Hello, I would move the hutch cabinet to the dining area (where the 3 pictures are), put a sofa in it's place with a coffee table and float 2 chairs in front of sofa. Anchor the sofa area with an area rug in colors that work with existing carpeting to separate the 2 areas.

Hello...I agree about the hutch cabinet...I would also turn the table and chairs cross wise...remove what other furniture there is on that wall now...You could also try the grandfather clock in it's place...and find a love seat or small sofa for in front of the window....small coffee table and your 2 chairs in front of it...

If it is a mid century house, there may be hardwoods under the carpet. Otherwise, I agree with cypress that area rugs would define the areas and mask the carpet. Also, color. Mid century modern screams color, so keep the dining room set and the orange chair in the living room. Find a contemporary print with at least three colors (with the tertiary color being blue) then recover the dining chair seats and make pillows for the lving room. Find a low sleek sofa with clean lines for the living room and put the pillows on it. Go to thrift stores and find mid-century accessories..clock, mirrors, large ceramics in the fabric's colors. Have Fun..that was a great decor era! For the windows, I would find another complementary fabric to the original fabric for the chairs..just remember to keep it sleek and simple.

I agree also...move the hutch...turn the table...change out the frames on the three pictures...

I agree with moving the hutch to the dining room; could the sofa be the item that divides the living room from the dining room? I think the art work could be used on the wall that has the hutch now and I'd make it more eclectic, adding the mirror and the little shelves. Obviously not the right colors or the same kind of furniture, but maybe something like this?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hUw_VQ5l9r0/SjXPfqHs2CI/AAAAAAAAEj0/Smg7Xuy6AG8/designinckithen2_thumb.jpg

I love Sarah Richardson's work - maybe something she's done can give you ideas, as well.

HI -- First thing --Did you check to see if there is hardwood under that blue carpet. If that is an older home it might be there. Then you could remove the carpet. Have a peek in the floor register. I see mid century modern furniture and that can mix with todays furniture no problem. I Love the wall color you picked . You can define the areas with the furniture placement. Move the large china cabinet to the wall where the three paintings are and turn the dining table the other way . The smaller cabinet can be placed elsewhere . Get a sofa with right end lounger or small square sectional and have part of it backing to the dining room with the main part of the sofa backed to the wall where the large china cabinet is now.Then postion the chairs in the empty spaces towards the sofa. Then you can have the paintings over the sofa or one big piece of art above the sofa.Then add side tables and lamps and a coffee table. If you find you have hardwood floors then find an area rug for the livingroom area so all that furniture sits on it.You could also have a close matching area rug for the dining area. I think the drapes look fine for now until you can replace with what you want. I would change the dining chandeleir for a more modern one in the future.Something more mid century looking , like a Nelson or something more today. The one that is there now is very Tuscan looking. You have a great start so far !

The dining set and that orange chair are wonderful. The seats and cushions just need an update fabric. Thats something you could easily do on your own and wont cost a lot of $$.

And you know what, the blue carpet doesnt really bug me. Once the extra stuff is cleared and there is a more cohesive color scheme I think it could even look good. I love it with that wall color.

And just changing out that chandelier will "modernize" the room

Definitely turn the table lengthwise to the wall. Changing chandelier would help greatly in updating. To modernize I would work a graphic pattern into this room...the curtains would be a great place to start...there are great prints in bright colors on white backgrounds. The seats of the dining chairs can be reupholstered with the same or similar graphic pattern to tie the dining area into the living room. I would add acrylic pieces to the existing furniture for a nice mix...coffee table or nesting side tables as side tables in acrylic might work. I would move the 3 framed paintings to the living area...and for a modern update, the fancy frames can be painted white...will look great against the wall color! Add a big arc floor lamp to the living area...some fun throw pillows...a faux fur throw in an accent color maybe....a garden stool or ottoman in a bright color. The room also needs some greenery....a tall bamboo plant somewhere...an orchid in a great pot...a big floral arrangement perhaps.

Hi. You will need a complete make-over. But use existing furniture. All new surfaces, first. New paint/color scheme, fixtures, flooring (carpeting). New layout of furniture. Figure out how you want this place to function: Movies here? can the window/slider be open? Entertain? Need to seat 6? Can we paint ceiling? Once you figure out how you want to use this space, colors you would love to see, then I think you can absolutely go for this style. Lighting fixture so important and color scheme. Would love to see modern art cover the flatscreen should you opt for movies/entertainment center here. Vision Art Link: http://www.visionartgalleries.com/?p=gallerie&s=frames&galid=8&catid=14&artid=133&fgalid=16
Also, I would still treat the slider with incredible treatment in an incredible color to bring out your possible art/Flatscreen disguise.
Chandelier, by George Kovacs has this mother of pearl modern art quality to it. And with that, I would paint your ceiling a champagne metallic paint by Ralph Lauren. Everything will feel like candlelight and the ceiling plate will feel "lifted" and ethereal.
For more, contact me. I'd love to help you with an incredible color scheme, furnishings and work with you on any budget you've got. Cheers, Ursula Koenig, Interior Designer. email: ursulakoenig@cox.net

These Dilemas are too vague. What is the homeowner's budget and what is it exactly that they are trying to accomplish? If the homeowner needs to use what they already have then I would suggest a new paint color for the walls. Simply changing the fabric on the chairs can be a dramatic effect. Should only require a staple gun. Remove the carpet and opt for an area rug. You can update the frames by discarding the art and painting them. Resurface the casegood, add inexpensive legs and new hardware. Is there a leaf missing? The furnishings actually seem to be a bit small for the space, but sometimes you have to make do with what you have.....good luck on your REMIX!!!!!!!

I would change the chandelier to modern or traditional lighting

Thank you all for these wonderful ideas! I had been thinking about moving the hutch and turning the table, but wanted to have a plan in place first since that hutch is so heavy. Now, I can see it needs to be in the dining room and not the living room to define the spaces.

The house is only ten years old, or so...no hardwood floors, unfortunately. The table and chairs, hutch, plus the orange-cushioned chair in the living room are mid-century Drexel (Danish modern?), and I do love their sleek lines--well, I'm not really crazy about the hutch, though it serves a purpose.

I like the ideas, too, of adding area rugs, a small sofa or love seat, and reupholstering the chairs in something more modern and funky. I hadn't given the chandelier much thought until now and will check out the Nelson suggestion.

Thank you all again for your help!

https://www.houzz.com/photos/1958-mid-century-modern-living-room-remodel-midcentury-living-room-phvw-vp~396659
As suggested turn the table parallel to the wall and move the sideboard to that end of the room. Then, when you purchase your sofa place it with the back to the dining table.

Turn table the other direction.
Use settee (or bench) against wall and push table near it. small cabinet can go on another wall or in front of the window with the two extra chairs placed on either side (if you get a bench)

New lighting fixture, move electrical over to table center. This opens up the living room to be larger.

Living room can have wing chair and grandfather clock removed and any other wall hangings. I would keep the red/orange mirror (?) that is in the corner. The wing back could be kept if you get a faux fuzzy fur for it (white?

Now it will be easier to match things in the room without confusion from other pieces. new Sofa back can go opposite wall unit or with back to dining area. A long sofa table could go behind this sofa as well (check out Ikea and search Craigslist for places in your area that carry Mid Century Modern pieces)

I happen to like the wall color. There is spray paint (search online) for rugs and you can do a modern pattern around the edge of the seating area in the living room and then something to define the dining area.
You can also use the spray paint to put large horizontal or vertical stripes on the existing drapery until you replace them. Or iron on strips of fabric for a no sew solution (with iron on seam adhesive strips).

Seats on chairs can be removed to cover with a fabric that contains light blue and orange and some of that taupe or brown. The seat should screw on and off by undoing screws under the seat.

Stretch canvas over frame and paint an abstract to go over settee or bench at the wall where dining table is with your colors and add a few more. This will give you a cue as to what else to get color-wise for the room.

If curtain rods are shiny, get some dark wax to wipe over them and tone them down, same with other metal in the room.

If you sell the items you remove, you might have enough to go to Ikea and pick up great art and table scape as well as a funky modern coffee table.

I would replace the rug first, with one with a colorful pattern and a base of dark brown. I new lighting fixture would really update the look of the room as well. I do like the wall color you've chosen and your orange chair goes great with it. A Turquoise couch would go great with the chair too. Replacing the seat cushions on the dinning room chairs would help as well. It looks like ceramic tile may be under the rug, so you could centralize the new rug to just the living room, for separation. I would separate the hutches and move one to the dining room. Replacing the artwork on the back wall with a wall of wall paper may give the room more color and texture as well. An alternative would be a large abstract painting.

ok I love the dining room table and the orange chair is great! I suggest keeping those and getting rid of everything else! Sorry:( but I can't see making the other pieces work. Sell them on craigslist and use the money towards buying some things that you really like! Maybe a rug with some texture, some retro lamps and or a sofa... somethiing white or light and crisp! Also change out the light fixture over the dining room table for sure! Maybe to something chic and modern. In my opinion, mid century furniture looks really good mixed with modern decor! Good luck!

Hello! I'm just waiting for the "before and after" pics... That's because I have almost an exact layout on my house... Greetings to all creative minds that live and love decorating!

Okay, moved the table 90 degrees and now I remember why I didn't do that before: not enough clearance for the hutch to go against the wall where the pictures are, while keeping the table centered to the window (wall is 39" from edge of table). The chandelier can be moved, but would they look funny not being centered? Maybe it would be better to find another spot for the hutch (another room or ditch it completely?). I'm not sure if it can be broken apart at the base, as someone suggested, I'll have to see if that's possible.

The blue carpet is wall-to-wall in the whole house, other than the long cream-tiled entry way leading into the kitchen. It would be gone if I had the funds to change it; for now, I'm just trying to neutralize its impact. Area rugs would be a huge improvement.

I'll keep trying these suggestions and see what I can come up with. Thanks.

Lisa Sample, I agree. I think I'm trying too hard to make all these pieces work together out of respect for my MIL. I like the table & chairs and the orange-covered chair; the rest is what I'm having problems with. The wing-backed chair can be recovered with something funky and modern and look good, I think.

What amazing pieces of furniture! Do not ditch!
Furniture Placement - place hutch on painting wall ( there is plenty of room). Either float a low back sofa/love seat with back to dining area and 2 upholstered chairs in front of winow OR low back sofa along 'hutch' wall and 2 upholstered chairs across from sofa. Place an oblong coffee table, similar lines to dining table in front of sofa and end tables on either side. Reupholster orange chair and invest in new low back chair Remove clock from room
Accessories - with sofa along 'hutch' wall hang 3 paintings above sofa. Maybe update frames, more modern looking, Place a textured or minimal pattern area rug in seating area and in dining area.
Lighting - replace chandelier with a modern oversized drum shade, place lamps on either side of sofa with similar shade to chandelier.
Fabric - select panels with pattern, change out the fabric on seats coordinating with drapery panels.

Happy Decorating!
Marla

I agree the hutch needs to move and there may be wood under the carpet. Consider having the carpet professionally cleaned and dyed. This shade of blue can go grey, purple or green. You can also paint upholstery and have the draperies dyed and/or add some contemporary trim. These ideas should work and save you a lot of money....and be fun as your space evolves. Hope this helps! :)

I pretty much ditto most of the comments. Rotate the table (which I love). Relocate the hutch to dining area and recover the dining chairs in a fun fabric. Replace the chandy with an updated one and the room will feel better already. If you can't replace the carpet (it's not that bad) I'd put an area rug in the living room to anchor the sitting area (and break up the blue). A rug with some orange in it would be nice...and a bit of orange/blue in the dining chair fabric (graphic pattern perhaps) would be pretty.

These pieces are special, there's just so much of it, and yes, it's not the style I'm familiar with or tend to favor-- I guess rustic modern would describe me more accurately...black, white, shades of gray and neutrals with lots of texture and a few pops of color and I'm happy. Trying to edit what to use and where to put it, AND make it more modern and fun is what has me stumped.

Here are a few more pics of a couple of tables that were also in the living room (and one large, low square table not pictured is out in the garage). The orange chair doesn't have any model number stamped anywhere I can see, but the wood and shape is identical to the other pieces in the set. She also has a couple Drexel dressers, mirrors, and a headboard we are using in the master bedroom.

The clock was custom made for her and would not sell for much, so I would rather give it away to a family member that voiced an interest. It doesn't go with anything nor appeal to me.

You could probably get a good price for the furniture that you aren't using. I don't know how much you have, but consider contacting Treadway Gallery in Chicago. 513-321-6742. They periodically advertise for consignments. Look at the end part of their current catalog to see some of the same furniture that you have.

And you have non of your pieces that you might bring into the space (from your former residence?)
An Eclectic mix might work with the right pieces. Look up Mid Century Modern rooms or decor on Pinterest and Google to get an idea for the decor.

Sorry to hear of your MIL passing but she had great taste. There is a total Mad Men feel to the room. I love the drapes and most of the furniture and even (dare I say it the rug). To create more space though I would probably turn the dining table so that it is lengthwise under those three paintings. I would get the hutch outta there and probably put it in a kitchen or (if you have the space) a pantry area where it could serve as a staging area for food, cuttlery, glasses and such. Then the rest of the room would be used to make a really nice seating area.

Get a long MCM table or console to serve as a room divider and run it between the table and the large window then either find a nice low sofa (ala) Mitchell Gold/Bob Williams and thensee if you can find a twin to the orange chair (which I love but can never remember the designer of) and put the queene anne in a bedroom with new re-upholstry. A small coffee table and side accent tables in between the chairs make a nice landing place.

I am not in love with the color you chose for the wall and would have gone much brighter. To make the blue rug pop. If you have $$ down the road you should consider refinishing the floor but I also am a huge fan of area rugs so maybe even if the floors get done you can find a rug with a graphic pattern. The Grandfather clock needs to have a commanding location somewhere else in the house. If it does not work you can repair them (but it can be hella expensive). Get some art groupings and change that chandelier (ie, remove it) and add some low voltage lighting and great lamps and you are on your way. Dont forget pillows too. If money is a problem stores like Target, HomeGoods, 1stdibs.com, craigs list offer some wonderful pieces you can upgrade or alter to make that the place to be.

I would turn the dining set the other direction, move the hutch to the dining room, & float a sofa, mid-sofa or loveseat between the 2 rooms. I'd bring the 2 chairs closer in with a table between them. You could possible paint or resurface the existing tables. You could definitely change the dining seat fabric and give it a whole different look with something fun and bright. The chandelier should be replaced for a more sleek design. The art could be a little more modern. Good luck!

I have not seen any comments about it, but I think the gray walls are ok, but could add some punch of color with eather one large colorful painting in the dining room, instead of the three pictures, or paint that wall a differnt color, like bright yellow. An interesting piece of metal art could be hung on the wall there, but think big! I agree that the chairs should be recovered in orange. The table is good too. I'd get rid of the hutch and buffet, and go for a more eclectic look. Why not a black buffet in either something simple, and wider, maybe even Asian inspired? Change out the blue carptet, boring, and opt for two rugs, possibly orientals in some bright colors. You can never go wrong! I think everything else would mix, and you might try repurposing your other room. What do you want it to be? A lounge area could be nice. Why not mix in some rattan or wicker? There are some very modern styles of this, that would go with what you already have. I agree that the chandelier in the dining room needs to be changed. Don't go for trendy, go for tiimess, but coo!!

Is there going to be a TV in the room, or is this just a sitting/dining room? Just thinking that might make a difference in how you place things. Do you need the sheers at the windows for privacy or light control, or can you lose them? Just that would give you a cleaner, more current contemporary feel.
Can the buffet and hutch portions be separated? You would then have a nice console, and possible bookcase with doors for use in another room.

OR -- here is a possibliity -- when replacing your chandelier, look for one that can be swagged over, so that you can recenter the dining table and give yourself enough space to put that big buffet/hutch on that wall.

OMGosh - do YOU realize what you have here - where IS the rest of the furniture? I hope you did NOT get rid of it? This IS so classic mid-century - I love this, while not my style these pieces are worth BIG BUCKS! AND I can certainly appreciate their intrinsic value.

Agree with folks - hutch into DR - turn the table around - and for now, since you are slugging through - what about something really simple like just getting TWO large natural fiber rugs with binding - to define the separate spaces - just lay over the carpet - AFTER you have checked for flooring?

Can you send us a picture of one of the sofas or love seats? What about the buffet from the DR - into the wall where the hutch is, hang picts above this - loose the wing-backed chair and the teeny mirror? Pictures are beautiful.

ON the wall where you will put the hutch - what about cutting away a tiny piece of carpet next to wall and see if you have hardwoods? Then cover back up with hutch? The Hutch definately goes with that group.

Personally I would NOT touch ANY fabric on ANY of the pieces until you can have someone come and look at it - it might be worth more than you think. Orginal fabric is often the ONE thing collectors like - if you need to end up selling anything down the road. It IS defining. Unless you ARE going to keep everything.

Whatever else is on the big wall in the LR - lose it - put it away. So not needed in there.

I just looked at the other chairs - Honey please don't get rid of anything here. Go to a Specialty store - that deals with this type furniture and get a good OIL for this. Very important - like a scandanavian store - this WAS all the RAGE - and you ARE sitting on a gold mine here.

the first thing I would get rid of is the DR light fixture - Go through THiS site and find some examples of mid-century modern and see if you find one you like - OR study the fixtures for Mid-century on something like Rejuvenation Hardware - they have lighting fixtures by period, and group, and you will be able to see what works. Then I would suggest you find a huge flea market, antique mall, etc. - Maybe trade a couple of the pieces you do NOT like - for a fixture? this might help you with Bucks for now? AND there are a lot of cheaper reproduction pieces which will fit in this room. What about some fun lamps - with period bases? Again - consignemnt stores, good will, salvation army - sadly folks give away these things - and have NO sense of their value.

Most of these types of furniture groupings where used with highly textured rugs - like white! However, for now, given your $$$ situation - just try getting some large Berber type rugs for each area.

After you have studied some pics - why don't you post some you like.

thank you so MUCH for sharing - what a treasure trove and a blessing to have this beautiful furniture - again - can you POST the sofa? Love seat, etc. And dont forget to lose the wingbacked chair - it is hoplessly lost in this space. And truly out of place.

Please - let us know.
AND BTW - GREAT choice for wall color - is fabulous choice.

Hmmmmmmm about the table & hutch - is probably why she had it like that - what a deliema?

Is there an upstairs to this home - or all one level? Can the grandfather clock go someplace else - the you could place the littlle buffet chest in its place or put along the hall wall opposite the DR table. I do llike the idea of the SOFA separating the rooms - this would be nice idea.

While I think we all love the Hutch - IF it does not fit in the space - then perhaps you could sell that piece and use the money for drapes or whatever? I would however keep the small chest as you can use this in the LR for another purpose - like along the wall front where the clock is with a lamp, etc.?

ARE you keeping the grandfather clock - could you sell this piece in a consignment store - or is your husband attached to this piece? I am pretty sure you could get a rather large chunk of $$$ for both of those pieces. AT least $1500 for the hutch - the clock if it is an antique - not sure, or an upscale furniture piece. Sell it on E-bay? For bid - you will get more if if good working condition.

Just my thoughts here. Good luck and let us know.

Thanks for all your great suggestions & help, I so much appreciate it!

After looking over pictures here and on other sites, along with your wonderful advice given, I have a clearer view of what will work better for these two rooms. I don't know if the wall color will stay or not--easy enough to change--but the first things I will do is rearrange a few pieces, eliminate a few: clock, chandelier & Queen Ann chair, and add some elements: rugs, artwork, sofa, etc. The love seat that was originally in this room was out of place and was given away (no recovering was going to help it!). This room will be for sitting/dining only--no TV. Floor under rug is concrete.

I have all the pieces to this set and don't plan on parting with it any time soon. My MIL was the original owner and took exceptional care with it. She did have the chairs recovered at some point. The hutch and the large square table (coffee/end table?) out in the garage are the only two pieces I'm not particularly crazy about. Maybe when I'm done with everything, I'll have a clearer idea of what to do with them. She did have an appreciation for nice, quirky things--we are very lucky!

Last couple of pics: a bookcase I forgot also with the set, and a couple of lamps that might work into the scheme (change out the shades).

Drexel is excellent quality furniture; but, I am sure you know that. Sometimes you can make a hohum dining room suit look better by adding different chairs such as parsons chairs in upholstered or leather. The chairs don't have to have wood on them -sometimes it is just too much wood and monotonous.

Don't forget the Drexel name if you ever purchase a sofa. They are so comfortable and come in so many styles. You can select your style and they have a lot of fabrics to choose from so you can customize them. If you order from somewhere in North Carolina, they usually discount and ship. Grindstaffs in Forest City NC is where I got mine. Lots of people actually travel to NC to view furniture because so many of the quality furniture lines that are still made in the US are made there. My formal living room sofa was actually the go to place to study and my son used to sleep there when he had insomnia (b/c of the comfort) Red mud on white upholstery (courtesy of a dog) was no problem either - it easily came out. \

I live in NC and agree, there is a lot of good stuff you can get discounted. We also have some amazing consignment shops. Don't know if you have any where you are, but they are a godsend here. Look at the website for Furnitureland South http://www.furniturelandsouth.com/ for sofa ideas. If you ever come, know what you are looking for and accept the help of the guide offered to you, because you could wander between buildings and floors forever on your own, and never understand clearly what the price actually is...

Back to your room and stuff...I love that bookcase. (And those lamps! Wow!) You might be able to float it behind a floated sofa, like a console table. I was also thinking of that as an option for the bottom buffet part of the hutch, assuming it was separate-able. That would maybe give you room to keep the light fixture where it is currently hung from the ceiling and have clearance along the far wall, which could then be given a really graphic wallpaper or paint treatment, or at least be painted in a different color.

OH GOSH - I would definitely keep the tall natural look shade on the wooden lamp - those are irreplaceable. wonderful! Glad we could all help.

And looking again at your pics (it really helps to have so many views) Forget my comments about putting anything behind a floated sofa...I don't think there is room. What fun you are going to have making these rooms fit your lifestyle better. It is nice to have so much good stuff to play with.

And looking again at your pics (it really helps to have so many views) Forget my comments about putting anything behind a floated sofa...I don't think there is room. What fun you are going to have making these rooms fit your lifestyle better. It is nice to have so much good stuff to play with.

And looking again at your pics (it really helps to have so many views) Forget my comments about putting anything behind a floated sofa...I don't think there is room. What fun you are going to have making these rooms fit your lifestyle better. It is nice to have so much good stuff to play with.

Your floors could be stained and polished, although concrete can be fIne the way it is if the rugs are interesting. Consignment shops or Craigslist could help you find a couple of oriental rugs. Less expensive rugs might be the tribal variety of oriental. They still have a lot of color. Gray walls and gray floors are too boring. I think once you have the proper rugs, anything in your space will look instantly better! Good luck!

It may help you decide what to keep if you rate the furniture A,B, C, D and F. A and B are keepers. C is okay if needed. D and F can go. Don't try to work around C's, D's and F's. The two pieces you don't like happen to match: the square table and the china hutch. Can you sell them as a set on consignment?

The drapery style is very typical of the late 1950's and 1960's. The lines are clean and angular but with softness added by the volume of the pleats. I'd put them way down on the priority list for changing out.

It's easier to see the potential if you remove all the decorative objects such as mirrors, plants, wall shelves , bric a brac and paintings. Take all that out for a few weeks, along with the grandfather clock and the Queen Anne chair. Some family member may want those.

really I love it ALL except for the 80's looking pieces which i would just toss. The lamps just need new shades. I love the carpet why more than that tile I keep seeing.

IMO the drapes are decent to high quality. They could be reused with modern hardware. Regardless, I wouldnt throw them away. You could use them elsewhere, have them re sewn but most importantly that could be a lot of quality fabric that would be great to have on hand for projects.

If you add a modern chandlier, modern fabrics and a modern sofa the room could look very expensive. I love mid century and danish modern but IMO most people go to heavy with and rooms look too themey or like sets.

dining table is fab--i just spent $1000's on a custom one that is very similar. i think it is very transitional with its clean lines!!! ditch the hutch and chandelier. try maybe--
pulaski hutch/console--it is very narrow
and pair with this murray feiss chandelier.

If you decide to change the dining room chair fabric, number the bottom of each seat and the chair before taking the seats off. Sometimes a screw will be 1/8 inch different in location from chair to chair. I did it the hard way...
The lampshade on the wood lamp almost looks like birch bark in the photo. I would keep it and vacuum it carefully and thoroughly.

fabulous danish sideboard http://fab.com/sale/19275/product/359423/

Great sideboard available here https://vintagebydounia.myshopify.com/collections/furniture/products/danish-teak-dresser