Hill Homes: Redesigning a Condo’s Main Living Space

Photo courtesy of the Cannon-Williams family.

Have you ever wished an interior designer could help you make the most of your Hill home? Then you are in luck! Once a month, The Hill is Home will feature answers to your design dilemmas. You bring the photos of your space and we’ll bring the designers.

This month, meet the Cannon-Williamses. Corrine Cannon and Jay Williams, who married in 2008, met thanks to a three-legged cat named Maddie. “Jay was having a party and my sister and I went to see the three-legged cat,” said Cannon. “I met Jay, and we ended up staying a little longer at the party!”

Already residents of the Hill, the Cannon-Williamses bought their current condo in 2007, which they share with their six-month-old son Jack and two cats—Maddie, the three-legged cat that brought the pair together, and CJ.

The pair—who loves what the Hill has to offer, from Eastern Market to H Street—would love to spice up their boring, beige living room with the help of designer Julie Anderson.

“The Cannon-Williams household can approach redesigning their space in a methodical way. They will want to keep the room as light and bright as possible while creating visual interest since the room does not receive any direct light through windows,” said Anderson. The affect will be “a new, harmonious and comfortable space.”

First Comes Color
The room’s color scheme can be expanded and refined with just a few, inexpensive steps that build on the existing furniture and orange and red accessories already in the home. “To round out the color scheme and make it visually complete,” Anderson recommends that the homeowners “add shades of blue, which will compliment the orange present in their current pillows and artwork—which should be hung closer to the sofa.” Anderson suggests Benjamin Moore Dolphin’s Cove 722, Picture Perfect 743 or Crystal Spring 764.

Then Comes Focus
“Each room should have a focal point that the eye naturally gravitates to when entering the space. Ideally, the focal point will be interesting and aesthetically pleasing,” says Anderson. The current focal point in the room is the couple’s large television, which is placed directly across from the entrance to the room. “The focal point should be a more colorful, comfortable and pleasing option,” says Anderson.

Then Comes Furnishings
“With a new focal point in mind, the homeowners should switch the location of the sofa with the big screen TV. The new focal point will be the sofa with the three bright art pieces hanging above it and colored pillows accenting it. The loveseat can stay in its current location. And they should add one chair across from the loveseat.”

Anderson recommends adding one chair in an interesting print to help the room feel more unique. “Urban Outfitters offers a great slipper chair for $325 with free shipping in an Ikat print that works well with the new blue, orange, brown color scheme.”

Final Finishing Touches
Anderson recommends that the Cannon-Williamses “remove or replace the small bookcase to the left of the TV.” According to Anderson, “there is no need for homeowners to show all of their DVDs and other media.” Rather, they should be stored in or behind something such as a large ottoman or armoire with doors, which will create a cleaner look.

Do you have a design dilemma? Post it here or email us at kyrathehillishome@gmail.com. Your home could be featured next month!