I would like a black shade to bring in the contemporary more plus I think a patterned shade competes too much with the table below. Very interesting mix of items!!!!

Okay, I have to eat dinner right now...family starving! :-) But, I just wanna say you cannot ditch the orange table.

Be back later...

I like the lamp and think you are on the right track with the circles. I also like picking up the colors in the artwork, but I might like to see the blue of the table lamp worked into the shade somehow. I also like two colors relatively close, kind of tne on tone, so that the pattern doesnt scream at you.

I also think that a dark metal would look nicer with the black steel of the coffee table and or potential parsons table. The bright chrome just cathes my eye more than I want it to.

I think that multiple red chairs might be overwhelming. Stick with the little orange table. (Oh, did I already say that?)

Hee hee - in my last thread, Amy, you instructed me to buy the orange table IMMEDIATELY. Glad to see you haven't changed your mind. ;-)

Agree about doing a more tone-on-tone kind of thing with the shade, and also about the bright chrome of the lamp. Unfortunately, that's the only finish that lamp comes in, and I've had a heck of a time identifying a bronze or other dark lamp with a hanging shade. There are lots of arc lamps available, but most of them have much too far a "reach" than will work for me! The other thing I could do is a "swing" lamp where the shade faces up... Note that this will be the primary lighting in the room - since it's central, it's the lamp I go to first to turn on, and sometimes the only lamp I turn on. So functionally I liked this lamp because it takes two 100w bulbs with a three-way switch, and the switch is located on the stem of the lamp (rather than on the floor, like most floor lamps these days) so it's easy to access.

Hmmm... maybe a swing lamp will work better.

As for the chairs... brown leather chairs??? (I like the idea of leather since wood chairs would be too much wood in the room, and upholstered chairs would gather too much cat hair. Fur can brush right off of leather chairs, and I'm not so worried about scratches for dining chairs that tuck under a table...)

I wonder if I can match up the color of the blue-green lamp to the lamp shade...

Uh oh. I'm showing signs off ADD here. ;-)

I'm so rude! I forgot to say thank you!

THANK YOU, threedgrad and Amy, for replying!!! ;-)

Charlikin, I like what you're pulling together! Can't wait to see pictures with your new end tables, lamps, etc.

As far as the lamp goes, if this style is the one that works best for you but only comes in the silver finish, could you paint the base? I've seen people do some wonderful things with a can of ORB spray paint.

I know you weren't crazy about upholstered chairs with your cats, but what about slipcovers that you could toss in the wash? Some additional fabric would help soften the room, I think.

I don't remember if you said you were replacing your dining table or keeping it. If keeping it, have you considered painting it? A darker color might tie into your new end table and coffee table better.

Again, I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures once you get the rest of your new items. I especially love the orange end table and the soft blue lamp--so pretty!

Okay, well that's a whole lotta function in the lamp. I know you probably researched this to death, so I say okay to the chrome. Maybe a few hits of chrome here and there across the room to balance... As for matching the color to the table lamp...I see there are infinite color choices. You could get the lamp and then get the RGB info and do the match that way. I have to confess, I don't actually know how to manage that computer/technical part of color. (Funcolors could probably help.)

I don't know about cat hair, but I can tell you that microsuede holds up well to kids. It might be a reasonable compromise...the practicality of leather with the softness (and potential for a bazillion colors) of fabric. Or, there is Crypton, which is kinda pricey, but comes in some great contemporary prints. Or Sunbrella style fabrics for indoors. All this implies custom, of course. But, depending on what you're after (parson's chairs?) it could be done.

WOAHHHH... I just scrolled back up to see what you said about chairs. What about your chairs? Would you consider keeping them? They are the most comfortable things on the planet! I love that the low backs don't take up much visual space in the room. You would have a world of fabrics to choose from if you recovered the existing chairs. So much fun! And then there is the chrome to balance the light fixture. Not to mention the money you could save spent on something else. And your friends and neighbors would think you're terribly clever to incorporate what you already own in such a stylish manner... ;-)

I don't remember if you discussed chairs in another thread. Perhaps you don't like those chairs and can't wait to have something new. But, I see potential for them, depending on your tolerance and their condition. If you don't want them, I'll be right down...

Credomk - I can't wait to see it all come together too!!! I'm starting to be able to see it a little in my head, which is good. For a while there, I was in despair that it would NEVER turn into a coherent room!!!

As for spray-painting the lamp base - I have very few skills in that department. I don't think I would try it... Looking again at lamps with dark frames to see if there's something that would work. The silver finish really isn't my thing (even though my wall fixtures are polished nickel!)

Amy, don't we all research everything to death? Isn't that what we do on this forum? LOL!

OMG, the chairs. Unfortunately, I've only got two of them right now. (There used to be more, but...well, long story.) I do like the curved frame instead of legs - easier to slide them in and out on this thick carpet. But these kinds of frames seem to be out of style now - might have to hunt around.

I guess that style would need a more contemporary style table? I do want to replace the current table - it's a formica top that looks like walnut - good kitchen table, but not what I want for my LR. Plus it has very traditional turned legs. I saw a nice-looking CHEAP pedestal table ($300!!!), but it's a little traditional - can you do that with very modern-looking chairs???

Microfiber chairs? Well, I got a microfiber sofa and easy chair. Guess I can consider it... Haven't heard of those other fabrics, but the word "custom" scares me, cost-wise. ;-)

I know you probably researched this to death... You do know I meant this in the nicest way possible! ;-)

Okay, enough microfiber. I wasn't thinking... Your chairs are still out there. You might be able to find some that are close enough and then "match them up" with new fabric. Google Breuer chairs or look on eBay for chrome chairs.

The amount of fabric and labor needed to reupholster those chairs would be small enough that the word custom shouldn't frighten you.

Most of the things I have had reupholstered over the years have been second hand pieces or hand-me-downs, so they were cheaper to begin with. I like to find old and solidly built furniture, at rock-bottom prices or even free (I have a couple curbside chairs) and then have some fun picking fabric. You end up paying about what you'd spend for new but probably not as well made, and with far less choice in fabrics. The end result is of greater value on multiple levels.

I would not paint the lamp base. But, that's just me.

I research *everything* to death. No offense taken. LOL!

THANK YOU so much for reminding me what the *name* of those chairs is!!! Breuer chairs!!! Right! Funny how they never came up under my "tubular chair" and "sled chair" searches. So I googled "breuer" chairs, and most of them are the classic with cane seats and backs, but I found a "make your own chair" site that has a small (very small) fabric selection. Lots of vinyl though - I think these chairs are usually used for diners. (Have to admit, I'm intrigued by the concept of getting non-matching seats & backs, but maybe in another lifetime. ;-))

Make Your Own Breuer Chair

You can also buy just the frames. Would a furniture reupholsterer be able to make me seats & backs? I've never done this before. OMG, the idea of choosing a fabric from among the zillions available - you may have to come to the city, Amy, and help me with this. ;-) (I kind of think picking up the blue-green of the table lamp on the other side of the sofa would be cool...)

Very intrigued.

Charlikin - I remember your room! I haven't been on board as much recently, so missed your post until now. I'm with Amy - buy the orange table! No more procrastination: do it, do it, do it! (I just love the free expression of ideas on this board!). And where is the area rug in this collage?

Hi gwbr!!! Good to see you again!!

Yes, the orange table is definitely IN. I'm ordering it this weekend. Along with the West Elm nesting coffee table and the R&B parsons end table. And the greenish blue table lamp. (Not sure which floor lamp yet.)

Oh, and the red leather ottoman for the entryway, next to the bookcases.

It's going to be an expensive weekend. :-)

Ah, area rug!!! Yes, yes. Want to get all the other things in before I decide on the rug. One of the things I've discovered about myself is that I have very poor visualization skills, so I need to buy things one at a time, get used to them together, and then add the next layer. The rug will come... by about 2015!!! LOL!