Living It Up - MC Design By Local Interior Designer and Tastemaker Megan Dufresne (ASID)
Living It Up
MC Design By Local Interior Designer and Tastemaker Megan Dufresne (ASID)
The living room is arguably the most social of all the rooms in our home. Sometimes called the family room or the great room, it can be whatever you need it to be for your home and lifestyle. Technically speaking, a family room leans more towards cozy and casual, while a traditional living room or great room can be more formal. How ever you use this large space or spaces in your home, it should work for you. The best living rooms are comfortable, adaptable, and inviting. So, let's delve into all the must haves that will make your living space all it can be and then some.
Set the Tone: Colors affect our mood and can change how a room feels, so choosing the right ones for your living room will help make your space feel calm and create a backdrop for the rest of your decor. Opt for neutral or warm earthy tones in your paint choices and choose complementary colors in your design. Dark color palettes can be overpowering, so using neutrals as your base with pops of darker or more vibrant colors and textures keeps things balanced.
Working from the Ground Up: An area rug creates the foundation for your space. Choosing a padded rug in soft fabric helps ground your design and adds warmth to the room. Too small a rug is the most common mistake when it comes to living room design. Using a small rug emphasizes how small a room is or cuts a large room off and can make it feel cramped. To create the illusion of more space, it would be better to use the largest rug a room can accommodate. In this way, you bring visual interest and warmth into the room without losing any actual space.
The one exception to this rule is when differentiating a section in a space like a separate seating area. In that case, a smaller rug functions as a visual divider in the room to create that separation.
Find Your Furnishings - Like with most things in home design, it's always best to go for the largest pieces a room can handle. Tiny furniture ends up making a room feel cramped. Better to opt for the largest sofa that can comfortably fit in a room and still allow for side tables and walkways. This will help make the room feel inviting and spacious, rather than sparse or cold. Depending on the overall style of your home, the type of furniture you choose should either match or be complementary to it.
I like to think about the shapes I am choosing when picking out furniture for a living room. We want to create a sense of balance so I will often mix very straight lines with a round or curved piece to break it up and add some visual interest.
I also think about the sightlines that are created for those who will be sitting in the room. Everyone should have unobstructed views of others in the space. Swivel chairs are a great addition to larger living rooms to allow guests to adjust their sightlines.
Texturize - Now that we have the large elements in place, the fun begins with all the accessories that put the living into living room. Layering different types of fabrics into your design elevates your space and brings life into your design. Leather or fabrics like velvet and mohair are luxurious choices when thinking about upholstery. Fluffy down insert pillows and wool throw blankets add pops of texture and really make the space inviting.
Finally, add plants, books, artwork, and other decor pieces to fill your space and make it your own.
About Megan Dufresne
Megan Dufresne, founder and principal of MC Design is a Manhattan Beach native who was raised visiting job sites and marking up blueprints with her contractor father. She grew up in homes custom built and designed by her parents.
Today, she brings South Bay’s casual sophistication to residential and commercial spaces across
Southern California. Passionate about textiles and design, Dufresne’s goal is always to elevate
the everyday into motivating spaces for her clients. Innovative, fun and inspiring are three of her
favorite adjectives when it comes to design.
Dufresne works with both homeowners and builders to create personalized environments that are
timeless yet current; with thoughtful layers that look and feel as though they’ve been
collected over time. Focusing on clients’ culture, tastes and interests as well as the structure’s
architecture, she translates those influences into highly livable, visually stunning interiors and exteriors. Kids, pets, sand and swimming pools inspire instead of limit her creative possibilities.
She works primarily in the beach cities of Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Redondo Beach, Hermosa
Beach and Manhattan Beach, and travels for clients as needed. While currently building a showroom in Rancho Mirage, Dufresne is excited to expand her Firm to the Greater Palm Desert area.
As a former luxury design specialist for House Beautiful and Modern Luxury Interiors California magazines, Dufresne now brings that knowledge and passion to interior design. She founded MC Design in 2007.
Dufresne lives in Lower Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates with her husband and two Chihuahuas. She’s a firm believer in cocktail hour(s) and beautifully organized spaces.
Follow @MeganDufresneDesign on Instagram
