Blast of color puts home back in the game

Oliver and Mirjana met while playing basketball in college. Many games (and many years) later, they found themselves married, with two kids, in a suburban townhouse. The house was brand-new when they bought it, and instead of going for any upgrades, they decided to stick with the builder’s finishes. But after living there for eight years, they started to get tired of their beige surroundings — particularly the living room. The room was boring and bland, and didn’t have enough functional space for entertaining friends and family (not to mention the whole gang after shooting hoops).

Longing for a vibrant, warm and multifunctional living/family room, they called me in to see if I could get them back in the game, and take a shot at turning their ordinary space into something extraordinary.

First, I got rid of the beige. I wanted a vibrant color scheme so I searched high and low and finally found it in a spectacular glass-and-marble mosaic tile. Since the tile (comprised of brown, gold, cream and gray tones) was so beautiful, I decided to use it to create a real contemporary “wow” factor in the room: a new, elevated fireplace. I covered it from floor to ceiling in the tile and added a gas insert in the middle, which adds both visual and physical warmth to the room.

The tiles created the perfect jumping-off point for my entire color scheme. I turned the beige walls into bold charcoal, ripped up the neutral carpet and put down rich hardwood and tore down the washed-out drapes and replaced them with copper silk panels and woven blinds.

I then started filling up the room with furniture and finishes. Oliver and Mirjana wanted to keep their piano, but everything else was sent packing. Along one wall, I put an 11-foot, L-shaped sofa in an earthy gray microfiber with lots of throw pillows in striped and floral patterns, and two wooden side tables. In this same seating area, I added two creamy lounge chairs and a high, round table, so there will be lots of elbowroom for guests.

Across from the sofa, I updated the room’s existing cabinetry to look like a large built-in unit by adding creamy paint, new trim, a few mirrors and glass shelving. This new unit was the perfect place to showcase artwork and accessories — and a flat-screen television (for watching basketball games, of course).

To help brighten up the space, I installed recessed lighting, mono-point spotlights and two super-stylish drum pendants with organza shades above the two side tables.

After some final accents, including a wooden coffee table, a beautiful area rug and striking pieces of art, the room was complete.

By mixing luxurious colors, warm fabrics and stylish furnishings and finishes, I turned Oliver and Mirjana’s boring, beige living room into a beautiful, comfortable space where they can kick back with family, friends — or a basketball team or two. Now that’s what I call a slam-dunk. And that’s divine!

Interior decorator Candice Olson is host of HGTV’s “Divine Design.” For more ideas or information visit www.divinedesign.tv. Her column is syndicated by Scripps Howard News Service.