I recently helped my friend Allison with her guest room...and we are now moving on to her den. Her den is immediately to the left when you enter the front door, and this room really serves as a place to put the kids coats and shoes on, to drop the mail, etc. But it is also one of the first rooms in the house so it has to set the right tone.
The room already has great built in white bookcases encasing a large front window. I hope to extend these bookcases slightly to make room for a cushion the kids can sit on when they are getting ready.
Since most of the house is bright, light and airy, I thought this small room would be beautiful and dramatic in a dark navy like Benjamin Moore's Old Navy. The room would still be bright because of the big windows and white bookcases and molding, but the dark color would be unexpected, a little dramatic, and offer a cozy feeling.
Version 1
I also wanted to give this room some pieces to feel more like a den. A place Allison and her husband can retreat to when they want to read a good book with a cup of coffee on weekend mornings. In one version, I found these great graphic patterned slipper chairs from Target that I want to create a conversation area with. In the second version, I selected two whiskey colored club chairs, also from Target. Since the walls are dark I selected a warm neutral rug (West Elm), distressed barn wood mirror (Potterybarn), and farmhouse chandelier (Potterybarn).
Version 2
For those pesky bills and letters that may pile up I love the idea of a secretary desk like this one from Ballard Designs. This way you can keep your mail and magazines organized and have a drop down desk when needed--but when guests come over it can all get neatly tucked away.
I had to add the owl umbrella stand for a bit of fun and whimsy.
