By now you’ve probably seen these stunning photos of the spaces created for the Gill family  by Traditional Home and Ballard Designs.

This room was an empty room with a few chairs and some instruments.  But the family “wanted a “salon” – a room to sit around and enjoy each others’ conversation, listen to music and just hang out with family and friends.”

The before isn’t too shabby huh?  That just confirms the fact that good bones can take a room far.  High ceilings, millwork to die for, big windows for natural light and french doors, wood floors…I’ll take it.  But when I see photos like this from a house I’ll never have I fight the feeling to shrug it off and think thoughts like it’s hopeless, I give up, forget it, only people who win contests and have rooms called salons can have such a pretty home…. Instead, I shake it off and try to learn.

I believe that you can learn something from every room whether you like the style or not, whether you have wood floors or not. Just because this house is nice and had a talented design team work on every inch doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it and even get something for ourselves.  Really, they didn’t do this room just to show off, although it’s totally brag worthy.  It’s supposed to be inspiring~and I believe it is. It’s worth it to watch this quick 1 minute transformation video, then we’ll discuss, ok?


 

Here are three of my observations…

1. There are lots of seats

I’m a big fan of seats and so is my hiney. Since this isn’t a family room where they will have game night and watch tv together, I like that the designers opted for lots of chairs and a dainty settee instead of a big sprawling sofa.  When you have a group of people over, everyone breaks up into smaller groups to chat anyway.  Look next to that settee in front of the windows, there are two wooden side chairs, personally, I would not have thought to put those there but they work as a surface like a table or for seating if you have a little crowd.  A smart idea.  Even though I don’t have a salon in my house, these photos remind me of one of my old goals with our family room, sneak in as much seating as possible.

2. There are lots of styles of seats

The two leather Chesterfield style chairs were already in the room but remember, you don’t have to get a Chesterfield sofa to match.  You don’t want the matching police to fine you. It’s fine and even considered good design to use a mix of different styles.  As you look at the seating there is overall balance but not a Rooms to Go look. It looks like the pieces were as they say collected over time with their different heights and profiles and materials and scale.  It looks layered and gives us permission to pull chairs from different rooms to get the same look.  Makes me want to pull in some random chairs I have from around the house just to see what I can fit together.

3. Mix up the surfaces.

I see three small tables and a shelf {and look, a little orange bench~more tush resting ability}.  I love the different heights of the tables.  The one here on the left and in front of the settee are both higher than what many of us might choose.  I know I automatically assume I need coffee table height. But, since these tables are so airy and open, they almost disappear.  And on the right in front of the french door is a drum style table.  And don’t forget the shelf on the left wall…

Just because something is called a book shelf doesn’t mean it has to be loaded with books. It’s great to have bookshelves with books but, I like the idea of incorporating an open shelf on a large wall.  You can use a shelf instead of a dresser or table as more of a display area.  {sidenote: I am in love with that white branch candle up there}

The design team also styled the shelf three ways.  I notice texture, color, glimmer, crisp white, and layering used in each photo.  Remember, in this room, it’s not for books.  No need to get defensive and claim it’s unrealistic to not pile books on a book shelf, this is a display piece on purpose.

 

I see so many more lessons from this room as well, layering, pops of color, texture, neutrals, I really could go on.

Do you have a take away from this room?

Don’t forget tomorrow is the yard sale linky party.