Need help with my living/dining room

11 years ago

Hello there.
so I just refurnishing my apartment and I still feel it's like cold and not homey it's a big space and seems what ever I add the room still cold and empty with echo.. can someone help me please .

Featured Answer

Kendrah

11 years ago

Oooh, this is a fun one! Most of my suggestions don't involve much money either.

1. Your grey color is fabulous. Embrace it and paint all your walls that color. Then paint your ceiling that color cut with 50% white. Your floor is vast, bright, and reflective enough and your furniture so white, the space can handle that much of the grey without looking gloomy. It will be a nice cozy contrast to all the hard and shiny. Your white furniture will really pop instead of fading into a white background.

2. Place the buffet on the dining room wall that is parallel to the dining table. Take away two dining chairs from the table and place one on either size of the buffet. This will help spread the upholstery a bit more throughout the room. Then get an oblong piece of artwork to go where the buffet is currently located (or take the two paintings and hang them in this space one on top of the other in a vertical arrangement). Moving the buffet to the other wall will spread out the visual interest, help break up the two spaces more by not having the long buffet and long sofa on the same wall.

3. For the living area, you need to connect the seating area to the tv area. They should read as one space. Move the entire seating arrangement and rug away from the back wall about 2-4 feet. (It often looks so much nicer not to have furniture pushed to the extreme edge of the room.) This will give you just a narrow strip of white tile between tv and rug and make the two so much more connected. And it is free!

4. Rearrange the seating area. Put the two white chairs side by side - keep the one closest to the dining room where it is and bring the other by its side. Then place the two metallic stools side by side (with space in between of course) across from the white chairs near the balcony doors.

5. If you can place your coffee table below your chandelier, do so. Then, lower the height of that chandelier as well as the one above your dining room table. They are so high and make the space seem much more vast.

6. The fabric on your curtains looks thin-ish. Replace them with a heavier, more opaque fabric and do not cinch them back but let them hang straight down. It will make the room feel cozier and fabric is fantastic for sound deadening - especially velvet. It will be a nice plush contrast to all the hard and shiny surfaces. Larger velvet accent pillows on your sofas will do the same thing. The ones you have now seem to small for the large sized furniture. And if you get them all in one color, it will help create more of a cohesive visual field.

7. I would get a cool urn and a large plant to place between on the wall between the TV arrangement and the doorway.

8. You will still need some artwork. I would not be afraid to go big. This space is calling for one or two large pieces. Groupings of smaller pieces will just get lost in this space.

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Comments (65)

onetwothre
11 years ago
Is your dining room rug darker than the living room rug, or is it just the picture? If it is darker and the sizes work, I would switch them.

Get a floor plant stand and put your green plant in it. Maybe in the dining room corner.Add a runner to the table.

I'd also get a rattan basket/tray for your coffee table.

Different light fixtures would help too-these read like icicles, adding to the cold feeling.

The table looks crowded with four chairs on each side. I'd like to see a chair at each head of the table, but you won't have room with the buffet there, so you can move the buffet to the other wall. Or you can get a longer chandelier chain, swag the chandelier and move the table down and keep the buffet where it currently is. But I'd like to see you move the chairs around at the table. Two or three on each side only.
dinajaf thanked onetwothre
Tina
11 years ago
Get rid of the white walls, I think that is what makes it look so cold. You could add any colour since everything else is white.
dinajaf thanked Tina
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anne dee
11 years ago
you might consider a custom cabinet around the TV with shelves to display your decor/personal items which will free up space on the coffee table and side tables.
One large piece of art at the dining table and remove everything from the dining room console except for 3 pieces large enough for scale.

Fairway Terrace · More Info
dinajaf thanked anne dee
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
@tina @carolbrandywine @onetwothre here's after i switched places... let me know what you think
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
I live in a very high temperature beach and dessert country! it's always very hot and humid.. do you think velvet curtains would be fine?
Kendrah
11 years ago
That was fast! I think the living room layout looks great like this. I give it a thumbs up. I am not 100% sold on the buffet rearrangement yet. The buffet and chairs seem cramped towards the back corner where I think I see a sculpture. Can you move the table down slightly towards the doorway, and then also move the buffet and two side chairs down as well. I would leave more space too between the buffet and chairs on either side. I do very much like seeing the table with only three chairs on either side. I think that looks much better.

Yep, velvet would be odd for the climate you live in. Perhaps more of a duck or canvass type material? Part of the issue is the climate you live in calls for hard, cool surfaces which are usually not cozy. I think if you introduce more texture, jute, grasses in the way of a much larger dining room rug, it could help dampen the echo.
dinajaf thanked Kendrah
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
will post you a picture
decoenthusiaste
11 years ago
This is working much better, but I am guessing your seating arrangement is still a bit far from the TV system. I don't think you should move the table and buffet from their location that is centered under the vents or it will start to look unbalanced. Paint the vents to match the wall.
greenfish1234
11 years ago
Bigger rug under table. Like the rearranged furniture-great start!
Capel Rugs
11 years ago
You have lovely pieces and the posters above have made great suggestions! If you decide to go with a larger rug under the table, you may consider using the new rug to draw out some of the warmer colors in your art and pillows.

Here are a few examples of rugs in our collection that may work:

Grand Palampore rug in Cream · More Info

The Greek rug in Dark Blush · More Info

Martha's Vineyard rug in Pewter · More Info

Please see our profile for more options.

Best of luck,

Capel Rugs
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dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
@carolbrandywine@jennlettswatson okay guys u cannot believe how I excited I am that I found someone to give their opinion and help me! I have guests coming in 10 days and I need to finish everything before.. I went and exchanged to carpet with a bigger one :) what's next?
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
@capelrug thank you for your recommendation but my carpet is already new it's hard to buy a new one at the meantime.. but I really love the Martha's viyard's!!
Kendrah
11 years ago
It takes me months to do what you have done on 24 hours. Impressive! I think it is looking great. I agree with the person above who suggested painting the vents to match the wall color. My only other suggestions are painting the whole room the same great color as the accent walls and getting more opaque window treatments - though not velvet. (Check out some of the Perennial collection at restoration hardware for ideas.) I doubt you are going to paint and do curtains in the next ten days ... though you do seem to be a mover and shaker!
Kendrah
11 years ago
Also, you may want to hang a picture above the buffet and on the wall perpendicular to the table. But I'm not one for rushing out to purchase artwork. I think it takes a while to find just the right piece.
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
ia am sorry my English is not the greatest!! what do mean by opaque window treatments>\? and what are vents? @carolbrandywine
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
I will do the painting next week for sure and send you pictures... I used to have these on my dining table but had so much mixed feelings about them.. shall I keep or not?
lucidos
11 years ago
One of the things that goes a long way to making a room feel like home is to find objects that you really like. Consider larger objects. Your ceramic horse is amazing!

Think of the adage less is more. I mocked up one area of the room painting the vents to match the wall and incorporating a horse in a design. By doing so the area takes on life rather than just being stuff put there to fill space. What makes something feel like home is when you can emotionally connect to the items and it flows. I can see the same tone wood on the top of the sideboard in an oblong bowl on the table pulling in some of the coral color from the living room in the bowl.

Pull your colors through the entire open area and you will feel a sense of balance.
dinajaf thanked lucidos
Tina
11 years ago
Looking good. Yes you definitely need something like a mirror or picture on the wall above the cabinet. Also I think you need something on that wall where the cabinet was originally. Seems is pictures once you paint.
dinajaf thanked Tina
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
@lucidos thank you very much I love your thoughts..so shall I do a round mirror or something like this above the buffet? and about painting the vents I didn't think about it before but seems like a great I do..i will do foe sure
halfpint2
11 years ago
I think the rooms are beautiful!
lucidos
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Thank you Dina - may I suggest that you get the green paint tape and mark out the size both height and width. The round or oval may be better as your room has a lot of squares and rectangles. It would also enhance the curve of the sideboard.

For measurements it should not be larger than 2/3 the width of the sideboard and a mirror should be hung low as I pictured it..basically you want to see in it if you are in front of it. Look at the taped marks from different areas in the room and see if you need to adjust the size. Then measure and look for something that appeals to you in that size.

And yes, you have done a wonderful job selecting the furnishings in your rooms. Fine tuning is always the pain.
Tina
11 years ago
Sorry I can't seem to type today. I meant to say on the last sentence I posted this morning is......Send us pictures once you paint.
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
I will try to find some kind of mirror and post pictures soon. thnx
Kendrah
11 years ago
@lucidos - That was a wonderful mock up you made. I may have to call upon your services to help me imagine some walls spaces in my living room too!

Yes, painting the vents (the metal boxes in the walls where the air comes out) makes such a difference. I do like the idea of something circular as well. I personally would not put up a mirror nor anything with a metallic frame. I think the hard, shiny, reflective surfaces are what contributed to that cold, echo feeling. I think there is enough metallic with the stools and chandeliers. I would go for paintings instead.

Dinajaf - I am not in love with the three vases you put on the table. Again, they are hard glass surfaces and I think you want to minimize that. Plus, I think they overwhelm the size of the table. I liked lucidos idea of using wood and picking up on the wood top of the buffet.

Your English is fantastic. Opaque means something you cannot see through - a thick fabric that does not let light in. It is the opposite of translucent, which is sheer and see through.
dinajaf thanked Kendrah
lucidos
11 years ago
Carol..anytime. I thought - mirror as the room is lacking round and oval shapes. Hard to get a painting in that shape without looking for something victorian. Also since the wall is a darker grey with no window the mirror would bounce some light.

I think you need something that is more frame than mirror with color in the frame (or wood matching the buffett). Along the lines of the Novica (National Geographic) Peru Painted glass or wood mirrors.

http://wall-decor.novica.com/
dinajaf thanked lucidos
ashtonchic
11 years ago
Dinajaf - You could get some large empty frames - squares and rectangles and cover them with colored fabric that picks up the colors in your artwork and hang them on the walls at different heights - such as two same sized rectangles about 4" apart and 6" different in height. Squares could be hung square, diamond, square. Get some thin batting and put behind the frames. This should help absorb the echo and add interest to your walls. You also have way too much small stuff sitting out. Pick three items to put on your buffet. Stack 2 coffee table sized books on your coffee table with a small flower arrangement on top. Clear out everything else and see how the place feels to you then. You have beautiful furniture and a really nice place to work with! Chandeliers are beautiful!!
dinajaf thanked ashtonchic
jillbertsch
11 years ago
Wonderful rearranging! May I suggest:

1) adding height to the dining table with a nice centerpiece... Use a table runner. In a pinch, with guests arriving, the 3 glass vases will be ok but use tall chunky candles instead of floral things.

2) using tall lamps on the buffet (see below)... 2 lamps are preferable, but for now try using the one lamp that is on the floor in the corner of your living room. I presume it is the mate to the table lamp. Love the black shades on these lamps. Also like the oval mirror lucidos used in the mockup but I would turn it horizontal (length-wise).

3) getting a large unit for TV and electronics... easy to find @ IKEA, wayfair, overstock. Get black.

4) Clear out the small decor pieces sitting around on coffee table buffet and dining table.

--
What is in the corner against the glass wall? I see a lamp which I suggested for the buffet, but what else is there?
dinajaf thanked jillbertsch
jillbertsch
11 years ago
Also, the two chairs beside buffet are too close. Move them out 4-6 inches away from buffet and flat on the wall. Think about using more of the width of the wall.

I see you have 3 horse statues. They are begging to be displayed together. Put them and the lamp w/ black shade on the buffet and nothing else.

Or, if you wish, place the horses on the coffee table and the green plant (that is on dining table in original post) on the buffet with a couple of the vases and the lamp.

I think you are getting the idea that a few large dynamic pieces make a statement, while small pieces make a room look cluttered.

I hope you enjoy your guests and are ready to do more with this space after the holidays.
dinajaf thanked jillbertsch
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
@jillbertsch
anne dee
11 years ago
Everything seems to be coming along quite nicely from all the expert help youv've been receiving.
Might i suggest you edit yr buffet and place one item of sufficient size for scale.
possibly wood plaques over the buffet for texture( not necessarily 4 pieces whatever will fit the space)
I do like yr lamps altho I feel they are sitting a little too close to the edge!
pics for ref/suggestions/inspiration
dinajaf thanked anne dee
SuniMaria
11 years ago
I like the 2 lamps on the buffet and the chairs further away!! The vents need to be the same color as the wall especially now with the 2 lamps below them. I like all of carolbrandywine's suggestions. You need a very large paintings on the bare wall where the buffet used to be.......maybe a horse/horses? Your room is taking shape and looking great!
dinajaf thanked SuniMaria
SuniMaria
11 years ago
Some art ideas for the large wall space where the buffet used to be......assuming you love horses (seeing that you have horse sculptures).
dinajaf thanked SuniMaria
jillbertsch
11 years ago
Dinajaf, you have great taste and beautiful things to work with!! Thank you for responding so well to suggestions. The lamps look amazing! But,I hate for you to loose a lamp in the LR. Will you be able to purchase another lamp for the LR? If you need a lamp in LR you can use just one on the buffet and balance the other side with the horses (they are interesting from an art history perspective). Then find a nice round mirror for the buffet.

Can you move the pink flowers off the buffet and put it with the others on the coffee table. Group like things for impact.

Like the aquarium!
dinajaf thanked jillbertsch
Kendrah
11 years ago
The buffet lamps are perfect. It is so much fun checking back here regularly to see how your home is evolving. It looks great!
dinajaf thanked Kendrah
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you all for your suggestions..i cannot belive how many years I tried to make things better but never worked and never though about having my problems solved here.. this is great.
So where shall I put the rest of the décor items on the buffet if I had the horses?
jillbertsch
11 years ago
A wall unit to house the electronics with additional shelving for displaying knick knacks would be nice for the TV wall.
lucidos
11 years ago
Some thoughts..
dinajaf thanked lucidos
anne dee
11 years ago
In answer to your question "So where shall I put the rest of the décor items on the buffet if I had the horses? "
You needn't have everything out at one time. You can rotate the decor pieces.
One suggestion for the vases would be to use them as a decorative centerpiece on the dining room table
Flowers optional
pic ref.
dinajaf thanked anne dee
Kendrah
11 years ago
I love lucidos idea of a a display cabinet on the wall at the end of the table. You seem to like to look at a lot of the things you have out and this way you can see them and display them in an organized way without cluttering the surfaces of tabletops and buffets. Another piece of furniture like that will also help deaden the sound of the room, maybe? Have you noticed any difference in the echo factor with your larger rug and the furniture changes?
dinajaf thanked Kendrah
PRO
Masters of Design
11 years ago
You need to find a way to maximize on the height of the room. The room looks cluttered but yet still empty because only half of it is designed. When designing a space you are consider 6 flat surfaces (4 walls, floor and ceiling).

- put a large mirror or art work above you dining buffet this will help define the dining area. Part of the problem is your spaces aren't defined and instead is looking like one big room.
- I would frame your artwork in the living room. A darker color frame.
- I would exchange the floor lamp out to something taller and more dramatic, maybe one that arcs over into the living room
- Move the console table to the grey wall and you can replace it with a tall mirror to lean up against the wall that the console in currently on.

These are just a few ideas, good luck.
PRO
Francyne de Buck
11 years ago
My advice less is more. Too many shatzkes
Kelli Garner
11 years ago
the room needs plant life and color, hang art and mirrors higher.
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
@lucidos omg! I loved what you have done this looks great cant wait to find the right pieces! this is amazing thnx..
@carolbrandywineyess!! with the carpet so much less echo! I am beginning to feel the warmth of this room :D
dinajaf
Original Author
11 years ago
okay I have done something today and I am not sure if it was the right thing to do?! and what shall I put on it?
Tina
11 years ago
I'm not sure what that box is on the wall to the left of the tv but can it be removed and can you build some sort of cabinets around your tv?
gtcircus
11 years ago
If you can paint, try Benjamin Moore Vermont Slate Blue on the walls, with a very white trim and light grey ceiling.
Kendrah
11 years ago
I'm not sure I am in love with the new shelf added there. I don't think you need any more space for displaying objects. Nor would I recommend getting a tv cabinet or shelving unit. What is the box hanging on the wall to the left of the TV? Here is what I would do:

Paint the wall that great deep grey color - same as the other accent wall. Take the shelves off the wall - the new one you added and the black box hanging on the left. Just have the TV and the low three cases beneath it. Clear off the top of those low cases and put just one interesting sculptural piece to the left of the TV. Perhaps the horse sculpture you had elsewhere in your dining area? Then I would leave it all alone and focus on the area between your TV setup and the door. I like what someone else did with adding a bench and a large piece of artwork there.

You seem big into displaying objects, so I do still think you should get some kind of display cabinet for the end of the dining room table wall. I think your tendency to put so much out gets distracting because your room is such a big space and the eye doesn't know where to go. Your TV wall should be a quiet backdrop, a side thought, not a central focus.
jillbertsch
11 years ago
Dinajaf, I like the shelf, but would float it higher on the wall or install an additional shelf parallel to it at the same height as the top of the speaker box. As is, it seems that left end is too close to the top of the TV. 2nd shelf will add balance. Might be because TV is "on" in the photo.

Clear the frames from the top of the lower cabinets... Keep them cleared off.

I like the concept. The dark grey continued down this wall to the corner would help fill the void on this wall too.

It would be great if you snap a photo to include as much of the wall as possible? I'd like to see the entire wall.
decoenthusiaste
11 years ago
Stop with the furniture already and get on with painting that gray everywhere! What a huge difference that will make in this space!
User
11 years ago
You could pick-up one or more colors from the living area with some dining room chair covers.

http://houzz.com/photos/50122