Need help with awkward wall in living room

11 years ago

Hey All,

I really need help with this one spot in our living room. I want something that serves as seating area but also as decor. I was thinking maybe a thin behind-the-sofa type table (but against the wall) with a gorgeous popping art piece hanging on top and maybe a chair next to it. All the tables I've found that fit that description are about 30inches tall - that's too short. My other thought, was to incorporate something with a mirror (like maybe one long mirror leaning against the wall). I'm confused.

Here are some pictures of what I need help with. Also, some things to keep in mind.

1. Budget: up to $800 for a nice arrangement including Table/Chair/Art piece.
2. Our walls are so empty it's sad but alas, I can't make up my mind about art. Our absolute favorite artists are Kandinsky, Miro and Mondrian (if anyone has suggestions for pieces and placement).
3. The colors of our living room are cool (walls are dusty blueish gray) and couches are dark gray with blue and yellow accents. I like pops of violets as well. Our curtains are light dusty teal-gray with vines going across them and I love plants. Random I know. We have 12+ foot high ceilings on one side of the LR and no chandelier, just a sky light (which is that bright flash you see on the photos).
4. Please ignore the uneven teal wall in the back, that's our hallway and we left it unfinished because life happened. We're on it. Also...that ugly heater. I hate it & have to replace it. All in due time. Also to be ignored are the crap/things sitting in the corner by the plant, the closet and main doors (they are to be replaced and/or painted white with new handles).

TL;DR: Ignore the extra crap in the pictures. Budget is $800.

Thanks so much for your help everyone!!

Featured Answer

PRO

Mahlstedt Gallery

11 years ago

We have beautiful art by Maurice Sapiro that would look great in the room! Here's one that I think would would work with your color scheme. To see more of Maurice's work, stop by the Mahlstedt Gallery at http://www.jam415.com/artist/artist-Maurice-Sapiro-23.aspx

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Comments (14)

leelee
11 years ago
Your pictures are too close up. Need to get a better feel for the whole room. Can you take more pics and include the sofa and a more complete view of all the walls?
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Daniel Dionne Designs llc
11 years ago
Hi al8a. Questions first: did you say sofa(s), as in plural? A couple more images that show the rest of the room would be very helpful. Also, does the seating element have to be TV viewing friendly? Lacking these clarifications, My initial sense would be to add a smallish chair to the right, angled to face the visible sofa (nearest the TV) with a small table or chest that provides the requested storage used in conjunction with a lighting element and a
large-ish piece of art (versus a collection or series).
A M thanked Daniel Dionne Designs llc
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TruDesign
11 years ago
Your ideas are on the right track! A sofa or console table with a large piece of art above would be great on that wall. A pair of 20" square ottomans tucked underneath the sofa table could bring in some color and pattern, while not taking up as much space as a chair. 30" is a common height for that type of table - it is the same height as a dining table, and should work just fine. Of course, a 34" or 36" height would be great too. With that budget, places like Wayfair, Cost Plus World Market, and Target would be great places to shop! Good luck!

It is hard to really see what "style" you are, but a console table like this http://www.target.com/p/winsome-linea-console-table-dark-espresso/-/A-557215?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink would allow the ottomans to be tucked underneath.
A M thanked TruDesign
A M
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I am not sure how to reply to people on here, but for all of you that replied THANKS A BUNCH! And here are more pictures of the living room, leelee.

Daniel: Yes, we have two sofas both facing the TV. I would be flexible on the position of the chair or whatever you were thinking of. I think positioning towards the sofas is a great idea. Do you have a particular color chair in mind?

TruDesign: Thanks! I LOVE the square ottomans tucked under the table because that is exactly what's been on my mind. i saw a few from Target that hit the budget and design. THE issue is really the table itself. The table you suggested is a little on the traditional side (which is ok) but I am not a fan of the wood color or the simplicity. Also, again..the height :( It's so short. Maybbe it's my problem, we're both tall (5.9 and 6.2) so maybe that height table just seems too short...

I am going to find some inspiration pictures and post them.
A M
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Last picture of the wall directly in front of the dilemma wall. Ignore the ugly AC unit. There will be a modern bookcase on that wall once the AC goes away.
A M
Original Author
11 years ago
Here are some inspiration pictures to kinda get my style. The colors in these shots are a little too neutral because given the neutrality of the whole living room i want something that pops but overall that's kind of what I'm going for. But it also can't clash with any bookshelf type thing that would replace the table in the corner by the closet door (it's just there as a space holder).
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Daniel Dionne Designs llc
11 years ago
Re: a chair. More important than color, I wold love to see you pull some PATTERN into the mix. And add some pillows with color and pattern. The good news is you are working in neutrals so far, so your options are practically wide open. I do like TruDesign's suggestion of ottomans beneath a console. Why do you think that 30" (a standard console height) is too short for this item? Build the height with the artwork. One other thing to consider: If you take the console approach, this will put ALL of your case pieces on one end of the room. If it were a ship it would capsize and sink. Remember to keep it balanced. This is the reason I though an upholstered piece (chair) between the TV and table would be a better approach. You have plenty of space for it, based on what I can see. The ottomans would help with that also. What happens to the big chair in the corner?
A M thanked Daniel Dionne Designs llc
leelee
11 years ago
Thanks! Much better. I'd pull that big round chair out of the back corner and put it on the blank wall if there's room.

Also, if you moved the whole rug and all furniture toward the left wall then there'd be plenty of room for the round chair (what is the correct name for those chairs?) Would that mess up the balance with the TV? Could TV move slightly away from area with blank wall?

I like your turquoise accents. Here's some art from etsy.com
A M thanked leelee
A M
Original Author
11 years ago
@Daniel: I like that idea. Are you suggesting that I get a console and a chair? Or forget about the console and only get the chair? Either way, I love the idea of pattern.

What kind of style chair are you referring to? Would any of these work?
- http://www.wayfair.com/Skyline-Furniture-Swoop-Fabric-Arm-Chair-72-1JKRDN-SKY8811.html
- http://www.wayfair.com/Sole-Designs-Nile-Cotton-Wingback-Cotton-Slipper-Chair-Set-of-2-Set-of-2-10004-SDSN1036.html
- http://www.wayfair.com/Comfort-Pointe-Derby-Fabric-Arm-Chair-6700-CMPT1024.html

(It's really difficult for me to find a pattern i love, if anything I'd find a chair style I like and reupholster it).

The chair in the corner is used for reading/browsing magazines. My ideal setup is to have a whole library with an open bookcase against the wall where the AC unit currently resides. That will complete the look of the reading nook. (Kind of like this: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/8a/29/29/8a29297298bfbcb05634ae805572e5a7.jpg but with the window in between).

Does this help the balance that you were referring to?

@leelee: They're called papasan chair, I got mine from Pier 1 and I kind of regret it. It's not something I want to accentuate and will replace it later on with a better suited comfortable chair. That spot is mainly used for reading and as a mini retreat from the TV. Unfortunately the TV cannot move anywhere else because there would no more room to enter the kitchen (I was standing the kitchen to get those wide shots).
I like the art you suggested, I'm going to check out the artists and see what I can find! Never thought of looking on etsy, thanks!
acm
11 years ago
A little confused by "seating area but also decor" -- maybe a pair of decorative chairs with a nice table in between, and then either a lamp or decorative objects (depending on where one might read in this room), and artwork above?

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A M thanked acm
A M
Original Author
11 years ago
@acm_redfox By seating and decor I meant something like this: http://t2.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/33/94/71/400_F_33947149_scKPsY07q5qihx5IIYCKIV2MeYO2eagM.jpg

Or even this: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/95/10/fa/9510fa5697a1e95dbebe8a842d6aa7c5.jpg

It kind of seems to me that my overall suggestion is more suited for a hallway or an entryway so I was hoping that by adding a chair (seating) it would make it more living room appropriate.

I actually do like the idea of the coffee table in between the chairs, but again, I am not sure if that's suited for the living room? It wouldn't be used for reading per se (as i mentioned above, i have a little reading nook right opposite that area) but the idea you proposed makes sense. Now you gave me more things to thing about! :P
acm
11 years ago
Well, this kind of arrangement is sometimes in a cozy spot and sometimes just someplace needing a little... filler (like my last attached photo), which can certainly be the living room, even if you don't pick comfy chairs to flop in. When you have parties or visitors, it's extra seating (and drink-setting spots), and the rest of the time it's just pleasant visual space, place to stop to put on your shoes, whatever. The console table setup is more visually/decoratively oriented, while the chairs do a bit more to expand the functionality of your space. %^)
A M
Original Author
11 years ago
@arm_redfox Very true. I completely agree. I'm going to swing that idea by my husband and see what he has to say about it. Neither of us ever considered nixing the console idea and just making a pleasant but efficient seating area in that spot. Thanks!!