Set to Life : The Big Lebowski

"That rug really tied the room together"

The Big Lebowski is one of my favorite movies of all time.  My husband and I still laugh at the jokes after all these years.  Here is our modern take on The Dude's living room in his California bungalow.

Our inspiration!

(Note: watch the move during the police interview scene to get some great shots of this part of the living room)

Our room!

Let's start with the 50's style dinette table for the dining area.  For our purposes, we'll only need the table from this set.

Add in a chairs with a bright pop of color!  I'll keep all of our chairs the same color and style.

A simple bamboo bar cabinet with mirrored doors will be perfect for making White Russians. 

Find yourself a vintage silver ice bucket!

Bonus point for a bowling Nixon picture over the bar!

Let's add in a metal bamboo style console for under the window.

In the living area, we will need a bamboo armed sofa.  I like this vintage inspired one in a chartreuse leather.

Now, instead of having a colorful torchiere lamp to the right of the sofa, let's do this set of colorful nesting tables. 

Our floor lamp can be left just one color, but all the different arms keep it fun and playful.

Since we brought some green in with our sofa color, we will keep the reclining chair a neutral color.  This one has the feeling of a regular armchair, but can recline!  I love the overstuffed back and simple arms. 

Lets bring in two additional accent tables in a fax bamboo style.  One for the left of the sofa and one for next to the recliner.  These will work well with the console from the dining area.

A black table lamp for the table next to the sofa.

For the final piece, you'll need a great Persian rug that will, of course, tie the room together!

I hope you enjoyed this modern take on "The Big Lebowski" living room.  

If you have a TV show or movie you'd like to see broken down in a modern way, let me know!

Cheers! - Vee

*Need help with your own home? Contact us at virginia@virginiabdesign.com and check out our website at www.virginiabdesign.com

PS, if you would like to see more ideas, we're on Pinterest!  http://www.pinterest.com/VirginiaBDesign/boards/

Set to Life : The Simpsons

In honor of all my friends in the Animation industry, I'd like to have a little fun and create a realistic living room based on the TV show, The Simpsons!

Our inspiration!

(FOX)

Our look!

Source: Farrow and Ball

For the walls, we're just going to go for it and paint the walls pink!  Farrow and Ball's "Calamine" is just the right color to keep it from being too sweet.  

Source: http://www.houzz.com/photos/3020921/63rd-Avenue-Residence-contemporary-dining-room-dc-metro

Instead of green carpeting, why not do some great distressed wood planks painted in a light aqua color!

Source: Restoration Hardware

A bulky leather sofa will stand up to the pink tone on the walls.  

Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/155499451/post-rug-5x8-cotton-flat-weave-dhurrie?ref=sr_gallery_37&ga_search_query=dhurrie&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

A more modern take on the rug in the living room.

Source: http://vintageground.blogspot.com/2012/01/vintage-fuschia-side-table-nighstand.html

Add a side table in a color pulled from the area rug. 

Source: http://www.heathfield.co.uk/

Accent with a colorful table lamp. I've kept this one a bit more minimal than the inspiration.

(PS, I've just recently discovered this source for lighting and am in love!)

Source: Urban Outfitters

Accent with an arched neck floor lamp in a metallic finish.

Source: http://fab.com/inspiration/desk-phone-turquoise

You will need a turquoise phone!

Source: Allposters.com

Add a sailboat print over the sofa.  I'll keep our's black and white as to not compete with the other colors in the room.

Source: http://www.houzz.com/photos/149435/Aubock-Magazine-Rack-modern-magazine-racks-

A modern magazine rack will help pull together the black from our picture frame and metal finish in the floor lamp.

Thanks for playing along!  I hope you enjoyed this look at a modern take on the Simpson's living room. 

If you have a TV show or movie you'd like to see broken down in a modern way, let me know!

Cheers! - Vee

*Need help with your own home?  Contact us at virginia@virginiabdesign.com and check out our website at www.virginiabdesign.com

PS. Make sure to watch the Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror" episode this year. My friend worked on it!

Set to life: Downton Abbey

If you love Downton Abbey as much as I do, you are probably enamored not only by the tremendous actors and detailed costumes, but the house itself. 

You may have wondered what it would be like to live in the early 1900's and how you could incorporate that look into your own home.  We live in a wonderful time where there are so many styles of furniture available to us. All it takes is a little imagination, a bit of a modern twist and you could be waking up every morning in your very own English Manor. Matthew not included...RIP. 

Our inspiration!

Our look!

Source: Crate and Barrel

First, you will need a rolled arm sofa.  A practical bench seat will allow for maximum guests.  Keep the sofa neutral and bring in pattern with pillows and area rugs.

Source: Esalerugs.com

Next, let's layer in a great Persian rug.  

Source: Pottery Barn

Instead of a standard coffee table, let's do a tufted ottoman. You will be able to place a tray on top for serving.  

Source: Neman Marcus

Add in some wooden accent tables.  If you have any hand me downs from your parents or grand parents, here is great place to use them!

Source: Pottery Barn

A great, weathered leather chair will be perfect for late night reading. 

Source: Ballard Designs

Metal lamps will contrast nicely with the wood tables.

Source: Pottery Barn

Dress your windows in a silk drapery that go to the floor. Extra length if you want to be really dramatic!

Source: Wisteria

Select some modern embroidered pillows in a pop of color. This will keep your sofa feeling fresh and not too serious.

Source: Wisteria

Accessorize with blue and white pottery.

Source: Restoration Hardware

Pressed botanicals add a natural element and a nod to the gardens.

Source: http://www.rubylane.com/item/568150-1549/Beautiful-Young-Woman-Spaniel-19th

Use your antique portraits in clusters to create full walls of art.

Source: Walnut Wallpaper

Bonus Points!  Add a patterned wallpaper to one (JUST ONE) wall as an accent.  You'll thank me, trust me!  A modern print will keep the room from feeling stuffy.

I hope you enjoyed this modern living room based on Downton Abbey!

Cheers! - Vee

*Need help with your own home?  Contact us at virginia@virginiabdesign.com and check out our website at www.virginiabdesign.com