This couple wants to merge her love for airy, minimalist spaces with his passion for vibrant, bohemian aesthetics. They wanted a room that felt spacious and serene yet still full of warmth and personality. While they agreed on the need for personal touches, they struggled to envision a cohesive space that balanced the two distinct styles without feeling cluttered.
Design Approach
To satisfy this unique design brief, I approached the project with a focus on thoughtful material choices, color harmony, and strategic use of silhouettes. The goal was to infuse personality into the space without overwhelming the minimalist foundation. The result? A perfectly balanced eclectic minimalist living room with subtle bohemian flair.
Color Palette
The foundation of the design was a neutral base to evoke the serene minimalism that she appreciated, while adding personality and warmth through carefully selected accents. The wall color, Soft Chamois by Benjamin Moore, offered a softer alternative to stark white. Its creamy off-white color with a green undertone made the space easy on the eyes and created a natural backdrop for bolder elements.
Rug & Textiles
To introduce bohemian flair, I selected a hand-knotted Moroccan rug featuring abstract patterns inspired by Moroccan heritage. This black and gold rug grounded the room with its rich cultural roots, while still aligning with the minimalism brief by maintaining a simple palette. The subtle contrast between the rug and the white quartz coffee table created a playful yet refined tension, essential to eclectic design.
Shibori throw pillows in deep navy and burnt orange added moody, artisanal touches, promoting the handmade quality synonymous with bohemian interiors. These contrasts added depth and movement to the otherwise clean, neutral sofa, which featured a cream fabric with a pink undertone for a soft, welcoming feel.
Furniture
The furniture selection balanced form and function with sculptural interest. The minimalistic, white quartz coffee table with its acacia wood legs added natural texture while maintaining an elegant presence. The cream sofa, with deep-set ash wood legs, invited comfort while maintaining a sleek profile. We added a olive-green accent chair in a mid-century modern design complemented the bohemian elements, while keeping it grounded in the minimal aesthetic.
Artwork & Decor
Art was used strategically to enhance personality without cluttering the space. A framed print by Gustav Klimt, featuring a serene, tunnel-like perspective, became a focal point. Its vibrant yellows and cool greens tied together the room’s earthy tones, enhancing the sense of depth and warmth. This deliberate layering of textures, colors, and cultural elements introduced personal touches that resonated with the couple’s love of travel, while maintaining a calm, uncluttered atmosphere.
Lighting & Accessories
Natural elements were integrated through lighting and accessories to bring warmth to the space. A sculptural light fixture made of natural Abaca added a bohemian touch, filtering light softly through the room and creating an inviting glow. A rich, multi-tonal throw blanket with deep earthy tones and fringe detailing added another tactile, handcrafted element to the room.
This design showcases how thoughtful material selection, strategic layering, and an understanding of both minimalism and bohemian aesthetics can create a cohesive and personalized living space. The resulting room is spacious, serene, and full of personality—precisely what the clients envisioned but couldn’t previously articulate.