This is an updated post for 2023 since many people are researching how to make their decor less formal and more of a “classic casual home.”
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When my client, Patty moved to Lido Isle, she wanted a more relaxed feel for her Newport Beach, Southern California home. Their previous home was a large Mediterranean-style home on a big lot.
Natural Fabrics
She likes blues and crisp whites. Since the homes are smaller here, it’s important to use every inch. Â No reason to have formal rooms that are not often used since this is a more casual lifestyle.
This new design board incorporates natural fabrics like cotton and linen.
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Her sofa was rarely sat on in her previous home’s formal living room (above). Â It was in great shape.
Slipcovers
So, for a new look we slipcovered it in pre-washed cotton linen…it’s washable!
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Pillows were made from Ralph Lauren paisley with a contrasting welt. Â We also purchased blue linen pillows from RH. Similar ones are available from Pottery Barn in Belgian linen.Â
Here are her chairs from the previous home.
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 They were re-upholstered in Thibaut heavy linen with a new higher back box cushion.
Edited Accessories
 We put all of her accessories in one place and then I “shopped” from what she already owns.  We didn’t have to buy anything to create her “classic casual home.”
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Crisp Coastal
In their cozy family room, we bought a slipcovered loveseat and leather club chair from Pottery Barn.
Tip: Â get your man a leather chair and the decorating goes smoothly. Â We took the heavy gold frame off the pretty painting to make it more casual.
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 This fancy ottoman (above) was reupholstered with a cotton damask by Ralph Lauren.
Textured Bar Stools
For their wet bar area, these two stools above were purchased from Ballard Designs.
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 The cute, little Ralph Lauren lamps that my client scored at Home Goods (and I found a home for here) provide nice lighting at night.
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You may also like 6 Tips For A Casually Polished Living Room.
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My client decorated her outdoor table for Fall. The family seems to be settling into the relaxed Lido lifestyle.
Have a wonderful day.
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Would love to know who did the slip covers.
It was an upholstery company in Orange County, Ca called A and B.
I appreciate you for giving such an informative portal. I find your site very informative and interesting and I like it! Thank you very much
Blinds
Beautiful job!!!!!!
-linda,ny
Fabulous!!!! love the whites and blues. soooo much!!
I love what you ve done with the sofa it really changed the entire room! … love the blue tones my favorite color …as far as the love seats what a transformation !!..needless to say …well done!
I could definitely move right in. You've done a beautiful job updating her pieces and adding new, beautiful pieces. Well done Mary Ann!
Have a great day.
Pam
Mary Ann,
Looks great love the blues and tan together. Seems like clients are getting back to the pale neutrals this year. Two of my color consultations this month used a selection of beiges and blues in th fabrics. It is a great feel.
Bette
What color did you paint the walls? It looks like a light beige. I'm using the same Ralph Lauren fabric for some new pillows in our bedroom!
Niki
HI Niki: It's Ben, Moore Manchester Tan.
Beautiful and this shows how a few changes can have a big impact.
Looks so gorgeous, Mary Ann!
Beautiful, Mary Ann! You can never go wrong with blue and white – so crisp and fresh! Love the fabrics you chose 🙂
Maryann, your apart of our post today….check it out!
Beautiful work! It is a stunning space!!!
Mary Ann,
Very pretty and so inviting. I love blue and white accents.
Karen
Mary this type of decor is right up my alley. Blue and white with a casual elegance. Great choice in fabrics. Who did you have make the slip cover for the sofa, they did a fabulous job!?
Kathysue
Got a couple emails about the paisley fabric…it's Ashbourne Paisley Blue by R. Lauren.
Beautiful transformation!
Great job Mary Ann! I like the crisp white and blues. Very cozy and warm.. nice new look!
leslie
Mary Ann I don't think you are capable of doing a room that I don't absolutely love. Love the colors and style of everything in your client's home…so fresh and beautiful!
It looks wonderful…..some of my fav fabrics.
Just lovely Maryann! I love your fresh, fun style!
As usual you created a gorgeous space full of classic touches. She must be thrilled with how the room came together.
So beautiful. I love seeing how you "shopped" in her home! Such a lovely transformation.
Well done Mary Ann! The blue and white is perfect!
Love the sofa redo…she had great pieces for you to shop and put together!
Clean, crisp and I can almost smell that great southern Cali air!
Mary Ann,
This is amazing and fabulous on so many levels! Seriously, how wonderful that you took art from her sons room, took the heavy frame off of art in the family room, slipcovered the sofa, the new cushions on the chairs, the pillows, the adorable lamps on the bar…i'm just loving all the details and that you used so much of what she had. You have a great eye!
xo
annie
I love what you have done with their home! The blue fabrics are gorgeous and the slipcovered pieces were a great idea! I am leaning towards that for my own home. It's so practical and beautiful. Great work! I also love your new blog header. 🙂
Beautiful changes in this home! I love everything that you picked and recovered!
Looks great! Love all of the blue and white…so pretty!
Awesome job Mary Ann! It is amazing how you transformed the space while purchasing very few items & re-using your client's pieces! Sometimes that can be one of our biggest challenges as designers and I bet you exceeded your client's expectations with this beautiful design!
If I still lived in Southern California, I would so be calling you……
Mary Ann…this is beautiful! You know how I love blue and white and the fabrics are gorgeous. I love the way you accessorized the bookshelves too. It's so light and inviting….great job!
I love it! Anything that is blue has me at hello. By the way, do you by any chance know Ann Janes? She lives in Newport Beach. I have visited her twice, but we have lost touch. We were friends in college and later were neighbors and then we both moved – she moved to California and I moved to Kentucky.
I love how this room came together using the original furniture. Blue and white is so fresh and classic. Well done!
XO,
Jane
Mary Ann
You did a phenomenal job of making the perfect changes and using so much of what your client already had acquired! Perfect!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series
Really fresh and pretty, Mary Ann. Fun to see the changes. Nice work!
Lovely and so nicely put together!
Hi Mary Ann…..thanks for your concern, its GREAT to be back in this happy beautiful place!! Its been a nutty 10 days, thats for sure. But we are counting our blessings. I love this feeling, the blue and white is always a winner, so crisp and clean…very inviting. Well done!!
LOVE what you did Mary Ann!
I saw those wonderful RL blue & white lamps at our TJ Maxx and wanted them!!!
Love all the upgrades you did to her existing pieces… you are good my friend, real good. I love the value you bring to your clients.
Bravo!!!
XO
Wow, that's quite a sofa transformation! Nice update…and very accessible.
Beautiful decor, the the accents of blue and white.
How beautiful to see the design board at work! Love the RL fabric on the pillows. Looks like a job well done! – Tonya
love it so light and fresh. ang
Nice job. One of my favorite posts as you showed how you can take outdated or tired sofas and chairs and update them!! Really well done. So pretty!!!