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Get the London Loft Look: Three Takes on a Conversational Layout

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2144_design3_reg_dogAt Modsy we know that living rooms, just like snowflakes and people, come in all shapes and sizes. We know it can be a challenge trying to find a layout that works for your unique space. To help, we rearranged our London loft and created three different takes on a conversational layout.

Today we are taking shelter from the rain inside this enchanting London loft space. The refined shapes and classical forms are the perfect pairing for this industrial living room interior.

For the Casual Conversationalist: A Layout that Flows

For this version of our living space, we created a layout that is all about the flow. We floated the sofa in front of the windows where it faces two chairs, angled inward. In the middle, we opted for a rectangular coffee table on wheels. The larger surface area puts everyone within reach of the coffee table, and the wheels allow you to move it easily, either within the seating arrangement or out of the way completely. This layout is conversational and encourages easy movement through the space. Great for both entertaining and every-day living, it is a layout that quite literally lets you talk the talk and walk the walk.

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For the Dinner Party Host: A Fiercely Formal Layout

If you find yourself craving a traditional look, we created a second layout for you that colors inside the lines for a fabulous result. Symmetrical and balanced, this space offers more seating with two sofas facing inward and capped by two armchairs at the end. We selected a trunk coffee table, which unlike our more portable glass table, conveys solidity and underscores the formal symmetry of the space. This option offers you a living room that is structured and facilitates conversation, even as it creates a space that feels formal and intentionally designed.

For the Multi-Tasker: A Flexible Layout

Less formally designed, our flexible layout is a great way to open up your living space and use it in different ways. One of our favorite interior design tricks is creating the sense of rooms within rooms. Here we placed the sofa in the middle and used it as a divider to create two distinct spaces within our living room. The seating area is now smaller, and feels more intimate and personal. We chose a round coffee table because the organic shape easily snuggles into the asymmetrical conversation nook. Behind the sofa we created an open storage area, but you can also use the space for a home office, dining area, or yoga studio. A great way to make your space feel more open, this layout is for the dweller of small spaces who wants to use their space in a creative way.

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The Artful Mix: An Exploration of Collected Living

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From our furniture, to our fridge magnets, to the knick-knacks displayed on our coffee tables, our homes are full of the objects that tell the stories of who we are. Displaying such collected objects is at the heart of this living space. We’ve combined minimal styling with an eclectic assortment of statement and storied pieces. We call it the “Artful Mix;” it’s a space that works, no matter how you mix and match it.

The act of collecting is almost a universal practice. The stuff we surround ourselves with communicates information about who we are and what we like. Our homes, as private retreats and places to gather with friends and family, are highly personal and it makes sense that we would want to fill them with objects that tell our stories.

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The impulse to collect and display is nothing new. In Western history, we can trace this idea back to the Ancient Romans, who amassed paintings and sculptures from the territories under their influence. These collections functioned as “idea banks” for their own artistic production as well as showcasing the reach of their influence.

The idea of collecting as a basis for inspiration was re-articulated in the Renaissance in the form of the studiolo. In the 15th century the studiolo, or “cabinet of curiosities,” became a staple of Renaissance princely life. Studiolos were small rooms in the homes of wealthy Europeans full of collected treasures such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, and specimens of the natural world. Conceived of as private places of study and contemplation, studiolos and their contents were a mark of their owners’ wealth and intellect.

The artist’s studio is a more modern manifestation of the collected space. Beginning in the late 18th century, the artist’s personal collection of art and objects took on importance as an outward illumination of his or her creative genius. Pablo Picasso, for example, was somewhat of a hoarder and his studio was home to a collection of art, sculpture, and found objects. As eclectic as they are personal, the artist’s studio is a private spaces for inspiration, and we see the intimate ambience of the renaissance studiolo reinterpreted to suit this modern setting.

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As the artifacts in a Renaissance studiolo evidenced the “well collected” minds of their princely curators, and in the same way the inner workings of the Artist’s genius are displayed in his or her studio, our personal collections of objects map the stories of who we are. The Artful Mix, and this impulse to collect has trickled down through time, and now serves as a means of self-expression within our homes.

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You don’t have to be a world-traveler, artist, or curator to master the art of the mix. The same motivation is at work behind collecting fine wines, old books, and even souvenir snow globes. But if you need a little help jump-starting your collection, we put together a group of products that look great anyway you mix and match them.

Shop all the products in this collection below, or see it in your space with Modsy.

 

The Eclectic Minimal Living Room Collection

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Interior Define

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Jade Expression Wall Art
Anthropologie

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Frosted Marble Lamp Ensamble
Anthropologie

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Curvilinear Mid-Century Floor Lamp
west elm

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Williams Sonoma

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Looking Forward
Minted

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Return to Classics: A Fresh Take on a Timeless Look

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As dramatic as it is elegant, we are absolutely in love with this classic yet minimal Parisian apartment interior. The space feels simultaneously like a relic of the past and also palpably current. It’s this subtle tension between timeless and modern that makes this space so fresh even as it feels entirely familiar.

To create the look we combined traditional furniture, a monochromatic palette, and accessories with a classical flair.

We started with a base of neutral pieces with clean lines. We picked silhouettes that alluded to classical forms, but with clean lines and pared-down ornamentation. We especially love the Bryn chair (Crate & Barrel) and the Leonelle Sofa (Anthropologie) – the swooped arms on the chair and casters on the sofa hint at their classic antecedents, while their streamlined forms push a modern look.

 

Next we layered in our Chinoiserie accents. Roughly translating to “Chinese-esque,” the term refers to a European interpretation and imitation of East Asian artistic traditions. The 17th and 18th centuries saw a growing European fascination with the “mysterious East,” and the inclusion of these artistic elements in European decorative arts became a status symbol for the wealthy. In our space we opted for a modern take on Chinoiserie by selecting pieces with a subtle bamboo motif, such as the lamp, mirror, and bench.

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Then, we sprinkled in a few pieces of classical artwork and accessories with a modern flair. Look for pieces with a traditional subject matter, but depicted through a modern medium. The Equus Wall Art is a great example: the equestrian subject matter is a staple of classic interiors, but here it is depicted in an abstract expressionist manner, giving it a modern edge.

No Classically-inspired room is complete without a pair of Foo Dogs! You might be thinking: “What the Foo, these aren’t dogs?” And you’d be right! A corroded Western translation, “Foo Dogs” are actually a pair of guardian lions. Originating in India, the Foo Dogs spread to other parts of Asia, namely China, and from there they eventually came to Europe. Always a pair of a male and female, Foo Dogs are the symbolic guardians of the home. The male protects the structure and the female protects the dwellers.

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Stylist tip: We chose a pair of white-blue Foo Dogs to compliment our minimal color palette and keep the space feeling fresh. Try using them as bookends, or pendant pieces on a console or fireplace mantle. Just make sure you keep them as a pair for maximum good luck!

If you self-identify as a Refined Connoisseur, Contemporary Connoisseur, or a Timeless Traditionalist, you will be sure to love this Return to Classic space. Not sure what your Modsy style is? Take our Style Quiz to find out.

 

Want to see the classic minimal look in your home?

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Cabin in the Holly-Woods

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We’ll be hibernating for the rest of Winter (maybe even some of Spring too) in this gorgeous “Cabin in the Holly-Woods” space. Part elegant hunting lodge, part wilderness chic, we designed this room for those who love rustic spaces with glamorous touches.

To start, we pulled together a base of hearty and comforting classic pieces, layered with delightful accents and luxurious statement pieces. Once the design was put together, we felt like our canvas – the room itself! – needed a little love. We decided some wall treatments were in order but, like many of you, we wanted to see the possibilities before committing. So, we came up with four options to choose from. We can’t decide, so pick your favorite!

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Blank Slate: For our original room we went with Benjamin Moore’s “Decorator’s White.” A slightly cooler shade, this choice creates a simple base for any interior and lets the furniture and materials speak for themselves.

Bold Color: Drama is the name of the game with this paint job. A bold and saturated green-blue hue, Benjamin Moore’s Salamander brings a breath of fresh-forest air inside our rustic glam space. We love how the gold accents and velvet sofa pop against this shade!

wood-panelingWood Paneling: This version of the space has been transformed by some peel-and-stick wood paneling from west elm. Available in four colors, we opted for the white-washed reclaimed wood for a fresh take on a “rustic cabin” staple.

wallpaperWhimsical Wallpaper: Piero Fornasetti’s Nuvolette wallpaper – “little clouds” in Italian – provides the stormy backdrop for the final version of our space. One of our favorite designers at Modsy, Fornasetti’s whimsical design transforms our glamorous cabin into a dreamy interior.

Stylist tip: We paired “Decorator’s White” with our Nuvolette wallpaper. The cooler white complements the wallpaper’s palette, where a warmer shade would feel oppositional.

If you like farmhouse chic, traditionally chic, or refined rustic spaces, you’ll be sure to love this collection! Not sure what your Modsy style is? Take our Style Quiz to find out.

Shop all the products in this collection below, or see it in your space with Modsy.

The Collection


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Interior Define


Anthropologie


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full-collection

 

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Modsy Collections: A Soothing & Serene Living + Dining Room

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Now that 2016 is behind us, we hope you’ve had a chance to relax and spend time with loved ones. But, as we know recovering from the holidays isn’t always so easy. Here’s a little post-holiday detox for your home. We even went ahead and swept up the pine needles and packed up the holiday decorations for you.

A muted palette of beiges, greens, and earthy browns, lays the room’s serene foundation, while antiqued metal finishes and playful pops of pattern enliven the space and keep it feeling contemporary. A sophisticated collection that looks toward spring, but still warm and cozy for the winter.

Soothing & Serene Dining Room

Designed for anyone who craves a space that is so fresh and so clean, our collection will help you sail into the new year feeling uncluttered and renewed. Contemporary Minimalists, Discerning Collectors, and even those drawn to rustic and warm spaces will especially love this look. Not sure what your Modsy style is? Take our Style Quiz to find out.

Soothing & Serene Living and Dining Room

Stylist tip: Try pairing more formal pieces of furniture with playful accessories, such as fun art or patterned rug to give your space a little contemporary edge. We love the Looking Forward and Out of Egypt prints from Minted. They add the perfect touch of visual intrigue to a space, while still creating a balanced, put-together look.