Fresh, Fun & Happy
The homeowners asked designer Dwayne Thomas to use a light touch. That part was easy enough, but the openness of the space and noticeable lack of walls called for some applied geometry.
The young couple with two young children had a clear vision of what they wanted in a living room—“happy, fresh, fun, ‘now’ and kid friendly,” recalls Dwayne Thomas, an interior designer based at Safavieh’s Livingston, New Jersey, showroom.
That vision called for a light, neutral palette with splashes of color. Thomas chose tufted sofas, which he upholstered in off-white leather, and swivel armchairs, which he covered in an upbeat teal geometric print.
A subtle use of repeating geometry helps to unite the room. The interlocking shapes on the swivel chairs are echoed by a Greek key motif, which appears in the metalwork of furniture and on the throw pillows.
A light and neutral palette, pops of fresh color, and contemporary materials and shapes were all important elements in creating the happy, fun and kid-friendly space the homeowners wanted. Equally important, says designer Dwayne Thomas, was the precise angling of the furniture, which makes sense of an open floor plan nearly devoid of wall space.
There’s no wood evident except for the legs of the sofas and a bench. Instead, Thomas relied on smooth, light-colored materials—acrylic, glass, polished metals and mirrored surfaces—which contribute to the airy, modern décor.
But all could have gone wrong, says Thomas, were it not for the strategic arrangement of the furniture. “What made this room challenging were its large dimensions, open floor plan and being devoid of walls,” he explains. “My solution was a free flow of furniture placed at the proper angle.” Sofas, chairs, bench, coffee table and rug are angled 45 degrees to the main axis of the room. Result: The seating area comes together as a coherent whole, and the angle adds a playful dynamic.
It all adds up to the ideal living room for a young family, fulfilling the homeowners’ brief that the space be totally functional (kids welcome!) and fresh.
Above is another view of the fresh living room. Equally important, says designer Dwayne Thomas, was the precise angling of the furniture, which makes sense of an open floor plan nearly devoid of wall space.
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