The sectional is 72"deep x 108"long...........What is the size of the room?

Note that Beverly pulled the sectional away from the wall and window. Believe it or not, this will give the illusion that your room is more spacious. Your TV stand is too small. It should be 25% wider than the TV. I'd eliminate the coffee table and move the gun cabinet to another wall, possibly one we can't see.

You're welcome!

Hi There:

Definitely "go bigger!" with area rug. I am thinking you're right when you say an ivory shag rug is too plain. Your sectional is a solid colour, your floors are, for all intents and purposes, a solid colour, your walls are monochromatic, so why not jazz things up a bit with a rug sporting more than one colour? Too, because the room and furniture pieces contained in it essentially read as "right angles," i.e., very linear, seriously consider an area rug that has a curvilinear, NOT geometric pattern. Think: curvy, organic shapes, even a big floral pattern that looks modern or traditional, but either way should be fun. Also, what colours (I reckon that's "colors, south of the border. Sorry about that! :)) do you absolutely love? Think of a couple or few such colours and be bold - go for something a bit snappy, something with some real life to it! An inspired rug will really anchor your room and make a positive statement. Then, you could, for very little capital outlay, buy some coordinating throw cushions, art for the walls, a brightly coloured cozy throw, etc.

The long wall where your existing TV stand is situated could have an entire wall unit along it. It's probably obvious to you that your current TV stand is virtually lost and dwarfed. To help you decide on what to put in its place, just look at the scale of your TV stand compared with the scale of your long wall and your generous (very comfortable looking!) sectional on the opposite wall.

If budgetary constraints are firmly in place (I personally soooo relate to this!) you could devise a tall wall unit made from, let's say, Shaker style kitchen cabinetry. There are some great bargains out there, especially at big box stores! You could possibly buy them painted in a mushroom (think a creamy, vintage white - which I know Kraftmaid Cabinets has an excellent paint colour example of). You could "build" your own customized wall unit by marrying together whatever kitchen cabinets you would like. Of course, while more work, you could paint the cabinets yourself; that said, most unpainted wooden cabinetry comes with a clear coat on it, so there'd be sanding involved in order to prep for paint adhesion.

To make the cabinets "read" as less intended for a kitchen setting, you could put legs on the base cabinets (so much selection here: bun feet; more retro and slanted tapered wooden or stainless {even stainless wrapped, or you could simply paint wooden tapered legs to appear to be s/s]; cabriole legs, etc. Boosting up the base cabinets would help offset the heavier, i.e., to the floor, orientation of your sectional.

You could even incorporate a computer station in your run of base cabinets. Just make sure you allow for the proper sitting height and leg room. If you wanted, you could clad your work station desk top in a piece of granite, or some other stone that catches your eye. For such a small surface area, you could buy it for a virtual song! Whether you go with a wooden or - a wood - with stone topped surface - it's a great idea to have a pre-cut (approx. 2") hole drilled near the back (and likely oriented to the righthand side) to accommodate power cords. You can buy a rubber grommet for the hole which creates a nicer, more finished look. Don't forget about incorporating task lighting into this work station. You can choose a task light that's a table lamp (yet another means of adding character to your room) or you could go with wall sconces (be careful when choosing scale of), or even puck lights (IKEA regularly has some good ones' on offer).

If wall sconces are what you like, maybe consider two of them with accordion arms in a rubbed bronze finish; again, shop around, look online, and you'll be able to snap them up at a great price point! Oh, also, make sure you stay away from halogen lights for this application. Halogen lights are for ambience, but make lousy task lights. This is because their spectrum is tiring to the eyes when reading, cooking, using the computer, etc.

Then, for your upper cabinets, you could go various ways. You could choose really tall ones that land directly (i.e., sit directly) on top of your base cabinets. Should you go with this option, then you would likely want to get a bigger granite (or other natural stone, or even a nice plastic laminate c/top) that would be continuous, i.e., for the full running length of your wall unit. Even if you splash out and do this, if you shop around (go to discount warehouses, check for good, reputable deals online before venturing out, etc.) you should still be able to buy a good sized piece of stone for a competitive price.

There will be an upcharge to make the profile, i.e., bullnose, to clean up or finish each of the two ends, but attention to such details will be well worth it. I'd recommend choosing a clean, simple, but somewhat beefy profile. A squared off strong profile would be great; this would most likely entail having a ledger-like piece (proper industry name escapes me right now) married to the front of and full length your stone. Again, well worth it as you don't want a wimpy profile because it will spoil the entire look of your unit.

You can also choose to have upper cabinets that are shorter in height; there are a few different height choices you can consider. I would definitely recommend incorporating a substantial crown moulding (in height and with some changes of plane) with your upper cabinetry, whether uppers essentially go to your ceiling or are shorter in height. Crown moulding is a great finishing detail that will give your room added character. You don't want it to be fussy, but have some architectural interest happening.

Also, while an added expense, you can go with glass front cabinet doors - particularly for the uppers (or at least a couple or few of them - this could be a great focal point showcase for beautiful pottery, etc.) or simply choose solid fronts for all upper doors. If glass doors with interesting decor pieces to show off, puck lights installed on the underside of each applicable shelf would be a good idea. This also creates a beautiful, soft ambient lighting source in the evenings!

Or, to give you another general cabinetry option: you can make your entire wall unit out of upper cabinets; almost forgot to say this. It depends on what functions you want your wall unit to have, as well as how much floor space you feel it should occupy. If all uppers, a work station is not as doable.

Soooo, from an area rug to now also incorporting an entire wall unit. Go figure! I find, whether it's personally or professionally, there is often not enough storage in most residential spaces. So in this instance, more is definitely better! And let's say, you don't really have a hassle-free "home" for your vacuum, brooms, mops, etc., storage for such key items could be made when designing your wall unit.

Last notes: Maybe you'd like to incorporate bright burnt orange and turquoise in your area rug , throw cushions, throw, etc. www.fabric.com has some wonderful textiles at good price points, should you sew or know someone who does. Just have a gander online, at this and other such sites. :)

Being Canadian, there are not as many choices for readymade cabinetry, but from professional experience, know that Lowe's, the Home Depot, and IKEA have some pretty solid and attractive offerings. As for cabinet pulls, you can get some amazing deals online from Amerock. Previously, I went to their discount Web site and ordered approx. 30 rubbed bronze handles for a client. They are gorgeous, strong, simple in design (think Arts & Crafts, Shaker, Mission) and I saved at least $80.00 ordering through them.

If you decide you want to build your own wall unit (especially if you choose a natural stone or p/lam countertop for it) complete this project first, then choose your rug and other decor accessories. While not for everyone, I think a natural stone (whether monochromatic or more multi-coloured) always looks good, more interesting when it has veining.

I hope all of my suggestions have given you some positive food for thought. I never realized I'd end up writing so much, but the ideas and tips just kept on coming! Hopefully, you can make sense of all of the things I'm visualizing for your space. :)

All the best & good luck with transforming this important space! You can do it!

Sharon Black, Interior Designer, Paradise Point, Repair, Design and Build

P.S. The bullnose can also be "live" edge if you like. It would just need to be substantial enough. Again, no wimpy profiles here! Ha, ha!

Hey, nnouza, that's fantastic, so happy to help! Don't be afraid to be a bit bold (you know, step a little, or a lot! outside of your usual design comfort zone) and truly express yourself through your new interior design.

And just one other tip: when planning your entertainment and storage unit, carefully consider and determine everything you would like (and need!) it to hold. Make a list of possible items; if partially stumped, take a look around your house, as you may find things that don't have a proper home (but are often pressed into service) and are, therefore, underfoot and/or an eyesore. It's a good idea to know lineal footage of, let's say books, DVD's, etc. If storing an appliance like a vacuum, measure the device. This way you'll be sure to properly accommodate its height, width, and depth.

To assist with all of this (and to augment your list of items for entertainment unit storage) draw up a few versions of your wall unit. Use grid paper and draw at either a 1/4" or 1/2" scale. This is an excellent, simple way to get all of your desires and needs (form and function) hammered out. It will help you to ensure you haven't miscalculated or overlooked storage needs or measurements for items, and allow you to visualize your finished product better. Designers and builders typically draw something like this out (whether a simple line drawing or CAD generated) two or three (or even more times, when necessary) to arrive at just the right, best result. Kind of a riff on "Measure twice, cut once." :)

Once you have your finished "to scale" drawing (you can use standard cabinet measurements supplied by a big box store - either in print form or from their Web site) complete with clear, detailed measurements, you'll then be ready to go shopping. Be sure to be well rested, try to shop at an off-peak time; take along your drawings, a pad of unused grid paper affixed to a handy clipboard, and a couple of well sharpened (or even better, mechanical) pencils. A built-in pencil eraser is a good thing, too!

If, for example, you design your unit based on Kraftmaid cabinetry, but ultimately opt to use IKEA's, you will likely need to make a couple or more design and measurement alterations to accommodate this switch in cabinet and/or drawer units. Not all companies offer all the same units in the same size, but such adjustment changes shouldn't be a big deal, but again, just be careful when making changes and their attendant measurement adjustments.

A few additional considerations: Since you'll be using kitchen cabinetry for your living room wall unit should you go this route, give serious thought to how many conventional cabinets you would like, and how many drawer units you would like. Drawers do have a higher price point, but are often well worth it. Think: pots and pans drawers; they come in at least two depths, and are usually offered in various widths to choose from. You might want to use a combination of both pots and pans drawer cabinet sizes - depending on their purpose, i.e., what you want to store, sizes of, etc. They are wonderful for organizing and storing items you don't want on constant display. Too, they make keeping possessions neat and more easily accessible - in other words, a real "snap" to find and "return to home." In my estimation, their up charge (if doable) is beyond worth it, as they eliminate digging around in the recesses of conventional cabinets where items can get lost and jumbled about.

Unless you are a dusting devotee (I know I'm not!) choose to have all of your cabinet units enclosed with doors - as previously mentioned - either solid wood, glass, or a combination of both. Doing so, cuts down on housework chores, freeing you up for more of the fun stuff!

The last thing to mention is the kick plate that is an integral part of your base kitchen cabinets. I know that IKEA has faux stainless steel toe kick facades, that when installed, look really great! We totally gutted and renovated a client's kitchen, replacing cabinetry with IKEA units. I chose the s/s look toe kick to complete the over all look. My husband Paul, who is a structural engineer and my business partner thought this was entirely the wrong way to go. Once the toe kick was in place it became evident that its finish allowed the base cabinets to appear as though "floating," they read as being less heavy. A black toe kick (what he wanted!) would not have achieved this desired effect. So, this is another small, but significant detail for you to keep in mind. :)

...If your new rug doesn't come with Stainguard, you can have it professionally treated before subjecting it to daily use, or can do it yourself. This is another way to lessen your load in the unending household chores department! Since I have two great pyrenees dogs and two cats, I have found an indispensable pet stain and odour remover called: Nature's Miracle. This liquid-based product is truly just as its name suggests: a real miracle!

It's all natural, actually has a pleasant, subtle fragrance and is an excellent way to get stains out of rugs, upholstery, etc. We even add a bit of it to certain laundry wash loads (place in soap dispenser, along with laundry soap) and also spray directly onto to fabric stains, let sit for 5 mins. (or not) and wash as usual. Being in the construction business, plus not living in a rarefied environment, makes this product a Godsend! It can remove grease, ballpoint pen mishaps, all sorts of things. I even spray it directly onto to our engineered hardwood after one of our animals has an accident or is sick, then simply wipe clean.

Most good pet stores, including PetSmart carry Nature's Miracle. You can even buy it in a one gallon format, as well as spray bottle. Look for it on sale, as you'll usually save upwards of $20.00 per! It is a bit of an investment (here in Canada, 1 gal. at the regular price is typically about $47.00). That said, I wouldn't want to run our house without it!

Hope you will share your area rug options, or if not, your ultimate area rug choice via photographs and backstory! If you do go ahead with designing and constructing your entertainment and storage wall unit, please share with us! It has been a lot of fun sharing ideas and advice with you!

Glad to know you're fired up to tackle your latest home project! Again, I'm so happy and excited for you!

Best regards,

Sharon Black, Interior Designer & Co-owner, Paradise Point Repair, Design and Build

I know I am repeating myself here, but would like to echo Carol Singletary's take on what style of area rug you should choose. Your room is currently very static in design, colour palette and in pattern(s); I know you know this already. Carol is spot on: it would be excellent to counterbalance all of those right angles. :)

A colourful rug (it doesn't have to be "crazy" colourful, just have some life and zip, a.k.a., courage) with curvilinear, organic-shapes, as these elements would take this room to a more lively, higher level. For example, a modern take on a Jacobean floral pattern could be great: a big enough print (nothing too tiny) and in colours you love. Even if you chose this pattern in a tone-on-tone (tying in with the colour of your sectional, and/or walls, etc.) this could be really attractive and striking. Showing off some spark, life, and movement are all good things that will please the eye and the soul. That said, the over all look, even if more colourful, can still "read" as relaxing and not too frenetic. I bet if you go this route, you will be pleased with the finished effect; it will also "say" WELCOME to your family and friends. Showing a bit of boldness and some personality always gives some warmth and interest ( read: "heart") to a home. :)

Best,

Sharon Black, Interior Designer & Co-owner, Paradise Point Repair, Design and Build