Modern pieces brighten a Craftsman living room.
Some people embrace the architectural features of a Craftsman-style living room, echoing the dark wood trim, clean lines and extensive metal and glass accents. Others find the interior decorating scheme too heavy and seek to lighten the space with simple, modern accents. Either way, your living room decor can reflect the basic philosophy of the Arts and Crafts movement that inspired it by striking a harmonious balance between form and function. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Paint your living room to set the tone. A new neutral such as stone gray, warmer rosy gray, pale yellow, sage green or faded robin's egg blue complements the dark wood tones of Craftsman molding and trim well. Some people like a two-tone effect in a Craftsman, painting the top half of the room and the ceiling a lighter hue to brighten the space and give the feeling of volume.
2. Furnish your living room with functional, simple pieces. The Arts and Crafts movement eschewed the rococo fussiness of the Victorian era in favor of a more streamlined look. Wooden, mission-style furnishings with simple frames and tailored upholstery fit the look. For a more updated feeling, consider the slimmer, more angular frames characteristic of mid-century modern and contemporary furnishings.
3. Incorporate textiles with natural materials. Craftsman design favors basic, natural materials. A silk or woolen throw rug has a touch of elegance, while a sisal rug lends the space an organic feeling. Keep window treatments light and tailored to let natural light enter the living room.
4. Illuminate your Craftsman living room decor. Art Deco-inspired sconces reflect the era, while sleek, pendant-style lamps give the space a modern accent. Floor lamps and table lamps in brass or copper and with glass shades provide task lighting.
5. Hang artwork to personalize the space. The Arts and Crafts era produced artists who extended their creative vision to the frames of the artwork, so consider using large wooden frames with eye-catching trim or carvings. If you want a more streamlined look, stick to coordinated black gallery-style frames.
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