Our colorful living room is DONE thanks to Calico and interior designer, Melissa Mahoney!
Two couches, four rugs, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree…this space has been through A LOT…
After five attempts of giving it a go, I realized I need design experts.
After months of planning and executing with Calico and Melissa of MMDH Studio, we are THRILLED with the results. The vibrant colors, mix of patterns, layers and the FUNCTIONALITY elevated the room entirely.
Previous Calico Projects
If you are new here, the dream team {that’s what I call Calico and Melissa} have been working their magic in our home for TWO years now.
You may recall our dining room and breakfast nook projects – both featured in Calico’s marketing campaigns!
One thing that’s not as apparent through these blog posts as in real life, is how cohesive our house feels. When you walk through our front door, you have this perfect vantage point of all these spaces at once (our entrance, dining room, breakfast nook and now the main living area).
Each room works together in perfect harmony – a priceless, long term benefit of working with pros.
Before I jump into the final product of our most recent design, I thought it’d be fun to look at the “Nicole versions”. You REALLY get a sense of our journey to say the least.
THE MANY “BEFORE” VERSIONS
Talk about an evolution right?!
Okay, let’s skip to the good part…
Updating Our Layout
I cannot talk about the gorgeous Calico chairs, drapes, pillows and window seat cushion (yes! Calico does it all) without addressing the change of the layout first.
Here is the initial design plan Melissa crafted…which obviously morphed into MORE as time went on.
The first plan of attack? Downsizing our jumbo gray sectional (shown in the above photos). The large scale was preventing additional seating, creating a conversation area we deeply desired.
So we downsized our couch giving us breathing room for some sophisticated swivel chairs and extra flow. Melissa also selected the finishing touches – ex. lighting, a rug, art, bookshelf styling and a new side table.
The Key To Making Your Style Relevant Longer
You’d think after a new couch and rug we’d be looking good. But the reality is drapes, cushions, chairs and pillows MATTER. They make the ROOM. These are also opportunities to add personality and interest – especially if you have neutral furnishings.
A big draw of working with Calico is direct access to so many designers, brands and styles in one spot. So even if you did EVERYTHING Calico, it would never feel like you bought everything from ONE store at ONE particular time.
Which is key to keeping your aesthetic relevant longer.
I love the idea that you can have Ralph Lauren covered chairs, mixed with Magnolia Home wallpaper, and Scalamandre throw pillows, streamlined from one source. Especially knowing no one else will have the same thing.
Here’s exactly what we did and why. I also linked all the fabrics, styles, hardware and furnishings at the very bottom for your convenience!
Our Colorful Living Room Details
Trend Alert – Mobile Chairs
I just heard seating that swivels, tilts and glides is big time trending. And I can see why. We are in love with the versatility and sleek, tailored aesthetic of our Fairfax swivel chairs.
Calico offers quite a few different styles – mobile and stand still! We ALMOST went with these classic beauties (you can change the wood color too) but so happy we swiveled.
You just sink right in and could stay there forever. Sean and I prefer them over our sofa! Since we’ve had guests, we love seeing friends rotate between the chit-chat on the couch to the football game on the TV. Energy and conversation flows. Function at it’s finest.
Defining The Focal Point
The bookshelf wall is a major focal point. But even with all the shelf styling, it still fell flat. It needed contrast and softness to break up the hard, white, wood.
Calico achieved this with a glorious roman shade. Melissa selected this stunning Palm fabric.
The over stuffed seat cushion and throw pillows are like a warm hug just waiting for you! And get this…BOTH the seat cushion and throw pillows are reversible! The bolsters were a nice touch too, adding a bit more contrast to the sides.
It’s such an inviting little section and this entire wall just POPS now! Penelope and I sit up here regularly to read and play toys…which never happened before. Funny how that works right?
Make Your Room Feel Taller
There’s just SOMETHING about custom drapes. It wasn’t until they were hung, it ALL came together like the last piece of a puzzle. I knew the blue pattern would be a game changer. But what surprised me the most is it’s our favorite thing in the room!
The color draws your eye to the ceiling, giving the illusion of a bigger room. {One of the best design tricks in the books!} The hardware and the way the fabric falls…MAGIC.
Get Two Looks For One
To maximize the use of our custom pillows and room entirely, Melissa had the genius idea of two sided pillows. A darker side for winter and a lighter fabric/color for summer. All with just a flip of a cushion. This is WHY custom always wins. And no one does it like Calico. Here are a few side by sides of the same shot with the pillows each way.
Calico and Melissa, thank you SO much for making our home so happy and cheery and ONE. OF. A. KIND.
Ready to live in a well-designed home but can’t seem to pull it all together?
Get Melissa’s FREE GUIDE – 3 Simple Steps to Add Personality & Create a Home You Love. She used these exact tips when designing our spaces and they’re SO EASY!
Resources
Calico Window Treatments, Chairs + Cushions
These are Melissa’s EXACT notes from our Calico order. If you are in the market for cushions, chairs or window treatments – they are worth reading! You’ll find some FANTASTIC tips sprinkled throughout, plus get an understanding of how many options/resources Calico offers. P.S. This is why you work with pros – SO. MANY. DECISIONS.
Flat Roman Shade
- Functioning {this means you can pull the shade all the way down to cover the window} with standard lining.
- Outside mount, single shade mounted below bookshelf accent trim to maximize full width.
- Fabric: Charmont, Onyx – vertical palm pattern centered on double window. Note: despite the color being Onyx, it felt more like a Navy Blue to us. So we went for it! Comes in an emerald color too.
- Bottom Trim: Hazen, Leaf (in store) – green fringe full width along bottom of shade.
Window Seat Cushion
- Slightly over stuffed on both sides, with structured foam cushion in and piping.
- Zipper on back side so cushion can be flipped upside-down for use on both sides.
- Top & Sides Fabric: Liam Stripe, Kale – stripe to run “vertically” front to back, assume seam(s) on top to accommodate fabric width.
- Bottom Fabric: Blue & White stripe {we used this same fabric on the roman shades in our dining room}. Run horizontally for cushion too.
- Piping x 2: Fauna, Navy by Kate Spade {no longer available}. We also used this fabric on our dining room chairs.
Pillows with Down Fillers (Qty 6 – 3 Styles)
1. (Qty 2) 20” Square
- Hidden seam zipper so they can be used front or back {GREAT tip!}
- Side 1 Fabric: Gulfport, Navy, 700 Gulf Nav
- Side 2 Fabric: Charmont, Onyx – vertical palm pattern centered {same fabric as the roman shade}
- Edge Piping: Daija, Melon
2. (Qty 2) Round Bolster
- Hidden seam zipper
- Main Fabric: Jumper Crypton, Indigo
- Edge Piping: Fauna, Navy by Kate Spade {no longer available}
3. (Qty 2) 12”x18” Lumbar
- Hidden seam zipper so they can be used front or back
- Side 1 Fabric: Mount Blanc, Cobalt {same fabric as the drapes}
- Side 2 Fabric: Gulfport, Navy, 700 Gulf Nav
- Edge Ribbon: Thick dark ribbon (Ring TBKA Black Style: LR260/145) half sewn in for 1”+ exposed “flap” around all 4 sides {in store}
Swivel Chairs (Qty 2)
- Fairfax Chairs with Spring Down Seat Cushion
- Overall Fabric: Inside Out Ashbee, Snow {Melissa said this white performance fabric would hold up well (for a white) with kids =)}
- Piping: Liam Stripe, Kale – stripe to run on a bias
Swivel Chair Pillows with Down Fillers (Qty 2)
- 15” x 20” Lumbar
- Hidden seam zipper so they can be used front or back
- Side 1 Fabric: Inside Out Ashbee, Snow WITH square face trim of Thick dark ribbon (Ring TBKA Black Style: LR260/145) {in store}
- Side 2 Fabric: Gulfport, Navy, 700 Gulf Nav
- Edge Trim: Hazen, Leaf {in store} – green fringe on all 4 sides {same trim on the roman shade}
Drapes {Qty 6}
- Two Prong Fan Pleated Drapery
- Fabric: Mount Blanc, Cobalt
- Trim: 2″ Tape Sash in Poppy {1″ from edge – sides and bottoms}
- Hardware: Black, French Rods and Rings
More Decor
- Striped Rug // Lauren Ralph Lauren {on MAJOR sale right now}
- Seagrass Rug // Amazon
- Sectional // West Elm
- Art
- Modern Abstract Custom Painting by Erin Donahue Tice, Framed by Dupage Framing
- Blue Dot Painting by Katie Powell Brickman, Framed by Dupage Framing
- Gallery Wall: Red Abstract by Kayce Hughes by way of Pencil & Paper Co. Creative Club // Blue + Orange Color Block Print by Pencil & Paper Co. // House by Alex Waggoner by way of COLLEEN // Nantucket Oil Painting {by Sean’s uncle!} // Blue Bronco Photo from our BIL’s Nantucket wedding {thanks Matt + Tom!}
- Floor Lamp // West Elm
- Swivel Sconce // CB2
- Side Table {no longer available but similar here} // West Elm
- Coffee Table // Article
Photos by the lovely Wonder & Awe
A huge thanks to Calico for sponsoring this post!
