Cozy Chic Living Room With Breathtaking Views

The stunning lake view outside and a cozy fireplace are the two beautiful focal points of the comfortable living room at DIY Network Ultimate Retreat 2017.

By: Jeannie Matteucci

Photo By: Christopher Shane

Lovely Living Room

Changes in the floor plan allowed the formerly rectangular living room to be squared off into a more comfortable entertaining space. The living room now includes a fireplace with grayish-blue surround, integrated bookcases and large glass doors that offer a view of the lake and connection to the main deck outside.

Built-in Bookcases

Shelves for the bookcases were created using easy-to-source plywood cut to size and painted blue. To add warmth and give a richer look, thin leftover pieces of white oak from the kitchen island project were used to edge-band the front. An accent chair in a neutral fabric with sculpted curves paired with a wood floor lamp offers a comfy spot for reading.

High and Low

A smart mix of high and low art, books and decorative accessories add personality and texture to the wood shelves of the bookcases.

Wood Adds Warmth

While the living room includes an easy and energy-efficient direct vent gas fireplace, stacked tree stumps leftover from small trees in the front yard that were removed when clearing for the septic system add to the look and ambience of the space. "It was a good reuse of something that otherwise would have just gone to landfill," says project manager Dylan Eastman.

Fiery Focal Point

A thin veneer brick panel over framing painted a flat grayish-blue color creates the living room's focal point fireplace surround. "Leaving the fireplace without a mantel and just brick and paint, to me, was like a really quiet place for your eye to land," says designer Elizabeth Demos.

Soft Blues

The home's nature-inspired color palette that reflects the Vermont sky and lake outside includes many shades of blue, as seen here in the living room's bookcase area with a satin blue paint used for the back wall and shelves.

Handy Stools

Two round blue ottoman stools with nailhead trim can be used as a footrest or as extra seating when hosting large gatherings in the living room.

Classic Silhouette Sofa

A velvet fabric gives a lush feel to the living room's comfortable and cozy neutral sofa in a classic silhouette.

Pop of Color

Two patterned blue throw pillows add color and comfort to the living room’s neutral sofa.

Modern Nesting Table

A table with a clean modern style on one side of the living room sofa offers flexibility when entertaining.

Table Top Accessories

A modern table lamp, book and a touch of greenery decorate the top of the nesting table.

Living Room Layout

The layout for the living room’s seating area allows guests to enjoy the direct vent gas fireplace as well as the scenic views outside.

Midcentury Style

The living room’s glass orb chandelier with a bronze finish adds midcentury style and coordinates with the chandelier in the nearby dining room.

Chic Cocktail Table

The living room’s cocktail table combines a clean and modern frame with rustic reclaimed woods that give this piece of furniture character. Books, greenery and a vintage bowl decorate the top of the table.

Hand-Tufted Rug

A hand-tufted, gray, wool rug with cotton canvas backing over the living room’s distressed brown oak floor is a perfect fit with the living room’s color scheme.

Open Floor Plan

This view of the living room shows the strong connection the space shares with the open kitchen and dining room, as well as the home’s main deck outside.

Accent Chairs

An approachable fabric in a fun pattern was chosen for the living room’s two low-profile accent chairs with sweeping arms that offer comfortable and stylish seating.

Mix and Match Patterns

Lumbar pillows add comfort and contrasting color to the open silhouette accent chairs.

Chairside Table

A beautifully crafted chairside table between the sleek accent chairs offers a spot for guests to rest a drink or snack.

Colorful Consoles

A matching pair of navy blue modern consoles with adjustable shelf inside are made with solid wood and birch veneer, and feature a geometric raised detail that adds dimension and texture. Designer Elizabeth Demos placed a large mirror above this console to reflect the view of the lake outside.

Prime Location

This view from behind the sofa shows the home’s main deck outside and the enticing views guests can enjoy while relaxing in the living room.

Second Console

On the other side of the living room by the bi-folding glass doors to the main deck sits a second blue console with large abstract artwork on canvas above. This second console offers more storage and another pop of blue color for the space.

Entertaining Essentials

This blue console includes a bar tray with a brass cocktail shaker, glass decanter, vintage glass and wood ice bucket and other entertaining essentials for whipping up tasty cocktails.

Bi-Folding Glass Doors

Thermally controlled bi-folding glass doors with three panels connect the living room to the home’s main deck. A left panel opens and closes like a regular swing door, with a latch between the second and third door that allows the whole unit to fold up on the outside of the wall when unlatched. An integrated screen that slides out from right to left can also be used to enclose the entire opening.

Indoor/Outdoor Experience

When completely open, the bi-folding glass doors fully connect the living room to the home's main deck outside and create a true indoor/outdoor experience for entertaining or enjoying the beautiful location of this Vermont lake retreat.

Transitional Gathering Spaces

This view looking from the living room towards the dining room shows the great flow of the transitional gathering spaces in this home.

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