If you love all of the incredible details of the Tri Delta Traditional project, this is the room for you! Welcome to the formal living room. We are jumping into the beautiful features of this space and we hope you’ll join us. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Tri Delta Traditional formal living room.

Design by Scout & Nimble | Contracting by Spillman Homes | Photography by Emily Sewell

The formal living room is one of the most important rooms in the house because of all the roles it will play in the memories that are made here. When alumnae come to visit, they will be brought into this space to reminisce. The sisters will stop to take photos by the fireplace before they head out for formals. 

To achieve that elegant, formal style, custom millwork was installed all around the room. Gorgeous features, like the casing around the doors, were already there. Our design team only had to build upon those special touches. The fireplace mantle was replaced with a style that more closely matched the existing millwork in the space. This also added some much needed height to the mantle. The existing mosaic tile was swapped out for a more traditional and timeless Carrara marble. 

One change that is impossible to see but was so important is the work that was put into leveling out the floors. Even before the carpet was taken out, you could hear the squeaky floorboards beneath. When the old carpets were torn up, we were faced with an uneven floor and the realization that the floor would need to be completely refinished. When the floor was leveled out and it was safe to install the new hardwoods, we chose a white oak hardwood in a matte finish. The matte finish is perfect for disguising scuffs while the light finish keeps the space looking bright and youthful.

With the traditional elements of this room laid out, it was time to make it accessible to the young women who will be living there. When we began Tri Delta Traditional, many of the sisters acknowledged that they did not use the formal living room as often as other spaces in the home and we wanted to change that. In the last few years, “formal” spaces have been falling out of vogue and we’ve found that people are more drawn to spaces they can use all the time.

To make the space feel inviting for the young women of the house, we played with color. A lot. You’ll find tons of pinks, neutrals, brass, and no shortage of blue in this feminine haven. The eye catcher is the Loloi Anastasia Silver and Plum Rug. This antique style rug is saturated with sky blue, orange, cream, gray, and, of course, plum. 

Two custom Helena Sofas sit at the center of the room. The Helena Sofas are upholstered in a rich, navy blue performance fabric that will easily hide everyday stains. Skirted sofas can typically come off as very traditional but the playful color and abundance of pillows help this style transition into contemporary design. 

Playful pillows are the perfect way to spice up a formal sofa. To play with the masculine color of the sofa, we incorporated light pink and neutral pillows. The Blanche Light Pink Throw Pillow might look like a solid pink pillow, but it has a gorgeous cream texture to it that really stands out up close. The Natural Throw Pillow and Lumbar Pillow bring in a textural element that was missing on the sofa.

Two incredibly charming yet distinctly different seating areas are nestled on either side of the formal living room. On one end you will find a pair of Candace Black Leather Chairs flanking the Alida Side Table. We love how the silhouette of the Alida Side Table resembles the Lucy Dining Table in the foyer. The Candace Chairs are paired with the Botanical Gardens Art I and II. 

A more lighter seating area can be found on the opposite end of the room. Here, two custom Amber Chairs sit beautifully in the sunlight with the Naomi End Table. The bright, feminine energy in this corner of the room is so incredible and we love how it juxtaposes the more masculine Candace Chairs on the other side of the room.

Did you think we were going to leave you hanging on all the gorgeous decor in the formal living room? You know we can’t stop talking about the importance of decor! Between the two sofas is a coffee table styled with a Scout & Nimble favorite, the Porous Vase. This vase has made her appearance in a few S&N homes but this is her biggest stage yet. She is paired with the Abbott Tray and blush Vintage Sea Glass Beads. A coffee table book adds that final touch of styling to this table moment. 

The remodeled mantle has been adorned with the Petal Mirror. Gold petals flair around this mirror in a sunflower pattern that we just love. We had so much fun playing with color, shape, and height on the mantle. Chinoiserie vases like Blue and White Chain Temple Jar and the Denim Blue Umbrella Vase add incredible height while the Persian Box Set and Marble Box balance out either end of the mantle.

So much thought and care went into this home and we are so happy to finally share all of the beautiful details with you. For all things Tri Delta Traditional, visit our other blog posts by clicking the images at the bottom of this post. You can also shop the formal living room or the entire house by clicking the buttons below.

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