Home Tour - Living Room — Rebels Just For Kicks

The living room space is open and bright, with a full wall of glass doors on one side that open out to the deck. All things which are amazing. But the space is long and narrow so it took a minute to figure out the best way to organize it. I didn’t want to block things off too much on the deck side of the room. I wanted a comfortable place to lounge and watch TV and a still comfortable but slightly more refined space on the dining room end of things.

The main architectural feature of the room is the built in shelves surrounding the fireplace. I wanted a clean, simple way to provide some storage and visual interest at the same time. In lots of modern house I feel like all of the stuff is hidden which I have never understood. I like all my stuff! I want to see it! Seriously shelf styling is one of my favorite activities. Call me if you need help. I don’t really consider these ‘done’ and probably never will. Adding and rearranging is the best part.

I have never been a fan of gas fireplaces and I didn’t have the option of a putting in a wood burning one. I was going to skip it all together- I mean this is LA, it is never actually cold – but I am very happy I ended up with this one. It is so unobtrusive and it is really is nice to turn it on with just the push of a button. I use it all the time and it does actually give off some heat.

The one detail I was very specific about is the sliding panel above the fireplace that hides the TV. I would never pretend I don’t watch TV. I have Friends reruns on in the background pretty much twenty-four seven, but I have never felt the need for a massive screen and they never look good looming over a room when dark. I saw a photo with a similar sliding panel on Pinterest and thought this could be the solution. It took a few rounds of explaining before my architect and contractor understood the idea but it turned out perfectly. The side shelf portions had to be exactly the same width as the center section with the fireplace. The panel slides to either side. Hooray!

My mom gets all the credit for suggesting the back-to-back matching sofas. It really was the perfect solution. The space feels like two distinct areas but everything is still open and connected. I knew I wanted leather sofas. They just seem so much easier to keep clean and end up looking better with age rather than stained or dingy. I loved this West Elm style because it had a vintage feel to it and didn’t look too heavy. Telling people – especially girlfriends - that you are planning to anchor the room with a pair of black leather couches definitely did not get too many enthusiastic reactions but I had a vision and knew that no part of them would read Nineties man cave in person. I ended up having them made in a width that was in between the loveseat and full couch sizes to make sure there would be enough room to walk around on both sides.

Most of the other main pieces in the room I had in my mind for months as well. I knew I wanted a fluffy black and white Moroccan style rug. Not very original these days but if softens things up and is not too distracting. I have also been obsessed with Blu Dots lacquered tables for years and had always loved the pink ‘watermelon’ shade. With everything else being fairly neutral and sort of on the masculine side I thought this would add a fun, slightly girly touch. The low square ended up being the perfect size and shape for my arrangement.

The other piece I had been lusting after for a couple years is the Stephen Kenn army green loveseat. His pieces are designed and made in downtown LA and I visited the studio to chat and see everything in person. I had actually sourced some fabrics for Essex from the same place he gets his vintage army fabric. The straps on the back are my favorite part. I loved how unique his pieces are and of course that they are made here in LA. All of the details are thoughtful and impressive.

The woven chairs I tracked down after I spotted them in the background of another blogger’s Insta stories (hey hey Devon Rachel). They add another softer natural touch to balance out the black leather and glossy pink.

For the ‘fancier’ dining room end of things I knew I wanted chairs with a lighter feel. I didn’t want to be looking at two large upholstered blocks when sitting at the dining room table and there are really a lot of chairs that are sort of ugly from behind. As things came together in the house I realized that the chairs would also basically be the first things you saw when you walked in the door. I settled on this pair from Lawson-Fenning because I loved how light the frame looked. They were splurge for sure but I love them so much and they are wonderfully comfortable and look good from all angles.

I spotted the graphic pouf/ottoman/stool/whatever in Dwell awhile back and after some online sleuthing found it available from an Italian website. I was not entirely sure it would actually arrive and was pleasantly surprised when it appeared. It basically serves no purpose but it is big enough for a stack of books and a cocktail or two.

The bar cart and mirror were splurges as well – both from local store Consort, an absolute favorite of mine. I was thinking a quirky, kitschy bar cart would be fun but realized again that it is directly in the eye line of anyone entering the house so I decided this classic option with a vintage feel would be better. The shelves have mirrored tops which I love and there is room for all the bar essentials.

I was stalking the mirror online for months. It is a vintage French piece and I was sure someone would snatch it before I could. Everything else in the space feels very new and I think it is always good to have at least one piece with a bit of patina to add character. Plus people like to check themselves slyly out at parties right? Always good to have a mirror in a central area for people to casually pass by.

So far the space works really well and feels comfortable and lived in. What do you think? Linking to all the major items here, but just ask if you have any questions!

Hamilton Leather sofas – West Elm

Souk Moroccan rug – West Elm

Strut Coffee table – Blu Dot

Military Canvas Loveseat – Stephen Kenn

Sungar Woven Armchairs – Stilnovo

Superheroes Ottoman / Pouf – Cappellini

Thin Frame Lounge Chairs – Lawson Fenning

Florin Brass Bar cart – Consort

Cowhide rug – Saddlemans

La Brisa throw – The Citizenry