This blog post has been created in partnership with Article. All opinions are entirely my own.
We finally got our modern living room update underway! I couldn’t be happier with how it’s shaping up. We have moved a bunch of times in the last five years, from Boulder, CO to Baltimore, from Baltimore to a rental house in Denver, CO, and from the rental house to our house here on Elm Street.
With each house comes new spaces, changed light, and different environments than the last. Furniture that looked fabulous in one location stands out like a sore thumb in your new space, but it is all starting to come together!
Above is the view from our front door. I walk into our new space and get that little thrill in my chest that tells me it’s working! I still want to change a few things, like getting updated chairs, but one step at a time.
This whole modern living room update started with a hunt for a new sofa. We found lots of great possibilities but were so impressed with Article’s style that we settled on the Sven Sofa. My husband worried mightily about ordering a couch online. His worries were unfounded. The unbelievably comfy sofa sports plush back cushions housed within a crisply modern frame. Compare this to my old couch with it’s tailored back, and just the comfort factor is a huge transformation. Here is the living room before. I hate posting these!
Before modern living room update:
After modern living room update:
The overall change thrills me! I also added a new lamp and new coffee and end table which help the transformation. I updated the shade on one of my old lamps and spruced up the plant corner, too!
The other reason that I love the new Sven Sofa is that the slightly higher arms create a rounded feeling you can settle right into. My daughter commented on this corner of the sofa that “this cozy corner is perfect for snuggling down. It just makes me feel safe and so comfy!” I love the tufted seat cushions and the round bolster. My only complaint about the sofa is that the tufting stops right before the back cushions so that if you removed the back cushions, you can see that the tufting is not complete across the whole seat of the sofa.
The lines of the couch and low profile of the back are ideal and give our modern living room update the right sensibility. The lines of the couch end and back reflect the rectangles of the garage door panes, the fireplace, and the tv. I hung an Escher print whose size is reflective of the same shapes. The table underneath it was my grandmothers. It was in the old room as well, but I opened it so you can see the intricate details inside.
I love the fabric on the couch which is a speckled gray, providing a light and white feeling in the room. Yet not so white that the texture won’t hide the sins of my family, too.
The next big change is the rug! The Mali Rug thrilled me the moment I saw it. I love the mud cloth feel of this hand-tufted rug and the texture. I think it made the biggest transformation in the room.
The dark gray of the rug ties into the steel and black found throughout the space beautifully.
The dark gray background has a multitude of colors in it which tie in well with the cabinetry in our kitchen and the space where our TV hangs. The colors in it give it a dimensional feel that provides amazing depth. I think you can really see it under Lucy’s feet here.
The new walnut end table ties in with the walnut counter stools in the kitchen, and also matches the tone of the rattan chairs.
This glass lamp was my aunt’s. I thought it would have to go because of it’s traditional style, but I don’t mind it in here. I think the glass makes it work. Do you think the style is way out of wack? 
The pillows on the couch are a weaving pattern from my new book, Weaving Within Reach, which will be out August 21, 2018. You can even start pre-ordering it on Amazon now. I’ll be announcing this soon, but long story, short, pre-orders are REALLY good! I love having things that I’ve made included in my space.
Here’s the room with the garage door open. I love this feature as it makes our space feel like a lanai instead of an indoor room. Looking forward to those warm, breezy spring days. I do feel relieved that I’ve finally updated this room. If you’ve been waiting, I say just bite the bullet and make some changes. It feels good!
Lia says
This looks gorgeous Ann! I am about to move to my new place (not mine. . . mine, but getting closer). Your story is so inspiring.
flaxandtwine says
Thanks so much, Lia! We’re so thrilled with how it turned out. It all came together well in the end. So excited for you and your new place. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you! Hope the book is going well! xoxo
Kat McIver says
Amazing Anne – this looks terrific. Love how you have put the whole room together! I would sure want to spend time there!!!
flaxandtwine says
Thanks!! I am so happy with how it came out. Thanks for all your help, too!!
Deborah Mullins says
Amazing, Creative, Unique, Well thought out! But better than that, your excitement about your accomplishment is contagious!
flaxandtwine says
Thanks Deborah! So excited!!
Diana says
Hi! Where are your wooden chairs from?! I’m looking for chairs just like these
flaxandtwine says
Hi Diana, Which wooden chairs? The stools? or the rattan ones?
chelsey says
where are the coffee table and side table from? love the look!
flaxandtwine says
Thanks Chelsey, The coffee table and side table are from Room & Board. So customizable and easy to use!
Anne
Liz says
Anne,
I’ve been considering the Article Sven Sofa for a while now. I’m moving to Florida in two weeks and I’m finally ready to make this jump. The only problem I’m having is choosing between this lighter color that you have and the darker gray. Is this color more white or gray? It looks very white, but I do love the color.
flaxandtwine says
HI Liz, It does end up feeling gray – but it’s light enough to give the impression of white. I certainly don’t feel like – ugh I have a white couch I have to keep clean. It feels pretty gray but is light and airy.
Nikki Gregoroff says
Hi Anne, beautiful living space! Can you please tell me where you got the rattan arm chairs in the living room? And are they comfortable? I have kids and pets so these look like they would work well for me and hide a multitude of sins:) Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Nikki, They are surprisingly comfortable!! The cushions are super soft. I wish I could help you with where I got them, but we inherited them from my sister-in-law. Good luck finding something like them.
Lindsey Knopf says
Beautiful room! I love this rug and have been thinking about purchasing it myself. Would you say the overall gray tone is on the cooler end or warmer end? Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
Hi LIndsey, though it has some warm tones in it, it does read cool. At least in our room where all other things are fairly cool.
Betty says
Love everything about this living space! I’ve been eyeing the Sven sofa for awhile now and really considering getting this ivory upholstered one. Just curious how the sofa has held up after a few months of settling into it?
flaxandtwine says
Hi Betty, I’m so glad you like it. We love our Sven sofa. The back cushions do get kind of smooshy, so we have to punch them back into shape sometimes. But, it’s holding up well!!
Holly Scott says
hi. when you replace your chairs do you think you’ll stick with a tan color? Im considering getting the Article Burrard Leather chairs in Bella Tan. It seems to work with the rug in your space. what are you thinking you’ll do? stick with tan/brown or something lighter?
holly
flaxandtwine says
Haha! Just dealing with that very same question. I have come to like the dark color but had been thinking potentially off-white, or a cognac color . . . .
Holly Scott says
I look forward to seeing what you end up with! I’m still torn…
Patti Calande says
I love your room makeover; and I think your aunt’s glass lamp fits in perfectly! I’ve been contemplating putting a glass garage door in my studio space like you have in your home. Would you mind giving me your opinion about it, the wow-factor versus efficiency/practicality of it? We have cold and snowy winters where I live. Do you find your door to be a cold spot; or are those wonderful glass doors now built efficiently enough so it’s a non-issue?
flaxandtwine says
Hi Patti, I love the garage door. We live in Colorado which can sometimes be cold – and we don’t feel like it’s super drafty or anything. We use it all the time, although not as much in the summer because it’s too hot. We use it all the time in the shoulder seasons. I never feel that I don’t want to sit near it in winter or the like.
Ashley Thurman says
Hi! I absolutely love your space! I have a question about your garage door. Is it completely sealed off from the outside? We are looking at converting a garage to a studio space/guest house so I’d want it to essentially act like a window. I’d love any information you might have! Thanks so much! So excited to have found you!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Ashley,
Thanks so much for your interest. I’m sorry, but it was already in the house when we bought it. It is fabulous and fully weather-proofed. The develooper that did our house is DVX Development in Denver. They may be able to help you with brand / contact etc.