Q and A Styling a Dramatic Formal Drawing Room with Laura Hay

In this Q&A feature, interior designer Laura Hay gives us a look behind the scenes of designing a formal living room space that's both elegant and functional for her clients.

What were your clients’ needs for this space?

My clients’ wanted a dramatic and contemporary space to welcome and impress their guests. This room is small and it is the first room you see when you enter the front door of the home. 

Were there any changes to designing this space?

We redesigned the fireplace entirely.  We introduced gas for ease of use, replaced the brickstone and included a beautiful marble surround with a hearth and a pre-cast stone mantel.

Do you have any special considerations or requirements when creating a drawing / living room?

When a home has a formal drawing room off the main foyer, it is typically a more formal space that doesn’t get the wear and tear of the more casual and practical rooms in the home.  Therefore, this room can be a place for drama and luxury.

How does the flooring play into your design?

The rich espresso stained hardwood floors provide the perfect backdrop to the opal silk rug and high contrast design scheme.

What makes this room functional?

The beautiful built-in bookcase provides elegant storage for seasonal entertaining ware and open bookcases to display unique art pieces and accessories.  The simple and symmetrical seating arrangement provides a lovely conversation area that is welcoming and comfortable.

Why did you choose these colors?

The room is small accompanied by high ceilings, large windows, and beautiful millwork.  These elements combined provide the perfect environment for high contrast design including dark walls and light millwork.  The warm white and blue-black design scheme evolved from a beautiful Donghia fabric I sourced and used on the accent pillows.

What is your favorite aspect of this room?

I love the lighting and the accessories.  The simple yet dramatic color scheme is the perfect backdrop for the artistic décor elements; the muted gold chandelier from Visual Comfort, the chagrin mirror from Made Goods, the brass and bronze art and accessories on the bookshelf.  These are the pieces that make the space feel curated and unique.

What did your client like the most?

The clients loved how the room felt larger with large furniture pieces in it.  When they bought the home, they thought the room was useless.  I loved creating a space that could be useful and beautiful and reflective of their taste for the unique and contemporary.

Home Design by LAURA HAY  Photography by GILLIAN JACKSON

Laura Hay Decor & Design is a growing boutique design firm known for creating stylish, harmonious, modern and livable environments and vacation homes in the United States, Canada and Bahamas. @laurahay.design