A Timeless Lounge Makeover That Will Inspire You
Every home has that one room, the in-between-er. Not quite the living room, not quite the hallway, often overlooked but always passed through. For Interior Stylist Vini Gandhi, this front room sat right off the entryway, bookended by the dining area and the main living zone. It had presence, but no point of view.
It needed definition. Purpose. A moment.
Rather than treat it like a filler space, she saw the opportunity to create a sculptural lounge; A moment of tonal drama in a home otherwise drenched in neutrals.
The challenge? Design a room that quietly commands attention while still feeling cohesive with the rest of the home’s warm, organic sensibility.
Vini Gandhi
Vini Gandhi is a Chicago-based interior stylist and the creative behind Tonedelements, where modern, earthy, and timeless design take center stage. Her approach blends sculptural forms, natural textures, and warm tones to create spaces that feel grounded, intentional, and quietly elevated.
For Vini, great design is about slowing down and layering with care; Crafting homes that are as personal as they are enduring.
The moodboard: A design vision rooted in contrast and calm
Vini isn’t drawn to loud gestures. Her spaces tend to whisper, not shout. This one was no exception.
Her vision was deeply rooted in contrast: A room that felt distinct in character but not disruptive in the overall flow. Think modern, grounded, and richly layered.
A timeless sitting room design where every choice — color, curve, composition, was intentional. A space that felt curated, not decorated. And above all, emotionally resonant.
Design in the details: How tone, form, and texture create timeless living
Form with feeling: Sculptural pieces that ground the room
The backbone of the space? The Auburn Performance Fabric Armless Curve Sofa Set that Vini picked from our sofa range.
Its soft curvature balances the linear molding and angular architecture, guiding the eye gently around the room. The tactile performance fabric adds contrast to the matte walls, grounding the space without overwhelming it.
When the details speak for themselves.
Vini layered in supporting pieces like the Cora Wool Area Rug and Cedric Chandelier, each chosen with intention. Together, these elements bring a sense of modernity that still feels deeply personal and lived-in.
Tone-on-tone mastery: When color becomes architecture
Rather than lean on artwork or accent colors, Vini let the walls do the talking. Using Benjamin Moore’s El Cajon Clay in a matte finish, she coated every surface in the room in this rich, earthy hue. The effect is immersive, almost cocoon-like, wrapping the space in warmth and tonal depth.
With the addition of picture frame molding, the walls of the room becomes part of the design language. It’s a masterclass in tone-on-tone styling: Sculptural yet subtle, soft-spoken but full of rhythm. This isn’t just color; It’s architecture.
When texture speaks: How materiality brings the room to life
Texture is the quiet hero of this room. From the stained shiplap overhead to the light weave of the rug underfoot, every surface adds dimension and material richness. The bouclé upholstery, the matte paint, and the glow of the chandelier all work in harmony, creating a modern space that feels layered, not heavy.
Rather than chase trends or clutter the space with decor, Vini focused on the atmosphere built through texture, form, and light.
The invisible design: Function, flow, and emotional resonance
More than just beautiful, this room is deeply functional. It’s a transition point, a lounge, and a moment to pause.
The curve of the sectional naturally guides movement from the entryway to the heart of the home. The tone-on-tone palette lets light, shadow, and silhouette take the lead. There’s no overstyling here, no need for loud statements. And yet, the room quietly holds your attention.
This is the essence of a timeless living room that doesn’t need reinvention. It’s built to last emotionally, architecturally, and in the way it makes you feel every time you walk through.
A soft-spoken space that speaks volumes
In a world full of fast design and fleeting trends, Vini offers a counterpoint: A room designed to endure. Where timeless living doesn’t mean boring, it means balance.
This lounge room is more than a makeover. It’s a soft-spoken rebellion against the throwaway; a sanctuary that proves the most compelling spaces aren’t always the loudest. They’re the ones that linger, that stay with you long after you’ve left.
