and 3 are my personal picks, possibly 2. I feel its young and fun and the pillows make it feel kind of funky.I also love that theres a picture of Venice where they honeymooned, feel like it would be a good omen :-)

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  3. OMG! Number one is setting my world on fire!!

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  4. The first one! The art, coffee table, and mirror are awesome. I've been dying for a white slipcovered sofa, but with three boys it's not going to happen any time soon! I agree that they should enjoy the white sofa while they can!

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  5. Oh, you are just brillliant!! I love #1!! Gorgeous. xo

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  6. I would like to mix and match a few items, but choosing how they stand #2. I like the rectagular coffee table and the fabric on the pillows provide a little more "pop". Have a great day! - Tonya

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  7. Good morning beautiful Tina!

    I MISSED THE OSCARS SHOW! How crazy is that? But am managing to see some of the gowns in Blogland, but I need to tune in to see who won.

    OK, which choice for me? It has to be THREE because of that horse portrait. Equine art is for me.

    Have a snug day out there my dear. Anita

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  8. Tina- you as they say hit it out of the park, but if i had to choose just one, its #3 for me. LOVE everything about it. Great job, they must be so happy!

    Loved the Oscars, thought Seth was fantastic.

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  9. #3 Just beautiful! Love the mix of elements you used in the room!

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  10. Love the pillows in number 1 but the picture in number 2 is great. Tough one.

    Cynthia

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  11. Love #1, but I'd like the rectangular coffee table, please...beautiful choices!!

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  12. I would definitely go with #3! Love the lamps on either side of sofa. The art makes this room sing. The all white interior with the horse art is charming.

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  13. Tina...there all beautiful but I prefer the first one. I think its because the art work is soft and it enhances the design plan.

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  14. Tina! love how this looks, based upon their needs you certainly delivered in a big way. I love the white upholstery and then the way gold accents add a little bit of glamor to the room. And as far as the art,I like that they each have a purpose, I am initially most drawn to 3 and then 2. I love that striped chest too, are you able to share the resource? And pillows for under 50.00? Can you spill the details? Great job, always enjoy seeing and reading what you have to say.
    Ann

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  15. Hi Tina, thanks for stopping by, always value your opinion and enjoy fashion talk...NOW your Edesign is such a great idea and must be very enjoyable for you. I love no. 1 and would choose the coffee table from no. 2. But the overall look in NO. 1 is my favourite for the mirror reflects the geometry in the carpet (I think it is great that they invested in something more of a value like a carpet since the budget is smaller, because it can stay with them for longer ..) and kind of like the abstract soft focus painting there...with the modern lines.

    hugs Z

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  16. #3 for me, love the lamps and the beautiful horse print. :J

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  17. #1 is my favorite...beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming - all the things I love most in a room...love everything about it.

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  18. I love the first with the 2nd coffee table! You are such a talented lady, Tina.
    Happy Monday.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  19. Hi Tina - These boards are gorgeous - all three of them! But if I had to choose it would be #2 with the painting in #1. You are incredible! xoxoxo

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  20. I like the deep solid pillows mixed with a subtle pillow in the first selection. Prefer the glass table in the first one - the shape works well with the pattern cushions and rug detail. All of the lamps are substantial for the tables they rest on. The watery canvas is more romantic and subtle than the other paintings.

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  21. I like the art in 2 and 3 because it speaks of more personality of the owners. Love the lamps and pillows in 3 and the mirror in 2. Are you sure you don't want to try a 4th design board? Ha! I'm no help....all are lovely.

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  22. All 3 boards are beautiful, Tina! I truly love them all, but my favorite is definitely #1. I love that the coffee table mimics the shape of the side tables, and the artwork above the sofa is stunning. The solid cushions are just the right touch to ground the space.
    Fantastic work! Have a happy Monday,
    ~ Wendi

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  23. They are nice, but with no color, there's no feeling of joy, or excitement.

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  24. Tina... as always I would be happy with any of them. I think my fave is #3 and it may have something to do with the beautiful painting of the horse. One thing is for sure... they are lucky to have you as their designer. They can't go wrong.

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  25. Number 1 for me. My only suggestion would be to add a touch of color from the painting in the pillows.

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  26. All three are lovely but I think number one is a bit “old”; as they are a young couple, two and three seem to fit a tad better. I think I best like option two but with the horse artwork for him (we tend to go with the wife’s wishes most often so what a wonderful surprise that his wishes were taken into consideration as well.) The pillows in number two add just the right “pop” and the brown accents in both pillows and horse artwork work well together.

    Would love to see pictures of the finished room.

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  27. Tina, I am so excited to see you doing this E-Design business! You've managed to create these beautiful options based on the needs of your client ~ all within a budget. I'll have to go with #1. The artwork, cushions, pillows.. it works perfectly! Enjoy your day! :)

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  28. First of all, the Thomas O'Brien rug is fantastic and makes quite a statement - I agree with this splurge! I was most drawn to #1. I loved #2 but couldn't give-up the beautiful mirror or coffee table in #1 even though I absolutely loved the pillows in #2! They were all beautifully appointed which made the selection very difficult!

    Loved the Oscar's, too. I thought that Anne Hathaway was so classically beautiful. To me, she set the bar for all others.

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  29. Hello Tina,

    Without a doubt, it has to be number 1!

    Have a lovely week.

    Sophia

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  30. Tina, Tina, Tina! You are so good at listening to your clients! Look at you! Look how nicely you capture them and their design wants/needs! That is a good designer.

    I like no. 1 the best - and a lot of it has to do w. the beautiful art piece w. the blue tones. I would personally get rid of the mirror above the chest and add the horse portrait instead. But then I am also a big time art lover.

    Nice my friend. Very nice.

    oxox, Mon

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  31. lovin the monochromatic and #3 stands out for me. how fun to be artfully minded and spend other people's money!

    love to you on this wintry monday, lovely.

    michele

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  32. Congrats on this project, Tina! I like them all, but the first one is my favorite. The art over the sofa is really beautiful, and I love the contrast / mix of shapes (round, square, rectangle). The round mirror is so chic!!
    Cheers,
    Loi

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  33. I have to go with #1. Although I personally prefer the rectangular coffee table of #2, I think the first complements the geometry of the rug and side tables. I also like the round shape of the first mirror--it injects some softness and variety into an otherwise rather linear design. And I like the pillows best of all the options--the solid black grounds the place a bit, and the print of the other pillows obviously goes extremely well with the rug pattern. The artwork above the sofa in #1 is the nicest, too. The only thing I might change would be the lamps on the side tables--they look too big. I'd swap them for the pair in #3.

    I love these choice thing! :)

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  34. PS - I also like the idea of two different pillows on the matching club chairs (3rd board).
    Loi

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  35. You're such a clever girl. To me the most notable difference, is the artwork. The rest of the items are all very similar and you really have to identify them to see what's difference. Everything is beautiful, every goes, everything looks super stylish. So I guess it's a personal preference about which piece of art is preferred and the rest can be a mix of the rest and will easily fall into place.

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  36. They're all wonderful... but i have to say i think the first one is my favorite. Even though i love the horse giclee... the first painting is so soft and atmospheric that i find it wonderful and peaceful to look at. I also really like the first mirror too...

    Cindy

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  37. They're all great, but #1 really stands out for me! ;)

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  38. Love #1...but with the pillows from the second one. Can't believe that you can do this for $6,000. WOW i'm impressed!

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  39. #1. Perfect for young couple. Great job :)

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  40. Love all three! The first one is really nice with that painting of Venice.

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  41. Great Blog!! That was amazing. Your thought processing is wonderful about cleaning services. The way you tell the thing is awesome. You are really a master. Thanks for sharing such a valuable information.

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!