Need Help with the living room before I do something wrong....

rvg2000

14 years ago

I want to make my living room more cozy and beautiful. The house came with dull wall color which I am not really fond of. I have always imagined my room in Taupe with some accent wall to give it some characteristics. The room has windows with white plantation shutter on all 4 walls and very high ceilings. I have dark leather sofas, deep red Persian carpet, wooden floors and a settee which my hubby doesn't want to get rid of as it came with the house ;(
Since the walls are too high i will have to go for custom drapes. The color scheme of the drapes suggested my the maker are deep red and Gold.(2 different panels and swags also in Gold and Red).
Can someone please help me decide if this is the right approach or should I change the wall colors to make the room look good. What color scheme you would suggest. My entire house has this ivory color same as living room except my kids room which i got redone in Pink and Green.
I don't know how should i decorate this room?

Featured Answer

charleee

14 years ago

The first thing that strikes me is given the height and sheer size of the room, the accessories are too small and out of proportion. The settee, is that the gold thing opposite the sofa? Eeew. I would want to put the love seat facing the sofa, with a large (maybe glass) coffee table between them.

Much larger floor lamps; larger accessories on the mantel, and a wider painting.

Red and gold for the drapes would never be my first choice, I would go with a linen color.

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Comments (25)

rvg2000
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Bobbi. .. i forgot to mention that I have a 3 yr old kid so when we bought the furniture, it was either wood or leather as my hubby gets paranoid with kid and glass at the same place ;) I share your feelings for the settee and not sure where else can I place it.. .
Bigger accessories is definitely a good idea.. but its always too hard to find.. Any ideas where can I find them in LA?
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silverscreenstar
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
Try Joss & Main or Wayfair, both online. Both sites have some great deals on accessories, from time to time.
charleee
14 years ago
Ok, I totally understand your husbands concern and it's a good one. LA as in Los Angeles, or Louisiana? I'm thnking online is your best bet and most places offer free shipping these days. For the floor lamps, I kind of like this one, it has substance and is height adjustable: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1v/R-203191313/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=floor+lamp&storeId=10051

Perhaps the settee can go at the foot of someone's bed, that's kind of what it looks like to me.
rvg2000
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks all. Bobbi I liked the lamp. My current lamps have a height of 55'' so 67' of these lamps can definitely add some height.
Silverscreenstar- I am checking the websites you mentioned . Unfortunately, I can't see many BIG decor pieces in there. What looks huge in stores looks draft with these high ceilings. Can you pls
guide my what should be my wall colors??
charleee
14 years ago
Your wall color will depend in part on your window coverings. If you go with the red and gold, grey walls would be my recommendation. If you keep your current coverings or go with a linen color, you should do beige walls.
PRO
Stanton Designs-online design services
14 years ago
A way to warm up a room is to paint. White gives off a cold feeling. Do you need drapes? What kind of drapes where you thinking? with all those windows it might be too much fabric. I love the look of the white shutters. If you were to paint your room that deep red that will instantly warm up the space. With that said...your picture above your fireplace might feel a little out of fit. I would use table lamps instead of floor lamp because of the height of your room. The floor lamps get lost. As far as accessories, group your candles on the fireplace...again because of scale and add a couple more accessories to the mantel.
User
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
Terrific room.

I love your Persian carpet, sofa and love seat, and fireplace.

I would put the two lamps on the mantle and remove the three candles[?].

No drapes! Unneeded dust catchers.

Since your husband likes the settee, give it to him for the garage.

How about one wall - the fireplace wall - done in a deep red or another color in the rug?
charleee
14 years ago
Aja - the garage!!!
Crystal Shepherd
14 years ago
I would paint the walls the dark blue color that's in your rug. Or maybe just the fireplace wall,do the rest a warm cream color(kind of goldish,not brown).I agree with putting the lamps on the mantle,then get a statement piece of art OR a HUGE mirror.Definitely need some different pillows,something with color.Maybe you can paint the sette a different color,have the cushions redone,and put it somewhere to set up a reading nook for your child(outside that room!).Maybe you can put curtains on all the lower windows??? That may look good,make sure they coordinate with the accent color.
rvg2000
Original Author
14 years ago
Do you all agree that I should do the walls first and then do the drapes which is a costly affair considering I will have to go custom and ceilings are pretty high. Also, chances of going wrong with drapes is much higher then going wrong with walls. I am thinking of coloring the mantle wall in Deep red color that matches the rug and doing the walls in Light taupe. That would give the room instant color and character. I do agree I need to change the cushions. I was waiting to see what drapes I am going with and match them accordingly.
Manon Floreat
14 years ago
I like your idea of a deep red accent wall on the fireplace wall with a warm tan on the remaining walls. The owners of this space chose to go more in a yellow direction for the other walls, but I think it shows the effect nicely.

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I'd consider curtains a shade lighter than the wall color for the fireplace windows and the windows behind the loveseat. A soft velvet would be classic and cozy looking. I'd leave the windows behind the settee as they are with only the shutters.

The settee is not that bad - all it needs is for the cushions to be recovered. Perhaps something in red to pick up the accent wall and tan to relate to the drapes, like this one for Lewis and Sheron:
PRO
karen paul interiors
14 years ago
I would love it if you could give us more pictures of the room in its entirety along with adjacent rooms, so we can better understand what else you have done in the other areas. The reason I say this is that your room is a prime candidate for lots of color on all the walls. It appears you have good light in this room, which is always a bonus. Also, how and when will this room be used? You always need to know what time of day it needs to be its best. I am assuming it is a living room which is separate from a family room? Also, I would love a close up of your oriental rug (for actual colors). I agree with some of the posters about scale, etc., but I believe the information you receive from Houzzers is only as good as the amount of information they have from you. At the moment, I see absolutely no need to dress the windows, since you already have the shutters. There are many ways in which to warm up a room that does not require draperies.
michigammemom
14 years ago
Your arched windows and plantation shutters are the strongest element in the room, but they get lost with the bland wall color. Notice how the white window trims stand out in this example where the walls are painted Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray. I also suggest a change in the art above your fireplace. The tropical theme and colors are not in keeping with the classic leather sofas and Persian rug.
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Natalie
14 years ago
Hi---more photos would be helpful---but, from what I see and what I've read, I strongly urge you NOT to get red and gold drapes. Keep them neutral. If you want color, paint the walls. For a space such as this with all the breaks (windows, fp, etc.) I recommend doing an accent wall color on the wall of the fp, then
painting the remaining walls1- 2 shades lighter of the SAME color. Think Monochromatic for this space. Suggested colors: SW 7067 Cityscape for fp- walls-SW7066 Gray Matters or SW 7065 Argos...
Second combo: SW 7018 Dovetail for fp-walls-SW 7017 Dorian Gray or SW7016 Mindful Gray.
All the colors have a warm green undertone. Pick up the color charts and see how they look with your furnishings. Different art for the fireplace is an absolute must. That piece does not relate to anything in your room-something interesting-landscape or even figurative could work-attaching examples...
Good Luck!
http://www.art.com/products/p10795798433-sa-i6097775/cristina-carra-caso-exalted-father.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=444492&dimvals=444492&ui=512b921f38c2473bb64d13ecc75a2194&ssk=digital+collage+(trigger+images)
http://www.art.com/products/p9638179260-sa-i5504965/charlie-bowater-gravity.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=5264925&ui=512b921f38c2473bb64d13ecc75a2194
charleee
14 years ago
Natalie, I totally agree with you on the red and gold drapes, unless you live in the south and look like Scarlett O'Hara!
rvg2000
Original Author
14 years ago
Love your all of your suggestions. Thank you soooooo much. I will send a close up of my Rug and the Foyer once I am home. At work right now :) And I totally agree I don't like the art myself.. again my husband's choice cause he loves ocean aweeeww.... and it is soooo hard to find huge art pieces.This art piece is Huge but the sheer size of the walls makes everything looks so tiny.
Purpose of the room- This room is seperate from our family room and is seldom used.
Natalie- Is gray the only option? I am kinda not inclined towards Gray walls with brown furniture. I think it looks great with White furniture.
mrswolf
14 years ago
Windows dressings are definitely a personal choice. I've had Chris Madden deep red chenille curtains for a couple of years now (both with blinds and plantation shutters) and love them with a warm beige wall. The sofa in the room is beige as well. I've accented with colors like pumpkin spice, deep moss green, crimson reds and creams and browns. All have looked fantastic. If you want curtains to soften the space, maybe treat each trio of windows as one window so the architecture will show but it would still be framed by the warmth of the curtains. Definitely put some color on the walls to pop the white or cream of the windows and stay with a solid color drape. Find yourself something larger for above the fireplace so it commands the space, but don't clutter it. Trial and error until you find what you like. You have to live with it. :)
User
14 years ago
with a rich paint color on the walls, the plantation shutters are all of the window coverings you will need. drapery will just muddle the room and make any other furnishings and accessories look small and unrelated. Your persian rug is the grounder for the room.....exploit the colors in it!
Natalie
14 years ago
Hi again..
Is gray the only option? No; but I think it's the best option. Why? You have to balance the colors in this space. Your FP and floors are warm, your furnishing are both warm/cool---a background color of gray (warm, medium value) will create depth and look fabulous-promise... Do keep in mind that your room is going to have lots of fabric for the window treatments---very little wall exposed on the lower half of the room.
If you get a chance, stop by Sherwin Williams on your way home from work and pick up the samples I suggested and a few in the taupe range if the gray is a concern.
Looking forward to more photos...
Hope this is helpful and I'm glad you like what I proposed. Thanks!
Natalie
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
Sorry to disagree with some of the comments, but I think window treatments are a must in the space. Your windows are not all the same-drapes will give more symmetry. In addition, there are lots of hard edges, leather furniture, and hardwood floors-you need fabric... You mentioned "cozy" and "beautiful" and drapes will give you that... Here are some pics of window treatments. The first 2 photos show a medium value wall color with a light window panel. Notice how the wall seems to recede? That is the look I'm talking about... Much cozier than the bottom pic-at least I think so... :)
[houzz=
Master bedroom · More Info
][houzz=
Two story window treatment · More Info
][houzz=
Modern Villa - Breakfast Dining · More Info
]
andreayoungc
14 years ago
check out art.com they have all kinds of art topics and picture sizes to choose from and you can can pick the frame and mat too.
rvg2000
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi All... Here are some pics of my entrance which has marble flooring and that leads up to the living room and my Dining room. Please send me your favorite taupe wall color ideas. I think I will mix it with a red accent wall (Fire place) for the living room. Still looking for wall color for the dining area. I want to have another accent wall here(wall with painting). Can I have 2 red accent walls in a house?
rvg2000
Original Author
14 years ago
One more pic of other side of the dining area. Surprisingly all paintings looks so small in these pics..This one ain't that small and fits the wall perfectly. This door is in the dining area and opens to the garden. Do you think I need any drapes here?
PRO
Drury House Designs, LLC
9 years ago
I think room needs some softness on the walls. All the plantation shutters give it a "hard" look. Cozy up with texture as well. Baskets, blankets, etc. A soft taupe would look nice...