.

I cant wait to show you Grover! I have so many idea's running through my head...I just love this!

Love Grovers ideas. The sofa you chose is a bit too heavy. I'd go for something a little more sleek with legs, so the room looks bigger. Make sure that the green and plum work together -- no minty green or yellowy sage - use a muddy or greyish green. Let us see your pics once you've completed your wonderful project. Good luck and have fun!

It sounds like you want to go a little "wild" with the decorating, have something fun instead of practical? But before you commit to a plum sofa, what about doing your walls in a shade of plum? Plum looks fabulous with coppers, rusts, and all the golden warm tones of fall as well as sages and olive tones.
Check this out and have some fun:
http://www.behr.com/consumer/ColorDetailView/MQ1-47

This house would be a good inspiration for earthy colors that are modern and fresh
http://houzz.com/ideabooks/22018505

You can get lots of ideas for color palettes here: http://design-seeds.com/index.php/search?hex=6e357a

Thank you!! its off to work now but I will absolutely check that out! I can go thru the photo's on here for hours getting inspiration and wonderful idea's...and now this help! its fabulous!

And lessismore...I don't think what I want to do is "wild" lol...But I'm not necessarily traditional that's for certain! Im still on the fence about the couch and I have not purchased it yet...although I still like it. I was reading on here last night a conversation about bringing height to a room (which is another thing I am trying to attempt) and many of the comments say to not have legs on furniture, to keep it close to the ground? It can be confusing!
I have a fairly solid idea of what I plan to do...and it will incorporate many of the wonderful ideas on here absolutely!
Thank you! Have a fabulous day!
Tamela

I think you're very smart to consider all aspects of a sofa before you buy - size, shape, color and legs or skirt (although I love the colors groveraxle has come up with). Don't let the legs/skirt issue confuse you because it definitely can. Too many legs in a room seem to make the room look stark (although it can help a small room look larger) but too much skirt can make a room look stuffy and crowded and, if the room is small already, you can end up feeling as though you're moving through a large closet. I have a vaulted wall in my open LR/DR but 8' ceilings in both bedrooms. I'm finding that too much furniture to the floor in the bedrooms (which are actually pretty large) make them feel crowded. Look for living room pictures (BHG shows more smaller rooms than HOUZZ sometimes) and notice how they do it and how it makes you feel (and don't worry too much about the ceiling height - it is what it is; not everyone in the world has tall ceilings and in this case, it shouldn't rule your decisions). I love your thought processes and your openness to rethinking. I'm eager to "watch" the room take shape and come to completion.

Thank you yytcm....wonderful advice!!!

Love that window and would plant flower boxes on the fence outside and put a seating area in front of window, a small sofa or love seat in front of the other two windows with curtains,I would also whitewash the panelling and use the insert for a tv on the oppose wall. It is a great room with lots of possibilities Good luck .

I thought of adding some art, flower boxes to the fence outside the window also! make the best of what you have, right!

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Paterson-Collection-Oriental-Medallion-Red-Area-Rug-79-x-910/7660387/product.html?refccid=SMYUSOKJVNZYWNSPFXKISQE6MA&searchidx=23

antiqued turquoise fyi cause it's pretty :)
http://tuesdaymorning.shoplocal.com/index.html#!/tuesdaymorning/store/2653638

I say the big windows is a good light source in this room.and lighting is another factor u have to consider to achieve a bigger looking area. The other tip I have for you is to put your sitting area in the side with two windows.I say so because symmetry is also another factor to consider. As for small tips, feel free to get a taste of colour but don't go so deep and choose something that can be a base...what I mean is if u choose red for example, it's going to put a statement so go with a settled colour that is not so dark or deep.then remove the XXX X in your big window, u can paint the frames of windows and doors white to give you that settle pop. I would also advise you put some really light curtains for your big window, to allow light to come in and roll ups for your smaller ones to create a frame tone to it... I hope this helps..... Good luck

Diane... Has a good example of colours for you

I like the room. It seems a shame to put a sofa in front of that big window though. I think I would go with a couple of chairs and a table, then put the sofa in front of the other 2 windows with your TV on the stair way wall. That gives you two areas instead of just one.
The chairs and table could be a place to place games or be treated as reading area. Window treatments will make a huge difference in that room. I'd pick a fabric you love and then pick your colour scheme from that.

I think it is a charming room. Big does not always mean better. You just have to be able to afford to fill it up with more "stuff."

Best thing I did in my 10x12 Living Room was paint the ceiling a shade of sky blue. everyone looks up... room feels airy even though it has one tiny window. I keep the walls almost white, but with your windows, I think colour will be lovely. Biggest mistake I made in my room was not having seating that faces itself in a conversational settting; if I did it again I would avoid the sectional facing a tv, and go with loveseats and chairs facing each other!

One thing about sofa purchasing I learned the hard way. I purchased a sofa that was comfy to sit on and easy to get up from (I'm short)... but never gave a thought as to if it was comfy to lay/lounge on... and it's not. Give your sofa the sit, sleep, look, value as well as ease of keeping it looking nice. Also remember, sofas are hard to change out, but pillows, lampshades and other accessories can be changed by the season or when you just get tired of that color! I say go "neutral" on a sofa and let your throw pillows provide the "pop"!

Congratulations on your new home. Don't rush to fill it up. Beautiful bones.

I agree with taking out the window grills on the picture window and even the lower 1/2 of double hung windows. Use small scale furniture (which is hard to find in showrooms) so use your tape measure for every purchase! Neutral leathers will be versatile over the years and go with any earth shade.

You could use some new wall art!
Save 10% on any Paragon item.
Use Code: "paragon10fall" at check out. http://www.bargainbacker.com/Paragon_c_8817.html

Look at Sarah Susanka's books, like Inside The Not So Big House: Discovering the Details That Bring a Home to Life. You probably can borrow them from your local library. Or you can get see some of her philosophy and ideas at sarahsusanka.com. She shows photos and explains why some things work and others don't. Very good for stimulating even more ideas.

I think it would be too "heavy" to put a sofa in front of the beautiful window. Here's an idea from a recent staging project I completed. The living room was tiny. I used a 75 inch sofa. It was the perfect size and scale.

Thought of you when I saw this: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/10-reasons-to-love-banquettes-not-just-in-the-kitchen-stsetivw-vs~31668374?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u655&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery4.

Beautiful staging job Delen -- what a fresh, inviting space you created. What did you use for window treatments ? Simple white blind? I had beige and blues in my home some time ago and I still love the look - never gets old.

If you use a satin finish paint, it's more reflective than a flat wall color, without being glaring. The reflective finish makes the room feel lighter and brighter and a little bigger.

Also, try to use double-duty furniture, where possible. An ottoman or end table that doubles as storage will keep it looking clean and clutter-free. That's essential with a small room. The other thing is to use "open" furniture that you can see through, so it doesn't take up as much visual space. A wooden rocking chair with spindles for the back takes up less visual room than an upholstered chair, but still provides just as much seating. With a cushion on the seat, you can tie in the colors and add comfort.

My living , dining , and kitchen is together and small.How do I decorate and organize and arrange things for such a small space.Going crazy with space.Joy

I love this little room, especially the window! It has a very "storybook cottage" type of feel which appeals to me. I would consider going with a grey sofa and chair, smaller, not too puffy, maybe somewhat retro looking and then put plum on a wall if you'd like or with all your accessories. That way, if the wall makes the room too dark or you decide you'd like to try another color, you can simply repaint and re-accesorize....your sofa will match a lot of different options.

Your first thoughts need to be:
What do I want to do, be, in this house, how do I want to spend my time, what defines me and how would this be reflected in my home.

I Would use large imaged wall paper to cover up the staircase. Would paint the staircase, walls and steps in one bright, beautifull colour. Make that area it into an interior, a unexpected way to get upstairs, it is all about experiencing and space. That way your home feels larger.

Keep it simple. Change that freaky window and use clean, grand gestures. Very classy and good quality flooring will make you happy many years and will be a good investement.
Think about lighting the room with different types of lamps and fixtures etc. Indirect use of ceiling reflection will create a "light" and sunny atmosphere. Seek advice for that in an early stage so you can adapt wiring etc if necessary.

What a charming room! Bet the house is neat. One thought, though - don't do anything structural (like bash down that wall) until you've had an experienced engineer take a look at the place.

I like to look at design-seeds.com for color ideas. There are some sage and plum palettes posted on 10/7 and 10/6.

Thank you all so very, very much!!!

Sage and plum are beautiful together. Dont be afraid of a deep color at least on one wall. Furniture with legs keeps the floor space more open. Glass coffee or accent tables also helps keep the open look. As others have said , dont be quick to fill the room up but choose a few quality pieces instead. Wood floors with a rug accent will give it an open feel as well. If you need more seating on occasion consider some folding chairs or wicker chairs with covers that can be stored when not in use.

Just to keep all those who have offered such fabulous advice to me updated...
I have found some major issues with the foundation on this home. All the downstairs flooring has to be removed and new floor joists need to be installed throughout the home.
This was definitely NOT in the disclosure statement...lol.
But shes mine and she may take just a little longer than originally anticipated.
So I am still awaiting all the big bumps to get straightened out (literally!) so I can make her beautiful!
Thank you!

I'm curious, What's the culprit that caused foundation/flooring issues ?

Well that's disappointing ... hard to believe it went unnoticed ? Did you have a home inspection?

As a matter of law in our area all homes are needed to be inspected before any bank can approve a mortgage. But on the flip side, there's no law that states explicity that inspector shall be held liable for any mistakes on his part. ----> This sounds like ass-a-nine to me..and totally unacceptable behaviour...that is, it makes no sense

Sorry to hear that. I would make sure the situation is authentically needed. A lot of people like to thrive off the seemingly unsuspecting. Get another opinion. I like your couch and color. I have a burgandy wine color and still love it.

Please, please, please take ideaplace222's advice and get a second opinion. When I sold my other house, my inspector said I needed a carbon monoxide detector because I had a gas cooktop. He didn't even notice that I had a plug-in carbon monoxide detector recommended by the Fire Department and plugged in where they said to plug it. My realtor said he was referring to the expensive and useless contraption some builders were installing in the kitchen up near the ceiling - only partially good as smoke goes up but carbon monoxide doesn't. Petty issue compared to a new foundation, but the principals are the same. Get that second opinion while we all cross our fingers and toes and hope your next post is good news!

Yes, I got a home inspection from a company referred to me by my realtor $400.
Yes the home inspector was not thorough in his inspection, and I am not happy with him. This property is/was a short sale so it was problematic with disclosures to begin with, yet there were no disclosures in regards to the flooring (which obviously the owner attempted to cover it up by covering it with the new plywood & carpet)
I knew the flooring was not completely level and thought perhaps just some of the wood flooring that was under the carpet was warped (the home is 73 years old) and perhaps I may need to fix some small issues.
Once the home was purchased and in my name I was able to lift up the carpet and noticed new subflooring (plywood) in the dining room. I then unscrewed the plywood to see underneath and the hardwood flooring was all wet and rotted in several areas. Then I removed some of the wood flooring to find underneath all of the floor joists were all damp and rotted and there were concrete slabs poured between them.
I have had 3 contractors look at this and none of them have ever seen this before.
Here are some photos for you to view...super crazy right?
I know I could probably back out of this deal if I really tried, but I still see much potential in her. Besides Ive done so much work already I would hate to waste all that time and energy!
Here are some photos for you...yikes!
On a good note, I am fairly certain I found a wonderful contractor who is very knowledgeable and he's willing to remove the rest of the downstairs flooring, install a vapor barrier, new floor joists throughout the downstairs affected area and a new "level" subfloor! And the price is not going to kill me...I may just have to walk around on a sub-floor for a year ; ))

...

Wow, what a mess! Tell your realtor (if you haven't already ...) Was your realtor representing both parties? Or just the owner/bank? Sometimes I think they do a less than scrupled job just so they can get a sale through. But, if you had a crawl space or basement, they should have seen this from the underside I think. That much wet damage should have been noticeable ...
But you are taking it well :-) You had mentioned wanting to re-do the floors, but maybe not so extensively!

Yes it is definitely a mess! No my realtor was only representing me...or not...lol.
This isn't really a crawl space, in fact no one really knows what to call it.
Initially I was so happy to see the hardwood floors underneath, but sadly to repair the issues correctly all the flooring has to be taken out...such a shame that no-one took care of the home properly for so long.
It wouldn't sting quite as much if I got a better "deal" on it.
Thank you & have a fabulous day!

Well, hope you find out why they got so wet before you have new flooring laid. Leaks, drainage problems, are often hard to diagnose. We had standing in my mother's basement for YEARS. It eventually caused dry rot and buckled the exterior stucco in several places. We had several people come out and got varying recommendations, from needing to redo the foundation to putting in a french drain. Turns out, an old sprinkler system (that was never used) pipes had finally rusted through and broken - so, every time someone turned on the hose to water the garden, they were also secretly "watering" the soil under the house!
It was an easy fix, but very hard to diagnose. Best of luck to you.

I don't know the correct technical definition of what's a crawl space but to me a crawl space is a floor that is suspended above the ground and no basement exists below the floor.

I agree with lessismoore. Find the cause before providing the cure. A vapor barrier as previously suggested by your gc may help.

Thank you both again for your sound advice!
I do believe you are correct in the "crawlspace" definition Curt...I suppose I always thought you should be able to "crawl" under it ; ))
I previously had another home with a "crawlspace" and it was about 3 ft off the actual ground. This home, my new abode is more like 10" above the ground.
My contractor is coming this weekend to take out all the current dilapidated hard wood flooring (sad and such a waste) Im not sure how much he will be able to get accomplished however, he plans on removing current warped and rotted floor joists and replacing all as I mentioned above.
Wish him & I luck!!
It will all work out, I have had a vision since I first saw this home and with much elbow grease she will get there!
I will keep you posted and include photos for you if you wish to see.
Also lessismore...I totally agree with your statement above securing the issue that prompted these problems to begin with, we will be able to find out more once the flooring is removed. Cross your fingers...NO MORE SURPRISES ; )) unless I should be fortunate enough to find a bag of gold buried under the mess...then I can at least pay for it!

A bag of gold would be a nice surprise. :-)

I love the big window. Painting out the wood would help the wall to flow instead of stopping. Choose your focal point. Seating should lead the eye to that. Your window view may be that, or a fireplace or a TV. A small room needs to have just one focal direction, albeit more than one more focal point. Just one way to approach it.