Formal Livingrooms

There is something about formal living rooms that I love. Maybe it’s that they remind me of my grandparent’s house in Europe. Or of dressing up, “taking tea” and sitting before a roaring fire while visiting with family and friends.  In most homes, sadly, the formal living room sits mostly unused and unloved.

Just because a room is “formal” doesn’t mean it has to be old fashioned and boring.  The formal living spaces of today are fresh, very liveable, as well as beautiful!  Here are a few great ways to update your formal living room and make it into the most loved room for everyone to gather.

1.  Add Drama.  This stunning room is all done in muted shades of Creams and Taupes, but the oversized grand scale Chandelier and clock~shaped Mirror bring it to life.  In this narrow space, two matching sofas, two matching chairs and window seats under both windows make this the “go to” room for parties, family visits, but also for snuggling into one of the couches, ligthing the fire and reading your latest “can’t put it down” book.

2. Accessorize with Personal, Eclectic Finds.   Your living room should tell a story, your story.  This neutral color scheme creates the perfect backdrop for a mixture of the homeowner’s treasures.  The classic  fireplace mantel creates a traditional focal point, the furniture mixes classic French pieces with more quirky pieces.  An antique Copper Basket, Glass Bottles, gilded French Candlesticks and modern Glass round vase all work together to tell the owner’s “story”.  Jars of wine corks are displayed as unusual accessories on the mantel.

3. Display your collections.  Collections are a great way to personalize your formal living space.  In the room above, the homeowner displays a stunning collection of antique Blue & White Porcelains.  Note, though, that this room doesn’t take itself too seriously with the addition of sweet home made touches such as heart pillows created by the homeowner, displayed on antique French chairs. 

4.  Add a pop of color.   Even though the room above speaks “highly French formal” with the antique furniture, the hand pained wallpaper, and the crystal chandelier, note how the bright Turquoise Porcelain collection on the mantel bring a spark of life, a “pop” of unexpected color to this room.  Formal? yes. Stuffy? no.

5. Be bold & daring.  If you have a room with high ceilings, this is the room to be bold with paint color!  {paint is cheap, if you truly hate it, you can always paint over it.}  In this living room above, the walls were painted a bright Orange.  Bold, ornate and quite large Candelabra take up both sides of the fireplace, while fringed sofa’s, and heavy curtains balance out the design in this room.  The only thing I would love to see is flowers on the table, and I would most likely replace the two plants in the fireplace with a huge bright green fern.

6.  Fake it if you adore it.  If you always dreamt of living in a French Chateau, create your own!  In this living room, the owners had the walls painted to look like stonework to recreate the feeling of a country chateau.  The grand drapery treatments, chandeliers and piano tucked in the corner continues the elegant feel.

None of these rooms are quite “me” but that’s how it should be. We all have our own style, wishes and needs for our own homes, particularly our living rooms. At home, we use our living room daily, it’s just silly to leave a beautiful room empty most of the time, don’t you agree?

What do you dream of for your living room?  Are you making it into the space you and your family love?  I’d love to hear from you!

If you want to romance your Home and Garden with antique and vintage treasures to make you smile each time you come home, visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.

photos:housetohome