We had some great trips visiting Lisa and Jim in England.
I sort of had a mental inventory of their furnishings there (like they had a great antique map collection displayed in various rooms–mostly in the dining room). So, when they bought their large, lake view home in Central Florida and decided to move there permanently, I had some ideas!
The goal was to make their Florida home “casual, fresh and calm in neutral shades” (I thought “classy like Lisa”). Where you can walk barefoot everywhere (like to the lake outside) and nothing is off-limits for their darling, ex-pat dog, Nelson.
This is the Florida living room before their shipping container arrived.
Yes, a bit cavernous. It was pretty “glammed up” with gilt and faux finishes.
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.
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 started with a muted Persian rug from Aga John
and had these Hickory Chair updated wing chairs made in a soft beige leather.
The petrified wood drinks table is by Palecek.
These classic tufted chairs don’t feel too hot for Florida in a light-colored velvet and antique white wood.
They can be used as extra seating for the game table.
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.
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.
So, yeah, I was ready for a glass of Chard after this.
And the next day…
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.
(Hey, Lisa, I have an idea of what to place on either side on top of the bookcase).
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.
The sofa table is also in a lighter painted finish to balance the darker wood furniture.
I was feeling pretty good about this while I was there but guess what was missing?
Above the mantel? We needed something not too ornate and had to wait for the backorder.
Lisa just sent me this…
The well-priced, French paneled mirror is from Wisteria.
“Nelson The Wonder Dog” misses England but is happy with his new life in Florida.
(the lizards are terrorized, however).
(the lizards are terrorized, however).
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!!