Each of the projects we are currently working on at Paloma Contreras Design is a little different in look and feel from the next, to suit each individual client’s needs and tastes, but they all have a little bit of my own style in them and are rooted in the “modern meets traditional” style that I love. I am so grateful to get to do what I love each day and to work with such amazing clients. It is very rewarding to create beautiful environments for people and to bring them joy in this small way. We recently completed a living room along with several other spaces for a sweet client. The house is a beautiful Greek revival and the client has great taste– a modern take on traditional style very similar to my own. In fact, we bonded over our love of all things Chinoiserie and pretty fabrics.

The photo above and the one directly below are from the real estate listing with the previous owner’s furnishings. You can see the room has great bones with pretty millwork, a beamed ceiling, and windows overlooking the expansive backyard.

I thought the furniture arrangement could use some improving upon and certainly would not have chosen so many brown, oversized pieces. Luckily, by the time I was brought on, the rooms as a blank slate.

We started by painting everything a crisp white and decided on a new furniture arrangement. Rather than having the furniture facing away from the fireplace, we moved the TV and hid it in a Chinoiserie cabinet. We also converted the former TV nook pictured in the before photo into a custom-designed bar. We also had new doors and hardware put on the cabinets under the bookshelves to match the custom cabinetry in the bar.

To maximize seating, I custom designed two skirted sofas in a beautiful moss green velvet with Greek key trim. Juxtaposed against the traditional sofas are a modern pair of brass and leather chairs and a chic Lucite coffee table. Now, there is a natural flow and plenty of seating for entertaining.

I love this vignette near the fireplace with some black and white abstract art, a great pair of lamps, a navy painted grasscloth console, and blue and white garden stools.

A Closer Look at the Coffee Table

It was so nice to see that my client and I have a lot of the same books. It is always a little surprising to me when people don’t have books.

Since my clients love to entertain, we added a classic Parsons-style game table and chic bamboo chairs upholstered in one of my all-time favorite fabrics, David Hicks’ La Fiorentina.

A Close-Up of the New, Custom-Designed Wet Bar

Cocktail time is a little more fun now!

A Detailed Shot of the Media Console and Chinoiserie Cabinet Concealing the TV and A/V Equipment

Thank you for letting me share this with you!

If you would like help transforming your own home, please contact us at Paloma Contreras Design.

{“After” Photography by Max Burkhalter}