I went to North Carolina a few weeks ago to design a room with La-Z-Boy. (Note: It is OK if you’re incredulous here. I wasn’t sure it was a good fit at first either.)
I was flown out and put up in Proximity Hotel. The event started innocently enough with drinks and dinner, but we were advised to wear comfy shoes without exactly knowing why. After dinner, we all went to the High Point showroom for the “Design Dash,” which was basically a version of Supermarket Sweep. (High school Nicole would have been jazzed!) Eleven of us bloggers were set loose upon the La-Z-Boy showroom, armed with shopping carts and sticky notes. We had two hours to mark or grab everything, big and small, that we would need to decorate our rooms.
(I grabbed so many fake flowers because I didn’t know if we’d have access to real blooms, but luckily we did.)
We had each gone to a local showroom to pick out a sofa a couple of weeks in advance, and I chose the Kinsley sofa in its stock upholstery and brass nailhead trim. We were also asked to choose a Sherwin-Williams paint color, and I went with Loyal Blue, which is the same color I used for Eleanor’s room. It’s beautiful, and I wanted the chance to use it in another space — without having to work in pony bedding.
Each room had a different layout, with unique flooring, trim, and architectural elements. This is what I started with.
An hour or two in, and I was at this point.
It was then that I was asked, while being filmed, what I would name my design. My thought process when a little something like this: Nautical? Maybe a ship captain. Wait, why can’t the captain be a lady? Of course it’s a lady! Let’s let the world know that this is a lady captain! So, on camera, I stammered out “this is the Lady Captain’s Retreat.” Oh, you guys. I’m so glad that didn’t make it into the video.
I had a canoe in the room already, but I did go off in search of more props to support my new theme. Model ships? You bet. Messages in a bottle? Let’s get literal!
The room came together pretty easily, and I was happy with my progress after the first day. We had a little time the next morning to put finishing touches in place. I arranged my flowers and lowered a painting on the wall by six inches. I was also glad to see that my heretofore missing lanterns were found! I had them hung, which through showroom magic looked real.
Nearly everything you see in the room came from La-Z-Boy’s design showroom. I was surprised by the variety they had there. I didn’t design the room for me, but with a few tweaks, I could see myself in it.
We were told on the last day that we could each choose a favorite piece to keep, as a thank you gift. I’d been crazy about that barrister-style bookcase from the start, and now I’m looking forward to its arrival. I think I’m going to claim it for my office because it’s a great size for large art and design books, but I could see it working in the second parlor, too.
More details. Star bursts (sea urchins, if we want to stay on theme) and compass roses. Brass decanters. A blue and white vase that I love so much.
You can see my room and video, along with everyone else’s, on La-Z-Boy’s Facebook page. You can also vote for your favorite once per day (which I think is just a total matter of taste because there wasn’t a bad room in the bunch), and you’ll be entered to win $10,000.
At the end of the last day, I had dropped “lady” from the room’s name, and it became known simply as “The Captain’s Retreat.” But you and I know who was running this ship.
60 comments
Neen
I love how fresh and crisp it looks, and remarkably feminine. I think you did a good job. Unfortunately, there aren’t very many lady ship captains (although Captain Janeway of the Starship Voyager does come to mind). Nonetheless, I love it!
Ronii
Great work! I’ve been looking for a good quality barrister’s bookcase for awhile, so was very excited to see the one you used in your room. However, I can’t find it on Laz-Y-Boy’s website. Do you know if that available for retail purchase?
Making it Lovely
I believe it is, but you have to contact your local showroom to purchase one. They have all of the upholstered goods online, but only a select sampling of the other furnishings they sell.
Susan
Beautiful! I like everything, but love that round table next to the couch. I can’t find it on the LaZBoy website. Can you tell me what it’s called, or post a link to it?
Making it Lovely
I like it too, and I love the scale of it! I’m not sure what it’s called, but your best bet is to contact your local La-Z-Boy store. You can even tell them that you saw it here and they can take a look and give you more information about it.
Alana
I love this room so much. There’s beautiful glowing sheen without being too bright. It’s cozy but neatly appointed. And hey–you are the styling queen! Well done, lady!
Tiffany
Thanks for this post. It seems Lazyboy has some great accessories. I have to check them out so I can purchase the hounds tooth pillow. I love it.
Kirstin
I love the room! And totally want that couch. Did you actually have time to sit on it? Besides being beautiful, is it comfortable? Our current couch is too narrow for two people to sit comfortably, and the seat cushions are constantly slipping out. Looking to make an upgrade.
Making it Lovely
So comfortable. That’s kind of their M.O., you know? ;)
lovelldeco
very beautiful, congratulations , this decoration is a pleasure for the eyes
Melissa Simon
Great Room! Where did that awesome display cabinet come from? La-Z-Boy as well?? I need something for my oddities at home! What a beyond cool lifestyle you are living! The cMaster and Commander of your own Lady Ship! You are an inspiration.
Jessica @Sunday Loves
I love this room. It’s fantastic. I need that houndstooth pillow! It’s hard to tell, is it black or blue?
Making it Lovely
I’m not 100% sure (seriously, we picked everything so quickly), but I think it was black. I remember thinking that it would tie in to the black and white vase.
Jessica @ SundayLoves.com
This makes me happy. I’m going to have to hit the local store. Houndstooth makes me starry eyed. :)
emily
it’s gorgeous! love the contrast of the blue walls and the white sofa. good job pulling this all together in such a short amount of time!
Amanda Jean
LOVE this room. Voted and shared. MUST have that compass rose.
Making it Lovely
Thank you. And those were from La-Z-Boy, if you’re looking!
Olivia
Gorgeous! Our first grown up couch was from La-Z-Boy, which also shocked me. It has totally clean lines but is super comfy. They still carry it, it’s called the Zoe. Such a good couch!
Olivia
Okay I lied, it’s now discontinued! Bummer!
Making it Lovely
I looked it up though. It’s got great lines!
Brianna
My husband has a lazy boy rocker/recliner and I have to admit it is the most comfortable chair I’ve sat in and since I was picking a rocker out for our nursery I’ve sat in a lot of them. I loved that it’s shallow so my feet touch the ground and he loves that it has a high back to rest your head on. I just don’t understand why they can make something so functional and yet completely eliminate all style elements. I feel like they’re completely missing the new mom market. My husband wants to put one in the living room too but I think they’re just too darn ugly.
Making it Lovely
They’re making recliners that don’t look like the typical old, over-stuffed ones. They would be great for new moms! I know I never even thought about them when I was looking for a glider though.
Kate
So beautiful!
Brynne@TheGatheredHome
It looks awesome! I love the “captain’s retreat” notion – I think you captured that perfectly! Too cool that you got to keep the amazing barrister bookcase :)
Making it Lovely
I love that thing. And all of our books are still sitting in boxes here, so it’s desperately needed!
jodi
love it! especially the lady captain part. ;)
Making it Lovely
Ha! So ridiculous.
Amy
Great Job! I love the color scheme in this room. Was the blue and white vase from La Z Boy’s showroom as well? I may just have to pay a visit to my local showroom!
Making it Lovely
That one was from the studio prop room. If it was available, I would have bought it in a heartbeat.
Gwendolyn
I wish you could decorate my house!
My husband bought an ugly butter yellow huge leather sectional sofa and I’m so bleh about decorating with that thing in there. It’s so ugly! I *really* wish he had mentioned that when he was going to look, that he was buying ><
Making it Lovely
Oh no. There must be a way to work with it though, right? Eep.
jandi
LOVE! especially the book case!
Aline
Wow, what a great room! And what a funny post!! Loved it (this was my first comment on making it lovely).
Making it Lovely
Thank you! And thanks for leaving your first comment, too. :)
alisa
I love everything in here! Nautical really isn’t my style, but I love the gold and blue (I actually have a room design on pinterest with these colors).
I absolutely LOVE that console table. West elm? R&B? And the gold wall art: A&L? (arm and leg? haha).
Making it Lovely
A&L, ha! The table, and most of the wall art were all from La-Z-Boy. The smaller plates that I hung with the other pieces were vintage.
Kathryn
Nice work! I wish they had those items on the web, would love a closer look at that table and some of the decor.
Making it Lovely
I know. Each showroom carries different items, so they only have their upholstered pieces on the site.
laura
I would have freaked out to be let loose like that to gather goods for a challenge! I love Eleanor’s room color and of course it is stunning in here! Love that sofa with nailhead! The space looks great! Nice styling! Great unique ideas with the accessories you worked with.
Making it Lovely
It’s a beautiful color, but I wasn’t planning on using it elsewhere in the house, so I’m glad I was able to work with it on this challenge! And isn’t that nailhead detail nice?
Josephine
Blimey. It’s amazing! You have quite the vision :)
Catherine
Wow, this is really cool! The challenge sounds like it was so incredibly fun, and I had never thought of La-Z-Boy in this way, either. We just ordered new living room furniture in a blue-grey color, and I’m a bit nervous about the color scheme, since I only got to see the fabric swatch. This actually gave me some really great ideas to think about, so thank you!
Making it Lovely
I’m glad it was helpful!
Rachel
Wow, what a cool experience! The other designs are awesome, but I do like yours the best!
Making it Lovely
Thank you! They all turned out so well — I think it’s hard to choose.
Jessica S.
Nicely done! You made it seemingly effortless, in the way that you pulled it together.
I’m sure that wasn’t the case; and that, in reality, it was quite a bit of work. ;)
-JS
Making it Lovely
It was fun work though. :)
Jessica S.
:)
Erika
Wow…La-Z-Boy has come a long way!
Love your design – off to see the others ;)
Jacky
I do love that blue, I think it works great for a living room or office. Great job, what a fun way to get to run a sponsored post and provide some great design ideas for non-designer folk like me.
julia-tagandtibby
adore the gold/brass combo with blue. and the vintage bottles. lovely!
Virginia (The Heartographer)
Oooh! You’re so good at softening a traditionally masculine theme; I love it! I’m actually in the process of turning my main floor bathroom into a slightly nautical theme, and it’s the same color vibe. I wish I had room for one of those brass lamps in there somewhere. :)
I didn’t wanna go TOO on the nose with the theme, but I’m really enjoying adding more nautical stuff bit by bit. My company is called The Heartographer as a play on cartographer; I’m an online dating coach so the idea is that I’m guiding my clients through the crazy waters of finding love online. And I live in a traditionally maritime neighborhood in Seattle, and that bathroom is right next to my office door. So when I see clients in person, I’m hoping it sort of all comes together, haha. Totally pinning this to my Classy Nautical board; thanks for the inspiration!
Making it Lovely
I love the play on words, and the meaning! A nautical-inspired design would be perfect for you.
Ceci Bean
How fun! It’s like you were on a reality show competition!
Kat S
Ohh, I love it! Yours is my genuine fave and I voted for you!
Making it Lovely
Thanks!
Gina Porter
Wow! I could settle into that room in a heartbeat! You do such fantastic work – great eye!
Linda K
Great job…this has me rethinking the potential potential of Lay-Z-Boy(not a store I would normally visit.) Which, I guess, was the whole point!
Making it Lovely
They had me rethinking the potential. I hadn’t really considered them as a resource before.
Comments are closed.