Living Room/Den

Because the living room is very open to the other public spaces in the house, the designers wanted to establish a sense of cohesiveness. “All of the walls and trim are painted the same color so that the gathering areas—living room, dining room, and kitchen—feel like one continuous space,” says Phoebe. To keep the neutral scheme from becoming too flat, the designers added plenty of texture. Rough-hewn, salvaged wood beams create interest above, while the chalky finish of the plaster walls adds dimension to the surroundings.

“The size of this room called for larger furniture, and the Plaza sofa from Sherrill Furniture was the perfect choice,” Phoebe says. “It has arms that are slightly flared to help soften the look of the oversize piece.” Fireside chairs covered in a thick, cozy bouclé fabric, along with a sleek ottoman upholstered in leather, bring in even more texture. An antique chaise, re-covered in a modern-day fabric, fits perfectly into the window nook, providing a quiet spot to take in the water views behind the house. The mirror over the fireplace, made of wooden shoe forms, offers a unique focal point, as well as an interesting conversation piece. “When we started this project, we realized we needed the right artwork to go with the furnishings and architecture,” says Phoebe. A landscape painting by John Folsom was chosen as a main focal point. Black-and-white floral photographs by Joseph Guay ground the space and add a botanical note to the décor.

“We wanted the den to feel like a cozy offshoot of the living room,” says Nellie. A wood-clad cased opening creates a sense of separation between the spaces, and paneled walls add warmth. The sectional sofa, almost a room unto itself, offers an ideal place for intimate gatherings or quiet relaxation. Textural patterns in the throw pillows and drapery trim add visual punctuation to the monochromatic scheme. The cloud-like painting by Wellon Bridgers brings a moody tone to the space, while a lush arrangement of seeded eucalyptus, blue eryngium, and steel grass introduces a touch of color and a connection to the outdoors.

For a full room tour, watch the video above led by Phoebe Howard and Nellie Howard Ossi, interior designers of the 2022 Flower showhouse.