Love the high-end look but not the price tag?  I thought I would put my skills to the test and custom design a living room for under $5,000.  This modern/casual living room has all the basic elements you need with most of your budget going to investment pieces such as uphsoltered furniture, rugs and artwork.  I am open to suggestions for future posts, so lay it on me!

The Rundown:

1. Bellacor Pebble Table Lamp  - Made of shapely ceramic in a pebble finish, this table lamp exudes charm. It is crowned by a paper bag hardback drum shade. - $120
2. “Call” Acrylic Painting from the Artful Home - Created by Amy Bouse - One of a Kind - $350
3. Orange Cased Bowl from Bellacor - $43
4. Martine Sofa from Crate & Barrel - Fabric:  Como-Olive - Eco-Friendly construction - 76.5″Wx36″Dx34.75″H- $1,499
5. Slab Coffee Table from Z Gallerie- Chamcha wood, sourced from the trunks of naturally felled trees in Northern Thailand - 50” x 27-29” x 16.5”H - $549
6. Cira Silk Pillow - Aqua - Shimmering dupioni and mulberry silk combine in a beautiful accent pillow with self-welt finishing - Feather Down Insert - 2@$49.95 each - $99.90
7. Jasper Chair from Room & Board- Dorien/Oatmeal fabric - pre-washed 100% cotton microweave - $799
8. Dandelion Persimmon Rug from Company C - A soft, modern look with incredible texture. Hooked yarns accentuate this tufted rug to create a landscape of color you can actually feel. 100% wool, tufted - 6′x9′ - $1,125
9. Galerie Side Table from Crate & Barrel - Three tiered round side table in Espresso Stain - 23.75″dia.x23.75″H - $199

The Grand Total: $4,783.90

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This is week #3 in our Style Series and it’s time to take a peek at the Country & Casual Style.  This style is very popular because it is easy to interweave decorative selections with lifestyle necessities.  It ranges from a casual/modern look to a very country look, and everything in between.  The important thing is that the look is easy, informal and welcoming.

Some of the hallmarks of this well-liked style are: The beautiful and comfy sofa that is kid and pet-friendly.  The perfect painted finish on your dining room table that seems to look better with age and a little Elmer’s glue.  The plush throw pillows that are great companions for movie watching but also add just the right spark of color to the room. 

This is the balance you can achieve with the Country & Casual Style.  Here are some tips that will get you going in the right direction:

Good Foundation- Flooring is important for durability and aesthetics. If you are replacing your flooring, then laminate wood floors are great, but my top choice is pre-engineered hardwood; if your budget allows.  You will love these floors for years to come and they do a great job of hiding dirt, hair, etc…  Area rugs add cushion for walking/sitting/crawling on the floor and color and style to compliment the look.  Purchase something that has a little bit of a rustic look to it.  Not too pristine or shiny with this style.

Investment Pieces - Start with solid pieces of furniture that can withstand wear and tear.  The sofas, chairs, coffee and dining tables are critical.  My advice… When purchasing furniture, invest in the best quality upholstery that you can afford.  The extra years you will get out of the pieces will be well worth the additional investment!  Pick the sofa or chair with the arm and leg you like best.

Light it up - Have you ever walked into a room where the glare from the overhead light is just overwhelming?  Lighting adds a fantastic decorative touch to any room.  But don’t forget that a balance of the three types of lighting is important.

• General Lighting - Provides good overall light in the room.  Eg: Overhead fixtures and recessed lights.
• Task Lighting - Provides light for specific tasks like reading or sewing. Eg: Table and Floor Lamps.
• Ambient/Accent Lighting - Gives the room a dramatic feel by highlighting certain areas.  Eg: Sconces and pendant fixtures.

Decorative Touches - The Country & Casual style really shines by showing off the character and personality of your family.  Throw pillows, fun picture frames, and accessories allow you to surround yourself with items that support your interests.  They also give your visitors some insight into your individual taste.

Shop for the Country & Casual Style in My Secret Database!

Curtains, Draperies, Sheers, Panels.  Many words that help you achieve the same goal:  Cover and decorate your windows! You know what style and color you desire, but what length is going to do the job and enhance the look of your room?  Let’s explore your options and I will give you the inside scoop.

Long and Luxurious - If you are going for a more formal look, then Full-length Draperies are your best bet.  You may have seen draperies that are puddled (meaning there is extra fabric that is bunched up on the floor) and in most cases they emit an air of formal European design (i.e. not practical).  They look their best if they are stationery panels (not operable) but they are dust and pet hair collectors so I would advise you to steer clear of this detail.  On the contrary, I have my clients’ draperies made so are just barely touching the floor.  They are less likely to get dirty and they look a lot neater especially if you are opening and closing the draperies.

Middle Ground - Mid-length Curtains that fall just at or a few inches below your window sill give a more casual look.   They look great in Country & Casual environments and we see them featured often in kitchens, bathrooms and kids’ rooms.  I recommend that you buy them sill-length for the kitchen sink area and a bit below everywhere else.

Way up There - If you are just looking for something to frame the window but not necessarily cover it, then Top Treatments are a good way to go.  They can also be used in conjunction with draperies.  Valances, Swags and Balloons are a few examples but please don’t skimp on the fabric.  The top treatments sold in most big box stores are sad and droopy.  Window treatments are worth a few more dollars and cheap ones are easy to spot.  Think of what you see first when you walk in a room. Yep, it’s the windows!

Disclaimer:  You may have noticed that I have used the word Draperies and Curtains interchangeably in this article.  If you can believe it, some people have strong opinions about the usage of these words!  I use the word draperies or sheers for long panels and curtains for shorter ones but it’s really up to you:-)

 Like the photos in this article?  Please visit Country Curtains in My Secret Database or search for other Window Treatment Sources!