Power Neutrals

10 of the best serene, composed and relaxing living rooms

- ROBYN ALEXANDER

TONE ON TONE

Situated in an apartment with a layered aesthetic that is designed for laid-back family holidays, this living room's original period features - including traditional floor tiles and pressed ceilings - enliven a neutral palette of creams, beiges and pale bamboo tones. An inviting L-shaped couch prompts thoughts of lazy lounging, and the walls have been plastered but left unpainted, giving them a textured look.

INTERIOR DIALOGUE 

The formal living room of a home that mixes classic elements with vintage and modern pieces features a high ceiling emphasised by off-white walls and full-length curtains in a matching shade of pale, with the entire scheme anchored by a chic Carrara marble coffee table. Inside this refined frame, carefully selected fixtures and furnishings - such as an expansively luxurious yet clean-lined couch, a vintage chandelier and a contemporary standing lamp - make for a very sophisticated space.

SERENITY RULES

The living room of an urban cottage reveals its creative owner's passion for layering earthy elements into a serene, monochrome palette. Light floods the space thanks to large windows, white-painted concrete floors and the high, open-truss ceiling - and the eye-catching centrepiece is a beautiful contemporary chandelier made from clay beads. The wall-mounted mirror is inspired by the form of an anemone and made of coconut sticks, and adds further natural texture to the space, as does the rustic wood side table.

WHITE HEAT