BOY, do I feel some satisfaction with this one – every time I walk in I’m like “Damn, this is just so good”. It really demonstrates the power of good furniture, a good layout, and some color and pattern. Fine, and some dope tile and a new window. But this blank slate turned out far better than I had imagined. Like I thought we were going to make it better, sure, and more functional, of course, but for how much effort we put into it (not very much, TBH) it is a grand slam. Of course, a ton of credit has to go to my partner in design, Article, because indeed we were able to furnish every major piece of furniture and have it arrive within weeks of ordering. And the best part is that it doesn’t look like a weird set or match too much or anything. You wouldn’t know that it came from one store. Let’s show and tell.
Here’s a little fun video if you want to check that out first! (just wait for the ad to play):
The Leather Sofas
Leather Sofa | Leather Loveseat | Coffee Table | Rug | Lamp
Two years ago I sat on this sofa at my friend’s house in Lake Arrowhead and could personally attest to the comfort (squooshy, not too firm with a nice supportive back, and great height for elbows). So without much convincing, I forced these sofas on Kaitlin. We knew that we needed a lower sofa in front of the window, and leaning into the 70s vibe really worked here. We ordered the sectional (a sofa and a loveseat) and ended up separating them (for now) because we liked how it filled out the room more (plus hot tip – dudes don’t always love to cuddle with other dudes while watching a game, so it gets WAY more use during game day as two different pieces). The leather is so beautiful and SOFT (I don’t know how they do it, but it’s buttery, not tight). It also comes in a lighter, caramel color too. And yes this entire collection (the Cigar) is completely modular meaning you can “build” your perfect configuration and the pieces have sturdy attachments underneath to lock the individual pieces together or, as we have them here, slide away to be kept apart.
Leather Sofa | Brown Lumbar Pillow | Cream Pillow | Leather Loveseat | Plaid Blanket | Cream Check Lumbar Pillow | Coffee Table | Footed Planter | Blue Candlestick Holders (similar) | Burgundy Bowl (similar) | Green Tray (similar) | Rug | Lamp
We floated it out from the wall, and while I wanted to add curtains to frame the window Kaitlin had other plant plans and bought this awesome sculptural plant from Dennis’ 7 Dees. Then we added the lamp to enhance this 70s vibe and create a great ambiance. She was right – we didn’t need curtains, just needed something tall and sculptural to soften the lines.
Media Units | Big Art on the Left | Vertical Wooden Frame Piece | Little Piece | Horse Art Print | Frame TV | Frame TV Art
The blank wall is totally transformed – two matching media units (The Torme) created a low long built-in look that not only created a lot of record and game storage but was a great surface and grounding element for a gallery wall above. Each unit features adjustable shelves inside and soft close fronts but the real kicker are the thoughtful design details – those rounded legs and beveled doors are chef’s kiss. And yes, that is a Frame TV (non-spon, just can’t stop using them) along with a few other pieces that Kaitlin sourced from The Yo Store, a vintage painting and Gretchen even made her that little painting. It’s SO GOOD.
Media Units | Big Art on the Left | Vertical Wooden Frame Piece | Little Piece | Horse Art Print | Frame TV | Frame TV Art | Lamp | Chrome Bowl | Stone Squiggle | Wood Tray | Footed Bowl
The art on the Frame TV is from this amazing artist that Kaitlin also found named Abigail Bell. Go check her stuff out!
The Coziest Green Chair
Chair | Ottoman | Pillow | Side Table | Footed Planter | Planter | Tile (in Forest and Mallard) | Rug
The green chair and ottoman are excellent and are real “stars” of the show. They’re from Article’s new Sanders collection – a striking yet minimal Scandi-inspired style for them. How good is the rich mocha brown sofa it also comes in? So comfortable, such a pretty color. Again, I know I have a lot of good stuff in my home, but everything in here looks so good together that I want it all!
The Fireplace
Obviously one of the biggest changes we made was tiling the fireplace with this incredible blue and green tile from Clé Tile. I know (from first hand experience) that these things are hard to pull the trigger on, that they aren’t cheap ($1,200 labor, $1k in tile) and the fear of not loving the outcome can be high. But all of us agreed that this tile would be perfect and lo and behold it SURE IS.
Tile (in Forest and Mallard)
Clé just does such a great job with their color combinations and the texture is always so warm. Of course, now I want to clad over our brick fireplace instead of lime wash it…I’m so easily influenced!! We had the installer just miter the edges so it had a clean line, then Kaitlin and her husband chose a really nice complementary grout color.
Tile (in Forest and Mallard) | Mirror | Bar Cabinet | Lamp | Wood Tray (similar) | Blue Martini Glasses (vintage) | Wall Art | Basket (no longer available) | Leather Sofa | Throw Blanket (similar) | Throw Pillow | Rug
We finished off the major pieces with this bar cabinet in the corner – contemporary and playful (and I love how the round elements contrast so well with the vertical and square elements of the fireplace). Popped on a squiggle mirror (your regular reminder to NOT sleep on Article’s decor) and a really graphic oxblood colored lamp and this vignette worked instantly. I bought this framed print from Form & Function, one of my new favorite stores in Portland that has a ton of Scandinavian accessories (and vintage furniture).
Left: Tile (in Forest and Mallard) | Mirror | Bar Cabinet | Lamp | Wood Tray (similar) | Blue Martini Glasses (vintage) | Wall Art | Right: Leather Sofa | Brown Lumbar Pillow | Cream Pillow | Leather Loveseat | Plaid Blanket | Cream Check Lumbar Pillow | Coffee Table | Blue Candlestick Holders (similar) | Burgundy Bowl (similar) | Green Tray (similar) | Rug | Lamp
Kaitlin did a lot of the shopping for accessories (she has great taste and didn’t make sense for me to try to guess what she’d like, lol). I brought in a few pieces from Schoolhouse that I’m obsessed with, but otherwise, she went to the usuals: World Market, Anthro and Target. She had a ton of books and trays to play, as well as the turntable and cool speakers that her husband was excited to show off.
The thing that makes me the happiest is how much Kaitlin and Corey love this room. They NEVER USED IT and now they not only use it nightly but they invite friends over to hang in, they host so much more, and they truly love their house so much more. As a friend/designer, it’s actually really thrilling to be a part of it.
Emil’s Outfit: Denim Blazer (similar) | Top | Jeans | Boots | Kaitlin’s Outfit: Top (vintage) | Jeans (Kaitlin refers to them as the “best jeans ever!”)
A huge thanks to Article for partnering on this living room – it’s always such a pleasure. We’ve used Article’s furniture for years and years in projects ranging from bedrooms to living rooms and the experience has been consistently remarkable. If anything, I think their offerings have just gotten better. The quality and value of the furniture can’t be beat, the style offered is simple with some extra edge and usually delivered very quickly. If you want to treat yourself I suggest having them put together the furniture and take away the boxes – it’s a full-service treat.
*Design and Styling by Emily Henderson (me!) and Kaitlin Green
**Photos by Kaitlin Green
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