Who’s afraid of pink, orange and green?
Not this fearless homeowner, whose living room is notable for its bold use of color, eclectic nature and artfully styled bookshelves (a display that includes a copy of 2018’s Who’s Afraid of Pink, Orange, and Green?, by the way).
Throughout the space, saturated shades of gold, orange, red and fuschia rub shoulders with lime, indigo and emerald.
Vintage statement pieces — such as an antique console, turquoise turntable and mid-century table lamps — play well with newer, trendier pieces, like the woven accent chairs and blue sectional sofa.
The result is a space that’s highly personal yet oh so approachable. A space, and a feeling, definitely worth modeling.
First, though, a word of caution from Havenly designer Melissa Wagner: “A room like this can take time to curate. “So be patient with yourself and the process. Give yourself time to collect the things that are ‘just right’ for a given spot in your home.”
We share all the how-to’s on achieving a look reminiscent of Havenly client Katy Sweeney’s living room in our new book, Design the Home You Love by Havenly’s founding sisters, Lee Mayer and Emily Motayed.
Across 272 gorgeous pages, the stylish siblings share expert, easy-to-implement tips on how to discover your unique style and bring it to life in your home. Lee and Emily walk through room-by-room inspiration found in a variety of spaces enjoyed by real Havenly clients.
Check out Lee’s classic, serene home and, for something completely different, follow along as we share how to get the look of Katy’s friendly, vibrant space (and for much more design goodness — get the book!):
Boldly mix it up.
To achieve a look like Katy’s living room, you can’t be afraid to layer in different textures and looks. The mix of materials enhances the eclectic style.
Walnut meets marble. Brass plays off of iron. Linen serves as a counterpoint to lush velvet.
“Keep it under control, however,” Melissa says. “If you bring too many ‘statement’ pieces into the space, you can overwhelm the room.”
Shop the look:
Emissary Calyx Green Ceramic Table Lamp
Arlo Home Paris Green Ceramic Table Lamp
Lamps Plus Marble-Top Nesting Tables
Zuri Studios Daniel Brass Nesting Tables
Know when to stay neutral.
You’ll notice that the staple furniture pieces in Katy’s living room are subdued in color and finish. They tend to be made of natural materials like rattan and rope. That allows the sapphire sofa, patterned rug and menagerie of pillows to have their moment.
“Keep the majority of furniture pieces neutral and on trend, then bring in one or two statement pieces that depart from the rest of the space,” Melissa says.
Shop the look:
Crate & Barrel Verne Chair With Cushions
Kathy Kuo Home Lorry Armchair
Add color through accents.
Bring additional color into your eclectic space through accent pieces like textiles, pillows, books and artwork. Patterns seen in this space’s rugs, throw blankets and pillows are not subtle, Melissa notes. They make their presence known. “They turn up the ‘visual volume’ in the room. In a good way!”
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Consider scale.
This is among the basic principles of scale: Instead of bringing in decor and accents that are the same size, layer in different sizes and shapes. Look at how the pillows on the sectional, for example, are a playful assortment of squares and rectangles in an array of sizes. Keeping scale in mind allows you to balance out every surface and wall space.
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Love is all you need.
Styling on the surfaces in Katy’s living room is limited to objects that she actually uses and items that let her enjoy the space that much more. Think florals, candles, books, trinkets and, of course, that retro record player.
How can you ensure a space like this won’t start to look cluttered? Only add purchases that you adore. Don’t force it, Melissa says. If you don’t love something, leave it behind. “That will ensure that the eclectic space is one that you’ll never tire of, and that will represent you to the fullest.”
Shop the look:
Crate & Barrel Picardy Brass Footed Bowl
Williams-Sonoma Kahler Hammershoi Vase
Book some time with yourself to create a space that reflects your style. Start today with our design quiz.