The Chocolate Room (...with green walls!)

I thought about writing something about the color green...given that it's St. Patrick's Day today.  But, I decided to write about the "chocolate room" with green walls instead!

Not being a big fan of "formal areas" in homes, I tried to turn my formal living room into an inviting library-type area.  The room is approximately 20' x 22' and has an arched entryway and a large bay window.  My first decorating arrangement looked lost in such a large area.

With careful thought ( ... and may color schemes, drawings, and trips to Ethan Allen)... I finally got the room exactly as I had envisioned.  I began with my colors for the wall, drapes, and chair seats.


For the walls - Ralph Lauren River Rock in Lichen Boulder.  This picture is not a good indication of the true color which is a deep, green with a slight speck of dark sand.

The paint is rough to the touch when dried and must be applied with a large napped roller or the finish will not be as grainy.

The room is bordered with white crown molding, so the contrast is great.

 

Drapery fabric and upholstery for writing desk chairs -- both look more gray than green in these pictures, however, in "real life" both fabrics are taupey-green and complement the walls.  For the sofa and easy chairs -- dark, chocolate brown leather!

I designed and made the drapes.  Here is a picture of the detail showing curtain rings placed on the tabs for a funky effect and to accent the transoms:

With a bay window, the typical arrangement would be to arrange two easy chairs with a table in the middle in front of the window.  ...NOT for me!  Here's my arrangement (...which threw the Ethan Allen delivery guys for a loop!):

We already had a cherry shelf cabinet which placed on the left wall. Purchases from Ethan Allen:

• Barrister sofa and two easy chairs from Ethan Allen in chocolate leather
• Library table from the Townhouse collection
• Barrister case from the Townhouse collection
• Writing table (Ethan Allen) which opens up to a dining table and two side chairs from the British Classics collection
• Two end tables from the Newport collection

The combination of collection pieces added interest to the total room.  Here are details from the Library table (above), the writing table, and side chairs (below).

Details from the Newport side table below.

Next, I purchased several reproduction prints of old airline/travel posters and pictures from art.com.  I had them framed by a local gallery and then added pieces of pottery that we purchased and made along with old books that I have been buying for several years.  I also pick up at least one book from any place that I travel.  I arranged these on the cherry wall cabinet.

... and the finished room...

The chocolate room at night.

Writing table and side chairs.

Barrister sofa and framed reproductions of old airline/travel posters.

Barrister case with sliding doors.

Easy chairs with library table.

Collection of old books (on cherry shelf cabinets).

Collection of books picked up when traveling.
Pottery from Alaska and piece that I threw last fall.

And that's it!  I once told my father-in-law that I would be sitting in the chocolate room sipping brandy and smoking a cigar...this has never happened.  But...it is a great room for sipping wine on cold nights, relaxing, and reading ... anytime!