Have you ever wondered how to get from Point A: "Let's build an addition" to Point B: The completed thing? If you've been following along, you know that we are putting a small addition onto our home. We are going to make the addition our new living room, and our current living room will become my much needed office space. We will build a new deck coming off of the addition. The new access to the deck will affect our dining space, and actually make it more functional! There are so many steps and decisions to make in this process, so I'm going to walk you through them. My vision has evolved over time, but I think we are pretty close to the final design.
Step 1: The Size + Layout
We have to work within the width of our home, so I had to configure sizing for both the deck and addition within those dimensions. We can go out further because we have the yard space, but are limited on width. We are going with 16' x 18' for the addition, and 14' x 18' for the deck. One of my goals with the living room is to add more seating, since we currently don't have much room for that. By doing a floorplan in my rendering software, I could play around with seating to decide on pieces. I'm going to do a long sofa, short sofa, and at least one accent chair. I really want to fit two accent chairs. You see one here in the layout because that's what I think will fit comfortably. I desperately want to fit more, but I'm torn because I don't want the space to feel crowded. I am my toughest client!
My contractor also provides renderings which are super helpful! These were the first round, which we've changed some things since. First, we are going to enclose the space under the addition (left) so we have some storage for yard tools. We will keep the right side open for patio space--maybe some hanging swings? We are also eliminating the pink door you see and the white window next to that. We will replace with a black, more horizontally oriented window in the center of that wall.
Step 2: The Color Palette + Inspiration
With any decorating project, I first want to nail down a color palette and inspiration for the vibe of the room. I decided that I want a completely neutral palette for this space. I want to incorporate browns and blacks. I want to be very clear about this: neutral does not have to mean boring! There are so many ways you can make neutral interesting, and I'm going to outline those ways in this post. Browns have been popping up lately in design trends. I'd never say that I'm one for trends, but I just love this palette. It just creates a mood for me.
After deciding my color palette, I wanted to find an image that would serve as inspiration for what I wanted the space to look like. I mainly chose this image because I want black stone with veining for a fireplace feature wall, and textured walls. I'm thinking a lighter Roman Clay for the walls; Roman Clay is a product by Portola Paints and is an eco-friendly plaster finish. Check out the color I'm looking at below, as well as what it looks like applied to a space.
Here's the black porcelain slab we picked out. I first picked out the black slab online, and ordered samples. I like this one because it pulls in the creams + browns from my color palette. I got a sample of the polished and the matte. Initially, I thought I wanted polished, but after going and seeing the slab in person, I liked the matte better. Always go look at full slabs when they are available to you!
I also want some built-ins, so I needed some inspiration for how I wanted that to look.
I'll have the built-ins painted a taupe color (that I still need to select); I want it to contrast with both the black slab and the walls. The left side will be for our records + record player. The right side will be a bar area for my husband. In my next house, I want a whole "listening" room for my record player and records, but until then this will have to do!
Step 3: The Furnishings
I sourced this sofa in both long + short sizes for a recent client project (but a different color for them). I fell in love with it and knew it was the style I wanted for our addition. I love having the two different sofa sizes. For my project, I wanted this brown color. This is down filled, so it's super comfortable, something I cannot say about our current sofa. I will tell you, however, that anything down filled requires more maintenance. You have to regularly fluff down filled cushions for them to maintain their shape and structure. I am willing to do that, but I know that some clients are not. Which is okay, because you can swap out the cushion type. It's still comfortable when you swap, but a little more firm than the down filled.
Here I am sitting on this sofa at High Point Market in the spring. This is a different color, but wow, I could sit there all day! Also, this is a velvet material, and in this vendor's "kid proof" line of fabrics. Many people are surprised when I tell them that velvets are great for kids + pets.
Earlier in this post, I claimed that neutral doesn't have to be boring. I refuse to have a boring space. You make it interesting in the details. Look at the turned wood sofa legs and the metal casters. This is the installed sofa from my recent client project--notice how we added a row of antique nailheads to the bottom of the sofa frame, too. Not boring at all!
This is the accent chair. Love the fur texture. Again, the texture here adds interest in the room so the neutral doesn't become a snoozefest. I was actually having trouble deciding on the accent chair, because there was another fur chair I came across, but there's just something about the shape + proportions to this piece that I'm in love with.
Because the sofas are darker, I think I want some lighter ivory/cream colors in my rug. I'd also like to pull in some brown coloring. I'm in limbo on the rug decision. I like the rug shown above/left, but I'm not 100% on it, yet. I also like the idea of a solid color but heavy texture. I think I need to do more searching to see what else is out there. Sometimes, with my own sourcing, even I can get stuck on some decisions. Stay tuned...I see an Instagram story soon where I have you all help me choose the rug!
The cabinet is another area I'm feeling indecisive. I fell in love with this one on the left at market, in particular with the mixed materials of wood + metal. I need a place to put blankets + baskets of toys, maybe some display books or photo books. I also love the color/arches on the one on the right. The left one looks like it can hold larger baskets of toys, etc. but we will see. I have a lot of thinking to do! This will be next to a large black grid picture window, so I have to consider that as well.
Continued proof that neutral can be interesting. This pulls in my dark brown from my sofa, and it's the fabric/pattern I want for one of my ottomans. I picture two ottomans, two different dimensions, two different fabrics. I'll also probably do some pillows in this fabric. I still need to decide on the other ottoman's fabric. Currently, I'm thinking a light brown leather. As you can see, lot of loose ends to tie up for this design! I just need some time to pull all the fabrics and play around with some combinations.
The indecision doesn't end there! I would like to have a floor lamp, but I have to decide what's going to fit best. I'm so drawn to the lamp on the left, but thinking that the lamp on the right will be a better fit in the space so things don't feel crowded.
The side tables I want to pull in the blacks + browns from the palette. I will likely only get one or two of these; again, I don't want things to feel crowded.
I almost forgot our chandelier! Once again, proving that neutral can be VERY interesting. This has pieces of quartz, with varying shades of white and brown. In love.
Step 4: The Windows + Doors
I knew generally the look + size I wanted for doors + windows, since I had started putting together the design of the space. I went to a local lumber establishment who my contractor partners with. I sat down with their doors + windows guy, and we set out to design the doors + windows. We will do black grid style for both. There's a 6-8 week lead time on the windows, so it's something that we need to order very soon.
Step 5: The Exterior
I know that most people will use the same exterior material on their addition as the original part of their home. I was concerned that it would be "too much." Our home has dark teal vinyl siding, that we had painted that color a few years back. Once I saw the first set of renderings, I realized I didn't hate the idea of more dark teal, but I was in favor of changing up the material. I found these James Hardie stucco panels and fell in love. They can be primed and painted to match the rest of our home's exterior color. Below you will see a panel they brought by to show me. Try to picture it dark teal!
I also love these bronze sconces to flank the doors/access to the deck.
Step 6: The Details
I'll still have last minute details to pick out for decorating touches but there are two things I've already decided. 1: Light switch plates. I love these knobs! 2: I'll have limited wall decor as usual due to windows + doors, but I definitely want to frame and hang these black + white portraits my sister-in-law did for us. We have one for all three boys. Check out her work here.
Like I do for my clients, I created a vision board with all of my selections in one place. I'm loving this look. Here's what things are looking like right now.
I cannot wait to share more details once this project kicks off. Which I hope is soon because I can't wait to turn this vision into a reality. Stay tuned!
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