The loveliest couple hired me to create a calm yet modernized space out of their open dining and living room areas. There was just one caveat: the husband’s beloved burgundy leather lounge chair had to stay as well as their white and gold, sleek chandelier over their dining room table.
When setting up their consultation appointment, the couple described their present situation as “eclectic,” and it certainly was.
As a designer, it is important to me that client homes not only flow smoothly, and be comfortable and beautiful, but also be filled with things they love.
Though it’s not uncommon to keep a few precious pieces of furniture when updating a space, the lounge chair, in particular, presented a few challenges. The first was its bulky size made it a focal point in the room. The second was the burgundy color. Very little in Israel is burgundy. Thirdly, it was not a “modern” style.
Additionally, during our consultation, I noticed their glass dining table was chipped. I also saw a nice but aged coffee table that either required a refurbishing or had to go.
Also striking was their ornately carved console with legs that looked like elephant heads, trunk and large ears included! I inquired about the unusual console. They explained it was an inheritance and neither of them particularly liked it. Mmmm…time to take a picture of it for old times sake and let that go as well…
Moreso, though the couple were not changing their white/beige/gray marble-look floor tiles, they were adamant that gray should not be part of the decor at all.
Recognizing that their dining table was damaged, they agreed to get a new one. I found a bargain priced, yet lovely, glass-topped table online, which they quickly purchased. The table came with sleek, black legs.
How would I pull together the various colors and styles to make their space feel cohesive and intentionally designed and move away from that “eclectic” vibe?
For the walls, we chose a lovely, calm light beige paint color from Nirlat called Pale Gingersnap.
I custom designed a beautiful wall unit with specifically sized open shelves to display the couple's beautiful Judaica and books. Shelves with doors and drawers were included to store items better left unseen. The light-colored unit perfectly suits the wall color while the open shelves are wood lined to add warmth. I framed the open shelves with a thin black finish to connect the unit to the dining table legs.
Light blue fabric chairs with shiny gold legs mirror the gold on their chandelier, tying everything together.
We chose a rich blue sectional couch whose tone works well with the rich burgundy lounge chair as well as the new dining room chairs.
A sleek wooden console with black metal legs replaced the elephant leg table and connects well to the dining table legs.
I found a fabulous coffee table in a similar wood to the console that works well with the wall unit shelves, unifying the areas. This table has a special top that easily lifts up to standard table height, allowing someone sitting on the couch to comfortably work on a laptop or have a drink.
Recognizing the need to include a bit more burgundy so the lounge chair would feel more intentional for the space, I found the perfect burgundy pillows on Amazon for the couch.
Perhaps the greatest challenge was locating a rug that would complement the space without overwhelming the beautiful furniture or the calm atmosphere. This took extensive searching, both online and in stores. No one was offering anything with even a bit of burgundy. And, of course, there were LOTS of gray rugs to choose from, that big “no no” color for this client. At one point, we even considered designing our own rug and having it made!
I finally found an exquisite carpet in a Jerusalem shop. Excitedly, I called the wife and said, “I found your carpet! I’m coming right over from the store to lay it on your floor.” Gratefully, the couple agreed it was a wonderful find.
The final touch to ensure the areas feel cohesive was artwork. The clients already had a beautiful piece that included touches of burgundy, blue, black, white and gold. We also purchased a fantastic piece of art from the wife’s talented sister. This allowed us to tweak some of the colors to connect all the pieces in the room. A modern gold framed mirror over the console was added to give just the right pop when one walks into their home.
Their living and dining rooms now feel harmonious, beautiful, functional, and calm. Just what the client ordered.
Mission accomplished!
Client Testimony
"This is a rave review about Tsivya Fox-Dobuler, who helped us redecorate our living room/dining room and turned it into an area that is both exquisite and comfortable. Additionally, it is very much to our taste, which Tsivya intuits.
Tsivya knew how to purchase one item at a time while envisioning the entirety of the project. She faced a particular challenge as she had to design around my husband’s very comfortable, yet, not stylish, burgundy recliner that needed to be kept at all costs for our Shalom Bayit :-)
Everyone who walks into our home showers compliments on the space. Tsivya is delightful to work with and I highly recommend hiring her for your design needs!"
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