The basic simplicity of this room, seen here as it was decorated in the 1950s, brought out the elegance of choice European antiques — quality furniture with graceful lines.
Instead of masking the beauty of their furniture with too much fussiness, the owners chose white walls and a white marble floor, which permitted them to be seen in a fresh, cheerful atmosphere. Fruitwoods could also be seen in relief against the white walls.
Not everything in this refined living room decor had an opulent past. The Italian Louis XVI chair and Louis XV bergeres [chairs] were grouped with a tailored modern sofa. It was a contemporary design, but had softly rounded lines that complement the curves of the antiques.
ALSO SEE: See luxe vintage dining room decor that gracefully paired antiques with contemporary furniture
The sofa was purposely covered in solid green rather than the print to minimize its size. (This piece had to have enough “weight” to serve as the nucleus of a grouping standing away from the walls.)
The fabric used for the windows and on the Louis XV upholstered armchair had a white background printed in a green floral motif — a classic floral print in simple modern coloring.
The modern Spanish rug was also contemporary in design and color, but had the feeling of an Aubusson, usually found in rooms that are predominantly French 18th century.
