Modern Foursquare Living Room Reveal

#SSModernFoursquare living room is complete! This living room was given a fresh new look with new furniture, accessories, paint, window treatments, and artwork. I fell in love with the original woodwork from the first time I saw this room, and we allowed it to take center stage by brightening up the rest of the room’s features. We mixed the client’s vintage and pre-owned pieces in with modern pieces to create a well-curated, updated vibe that feels updated, yet traditional.

The Before

Sizing, placement, and colors of furniture and accessories led this room to feel darker and smaller than it really is. Due to the overall layout of the room, we kept the same general floorplan for furniture, but I recommended a larger rug, coffee table, and longer sofa. I also added more lighting and recommended window treatments to warm up the space and provide a visual anchor on that wall.

The Plans

My clients wanted this living room to remain “formal” in the sense that it would be for entertaining only, rather than everyday lounging and TV watching. Their style is traditional, yet they wanted an updated feel. The slope arm sofa, wingback chairs, and brass side tables added an elegant, modern touch. The rectangular coffee table has a glass top with two shelves, adding function with storage and surface area, yet still feels open.

Their dining room is kitty corner to this room, and was painted a dark navy blue. To tie into that space, we stuck to a neutral color palette but added pops of blue. Additional color was added in via artwork, greenery, and accessories. A cozy vintage-inspired area rug helped to anchor the room and added even more character and depth.

The Finished Product

This space is officially ready to entertain, complete with a stocked bar cart! Vintage and new pieces, greenery, and cozy textiles yield an elegant and inviting living room for these clients to enjoy with friends and family for years to come.

SS Modern Foursquare: craftsman builtins, styled craftsman builtins, builtin bookshelves, modern foursquare, original woodwork
SS Modern Foursquare living room: styling details
Sima Spaces Interior Design: St. Paul, MN interior design

Additional Info

Paint colors

Walls: On the Rocks by Sherwin Williams

Ceilings & Fireplace brick: High Reflective White by Sherwin Williams

Photography by Spacecrafting

Out of respect for my clients, sources are not shared.


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Author: Laura Sima

Hey there, I'm Laura- creator of Sima Spaces. I'm a home renovator, designer, and blogger based in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. When I'm not designing or renovating homes, you can find me working as a pediatric ICU RN, snuggling my dog or cat, skiing in CO, soaking up the sun on our boat, or enjoying a glass of wine on our patio!

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  • Hi there,

    You did a beautiful job with the renovation of this living room. I just bought a victorian house with an abundance of wood trim just like this house has, and I am struggling with a good paint color for the walls. Did you consider any other color but On The Rocks? I want to brighten and modernize my new house with the perfect wall color. But I don’t want to create too stark a contrast between the walls and wood, and I also don’t want a color with yellow undertones. I want to tone down the warmth of the wood, if anything. Did you have the same concerns with this space?
    I’d love to hear your feedback! Seeing your color choice, which at first glance reads as more of a soft white in the photos (which I like), makes me want to go with something similar.

    Thank you!

    • Hello! Thank you! Yes, we considered dozens of other colors! It’s impossible to give color advice without seeing the space, as so many factors play into how a paint color comes off- natural & artificial lighting, flooring, furniture, trim, etc etc. I’d recommend getting large samples or even getting paint samples and putting them on your walls next to the trim on every wall of the room. Check it out in the morning, afternoon, and at night, as the colors will change! You could consider going dark- a navy, green, or dark gray would help to downplay the wood.