Kyle, the other half of New Minimalism is here to welcome you to the Chill Zen Room. Take off your shoes, kick back and stay awhile. This is now clearly a room to relax and unwind, but it hasn't always been this way...
When Cary and Cam moved into their apartment, they knew that the small room connecting the kitchen to the living room had great potential. Cam dubbed it The Chill Zen Room early on, but in practice, it was serving more as a glorified hallway. Cary asked me what we could do to define the room from the rest of the home, to make it a stopping point, rather than a thoroughfare. After some thought, I determined it just needed a little extra pizzazz and some key furniture replaced. Enter, painting project!
Changing the paint color is a tried and true strategy to completely transform a space. If executed correctly, it has a relatively low investment for a high reward.
Above are before and after shots of the Chill Zen Room, as viewed from the kitchen doorway. Looking through the space and into the living room beyond, you can see how the room integrates with the rest of the apartment. By choosing a high-contrast color, you can't help but stop and linger in the room for a bit.
Notice in the after photo, we chose two different paint finishes in the same color. We painted the walls a flat finish and the trim a glossy finish to emphasis the difference in depth.
The dark, earthy color creates the perfect backdrop to display Cam's incredible photography. You can view more of Cam's work at his online gallery: Steep Ravine. The brown leather and wood tones of the furniture strengthen the ode to mother nature.
We all agreed it was time to replace the overstuffed, circa '94 cream armchair that had followed Cam from apartment to apartment. After a few weeks of searching, we scored this super high-quality leather loveseat on Craigslist for less than $200! We anchored the reading corner with the wool rug, and intentionally placed it on an angle for a causal air.
Remember when starting a painting project on your own: it is all about PREPARATION. Have patience, as this takes some time. But once you prepare well, then painting is a breeze. (Tip: for the most eco-friendly waste, opt for old newspaper rather than plastic drop-cloths).
So go forth, readers, and embark on those bite-sized design projects that make a huge difference in your space.
Even if you don't choose a completely dramatic color, paint has a freeing power, symbolic with a fresh start. And we could all use a little refresh, now and then.