A Reader's Room

After my post on the grounding influence of browns in light, airy rooms, a Windlost reader (Maryanne, who posts as Mimi) sent me these photos of her gorgeous living room.  The first photo was taken a year ago, while the second is earlier this month.

In the first photo she notes that her coffee table is topped with glass, whereas in the second, she's replaced the glass with brown barn wood as a topper.  I love the grounding effect on her room!  She also added a pillow with black details to her sofa, which picks up the dark wood perfectly!Besides the coffee table, Maryanne made lots of changes to this gorgeous room and it was fun to study the photos to find them all.  She now has a heavenly, delicate chandelier replacing the light fixture and has placed a gorgeous old-world mirror over her sofa.  I meant to ask her where the mirror is from, but forgot.  She also switched her candle sconces to a pretty old-fashioned pair.

I love all the touches in this room, including her unique lamps flanking the sofa (the same in each photo).  The coffee table is too-die-for!  I also adore her regal tufted sofa and the beautiful French bergere (armchair) you can see in the second photo.  I was surprised to learn that it came from Ethan Allen!

I also like the little flying cherub that sits to the left of the sofa in the first photo.  You can see him reflected in the mirror of the second photo - he now sits atop a table near the front entrance, greeting guests.

I admire Maryanne's living room because it's light and airy but has a balancing mix of dark elements.  And although there are many feminine, romantic lines, there are also some grounding masculine touches, like the dark barn wood topper, her darker end tables, and the square lines of the mirror.  I think she has found the perfect balance.  She also has beautiful things, so it's hard not to love them all!

Hope you've enjoyed your visit to Maryanne's home.  I know I have!  And I've asked her to send me more photos...