Last pic of things removed looks so much better wow

You've been busy. What a huge difference! Looks great.

This has already been purchased. The solid on the left is four panels of drapes for the living and dining rooms. The flowered fabric is to cover the dining room chairs and make pillows.

I agree that the last picture you posted looks so much better. However, there is one armchair too many in the room, making the fireplace area look cluttered rather than relaxing. I would ditch the armchair next to the sofa (or rather, love seat) it is restricting view and access to the end table behind it.

If you have a chance, think about switching the armchairs out for skinnier modern style armchairs. It will contrast with the cushy plump traditional style sofa. it will give the room a much need variety - stylewise.

Since the loveseat has a slipcover, why not switch it for a similar style tailored slipcover in a dark electric blue nubby fabric (not denim blue) - to add some variety - texture wise .

Then add a Black and white striped rug underfoot - the existing rug is not right in both style and scale - it is just a 70s reproduction - definitely not a classic and is too small. Technically the sofa should sit on top of a rug not behind it.

See pictures from our rendering for a blue themed LR in a home in the Hollywood Hills that we are currently working on. Also attached a rendering of a green themed room with skinny modern (but comfortable), armchairs. Maybe it can spark some ideas of your own :) Happy decorating.

TORI BLACK HOME LLC

West Hollywood, CA

www.toriblackhome.com

Thanks for your trouble Tori but if you read the above, the chairs are new as are the drapes and fabric. All has been purchased so not up for discussion. We love that rug. it was a VERY expensive gift from my husband - hand hooked in Iran. The teal color is lifted from the rug. While your room is interesting for a much younger family, we are in our seventies and favor a more traditional, calmer style of decorating as hinted at from the original room.

I think the blue chairs and curtains along with the printed chair are competing with your rug. Perhaps choose two that are comfortable and slip cover them in a darker neutral from your rug. Then, choose the middle neutral in your rug for your walls. I assume the sofa color is the lightest neutral.

Add splashes of color from the rug in your pillows and accessories but not too much or they will detract from the rug.

Hettlin, all the blue has been removed from the room.

Very pretty! I like your choices for the drapes and chairs. I'm looking forward to seeing what else you have up your sleeve!

You're doing a great job. Keep having fun, it's looking fresh and up to date and still homey.

Uh-oh! Wish we could have helped you earlier.

Sometimes a client comes to us asking to fix costly mistakes because we know what goes into it since this is what we do all day, every day. No offense but like the staging pro mentioned earlier, some of the stuff just will not work and at the end of the day despite following through with some or all of the hundred odd suggestions from all the
nice well meaning folks, you might end up right where you started with negligible impact. However, as long as you have fun there's no great harm done! It's just decorating....!

Tori has no tact, and telling someone to ( ditch ) something of their choice that has just been purchased to their taste and liking is rude...you look young in your photo and I suspect young in your design business, any established professional would know better.

It is ( just ) a 70's reproduction ??? You would never work for me

Brandi, I hope it was an unfortunate turn of phrase on Tori's part and not written out of arrogance. The rug is only 3 years old so not from the 70's. A good decorator takes a look at what the client alread lives with and likes and tailors their recommendations to the client's lifestyle and taste. I would absolutely die in that green and black room with the striped rug. My teenage granddaughter might love it. Tori and I are probably at opposite ends of the design spectrum and that doesn't mean that she is not a good designer. She just wouldn't be on the same wavelength as myself and my husband.

Such a pretty home. Just move things around a bit. Do not clutter corners or such areas. Many of us would give anything to have your beautiful furniture. Best wishes. Experiment.

If the use of the word "ditch" offended anyone I apologize. My bad :)

Incidentally we feel age is just a state of mind because most of my clients are in the same age range as you Silkseal, as Is the couple, whose home you see in one picture. A Hollywood Hills home whose owners came to us looking for updated vintage Mid-Century Modern style. I fully understand that is not your style.

There is a time prior to executing the master plan for any project when we sit down with both husband and wife - the meeting lasts anywhere between 1 to 2 hours - and discuss their lifestyle how many children pets, nannies, style preferences etc., etc. I think Silkseal may have missed mentioning the age range or the style preferences in the opening, and just saying she wanted an updated look.

Silkseal you sound classy and articulate and it was a pleasure, but just so you know Mid century Modern is not all we do :) Neither are we restricted to just a black and white end of the spectrum only - as our website proves. You'd be surprised at the range of wavelength we traverse :) because that is what is expected. Most of my clients own older traditional homes and ask for styles to match. Incidentally a lot of my clients here in Beverly Hills are Persian, so we know rugs and never meant to sound disparaging.

Truth be told, we do this for a living and hence have a limited time - we can ONLY do thus at work and since there are only 24 hours in a day - one must maintain a balance between taking time off from a paying client :) So one must absolutely prioritize and in the process, often one does not have the time to keep going back to check (maybe one should have).

On that note, I think we all agree, professional Interior Design has a completely different process from DIY. The latter is a lot of trial and error, a lot of experimenting by friends, family and community and having a ton of fun in the process along with creating memories. Sometimes along comes a DIY client that is willing and able (not to speak of, happy) to use our suggestions and tips so I think we shall continue to use the DIY forum to connect, because it is fun for us.

To Brandi Nash Hicks I would like to point out, that this is a forum for professionals and DIY-ers to interact with each other without restriction, and that any kind of personal comment or negative categorization is counter-productive and unnecessary.

My dear Ms Hicks, it is unfortunate that you would not hire us because I look young which, btw I accept as a compliment. It make my day :) Thank you !

Age has nothing to do with talent. I am trained, experienced and accredited. I have been doing this for over ten years. We work with a discerning group of clients with good taste and very definite requirements. They are scattered around Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Studio City, Calabasas, Bel Air and OC (Orange County) who demand only the "best" service from us, which they receive, tailored to their individual taste and requirements. I am a member of the National Association of Professional Women, have been a Committee Member of the Newport Beach (OC) Business Improvement District and received Businessperson of The Year award. My work has been featured in California Homes and Coast Magazine. We became an LLC last year.

I am glad our clients don't hold my youthful looks against us or we would not have the opportunity to grow as we have!

Take care all and have a great long weekend. Happy Labor Day from all of us at TORI BLACK HOME.
www.toriblackhome.com

PS: added some photos of a traditional older home that we did in OC added it for no they reason but purely for fun....!

If I see that black and white striped rug one more time I'm gonna GO OFF. That thing is tired!

This is our guest room that I redecorated in March. It took me an entire month as I had to start with repairing a cracked ceiling and I painted all the furniture. This room went from an equestrian theme for our granddaughters to something a little more sophisticated as they get older. I love before and afters so I hope you enjoy these pics.

Silk, the bedroom is fantastic! L-O-V-E your work !!!

The bedroom looks super nice! Great job on the furniture.

Well, Silk, the living room is beautiful !!! Love, love, love it !!!!

In the living room, what colour is the trim?

The touch of teal in the floral is so perfect with the curtain panels. Will be so great with your beautiful rug. (Still jealous of the rug!)

What did you decide to do with the wingback chair?

Do you mind identifying the brand, model and fabric on the two new fireside chairs?

Tori, you mentioned that before beginning a decorating plan for a client, you have extensive discussions. Such a good idea. May I suggest that the 'Houzz' equivalent is to read the 'Dilemma' thread starting at the beginning.

Jumping in with suggestions, without doing appropriate research, is a little off-putting to those who are already engaged in the dialogue. Silk has been extremely transparent and articulate about the room's uses and her design preferences.

One additional notation: consider editing your postings. Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation are a hallmark of professionalism.

Silk, c'est tres bien.

Kay, the floral wing back is for sale as is the coffee table. About the chairs, I bought them at Deco Decouverte which is called Home Outfitters (owned by the Hudson's Bay Company) in the rest of Canada. There are absolutely no trademarks on them whatsoever so I am sorry that I can't provide more information on them. The fabric is a natural linen.

The trim is Benjamin Moore OC-129. Sorry I don't have the name.

Kay, I found this very similar Simmons chair at Sears online.

Making slow progress. Painting the ceiling today after two weeks of prep!

Beautiful persian rug, timeless piece that can be matched with practically anything. Glad to see you kept the rug and designed around it. Great job!

We need some artwork but otherwise, the room is finally completed. Hope you like it. It was a lot of work but there is a special satisfaction when you redecorate yourself.

Just a good before and after. Great job. Can we see wall opposite FP?

The mahogany server is under the half wall. I haven't painted the hallway so I would rather not take a pic just yet.

Lovely, if you can pull your carpet under your sofa a few feet.
Looks great!

It looks so fresh and clean. Great job!

SandyC, do you mean a few inches? Because I don't have "a few feet" to work with.

Whatever you have :)
Could you layer your current carpet on a much larger sisal to bring it all together?

I was thinking about that. The budget is blown right now but maybe in the Spring. I think a carpet remnant in a short pile would be effective and budget friendly.

26" x 38" Might go nicely on the large wall at the entrance of the living room.
There is no furniture there at the moment and the server has been moved under the half wall. I have no idea what to put there. Maybe a very narrow table and a small chair to catch my purse and coat.

I thought you said your budget was shot, lol!

Yes, for now it is but I can dream...

Yes!

A console table would be nice there. Something simple to go under the painting (love that city). I would fore go the chair. Do not clutter up the wall .

The wall appears to be at least 6', so get a console that fits it. I wonder if at 28" the picture might be a tad too small for the wall. I would get the console and then decide on the painting.

I think so too. The print I had previously was larger.

Have you considered a chandelier for the LR?

I'm coming in at the end and did not read all of the posts, but a fantastic transformation. Great job and good for you for keeping the area rug. It's a classic piece and can be incorporated into so many decorating styles. Enjoy!

P.S. I see you are from beautiful Montreal. I'm from Winnipeg. I visited Montreal a number of years ago and had an incredible time. Everyone was so friendly!!

Susan, there's a large crystal chandelier in the adjoining dining room. Thanks for the suggestion but I think it's enough for a small house.

Great job! Your room looks so comfortable and inviting.

Finally hung these three paintings on the largest wall over the server in the living room. It is 54 x 24.