Neil Patrick Harris breathes new life into his historic living room with a luxurious seating material – it's the perfect marriage of modern and vintage style

Exposed brick is a staple of industrial and urban spaces. It can be found in almost every other New York apartment or coffee shop. However, the constant question with the rough material is how to make it feel cozy and liveable. Neil Patrick Harris finds the perfect answer in his home: blue velvet.

We spotted the actor's living room in the backdrop of a recent Instagram post celebrating his twins' birthday. The space has cream walls with an accent of exposed brick. Rattan lampshades and an indoor plant bring a sense of natural beauty. A denim-colored velvet sofa and armchair instantly soften and warm the brick. Harris's space goes from being an industrial space to a welcoming one.

'The gentleness of blue velvet combined with the rough texture of bricks makes the atmosphere warm and cozy,' says Nitya Seth, principal designer at Nityanamya, about the cozy living room idea. She continues, 'Velvet brings warmth and formality to an interior and nicely complements the rough texture of the brick while giving it a warm and luxurious embrace. Especially when choosing furnishings for a living room where comfort is just as important as the room’s appearance, such a combination is ideal.'

The living room seating idea works well because of its contrast. Pam Hutter, a sustainability-focused architect, adds, 'Integrating exposed brick with blue velvet seating in a living room creates a dynamic interplay of textures and styles. The juxtaposition of hard, rustic brick against soft, plush velvet adds depth and sophistication to the space.'

Furthermore, if you're looking for something that won't date, the look is principal among timeless living room ideas. Seth tells Homes & Gardens: 'This outlook is not a fad, but a combination of vintage mode and modern themes that will easily fit modified trends. You’ve seen exposed brick as industrial chic, an ode to urbanity – but when it’s dressed up with opulent fabrics such as blue velvet, it is contemporary sophistication. Velvet has been on trend lately and I envision this synergy to persist because of the versatility of each.'

Hutter adds: 'From my experience in sustainable home design, this interior design trend successfully bridges historic and contemporary aesthetics, which is why it continues to remain popular. The blue velvet not only softens the industrial feel of the brick but also introduces a vibrant, contemporary edge. This is similar to how we've used reclaimed wood and organic fabrics to blend old and new in residential projects.'

She continues, 'Exposed brick has a timeless appeal, much like the heritage homes we've renovated to incorporate modern features. The blue velvet improves this classic backdrop by adding a touch of modern luxury, making the overall look fresh and inviting. This combination mirrors our approach to designing sustainable and stylish living spaces that respect history while celebrating modern innovation.'

Recreate the Look

Rich blue textures are essential for bringing interest and warmth to an exposed brick scheme. If you don't love velvet, it's easy to integrate the shade with other design details.

Warming up an industrial decor scheme is all about integrating texture and color alongside the roughness of the brick. Blue velvet is the perfect way to do it.