Functional Great Room

Before

Julie Mitchik looked at many houses before falling in love with the contemporary-style home she eventually purchased. A devoted art collector, Mitchik has decorated the entire house except for the combination living and dining room. She'd like the space to feel more intimate for gatherings of family and friends. Which designer will she choose to reinvent the space?

After meeting with all the designers, Mitchik chooses Estelle Jaivin for the project. With a budget of $40,000, Jaivin masterfully combines Mitchik's love of art, glass and metal into one magnificent room that is both wheelchair-accessible and beautiful. The focal point of the living room is the large wall of custom shoji screens that adds a friendly, comfortable look. In the dining area, Jaivin turns an ordinary tabletop into a work of art. The color of the glass top picks up on the antique desk colors, and the burnished bronze picks up the color in the chairs. The silk draperies just touch the floor and add a wonderful bronze look that complements the desk and table. The diffused metal table base is sleek, smooth and simple, plus it's the perfect height for Mitchik when she's on her scooter. Jaivin has even displayed some collected pieces, and her design allows Mitchik to switch them out as she desires.

Shoji screens, wall-hung cabinets - L.A. Shoji
dining table bases - Master Metal Works
dining room console (Ch'ing) - Mirak/Breuton
dining room tabletop - Ultraglas
sofa (Metaphore sectional sofa) - Roche Bobois