Formal enough to wow guests when entertaining. Comfy and cozy enough for the family to settle in for movie night. Those were the goals Corinne Ekle of c2Design was tasked with when redesigning the living room in this 1980s home in Cherry Hills West.
“Before, it was quite formal, rather stuffy, just a white box,” says Ekle, who also designed the home’s other living spaces, the “resort-like” outdoor-living area, and all five bathrooms. “Now this room is bright, light, and a little quirky, while also being classic yet modern.”
One highlight was getting to design around the majestic grand piano, which belonged to the homeowner’s late mother. Choosing black for the once-white fireplace surround allowed Ekle to play off the piano’s color and elegant curves, which are also complemented by the curves of the furniture pieces.
“The homeowner grew up playing that piano with her mom, so it was super special to be able to include it in the vision for this room,” adds Ekle.
1Bend Me, Shape Me
Cast in bronze and mounted on white quartz bases, the “his and hers” slender armless statues from Arteriors on the mantel are in a style reminiscent of Swiss sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti.
2TV as Art
The Samsung Frame TV above the fireplace allows the homeowners, avid art collectors, to change the vibe of the space at any time by choosing a different image. The artwork showing in the photo is Affiches Charles Verneau by Théophile Steinlen, a French art nouveau painter and printmaker.
3Playful Form
For a playful touch, Ekle placed two black Lhomme stools from Global Views & Studio A in front of the fireplace. “Yes, they’re human ‘buns,’” says Ekle. “They’re quirky, yet they still feel formal with the black grand piano and the other curved aspects in the room.”
4Center Stage
The slab concrete coffee table in white marble from TOV Furniture is a central focal point. Its color plays off the other classic white and black elements in the room, while its rounded edges perfectly complement the curves of the piano and the couch.
5Melodic Curves
Ekle chose a curved sectional from Crate & Barrel with performance fabric specially engineered to be stain-resistant, making it perfect for entertaining and also for living with kids and pets. It’s also UV- and fade-resistant to withstand ongoing light exposure.
6Cut a Rug
Custom-made by Stark Carpet, the area rug’s design, called Gazelle, “is a fun yet subtle animal print,” explains Ekle. Like the couch, it was carefully engineered to resist stains.
