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heather_philips

Please help me design a chic vintage living room!

11 years ago


Hello first post here. This is my first place. I'm 23 and a single mom. I rented this house because I loved the open living room and old vintage accents such as the hardwood floor and crisp white paint and PLENTY of windows. I am trying to design around a vintage chic look. But as soon as I started adding furniture my living room got pretty dull,colorless and boring fast. I'm in the process of adding white flowy curtains hanging from clips on a polished bronze rod. I also want to add an accent chair and an industrial Rod floor lamp with vintage bulbs. However that will still make my living room super boring. I really like the way the couches are put now..its amost like a theatre. I have PLENTY of space for artwork behind my couch but I just don't know what art to put there. I like chic vintage , old medical, weird and whimsical. I also want to know where I should put accent furniture. There is so much potential here and this is supposed to be fun but I'm at a loss.



Comments (13)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I think your window treatments will make a big difference. I am not that fond of the TV hanging from the wall. Look for a vintage dresser at a consignment shop or antique store. Use it as is or paint - I hear good things about milk paint for this kind of project.Use the dresser as a TV stand. The one in the pic is a little big. pic from Vintage Country Style blog

    Some ideas for wall decor - floating shelves with pics of your little one, mismatched china, pewter trays, vintage window frames, botanical art - see pic. Blogs on vintage decor have lots of ideas.

  • 11 years ago
    Your couches are suited to comfy viewing but not so much for conversation. It appears the entry is directly from outside into this space. I think with minimal adjustment and additional pieces you'll be able to make the space welcoming and functional.
    First buy a bench to sit under the window next to the door- place a simple runner sideways - in front of the door and bench - place your coat stand in the corner between the 2 windows - voila - you have virtual foyer,
    Next move the love seat to the end of the carpet creating a L-shape with the main sofa. You'll still have space to pass through the room/ still have good viewing plus have conversational setting. Place the current coffee table in front of the small couch to maintain the best flow.
    Under the TV needs a bookshelf or credenza for media storage and balance. Add colour from the pattern in your carpet ( can't see it well enough) but maybe it has deep rose/ vibrant blue or celery green - for throws and a couple of large pillows.
    Also If possible, shift the table to the opposite side of the kitchen entry or at least pull it off the wall a bit - maybe diagonally - that's a good thing to play with. I was thinking another vintage bookshelf or small china cabinet could sit under the pass through to act as dish storage and a buffet if your entertaining.
    I've only suggested 3 pieces of furniture (bench, credenza & buffet) which could be a lot of fun searching for at thrift stores or garage sales or even online. Be on the lookout for pieces that might look great painted. It's fun to pick up something that's been well loved (rough shape) and transform it with a bold gloss paint. Make sure second hand furniture pieces are sturdy and nicks and dings won't matter.
    Heather Philips thanked potter99
  • 11 years ago

    A nice window treatment that will give "oomph" to your windows and white flowing curtains are faux wicker or natural wood roller blinds that can be purchased inexpensively from Blinds to Go or an equivalent store. They will add texture and interest to the white woodwork and white curtains, plus privacy.

  • 11 years ago
    Any updates Heather? I'd love to see some of your changes, because I absolutely love this space!!
  • 11 years ago
    I have updated it :) I took some advice like adding curtains and moving my couches and coat rack
  • 11 years ago
    I have updated it :) I took some advice like adding curtains and moving my couches and coat rack
  • 11 years ago
    Cuuuuuuuuuuute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    One last thing...you can replace that folding dinner tray with a quick IKEA hack. If you're thrifty like I am, you can get this cube shelving for $51 (currently on sale) and then hack to your liking. I saw that pretty eggshell blue coat and thought of you when I saw the painted shelving. Whatcha think?

    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00275848/

    http://www.joliplace.com/diy-customiser-une-etagere-expedit-ikea/
  • 11 years ago

    Love it. What's the color on your walls?

  • 11 years ago
    I actually am planning on getting a vintage dresser to put below the TV and modifying it to hold DVD players my computer and remotes. im going to make sure it follows the rest if the theme.
  • 11 years ago
    Awesome!!!
  • 11 years ago
    the colors on the wall is actually an off white not exactly sure
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