People all over the world have long loved having that living room fire place for the winter.  When it comes to wood or pellet fireplaces, there’s just something about the aroma, the heat, and the fire that makes it so attractive and comfortable.

For a long time now, people have the additional option of the gas fireplace, reducing the labor and trouble that comes with the traditional wood.  What makes these gas or propane fireplaces so attractive is that you don’t need to install a chimney and you can move it whenever it suits you.  This gives you more options as your family grows or shrinks, or you simply feel like changing the room up a bit.

Most gas and propane fireplaces are movable with little work or trouble for the user.  To make things even simplier, you may find than an electric fireplace, though there is no real fire, may also be idea.  It can be moved to wherever there is an electrical outlet.

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For those of you planning to remodel a room, to include the dreaded ceiling, you do have option other than painting. One of those options could be to use regular (flat) wallpaper or textured wallpaper. Textured wallpaper gives the room a sense of depth and sophistication that painting doesn’t always offer. Also, you can use it, if you find that the overhead work (spackling & sanding) are becoming too much or too messy to do.

Almost all of the textured wallpaper on the market comes with preglued backs and in the color white. You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to install.

Simply, wet the material in the bathtub roll it on to your ceiling, and line of the diagrams of the next layer. Let it dry, then paint it the color you want. It really is that simple.

You’ll also find that it isn’t that expensive and the rolls go a long way. They come in several types of designs and patterns.

Also, if you want, you could simply use ordinary wallpaper with the pattern and colors that fit your preference or need.

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There’s almost an unlimited number of living room designs and ideas.

Today we’ll look at a few of them, with some photos to show differences.

1.   The Traditional Living Room:

Designer’s Notes

Positive and negative design elements are essential to this formal dining room’s appeal. A gorgeous handcrafted wood mantel and mirror from Mexico are the focal points in this large room. Colorful area rugs anchor small furniture pieces, while the more substantial sofa and wood furniture pieces hold a presence of their own. Negative design elements, such as the atrium windows, hallway doors and glass coffee table, help keep energy flowing around the room. Photo by Dino Tonn.

About the Designer:

Kristin Lee Hannah
Interior Designer, Hannah Interiors
Phone: 1.800.790.5932
E-mail: kristin@virtualinteriordesigners.com
Website: www.virtualinteriordesigners.com

3.  The Modern Living Room:

Designer’s Notes

This modern gathering room has a center column created in mosaic metallic tile, a custom ottoman and geometric two-piece area rug.

About the Designer:

Barbi Krass, allied ASID
Designer, Colorworks Studio
Website: www.colorworksstudio.com

4.The Transitional Living Room:

Designer’s Notes

The muted color palate in this transitional great room showcases the expansive wall of windows framed with silk panels in alternating color tones. A mixture of traditional and transitional furniture pieces are used to create a sense of warm livability.

About the Designer:

Trish Beaudet
Finishing Touches Interior by Design, Inc.
Website: http://www.interiorsbyfinishingtouches.com

5.  Contemporary Living Room:

This is a beautiful room!!!

Designer’s Notes

Yellow: the color of sunshine! All it takes is this one yellow, chunky wall with cut out pass-through to add that whimsical flair. Dark wood floors meet the carpet in a swooping curve that mirrors the soffit above and add a modern feel to this 1970s ranch home in Phoenix. The fireplace had been exposed masonry block and so we wrapped it with drywall accented with vertical reveal strips and painted it a warm dark taupe to offset the yellow.

About the Designer:
Amy Bubier
Interior Designer, AB Design Elements LLC
Website: www.abdesignelements.com

6.  The Country Living Room:

Designer’s Notes

A plain, long, boring wall has been transformed into a striking trompe l’oeil in this space. Because of the mural’s three-dimensional look, the space looks larger and sets a great background for the country-style furniture.

About the Designer:

Ammie Kim

Interior Designer, ASID, CID; Ammie Kim Interior Design
Website: www.ammiekim.com

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