Uncluttered Décor Suits Dramatic Living Room

Simplicity is the key to decorating this welcoming living room where strong architectural elements are complemented by traditional Arts and Crafts-style furniture. The solid wood furnishings typical of this back-to-basics movement help to anchor the large, airy space. This is a room with plenty of built-in style, including a vaulted ceiling, a huge picture window and a dramatic floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Keeping the furnishings simple allows the eye to appreciate these design features.

Even the window has been left unadorned to show off its lovely arched tip as well as the view. (If privacy was an issue, this window could easily be covered by vertical blinds that would pull back during the day.)

Decorating is made easier by wide wood molding placed just above eye-level around the room. This visual break makes a natural place to change paint colors. Here, the wall surface above the molding is painted the same warm tan as the ceiling, while the wall below is a stronger coffee tone.

Copper tiles on the fireplace surround reflect the warm amber light from period lamps. On each side of the fireplace, built-in cabinets with glass-fronted doors provide valuable space to store books and ornaments.

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