It’s been a while since I’ve done a “scaling down the design” post. I’m changing the name but the concept is the same. I take a designer room that would probably feel a little beyond most people’s comfort zones and break down how you might simplify the design for your home, taking some of the elements and using them in different ways. This dark green living room designed by Melanie Turner (and featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles) is bold, cozy and has a lot of great elements to play up.
I love the way she covered every surface (walls, trim and fireplace) with the moody green, using high contrast accessories, warm wood tones and modern art. I can envision a scaled down version of this room also being perfect for a small study or home office.
I’d play up the yellow gold in the original design with a pair of small slipper chairs and keep things more casual by foregoing the drapery and using woven shades, also in a gold tone. (These are the same ones I used in my house.)
The original room uses a chocolate velvet sofa. I substituted a dark brown leather one because I’m sure some of you have something similar you’re trying to work with and again, because it gives off a more casual vibe.
The high contrast art is important. I found a couple of examples from Minted that you can order as oversized prints.
There are several touches of brass throughout. I used this pretty (and affordable) pineapple chandelier that looks vintage.
I love the burl wood coffee table, but they’re pricy and hard to find. I substituted trays instead, layered on a clean white coffee table.
With so much going on in the room, I’d duplicate the simple woven rug, using something like my go-to jute.
And a reminder that you can always take inspiration from a space, but put your own twist on it. . . Here are a few other accent colors besides gold that that you might try with this color scheme. (As you can see, I think the tiger print works as a neutral.)
