Urban Living Room

Cathy Nieciecki has lived in her Chicago condo for more than a year. She loves the home's features such as crown molding, hardwood floors and a beautifully restored fireplace, but doesn't feel the room reflects her modern lifestyle. The Design on a Dime team is armed with $1,000 and a plan to give this single city dweller a living room with urban appeal.


The Dilemma
The living room is a little small, and the current furnishings are a bit too big for the space. The cocktail table commands the majority of the floor. The TV is awkwardly placed next to the fireplace, which needs added architectural interest.

The Solution
The team comes up with a plan to evoke a New York-style apartment from the 1950s. They'll dress up the fireplace to give it more of a presence in the room. A grayish-blue wall color will complement the brown tones in the space. The TV will get a new cabinet to help incorporate it into the room's decor. To top it all off, they'll frame some of Cathy's own photography to use in the room. Here's how the plan comes together.

The fireplace is now the room's focal point. Crown molding gives the facade architectural appeal, and Cathy's own artwork is displayed above to lend the space a personal touch.

The vintage typewriter now has an attractive spot for display. The secondhand side table gets a fresh coat of paint and new hardware for extra sophistication. A chic silver lamp complements the look.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_living_area/article/0,1793,HGTV_3376_4995076,00.html