Say YES to Art - Living Room Design and Styling

Many interior designers would agree – designing your own living space presents a unique set of challenges. This project was further complicated by the limitations of a rental property, where no architectural modifications were permitted.

Despite these constraints, the transformation of this living room is big. You can find the ‘before‘ images on my Instagram account. The walls are now a vibrant canvas adorned with artwork, both collected pieces and those created by myself. This project took a personal approach, having no design style in mind, in favor of a curated collection of objects gathered over time with my partner. The result is a living space that reflects the our artistic sensibilities.

Cozy living room with cream sofa, black and white checkered pillows, art gallery wall, wooden floor, cello in corner, and stacked books near window.
An upright piano with its top open, revealing internal strings and hammers, placed against a beige wall. Decor items on top include a black pitcher, a small figurine, a wooden statue, and a black candle holder with three candles. An abstract artwork hangs on the wall above the piano.
A wooden shelf with stacks of books, a dark brown vase with a branch that has sprouting green leaves, and two abstract paintings hanging on a plain light-colored wall.
A cozy living room with a beige couch, black and white checkered throw pillows, and a patterned ottoman. There's a wall decorated with various framed artworks, including a large portrait of a woman. A wooden coffee table with stacked books sits in front, and a small wooden bench is positioned along the side wall. A small side table with a red lamp and several books is next to the sofa. The room has a wood floor and a white ceiling with a round light fixture.

I added personality to my living room with curated corners. Each item tells a story through travel souvenirs and collected treasures we've picked up on our adventures.

Living room corner with a wooden bench holding a stack of books, a small dark vase with a delicate branch, a skateboard beneath the bench, a plush armchair, a small shelf with more books and papers, and a patterned fabric in the foreground.
Living room wall with an open upright piano, two black shelves with books and decorative items, a small wooden table with a vase and books, and a skateboard with a leather stool nearby.
A white marble table with a decorative dish containing a lime, in a cozy room with indoor plants, artwork, and wooden furniture in the background.
Inside of a home with a partially open upright piano showing its inner strings and hammers. The piano's top is decorated with small sculptures and candle holders. A potted plant is nearby, and a doorway leads to another room with furniture and artwork. The floor is wood, and the walls are decorated with art.