How to Respect Your Ranch

 One family that engaged my services had a beautiful contemporary home with vaulted wood and exposed beam ceilings and large plate-glass windows with clean, contemporary lines. They had remodeled their kitchen and were stumped by their living and dining rooms. They said they didn’t use the living and dining rooms; they just quickly passed through on their way to other rooms. Upon entering I could see why—it looked like Great-aunt Matilda lived there!

 The living and dining rooms were furnished in antiques and large pastel-colored floral print fabrics and artwork, not in keeping with their very classic modern home. I immediately invited them to learn about their fabulous house. I sent them to websites that taught them about the history of their home, along with visual cues on what would be appropriate for this style of architecture. My clients became well-versed in what was appropriate. As they learned, they grew very excited, eventually coming on board for the transformation—and what a transformation it was!                                                        

Before the walls painted in white did nothing to accentuate the modern architecture of this mid-’50s home.

After I used yellow and two tones of chili pepper paint colors to bring out the many architectural planes of the living and dining rooms. The semi-open room divider-display case is in keeping with the modern style of this home. It gives the entry a boundary and makes this space more inviting. I also suggested taking down the vertical blinds and updating the flooring with a new slate tile.                                                                                       

This 1950s ranch has a fabulous plate-glass window that I drew attention to by painting the ceiling and woodwork white. Now the beams outside direct your eye to the view.

Classic ’50s homes like this one are about open floor plans. My client’s home overlooks a charming creek. The former furniture arrangement obstructed the view of the beautiful forest and creek below.

 I opened the room up by moving the sofa against the wall opposite the fireplace. Using two armless chairs keeps the room open and doesn’t block that beautiful view!

This modern home cries out for modern furniture. I kept the seating arrangement cozy and inviting, yet it evokes 1950s modernity.                                                            

When you respect the architecture of your home the furniture will fit like a well-tailored garment. What once was frumpy is now refreshing. My clients said “Your design continues to provide lots of enjoyment for our family. While the living room feels cozy with just the three of us, it works equally well with a house full of people! The flow is great and the flexible seating really works well without feeling crowded.”

Designer Secret: Make your starting point your home’s architecture; it will lead you where you want to go. But keep in mind, rules are made to be broken once in a while – ALL the furniture doesn’t need to be in keeping with the architecture. In small doses, fine-quality antiques or collectible modern pieces can be incorporated into any home.



 




By: Kimberlee Jaynes