How to Create a Comfortable & Stylish Family Room Around Your TV

Technology has dramatically changed the way we live in our homes. Every room in our home has a smart TV, laptop, and/or tablet. This is the age, in which we live in. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but you have to ask yourselves if the design of your home has updated to your modernized lifestyle?

Outside of the kitchen, the family room/living room, for smaller homes, is the most congregated space in your home. Why? Well, because that's usually where the TV is. Whether you are streaming your favorite show, hosting a watch party, or put a program on for your kids to watch, the television is part of your life and therefore an essential piece of your home. 

Although the TV is part of your life it doesn't have to be the center attention of your space. Let me explain. The design of the TV is essentially a black box. Thanks to modern design, screens are now flat, thin in depth, and have the ability to mount on a wall. But how do you incorporate a black box  into a room of stylish, casual furniture with decorative accessories? Answer: by carefully blending your needs (functions) + your wants (style).

Create a Focal Point. Though the main function of your family room is the TV, it shouldn't be the focal point. For example, if the first thing you see when you walk into your room are the floor to ceiling windows over looking your beautiful yard, the windows should be your focal point. Depending on the layout of your space, consider placing the TV on a short wall or the next largest wall.  

WE TURNED THIS 70" TV INTO A PIECE OF ART BY FRAMING IT AND ADDING PICTURE FRAMES AROUND IT TO CREATE A COLLAGE WALL.

Create a Distraction. You want to make sure the TV is viewable from all angles, so make sure your seating arrangement allows for that. However, to avoid making the TV an eye soar you may want to consider framing it (if the TV is mounted to the wall). Framing your TV will create the visual appearance of wall decor when the screen is off. If your TV is not mounted consider using a furniture TV console to sit beneath. Using a TV console that looks like quality furniture will make your TV feel included with the rest of your furniture and accessories.

Accessorize. After you've created a focal point and have a distraction, the next step is to accessorize. Accessorizing is an important step to finishing a successful room. Think of this: How exciting would a room be if you just had a sofa and a TV hung on the wall? Not interesting...right? Even a successful man cave needs accessories. If your TV is mounted to the wall, line up framed pictures or wall art to the left and right of your screen. Tip: Make sure all the gaps between the frames are the same distance. If your TV is on a console add wall decor above or on both sides of the screen. This will give your room a balanced and collected look. 

In the comments below share with me where your TV is located (mounted to the wall, framed and above the fireplace, on a console, etc). 

À la prochaine,

3 Pieces of Furniture that Should be in Every Bedroom

The bedroom is one of the most important rooms in a home. Though it’s not a public room in the home where everyone is invited, it is a private room for resting, relaxing, and “me” time. Whether you are decorating a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, or a kid’s bedroom these are 3 pieces of furniture you definitely need to have.

Bed Frame. The bed is the most important piece to a bedroom, it is also the largest piece. After all, if there’s no bed then it’s not a bedroom, right. It is usually placed on the longest or largest wall. It is considered the showcase piece that defines the rest of the room. The wall that the bed is placed is the focal point wall that you see when you walk into the room. There are several styles to choose from, sleigh bed, 4 poster bed, panel bed, bunk bed, upholstered bed, and the list goes on. Choose the style of your bed carefully because it has to be both functional and stylish.

painting the bed frame wall an accent color created the focal point to this master bedroom.

Chest of Drawers. Storage, Storage, Storage. Every room needs it. A chest is a great piece to add in any bedroom because of it functionality. It also is a great way to add height to your room. Don’t forget to accessorize it by putting artwork or wall decor above it .

Depending on the size of your bedroom, you maybe able to fit both a tall chest of drawers and a wide dresser. Be sure to talk to an interior designer to assist you in deciding which, if not both, will be appropriate for your bedroom.

In this master bedroom, I used the chest of drawers/dresser and an accent chair to create a functional sitting area.

Accent Chair. This is often the forgotten piece of furniture in a room because most people go straight to the bed for seating in a bedroom. The bed is for resting, and the accent chair serves as a great place to cozy up and read a book before going to bed, reading the paper with a cup of coffee in the morning before starting the day, or maybe feeding your newborn in the nursery . 

Creating a sitting corner is an important element to a bedroom because not only does it allow you to add another texture or color to the room, but it serves as another area in the room to relax, take your shoes off, and to unwind. Contact me at sabine@georgettemarise.com today to create your bedroom retreat.

Here's to gorgeous bedrooms!

3 Reasons to Use Wallpaper

Wallpaper has been popular since the time of the Renaissance as a way to add color to walls and brightness to a room. Today, wallpaper is used to do the same thing to spaces. There is no need to fear wallpaper, an updated wallpaper can enhance a space even as an accent wall. Here are 3 reasons to use wallpaper in your home.

3 REASONS TO USE WALLPAPER 

1. Adds Dimension and Print

I USED A GEOMETRIC WALLPAPER TO ADD PATTERN AND VISUAL INTEREST TO THIS LONG STAIRCASE/HALLWAY WALL.

Adding a print wallpaper to any wall or ceiling adds dimension and pattern that you would not be able to achieve with paint. Yes, I said ceiling! I highly recommend you use a professional if you are considering covering your ceiling.

2. Adds Luxury

Paint is a great option to add color to any space. However, wallpaper takes it a step further and has the ability to add elegance, texture, and a classic touch to a wall surface in order to enhance the space.

3. Adds a Custom Look

The easiest way to create a creative, custom look that you would not see anywhere else is to add wallpaper. Whether you add it to an architectural feature like a column, an accent wall, a ceiling, under a chair rail or your entire room, you are guaranteed to have a space that will be uniquely yours.

I USED GRASSCLOTH WALLPAPER TO ADD A UNIQUE TEXTURE AND CONTRAST IN THIS POWDER ROOM.

The biggest mistake people make is choose a wallpaper that doesn't compliment the design of the space and they end up removing the wallpaper in 5 years because they are tired of the look. Make sure you hire an interior designer who works with a professional installer to assist you in selecting and installing the perfect wallpaper print/texture for your space.

Are you considering using wallpaper but afraid of making a mistake? Let me assist you in elevating your space with my Builder Finish Selections service. 

Here's to Stunning Walls!

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Do you have reservations about using wallpaper? I would love to hear them. Share in the comments below. 

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