Living Room Redo: From Lackluster to Serene Tropical Retreat
Design on a Dime : Episode DOD-413 -- More Projects »
Lyndon and Susie Soriano need help with their nondescript family room. Since they spend so much time in this room, they would like for it to reflect a casual, inviting atmosphere that is styled around their Filipino heritage.
The DilemmaHost Lee Snijders takes a look at the room to find out what part of the design needs to be addressed--he decides that the following pieces are foremost on the makeover list: new slipcovers for the sofa and loveseat, a coffee table, a bigger and better entertainment unit and new window treatments. He then meets with design coordinators Summer Baltzer and Charles Burbridge to divide up the projects and hammer out the details of the Polynesian theme.
The SolutionThe lackluster living area is redesigned into a family-friendly space with a serene tropical theme--here's how the design team makes it happen:
- The walls are painted a soft shade of green that is reminiscent of bamboo.
- Snijders augments two furniture pieces to make them look like a matched set. He disguises a Mission-style coffee table with split bamboo on the outside of the rails and rattan thatching on the inside. A pine entertainment center is given the same look by attaching rattan to the doors and sides; the unfinished edges are trimmed out with split rattan. A coat of stain helps to unify the piece.
Baltzer adds island flair to her custom muslin Roman shades by finishing them with bamboo rods on the pleats.
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Burbridge creates two custom lamps to fit with the tropical theme. He drills holes into two wood blocks and wraps each with rope for a textural effect. He threads the base with a cord and attaches a lamp kit to the top. Seagrass strips are the finishing detail on both the base and shade. (For more custom lamp ideas, check out the videos in the Design on a Dime Decorating Demos.)The sofa and loveseat are brought into the design with new tropical-themed slipcovers. Pillows in green fabric add a splash of color.Family photos are displayed in theme-appropriate frames, while woven place mats are used to adorn the walls in the dining space.A jute rug is used to anchor the main living area and two new rattan armchairs sit nearby for additional seating when needed. Accessories such as woven baskets and native Filipino wall hangings are the finishing touches.The Cost
Furniture - $385
- pine entertainment center: yard sale
- Mission-style coffee table: Valley Furniture, Inc.
- wicker chairs: yard sale
Accessories - $349
- bamboo picture frames: Aaron Brothers - #0000727412 / color: Plum
- centerpiece: Out of Asia - Zalou Boat
- jute area rug: IKEA
- lampshade: Target - #074080555
- slipcovers: Target - #067040386
- woven place mats: Goodwill
Lighting - $115
- lamp kit: Anawalt Lumber - 66FG D.Fir S4S
Window treatments - $106
Paint and supplies - $38
- paint: Benjamin Moore, color: Central Park / #431-2B
Project Total - $993
Resources decorative project materials
Aaron Brothers Inc.
Website:
www.aaronbros.com
decorative project materials
Out of Asia
Website:
www.outofasia.com
decorative project materials
Ikea
Website:
www.ikea.com
decorative project materials
Target
Website:
www.target.com
decorative project materials
Anawalt Lumber
Website:
www.anawaltlumber.compaintBenjamin Moore
Website:
www.benjaminmoore.com
Also in this Episode