Our Favorite Room

August 4, 2009

Site Staff,

WHERE IT BEGAN: To meet the spatial challenge presented by this long, narrow living room in a new Denver townhouse, interior designer Andrea Monath Schumacher of O Interior Design used two elements to define the space: smoky mirrors and dramatic contrast. A focal wall combines lighted, antiqued mirrors with wallpaper and black trim to add architectural interest—and visually expand the room. “The wall is unbelievable when lit up at night—it just glows,” says Schumacher. “The mirrors also help widen the room.”
The elegant and playful décor was inspired by a stunning black lamp from AERA Studios selected by homeowner Will Essin and a green, cut-velvet dragonfly fabric his wife Rebecca fell in love with.

PERFECT TOUCHES: Against the sophisticated black-and-white palette, crisp green accessories pop. Black welting gives the sofas dimension and an upholstered ottoman repeats the high-contrast theme. (Schumacher custom-designed the streamlined furniture to get just the right scale for the narrow room.) Lush fabrics such as ultrasuede and velvet soften the tailored look, while a cut cowhide rug adds texture and subtle pattern underfoot. Traditional damask wallpaper takes on a modern edge when presented in an oversized scale.

STYLE TIPS: “Splurge on the little things for a rich look,” says the designer, who uses expensive, high-end fabrics sparingly on the pillows and lower tier of the draperies. Choose a neutral palette—which makes it easy to change the entire look with fresh flowers and different color accessories—as the backdrop for a space. “Just imagine this room with red pillows or hot pink flowers,” she says.

Metro Sofa by American Leather
A work of sophisticated geometry, this sofa pairs boxy cushions with square wooden sides in an espresso finish. ashleycampbell.com.