Dytecture do you have a material board ?

vanderwalc Yes

Danielle Lyn I think I could like them this color but they need to extend to the ceiling that's what bugs me the most. I would like to paint them white, I think! I guess I wish I could see them white first.....lol too bad it doesn't work like that

Eileen Thomas I didn't see any mention of Home Goods, Ross or Marshall's for great bargains for the home. Great prices, fun shopping, but can be hit or miss. If you see it, buy it...you can always return it if it doesn't work.

Finding Fabulous by design, LLC. @Eileen Thomas - Ahhh, Home Goods is my absolute favorite store for stylish and affordable home furnishings and accessories! And yes, if you see it and love it...you'd better buy it or it won't be there when you come back!

handymam ASV, what the heck is going on next door?! just saw the mountain of dirt and is that a guy in a bulldozer up at the top of the pic?

travisinteriors So jealous what a great rm. good job. Windows re great, I would not cover them. Do window sit in a cream. Push chair dn about 12" from sofa. Place chairs 10" apart. 8 x10 rug for sure. On coffee put a tall silver mosaic glass Pier one has it . Pl on coffee table. Z Galleries. ( I love this store for everything) has a mirror in cut glass round approx 36" would be striking in that room.above sofa. Take a pic shooting towards sofa.

travisinteriors Change cream on cushion for window. To silver gray with a teal thread running though it.

Madeline I think a few more photos which show distinctly how the elements are tied in together would indeed be helpful For instance you state you are getting rid of what is a singularly attractively armoire, and that you need a console. Where these are or will be in the present/future scheme of things would be amazingly helpful. In the photo with the armoire is a darling little occasional table that could be placed near a couch as a handy drinks table and I'm certain if needed still have room for lamp. Your room really does need color and sage green has been suggested. I'd like to suggest red: chili pepper red or a Chinese red. On my monitor your ottoman looks blue. Is it blue? You want to "fun up" this house and that's definitely within reach. (Don't necessarily fill it with all of the things that are trendy right now either). As someone who once had a quite large room in which we had a wall of glass French doors installed first thing in order to look out over the Pacific Ocean I found out that decorating the room to enhance the view experience was a fine but empty goal as that incredible blue ocean disappeared once the beautiful sunset came and went, leaving us peering at the black of night. (We had the twinkling lights of the Palisades but came a thick fog and the twinkle was gone too). I think you must, and I'm pretty sure you do agree, make the interior of your room -- with proper lighting the number one element -- a comfortable and spectacular entertaining space and you are on your way to success, designer's credential's or not. (Giving your MIL a shout out for help in making the space cozier did a lot for good relationships going forward. I guarantee she'll continue to be helpful. I hope it's the kind of help you're responsive to). Good luck and have fun.

castellanol Bound mine and never a problem. Added cost may not be worth it. Mine looks fine. After 8 years just going to throw it out and get a new one

K B It looks very pretty so far, so I don't really see the dilemma. Based on the pictures of your kitchen, I would not do an accent wall. You can bring in plenty of color through your accessories (appliances, glassware, table linens, artwork, centerpieces, etc.). An accent wall with the cabinetry would just make the room look choppy IMHO. Plus while the orange looks great in the pic above, I don't think that particular color would complement your cabinets at all. If you want to paint the entire room all over again in a different color that is a completely different issue. But I would wait until your kitchen is complete and live in it a while before changing the paint color. BTW is that dal tile fabrique linen on the floor?

Regina Rogowskyj I am not sure what the tile is called, it is from avalon tile

mmilos Pick out furniture and fabrics you want to use. Then select carpeting that coordinates.

mccusaf I bought this rug and it is slightly smaller but the browns and golds are nice and match better with the fabric on the couch. Disregard the toys :) http://www.homedecorliving.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=89&idproduct=1219

mrstinylady Yeah shopping! Nice choice for the rug. Ignore the toys? No way! I was thinking playtime is long overdue!

You might consider a leafy light green plant or flowering plant to give the browns a little umph.

1931italianate Need more photos of house. One room does not a home make. Looks helter skelter. Start pulling it together. Get that thing off mantle. Don't paint stone work! You have good bones. Just work with proportions that you have and will be happy.

ASVInteriors Orange is a great contrast to the greenery you have outside. I think of the two I would go with the second as the orange is not quite so red. I would not go with the green, because I feel its tone clashes with your cushions and although green on green can work, I fear it may not with this much variation here.

decoenthusiaste Pillows are a cheap replaceable decor item. Buy a rug to love for a long time because pillows are easily changed out. I think this would be fun and a long-lived rug for your outdoor space. It is a bit novelty which is a great conversation starter. Have you checked out homedecorators.com?

the essentials inside This is going to make a perfect before & after thread.

Carolyn - Denise is right, you are very generous. I've actually learned a lot from following you (thank you!)

Genevieve - great lamp suggestion. :)

darlene - can you upload a wider shot of the foyer? Is there any space in your bedroom for the original mirror? It is really nice.

Lyvonne
www.essentialsinside.com

The Welcome Home: Interior Design Solutions Matching is easier if you are uncomfortable with coordinating patterns and colors. I prefer to coordinate area rugs. The important things to remember are scale of the patterns, color and style. It also will depend on how close the rugs will be to each other. There should be some visual element that links them. You also want to consider your furniture placement and how your furniture and traffic flow will relate to the rugs. The more rugs you have the more layered and eclectic the style will become. If you want a simpler less "busy" look you should limit the number of rugs, keep the patterns simple and the colors subdued. Good luck!

Jennifer Paschal I would really like some ideas on how we can use our beautiful (yet formal) inherited Karastan rugs yet create an environment that's classic, yet family friendly. I've thought about adding some modern style furnishings and contrasting pieces for a more eclectic look. We also have many inherited antiques and I want to avoid a look that's too stodgy. Any examples/photos much appreciated!

Iris Design Studio I would use the Noguchi coffee table. You can match the wood color. I believe you can purchase this one from Herman Miller.

joansahmed I like something light for the table such as attached, Or add another of the same garden stool. One sitting there looks misplaced. I would use it near the fireplace actually. I love the lime green and you already got a new rug I take it. I sort of liked a more subtle look of grey and creams but

tennisanyone New backsplash, counters in granite, new cabinet hardware and add color on the walls and recessed lights to start.

Daniel Dionne Designs llc k, check out Westside Market on Ellsworth Industrial Blvd., over in the Howell Mill corridor. They have an AMAZING assortment of rugs. Prices vary, depending on origin, fiber content and construction. I have also found terrific rugs, on occasion, at Homegoods. That option will be hit or miss. The Dump used to advertise incredible bargains on rugs, but I think they may have gotten out of that family of business. Sometimes, even IKEA has some good options at expected incredible prices. Macy's Furniture Showroom at Perimeter mall has a sizeable and well assorted rug department and they also run terrific specials. Best of luck with it. Have fun. DD

kwhite014 Daniel, thanks for that info, I will check out the Howell Mills store.

ramtallen1 Carolins I actually bought the pots for plants but never got around to finding plants that would look good in them. Because I live in the furniture capital such things can be found for great prices! Putting the sticks in was meant to be temporary ...

norma034 More photos

norma034 More!

cdrdesign Agreed. Beauty, you have received many ideas on how to reorganize and update the rooms. It is up to the homeowners (your parents) to accept or reject them. Your parents have been very receptive to many new ideas and so far, you have done a great job in communicating the choices to them and accomplished your stated goals of updating, but still keeping their own furniture.

The home has beautiful bones and the furniture they chose is timeless and of very high quality.

Can't wait to see the dining room!

groveraxle I also like to Internet browse for ideas. No hurry to buy any canvases or prints now, but with all this brainstorming, when the time comes, we'll have a good idea of the cheapest way to go to get the effect Rhonda likes. One reason I do so many photoshops is because sometimes you just have to SEE it. Ever said "meh" to a dress on the rack and then put it on and found it looked fabulous? Same with design.

Oneofeleven, I suggested MDF because it's cheap and indestructible. I'd never used it either until I took a workshop with a painter who gave us all MDF boards to collage. I'd been using cradled boards till then and the cost was mounting. MDF is a fraction of the price. BTW, did you know everything in the scrap bin at HD is 51 cents? I doubt you'd find a big enough piece to make four panels, but I'll bet you could find four pieces large enough. $2.04 for four supports; can't beat it.

rhondagoodwin Kathryn... Because we came home with a couple empty totes I was excited. If we didn't have to rent a truck we would have ended up with more of a profit, but I was selling my stuff for like 2 or 3 dollars, I figured getting a dollar for something was better than throwing it away. And I got my tan started so it was worth the time for me.
We still have more stuff to sell, but I want to wait till he gets the flooring out of the truck so we don't have to rent one. I was shocked that it cost $55.00 to get a spot at the flea market.
The last time I had sold at a flea market it was only $20, I guess inflation hit the flea market too.

fabtwigs Gray has been my favorite color for walls. Here is my gray bedroom. For before and after pictures go to http://fabtwigs.blogspot.com/2013/04/it-has-been-while-gray-master-bedroom.html

tudorhouse223 Never realized there were so many shades of Gray(much more than 50). I'm somewhat overwhelmed by the choices. Anyone have any experience with metallic silver/grey paint on walls?

bwally6 Don't see Ben Moore's Revere Pewter. Perhaps the most lovely color ever. So versatile.

Deborah Ingersoll Z bx

aimran Thanks! I was looking for someone i know. Anything besides an indoor/outdoor type that can stand the challenges pets pose. We seem to have stumbled upon something on this site which sounds promising! Thank you so much!

Jennifer Paschal Interesting article. We have several beautiful Karastan rugs as well as antiques that were inherited, and I'm trying to figure out how to use them and still create a classic yet family friendly environment. I've considered adding some more modern style furnishings for a more eclectic look. Does anyone have any experience with this, and photos to share??

michele1965 Oh, please ... You designer can't suggest a color to go with a lighter gray? Not a good designer if you ask me. You have logical reason for the color change. The designer's true problem is the can't see their vision any other way. A great design means it works for you, not the designer. You can put just about anything with gray!

Lynne Forrestal Depending on the price point of the property... high end properties, the new owner will redo many things, because they have the budgets to do it.... but many "average" buyers, are using most of their resources to get the house in the first place... so safe is beige... personally, I an tired of seeing all the beige too, perhaps something neutral but not beige, depending on the style etc.. like gray tones.? And it is true, MOST people we deal with have NO imagination, they have to see it... and if they SEE something they really don't like, all the talking about repainting in the world won't change their mind.

zennifer I sold my first house with the RED kitchen that I always wanted...the stager wanted me to paint it. I chose not to as the rest of the house was based on that room (open floorplan, tiny house) and I had taken time and care with every item in the room for an updated but classic feeling. I did buy a new couch with pillows that matched the red...and the buyer wanted to buy my couch. It was under contract in 12 hours..

zennifer (Tis was in a slow market almost three years ago)

M J HAMPTON DESIGN Agree with Melissa...the venetian gold gives you so much more flexibility with your backsplash. Choosing your slab from the stone yard is one of the best things about buying granite...it really personalizes it and lets you get the one you want.

Just one side note: don't let contractors create a "sky is falling" sense of immediacy about decisions. Granite is expensive, and it needs to be right. He works for you...if it means a few days delay while you get the right granite, everyone will survive. I'd rather my clients be inconvenienced an extra week than be stuck with a granite they don't love.

lamoine1 From a realtor's point of view....Always go neutral!

carole they are good ideas but leather and throws dont mix well together (i think),always slipping of and looking messy...love the idea of the cowhide,or another element in the room that will take your eye away from the cough..
will check back in tomorrow to see pictures.....

carolins Not exactly like these, but to give you an idea about mixing fabrics or just a different fabric on chairs to give them an updated look. Would it be an idea to go for a botanical/natural theme in your dining room? Meaning floral and/or animal prints? Natural materials, like a sisal rug, burlap window dressing, flowery fabric on the chairs...

robinson1823 I have been an interior designer/decorative painter for the past 20 years. I have often been called on to make factory-fresh pieces look "friendlier", which is why I suspected that was your feeling about it. If you decide to paint it, give it a coat of Zinsser Bin first (because many factory finisshes will really resist paint). Let brush strokes show in your paint coat (but not too slapdash), then distress the whole thing with sandpaper. Do a coat of colored glaze* followed by 3 coats of poly (all water-born). * I like to color my glazes w/ natural pigments like umber or sienna