Contemporary Den

At first glance this room seems fine, but it was not working well for these homeowners. This narrow space is a major thoroughfare from the kitchen to the backyard, garage and pool area; it also serves as a secondary lounge, tv area and office. This couple wanted a hip coffee house meets cocktail hour lounge feel that could incorporate all three functions in a cohesive design.

The first thing to go was the brick fireplace surround, it was too large for the space and did nothing to add charm to the room. A limestone composite façade was chosen to replace it, this scaled down modern piece instantly changes the look and the feel of the room.

A classic combination of blue and brown was chosen for the color palate. The soft blue works well with the color tone of the fireplace and blends with the colors of the kitchen, which is open to the room.

One of the homeowners biggest concern was the floor. With the pool out back they needed a floor that would not warp, get moldy or be too slippery. The old carpet was removed and a click lock floor in a random slate pattern was chosen. This product has everything they were looking for, and the easy do-it-yourself installation saved on the budget.

This room needed something to make it stand out, so a plaid wall was created with various widths of timber strips to make a hip statement. Instead of paint, different shades of blue glaze were used to give the plaid a soft texture. Set in random order and spaced in various widths, it creates a wonderful focal point that draws you into the room.

Two identical built-ins near the entrance to the kitchen house the TV and computer. The dark stain is mirrored in the contemporary tri round coffee table. The furniture is sleek with clean lines for that lounge feel. The lack of accent pillows is not an oversight here; this space was designed to have a lot of texture but be minimal in furniture.

Matchstick sliding panels on the French door, blue vases and accessories, and earth toned grasses and plants complete this hip and functional space.