I wrote about this virtual decorating project several weeks ago and wanted to give an update. This is a living room/dining area for a vacation condo. I've never met the client in person nor have I seen the home. I've seen photos and the client and I have been emailing madly since the project began.
The image above was my initial inspiration concept, just to get the ball rolling. The style we're trying to achieve is modern but comfortable. They need lots of seating for family gatherings and although the space isn't huge, it's very doable.
The image below is the floor plan that we've pretty much settled upon. As you will see, in the living room area, we have a sofa flanked by two side chairs and a chaise. The television set is in the upper right corner of the plan, so the seating has to be arranged with comfortable viewing of the television and the wooded backyard. The original plan for a sectional hasn't worked out because it's ultimately too static for the space and doesn't allow for alternate groupings of the furniture. As you will see, this plan below is #6. I did nine different floor plans in all, with tweaks to each depending on the individual furniture pieces we were looking at.
The clients found a 100" sofa (see below) which they loved after the original sectional idea was abandoned. I came up with the idea of using a stand alone chaise in lieu of a pair of chairs (closer to tv on plan) because it offered seating for two if there was a group all talking together, or lounging for one person who could also watch the television set, and it didn't obstruct anyone's views of the television set if it were empty. I also like the idea that they could pull it over to the empty wall between tv and kitchen for a separate seating area. Don't you just love multi-functional pieces???
Between my client and I, we've narrowed a lot of choices down to the design board below. As you can see, the color palette is still leaning towards the original buff/orange/blue. We have not selected the leather for the sofa yet, which will really dictate the final choices on the rest of the pieces. We're still on the hunt for a coffee table. It's very difficult to find something that is modern and unique looking while still being affordable. The coffee table below is fabulous, but it is ultimately way too small for the all the furniture that will be around it. At 44" sq. but only 10" high, it would look downright Lillipution. Note the little elevation drawing in the left corner. It's to scale. That table is wee. So, the hunt for something bigger continues. We may have found something that the client is going to take a look at shortly.
Another aspect of the project are the window treatments. Take a look at the photo below of the client's back wall. Notice anything funny? And by funny, I don't mean ha ha. The transom over the slider isn't on the same plain as the one over the windows... One wonders how this could have have happened. But, the clients were at a distance from the developer and the deed was done by the time they noticed. There were other more pressing issues that needed fixing, so they wisely picked their battles. However, they are left with this off-kilter back wall. Since re-construction is out of the question, we will have to camoflauge as best as possible.
I am suggesting to the client that they hang simple linen drapes across the entire back wall off of a long curtain rod that is mounted near the ceiling. The idea is that the drapes to the right of the sliding door will stack right when open and close to the left. There is no room for stacked drapes to the left of the slider. The drapes covering the windows will pull towards the center of the window, as one would normally do. I am suggesting that they mount bamboo shades on the windows for a little interest and privacy. I also feel like it helps draw the eye away from the different transom heights. The image below is my mock up of how this would look in the real space. The drapes may either be sheer linen or lined linen, a decision on that is to come.
The images above are from the website page I have set up for my client. All my clients - virtual and in person - receive a page where we keep track of ideas and decisions, floor plans, etc. All of the product images shown actually link to the website of the store or showroom where the item can be purchased. This gives the client a chance to get more information - or even go ahead and place an order - without having to do any searching themselves. The floor plan near the top of the page also provides links to the furniture that is shown on the plan. The sizes are all to scale and when the client clicks on the furniture icon a small window pops up showing the actual product with a link to the store or showroom.
If you'd like to see this process and how it works, click here to view my sample design pages.
So, the client project continues, but is hopefully nearing the final decisions stage. I know they are anxious to have use of their vacation home!!
