Creative Living Room Art

This acrylic painting of Audrey Hepburn in designer Amie Corley's living room is by Sarah Ashley Longshore.

Products Shown:

Artwork, Sarah Ashley Longshore

Tetrix Apartment Sofa, Carter Furniture

Throw pillows, Perch

Drapes, Fabric by Windsor Smith for Kravet Design, Pelagos.3 pattern in lime

Gray wood paneling sets the landscape for a room with many personalities that can be calm and peaceful or modern and sophisticated.

Set up for conversation, this room feels both intimate and open. A large piece of artwork hides a flat-screen TV, while a spray of forsythia displayed at eye level is a dramatic focal point.

In this refreshing lemonade-hued room, cheery yellow walls create a soothing canvas for fabrics, artwork and furnishings just a shade or two brighter. The rug and wood floor play off the warm sunshiny vibe of the room.

The homeowners painted the brick surrounding this fireplace, which instantly brightened the room without compromising the cantilevered cement hearth—one of the original architect's signature designs. Casually leaning on the side of the fireplace are favorite pieces of artwork.

A garage-sale daybed piled with oversize pillows is a lounger's dream in this living room, while a small dining set offers a sunny spot to eat. We love the overhead swag of paper cutouts that draw the line between nap and lunch, and the layered patterns that make this simple rooms sing. Worn textiles—Navajo rugs, a grandmother's patchwork quilt—provide an overall theme.

In this living room, artwork runs the gamut. The result is cool, collected, personal style.

Finger food becomes the main attraction when it spans the length of a buffet table and sits underneath a striking pencil drawing.

White walls—and furnishings in this case—provide a crisp background for any decorating style. To make white work, layer on chic accessories and artwork to really boast its personality factor. Pink and animal print pillows and a shapely modern table lamp infuse a splash of glam into this neutral family room. If you have kids or pets or rowdy friends, opt for easy-to-clean slipcovers on furnishings and durable sisal rugs underfoot.

Cara Scarola from Ore Studios blew up one of her photos, had it printed on nylon and hung it from galvanized piping. It hangs in her living room, above a dresser she found at Goodwill and repainted a bold yellow.

Products Shown:

Tolomeo lamp, Artemide

In Cara Scarola's living room, she hung her favorite pieces of artwork, including a black-and-white charcoal piece by Janet Lippincott above her sofa. The bold ottoman was professionally upholstered.

Products Shown:

Sofa, Gus*Modern

Floral fabric, Romo

Side table, Arteriors

In takes only a few simple touches to create a cozy inviting vibe. A used Vermont Castings woodstove heats this house and greets guests. The stepped room partition, made from lumberyard beadboard, screens sleeping quarters from living room without walling out heat. Collector's items add character—a flea-market log holder, caribou antlers carried back from a hiking trip, and vintage signs express the home's thrifty and cheerful spirit.

Low sitting black leather couches amid patterns, airy paintings and an old-fashion bar balance one another out in a cafe espresso motif.

Compliment large two-toned leather couches with overly-sized companions such as a low-sitting cubed coffee table and decorative plant life.

Monochromatic colors take a backseat to silver vases and decorative bowls that stand out on tables spread evenly throughout the living room space.

A carved mantle brings a classic touch to a rustic brick fireplace and sets the stage for family valuables to be displayed.

The cascading fireplace, reminiscent of adobe, topped with a splashing ceramic plate brings Sante Fe flare to the room.

When working with expansive uninterrupted wall space, you can turn to a piece of abstract art, which draws focus but doesn’t have the confines of creating a theme for the room.

To easily balance out a space, choose a shape and employ it in various way—here, brown cubes are central to the tiled fireplace, the mirror frames and the checkered rug.