The Washington Post - 22.08.2019

the washington post

.

thursday, august

22

,

2019

MD

4

THE CHALLENGE

Betsy Purves recently inherited a baby

grand piano from her grandparents and is

trying to figure out how best to

incorporate it into the 12-by-18-foot living

room of her D.C. rowhouse. She has a

recreation room elsewhere in the house

for toys and other kid-friendly activities,

so she is looking for a design that is not

too formal but not overly casual.

THE SOLUTION

Designer Michelle Borden separates the

space into two zones: one for music and

one for living. To help define the space

and create a focal point, Borden suggests

adding a fireplace mantel in the middle of the long wall where the sofa used to be. She suggests a palette

of blues and neutrals to keep with the homeowner’s preference for cool tones.

SPLURGE...

6. White walls will
   work with the room’s
   abundant natural
   light. Try Origami
   White from
   Sherwin-Williams,
   with Anew Gray on
   the fireplace mantel
   for a bit of contrast.
   7. Use plug-in
   sconces to add
   task lighting over
   the sofa without
   taking up floor
   space.


7. A wood media
   console and brown
   leather ottomans
   bring warmth and
   texture to the
   otherwise cool
   palette in the
   design.


8. In a small space,
   go for pieces that
   can do double duty.
   Four small ottomans
   can be moved around
   to use as extra
   seating, or pushed
   together as a coffee
   table.


9. Floating
   shelves on the
   wall behind the
   piano can hold
   family photos,
   small-scale art,
   sculpture and even
   sheet music.


10. Sheer
    curtain panels
    dress the
    window and add
    softness
    without
    blocking light.


11. A smaller area
    rug helps define
    the seating area.
    The tone-on-tone
    pattern adds
    interest without
    overwhelming the
    long, narrow room.


Borden, with

Perceptions

Interiors

(215-313-4332

perceptionsinteriors.

com), is based in the

District.

HOUSE CALLS BY MARI-JANE WILLIAMS

Optimizing a narrow space

INTERIOR RENDERING BY

RICHMAN STUDIO FOR THE

WASHINGTON POST;

“BEFORE” AND HOMEOWNER

PHOTOS BY LEAH L. JONES

FOR THE WASHINGTON POST;

DESIGNER PHOTO FROM

MICHELLE BORDEN; PRODUCT

PHOTOS FROM RETAILERS

 See past room makeovers at washingtonpost.com/housecalls. Tell us about your design challenge. Send photos, room dimensions and contact information to [email protected].

SHOPPING GUIDE

Furniture: Harmony down-filled swoop-arm 82-

inch sofa in ink blue Performance Velvet ($1,699,

westelm.com); brown leather poufs ($199 each,

cb2.com); Dorchester two-seat bench in hickory

brown ($249, ballarddesigns.com).

Accessories: Linen sheer trim 84-inch curtain

panels in white/navy ($59 each,

potterybarn.com); “Waters Edge” 48-by-38-inch

original color wall art with walnut floating frame

($514.99, greatbigcanvas.com); Infinity copper

mantel mirror ($299, cb2.com); Wescott flush 53-

inch fireplace mantel ($533,

woodlanddirect.com); Lack wall shelves in stained

oak effect ($19.99 each, ikea.com); Maze 9-by-12-

foot area rug in shadow blue ($1,199,

westelm.com).

Designer Michelle

Borden; Betsy

Purves

Adrian 84-inch

media cabinet in

walnut with graphite

base and natural

steel hardware

($2,199,

roomandboard.com)

Classic articulating

arm single sconces

with tapered brass

shades ($210 each,

potterybarn.com)

.. .OR SAVE

Two-tone wood

diamond Rouvin

media cabinet

($549.99,

worldmarket.com)

Arstid brass wall

lamps with white

shades ($19.99

each, ikea.com)

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