Here’s how to decorate neutral living room in a two story space using a collection of antique maps and new and vintage furniture. This is an updated post with new photos as we recently visited Lisa and Jim’s home in Winter Park, Florida and their classic living room looks as good as it did when we finished it years ago.
Two Story Living Room Before
- First, we painted the walls Benjamin Moore White Dove.
- We made the space more human scale with a free standing book case
that used to be in their family room in Surrey. - I wanted to show off Jim’s antique maps “en masse.”
- And finally, before leaving England, they bought a gorgeous inlaid wood game table by David Linley.
Lisa loves neutrals. We purchased these Hickory Chair updated wing chairs custom-made in a soft beige leather. The petrified wood drinks table is by Palecek.
Hanging A Gallery Wall
- This was teamwork… Lisa measured all the maps and told me which she wanted to stay together (like the ones of the British isles).
- I numbered them and sketched them out to scale on paper to determine the layout.
Then, Lisa cut the painter’s tape to size and I put them up on the wall.
Then the art was hung.
Here’s a close up of the chairs (on casters to swivel to the game or conversation area) and the Circa Lighting iron floor lamps.
This game table will be a family heirloom.
You can’t tell, but I styled up the bookcase shelves. Also, grabbed that Venetian bowl from the dining room so that we could keep the collection (they have three) together in here.
And that’s how we created a fresh neutral living room in a two story space!
You may also like Decorating A Modern Traditional Living Room.
Where can I buy the game table pictured, or a similar one?
It was designed by David Linley in London.
What a beautiful and inviting space, and true to the description desired. Each item has something special to offer and they blend beautifully. Well done!
Thanks, Irene!
Where is the coffee table from? I’ve been looking for something that size
It was custom-made for them.
Thank you for posting this pictures, your pictures are giving me confidence, I’m painting my walls in White Dove OC and I started to feel really scared and anxious about the white outcome, we just moved in this new house in where all the walls are yellow beige, the ceiling and even the trim is beige. Everyone thinks I’m insane.
I love the way everything is put together in that space.
At first you will think it’s so white…but then you will love it! I am at my sister’s house, which was all tan at first…but now most of the rooms are White Dove and she LOVES it.
Yes, is shocking at the beginning, and It was scary until the last square of beige disappeared and once the trim and doors were painted, every thing looked so beautiful.
We still have the kitchen with brown wood cabinets, I doubt wether to paint them or just simply leave them like that, is a 2012 Texas kitch3n where beige and caramel brown were the rule, so it looks a bit out of place. I don’t know I don’t want to th9nk about it until I’m done with the rest of the house.
Thanks for sharing your blog is awesome!
Gorgeous room! Where did you find the rug?
Aga John rugs in San Francisco.
I had read this before but had not studied the room. I can’t believe it is the same house. The before was scary, the after is comfortable, stylish, tasteful, all the things you do so well. It helps when you have friends who have the same strengths.
Just beautiful!
Thanks, Patti!!