Decorating An Open Concept Living Room
Since moving into a home with an open concept floor plan, I’ve found it a bit challenging to decorate.
I’m so used to having rooms with lots of wall space and it’s been interesting trying to figure out the placement of furniture and some of the special pieces that I hold dear.
One of the nice things about this house is that it’s painted in a neutral color. The walls are painted in a really pretty white, Whisper by Behr, which is a perfect backdrop for any decorating style.
Over the fireplace mantel is the French Trumeau mirror that I made a couple of years ago. It’s one of my favorite DIY’s. Previously, it was displayed in my office/study and it’s fun to see these pieces used in a new way.
Flanking the mirror are a pair of Italian Florentine sconces that I found at an estate sale and made over with paint and gilding.
Finishing off the mantel is a couple of antique altar sticks.
There’s nothing I love better than coral and an old crusty urn!
The texture that it brings to a space is fabulous. This is an element that works in so many decorating styles.
Another discovery with this home is that I’m finding that love the smaller square footage.
Our home that we sold was a little less than 4000 square feet, and this home is a little bit over 2000 sq. ft., so almost half in size. It’s so much easier to maintain and clean, especially since it’s only two of us. We’re definitely getting a better sense of what size home we want to buy when the time comes.
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I found these great pillow covers with beautiful embroidered details on Amazon, and the colors are perfect! I was worried about the quality because they were such a great price, but they are fabulous, and appear to be very well made.
Being able to view into several other rooms from the living room is taking some getting used to.
It certainly makes one keep the kitchen counters cleaned!
I’m still editing things and tweaking here and there, and probably will be for awhile before I’m satisfied.
I sold so many things before we moved, which has now given me the opportunity to look for a few new (old) pieces. I recently found a gorgeous antique French armoire for the bedroom that I’ll be sharing soon.
No matter where we live, my old marble angel will always find a place to hold court.
A piece that I cherish is the antique French church “Children of Mary” board.
One of the alcoves on the side of the fireplace seemed like the perfect place for it.
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing how the living room is coming together!
Cheers, Cindy
Gorgeous, Cindy!
Thank you so much!
Cindy, love your spaces, you always do great wherever you are. I guess you take home with you.
Am I remembering correctly, when I think, one time you shared how to glaze, using umber paint?
If so, could you please share again? Thank you!
Hi Pam! Here’s the link to the posy
T about the homemade glaze:
https://edithandevelynvintage.com/homemade-glaze-and-cane-chairs/
Everything is perfection Cindy. Thank you so much for sharing. And yes I agree with you about open floor plans. It’s hard to lose that wall space.
XO- MaryJo Materazo https://www.masterpiecesofmylife.com/
where did you get the white covers for your couch, and that beautiful angel,I love everything you have!
The couches and slip covers are from IKEA! The angel is from an antique market!
Absolutely beautiful! The mirrored side table is my favorite. Could you please tell me where you bought it?
I’ve had it so long, I don’t even remember where I purchased it!
Beautiful job in an open concept room. Good thing you already had neutral sofas and chairs! Love the overall French look and I can see that Miss Ruby Lou does, too! 😉
Always gorgeous Cindy! Love your style, every bit of it.
Thank you, Nancy!
Beautiful! Where did you find the concrete urn holding the coral on the coffee table?
It was found at an estate sale!
Please tell us that you kept your life size angel?!
No, I sold her. She went to a wonderful home in Kansas City, MO!
Hi Cindy, the living room looks great. I especially love the mantel. I think that mirror is one of your best DIY projects. We moved almost 3 years ago to an open concept floor plan, and I agree about the wall space. It’s difficult which favorite pieces to use! You have such a wonder eye for decor, and you know you are my favorite!
Aw, thank you, Linda! You have made my day, sweet friend!
I love how you are pulling things together. It looks calm and relaxing and you know I soak up every ounce of that beautiful French style. I’ve had three types of homes with different floor plans; totally open concept, closed off, and partially open concept and I have to say my favorite is partially open concept. We have this now. The kitchen isn’t closed off from the rest of the house but it isn’t wide open either. I especially don’t like the dining room to be open to the kitchen which is common in the newer single eating space designs. Who wants to hold a dinner party while everyone is staring at the dirty kitchen? I can’t wait to see what you find when you start really looking.
Nancy
I agree, Nancy! The open concept really takes getting used to. And I love walls to decorate, so this has really been difficult for me! Lol! But it’s been a great lesson for me….I now know that I can live (and actually like it) in a smaller square footage home, and I prefer more defined spaces!
I just read your story of the wine crate and it brought me to tears, such a moving story! I’m so glad you found it and I love it!!
Thank you, Mary!
It’s beautiful, and I love you even more for not putting your TV over the fireplace!
Ha Ha! Yes, I’m always arguing with hubby about that!
I’m not a huge fan of open concept, but yours looks beautiful! With open concept, you still have more wall space to decorate than I do. Your new home is looking beautiful. But I would expect nothing less. Xoxo Give John hugs
Thank you sweet friend! Miss you and Kenny!
Cindy,
You have done a marvelous job of creating an inviting space in the open concept.
One reason we stay in our 1970’s style home is I’m not a fan of open concept.
I like a few more walls!
Thank you for such an inspiring post!
Pat
P.S. Your saved furniture choices are exquisite in your living room!
Thank you, Pat! The open concept is definitely taking some getting used to. I like having very defined spaces!
I just LOVE what you’ve done with the place! And happy to see the familiar pieces that are so you! We will start building an open concept home this spring and also downsizing from almost 4000 sf to about 2500 sf so I’m paying close attention to how you are making this new place still feel warm and welcoming with out cluttered.
I LOVE everything you do! You’re so inspiring to me.
Can you share a link to the pillows? Are they on your Amazon page so that you can make a commission if I order them? They really are beautiful and I’m a sucker for a pretty pillow!
Thank you, Shelley! If you click on “great pillow covers” in the post (highlighted in blue), it will take you to the exact pillows on Amazon! They are fabulous!
Could you take a closer picture of the key in your secretary? It looks like ribbons hanging from the key. Did you DIY or from where did you purchase? It looks so pretty as does the rest of your new home. Well done!
Hi Karen! The key is actually attached to a large fleur de lis with a ribbon tassel that was a Christmas ornament at one time! I think I originally found it at the At Home Store.
Cindy,
I am confident you will tweak it just right. I had the same problem in my large house,when we moved to a townhouse or as I call it the dollhouse,I have walls and it is much easier to decorate. That Mary board is one of my favorite things in your posts
Thank you, Diane!
Love the mantel and mirror and comfortable seating with white slipcovers. Great mirrored table with white hydrangeas.
Thank you, Janet!