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Wall space over couch dilemma-

10 years ago
Okay- making progress- took suggestion from one of you and painted walls Navajo white. Much better. Only thing staying for sure in this room are couch, table, and two brown martini chairs- rest is optional- what would look good above couch ?? Is a mirror my best option?

Comments (47)

  • 10 years ago

    Yes, I think a mirror is best. Your couch is a statement piece and you wouldn't want a painting or piece of art competing with it.

  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Before you place a mirror, think of what you will be reflecting...if its just a blank wall, then not a good idea. I would a select a great art piece or a collection of family photos to personalize your space and provide a unique conversation starter.

  • 10 years ago
    I think it would look great with a big canvas, leave big mirror where it is
  • 10 years ago
    I like the wrought iron hangings but would add a third one. Center the first one in the middle of the couch then add one on the right side and one on the left side. Don't hang much higher than 6" above the couch.
  • 10 years ago

    I don't like the wrought iron pieces. I would do a cool, large piece of art over the sofa or a mirror. If you put a mirror I would remove the one in the corner.

  • 10 years ago


    A plain mirror and art to replace one against the wall.

  • 10 years ago

    I would just put the iron pieces closer together and just above the curve in the sofa. Don't like the square mirror look


  • 10 years ago

    My favorite part was the rug...could also go with TV there, would even look good black when it's off if you watch tv that is

  • 10 years ago

    I like Beverly's suggestions.

  • 10 years ago

    What I am seeing is the buffet lamps are creating an awkward line. They seem to be under-weighted for the furnishings too. I suggest a lower lamp and a framed mandala tapestry in back of the sofa as mentioned by Bev.


  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    As is often the case there are different opinions, so can you please post the other 3 walls, thank you. Have you ever brought in anything else that we might like to see? A fabric or vase, etc..

  • 10 years ago

    Maybe even a photo of the chandelier? Is it staying?

  • 10 years ago

    Whatever you do, make sure it's not brown! The room is very heavy already. I would ditch the sofa cushions, work in some very pale blue and light rust accents and make sure that whatever colors you place over the sofa - mirror frame, painting, candles - are echoed in cushions on the martini chairs. Small brass and glass side tables by the armchairs would work, too. Good luck.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    The wrought iron things look cheap. The mirror looks great leaning on the wall. There's already a lot of visual activity on the couch. I like the taller lamps and the white walls. I do not think you need anything over the sofa. Love the rug and table. good accessories. You need to invest in a larger and more interesting chandelier. For the wall, in this case, Less is More. Leave it bare.

  • 10 years ago

    I don't see this mirror everyone's talking about, but don't like the wrought iron pieces, either. They do look cheap in this context (I know wrought iron is NOT cheap, by the way!) And please get rid of all the leather pillows on the couch - especially the big ones! Looks like a tanning factory, and they're squashy to boot. Ick. The couch is pretty cool, so I don't know why you need to overload it with pillows! Let it shine on its own. Right now, it's too many hides competing for the limelight. I think you could give an overall different feel to the room with a different light fixture/chandelier. This one is rather boring.

  • 10 years ago

    I agree with all of BeverlyFLADeziner's comments. Perhaps your very substantial vertical floor mirror could go in another room( dressing room, bedroom, bath?). I love all of your stuff except the metal filigree work. Maybe that could go on your outdoor patio if you have one?

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Lucidos and Beverly are on a similar wavelength. If you go with art instead of a mirror, I would choose something that echoes the curves in the couch. A round panel that emphasizes the opulence of the other pieces might work. The gilded ground here will also interact with all the ambient light. This one is 18k gold with oil paint, "Dahlia".



  • 10 years ago

    I think I would go with something sculptural and in bronze/gold tones. Some art pieces will be too much for the sofa that is clearly the boss in this room :)


  • PRO
    10 years ago

    try something like this...don't worry if it goes behind the sofa a little...

  • 10 years ago

    Listen to beverlyfladeziner. Awesome idea. Go with the vintage prints. A mirror is a terrible idea

  • 10 years ago

    You should go with a large piece of artwork. And different lamps.

  • 10 years ago

    No to the iron ornaments, they appear cheap with the lovely sofa. A large oval mirror would work, if reflecting something lovely , but I like the oriental carpet tapestry above the sofa, or some other textile, best It would match the richness of furnishings but not compete or be distracting, as most paintings or prints would, in my opinion. do, The skull also works- depends what your statement is!

  • 10 years ago
    Lots of opinions so here's mine. I would lose the end tables and lamps and centre couch on wall, first of all. Then sit in the chair and picture different things, for example, end tables more in line with the coffee table which is the only light and delicate thing in the room. Keep them off the couch so it shows better. I agree the pillows, or most of them, need to go, but not necessarily out all together, maybe if you have an empty corner, a large basket full of "grab a pillow" pillows. I think you really need a big hit of wow colour over the couch, like the painting of the horse above.
    Good luck, this was fun to comment on.
  • 10 years ago

    I love the prints of vintage maps that BeverlyFLADeziner posted. Your room has a sort of "glamouous safari" feel with the animal prints and the cowhide on the floor--the maps add to that feel perfectly!

    One idea would maybe be to lose a few pillows on the couch so you can see the print more and a little less clutter on the side tables and coffee table. Try moving the side tables away from the couch a bit more and some lamps that are a little more full, to match the size of your couch.

  • 10 years ago

    It is driving me crazy that the sofa is not centered on the wall, OK, I'm a Libra, so I just want to give that sofa a little shove to the left.

  • 10 years ago

    Zebra, chita pillows on the chairs, cowhide rug, just too, too much. The iron above the doorway and over the couch scream Home Goods. Please don't add another animal in the mix with a horse or tiger picture. The grid BeverlyFLAD suggests looks great, but not Paris. Sepia prints from Africa might work better. Why not remove everything except the couch and reaccess. Lighten it up with new pillows, and think of considering larger lamps, and perhaps glass end tables.

  • 10 years ago

    Hi---

    I just read susanking1010's comment and upon first glance of your space, I thought it looked asymmetrical too. Not sure if it is the sofa and tables, the chandelier, the walls, the angle the pictures we're taken, etc.., but something looks "off".

    Since you listed items which are to remain, you need to consider replacing other pieces before adding anything behind the sofa wall. I'd start by choosing a different chandelier---something more grand, lighter in color-perhaps metallic. Next, the side tables and lamps---I think the tables or the lamps should be lighter than the sofa-maybe the floor mirror could be omitted with the addition of mirrored tables or metallic/mercury glass lamps. After those changes are made, I suggest you concentrate on the sofa wall.

    Hope this is helpful. Good Luck!


  • 10 years ago

    Wow, just thought of what's throwing this off. It's the brown leather seat. Can you picture a recovered black linen, or even black canvas, seat over? Would make the sofa look less busy. Move the cowhide rug to another room, lighter pillows, bigger lamps, and end tables, and a grid over the couch. You could try pillows with a beige sort of weave, texture, very Africa, and others to go with the Out of Africa Lux vibe.

  • 10 years ago

    An antiqued leather bound mirror would be another option.

  • 10 years ago

    If you keep the iron pieces, you might try a larger iron cross in the middle or a collection of brass porthole mirrors

  • 10 years ago

    I would put a print or collection of prints in an African theme, maybe of zebras to carry from the pillows already there. I don't like the mirror idea.

  • 10 years ago

    I agree with Beverly. The grid of vertical prints adds height to the room. Moving the end tables away from the sofa and removing the mirror add space to the room. I would also suggest replacing the lamps. And my last suggestion is to try to eliminate a little "noise/clutter" by lining the glass doors of the end tables with a neutral, light colored fabric. This would have the same effect as replacing them with more open tables without having to buy new ones. Try using a piece of a paper bag first and see if you like the look. Best of luck!

  • 10 years ago

    here are some very cool eclectic mirrors from Houzz....

    https://www.houzz.com/products/eclectic-mirrors-prbr1-br~t_502~s_2104

  • 10 years ago

    Here are some ideas. Good Luck!

  • 10 years ago

    I like BeverlyFLADeziner's comment about the floor mirror and the antique maps- though any antique picture of some sort would be nice. and a little bit of "bling" (think shiny/reflective) would also be a nice add- maybe with whatever frame you choose.

    On the pillows- I think if you traded out the square ones for black and white- think black with white edging and white with black tassels, etc- it would look a little more cohesive and let your sofa shine through. I'd leave the brown bolsters though- it helps tie in your seat cushion.

    I like the lamps you have- they throw great shadows on your walls. The side tables should maybe be a bit wider though.

    Would love to see a finished photo!

  • 10 years ago

    Definitely not a mirror---but then I don't really care for mirrors on the wall except maybe in an entry way to check your hair before you leave. I like the iron work pieces, a third in the middle would definitely balance that out. Lamps seem a bit too small or too tall---need a bit more substance to them---the chandelier should be replaced with something similar to those wrought iron pieces if you use them----just too many things going on.

  • 10 years ago
    I have a brown leather sofa with large mirror and love the look.
  • 10 years ago
    love love the sofa. What a wonderful room.
  • 10 years ago
    I was reading through the comments. First I agree, loose the pillows on the sofa - not the correct ones. Secondly, you may be able to stain the leather bottom cushion to a more black color which I agree would look better. I got leather dye for the local cobbler and updated a red chair that had faded to pink. I made the leather look used/antique by blotting on the stain. Before you did it you might want to experiment on one of the cushions or a piece of similar colored leather. And I don't mind the cowhide rug - I just think you need to lighten up the room with some lighter colored objects. I'll see if I can't find some photos to help.
  • 10 years ago

    The Navajo White worked out quite well. So glad to see you took my suggestion. I'd like to see some lamps with a little more volume. Those skinny buffet lamps just don't have the oomph to stand up to the heavy sofa. The end tables are lacking the necessary height to arrive within an inch of the sofa's arms, and you need tables with a more open base to help lighten things even more. Look at Natalie's table suggestion. An urn or vase shaped lamp base would work best with that kind of table. I agree that your floor mirror needs to be eliminated, and if you want to continue the African vibe, you might hang a hand carved African panel above the sofa. I think an oil rubbed bronze chandelier would be an improvement.


    Intarsia Table Lamp · More Info

    African Carved Mahogany Panel · More Info

    Uttermost Vetraio 9 Light Oil Rubbed Bronze Chandelier 21005 · More Info

  • 10 years ago
    Here are some photos. The one with the baby cradle below was included because of the prints. I think you need to get some green into the room with some palm trees. The leopard below would make for nice artwork if large enough.
  • 10 years ago
    more photos
  • 10 years ago
    more photos
  • 10 years ago
    photos
  • 10 years ago
    This is from one kings lane runs $229 - a Jan Van Huysum
  • 10 years ago

    I like the general idea of the African carved mahogany panel given by decoenthusiaste. I was thinking a carved screen panel opened up and mounted to wall or sensuous African art panels, but not a perfect square. (Sorry, I clicked the carved screen twice.) These are just things I saw on a popular shopping site, but you get the idea.