Curtain and Rug

Layer in soft colors with grey and gold

Simple coffee table and tv stand

Simple art to tie it all together

Everything is from Target. Good luck to you and your daughter:)

I'll go back to my original comment and support the Scandinavian, midcentury mix of black, grey and natural wood. The Ikea Stockholm TV stand is a bit pricey at $350, but would absolutely make the room. There are numerous pieces available in the same finish. I've included a Stockholm rug as well.

Lisa0527 - I agree that if I want to incorporate my old and new, I need to go somewhat scandanavian. I love that stand and saw it via ikea, but I need something similar to work in a corner. always a challenge, right? by Bruning in that wood tone and some metal, I can add whatever colors I want and change them as we move forward, without feeling like I'm dumping money down the drain for a quick win. :) Any ideas for drapes to tie that together? The more I loo at the color blocked silver and white, I like them but I worry that they're too modern for some of the antiques I have, such as my sleigh bells.

kjoy1 - I like the curtains and the rug is identical to what I have, but how do I make that go with some of my older pieces, such as my sleigh bells and antique lamps? Is there anyway to mix modern and antique?

My late thoughts: large stripes photographed well, but I liked casandra's soft patterns. Pick a color you like.

You need a rug like the grey jute - such a basic - and it's much 'softer' [cause you use that word] looking than a hardwood floor which made it look like a den. Fine as is.

Idk but I've seen pallets [a couple for free?] used as table base. A bit $ but Pier 1 round 'concrete' top? http://www.pier1.com/Round-Concrete-Table-Tops/PS57718,default,pd.html?st=concrete%20table

I really like the colour blocked if you're going modern-ish/Scandinavian. If you're going traditional I'd go with a more traditional grey/white pattern. I do think the couch and grey sisal rug is pushing you towards modern, so I'd embrace it. I'd worry that a corner tv stand will be limiting in future spaces. The low ikea one will work in a much wider range of spaces and gives you more flexibility going forward. It might mean the furniture arrangement isn't 100% ideal for now, but if it's temporary it might be better to choose furniture with future flexibility in mind.

All - so I wanted to try out a tan rug in the room. Photos are below. I believe it photographs well but in actuality, it just didn't go well in my opinion.

The more I think about it, I like the Scandinavian look. I think it goes with the mid century modern look and the two can easily be crossed.

I purchased a pair of drapes that seem to photograph more tan than grey, but they seem more calming than the color blocked ones. Although I will admitnthe color blocked ones are growing on me, I'm still undecided.

I realize the room needs color, but I'd like to do that in the form of artwork and plants. Will that be enough or do I need color in the drapes too? I feel like I may be trying to drown out the sofa.

Photo-idea, that if you used a few naturals [of rattan and distressed table and window] like here, maybe a tan rug. Not sure grey or tan jute matters / up close it would seem easier for me.

One more photo with heavy furniture and graphic [on floor] reminding me of yours. Graphic shape [of life preservers] makes me ask what kind of art are you thinking of?

Someone mentioned painting the rug - what if you painted wide stripes on it [on floor instead of "more visible" at 2 windows?]

It's amazing that I go back and look at the photos and like the tan jute, but in person it still stinks. Although I'm sure you're right about incorporating the wood and metal and it not probably mattering.

As far as art, would it be too odd to do my cluster of pictures with a split between my daughter's art landscape photos I've taken, and a few black and white architecture photos? I want it to celebrate us as a family and the places we've been but wondering if that's possible?

Why not completely embrace the black and gray and neutral look....just keep layering it into the room....here are some drapes from target that will introduce the black to the on their side of the room....

This is a perfect example

Home Interiors with Ease - Okay, I love your inspiration picture. It the first thing I've found that really says what my words fail to. Finally I see how the gray rug works.

Can you repost the drapes from target? - I don't see the image.

Thanks!

Here you go...I would just follow piece by piece from inspiration....do you have a coffee table? What other pieces do you have and what do you need? Would love to help you realize this look!

Could you put the TV in the corner, using an articulating arm wall mount? Then you would have no concerns about safety, and the TV would be a bit away from the walls and leave room for the curtains. The under-TV area would be free for any size and shape of storage or decor that you like, even a large plant.

Or, painted pale gray, would your existing TV stand/dresser go in that corner? The storage is great and it has the advantage of already being yours. If that works, consider roman blinds instead of drapes, or pull the drapes over to one side only and leave the corner-side of both windows undraped. I do like the modern look of these fairly-bare windows. The general arrangement of furniture here would suit your room shape.

Partim - Although I love the idea of the TV wall mount, that's simply not an option as I'm renting and my landlord has been kind - so I'm not in the mood to push it with a wall mount, especially after planning to hang 12 pictures on the sofa wall! Plus the storage will be needed under the TV for electronics, etc. Asthetically your idea is sound and I'll keep it in mind for down the road as we're really starting to like our smaller home.

Home Interiors with Ease - Thanks for the curtains!

As far as other pieces, I currently have two ugly 80s brass tables thay were free. The TV is sitting on one and the other is the coffee table, which we slide near the sofa when relaxing for snacks and drinks. I've been advised to prime and spray paint the tables but I really think they will both go, eventually. If I have to keep one, it will be the one the tv is on as it's practical and mostly covered and I've yet to afford or find the stand that will work.

Additional furniture is non existent. Well it exists, but not in my possession anytime soon (mutters quietly), lol.

I have a black leather ottoman that the daughter uses to stretch her legs out, but I push it under the small window and stack a blanket on it to not clutter things, when possible.

In a corner I have a tall lamp that has been in my family for some time and aid like to utilize it.

In short, we have a lot of options as I'm not locked in to items. I'm okay with slowly acquiring items as we are functioning now, and I can hand these on to someone else who may need them down the road.

The tan jute add black paint designs like stripes. Measure & draw them out in pencil. It's fun. I think it looks good with floor. This will kick it up a notch.

Do I go with the cream.or the white curtains from curtainsworks?

Either.

People are mixing modern with antiques.

If you're going black, grey modern, go with white drapes. If you're adding earthy elements/wood I'd go cream. I'd go back to your original floor plan and get the $40 black/brown ikea tv stand (or the gorgeous $400 walnut one) and avoid a corner TV stand unless you really think you'll use one in your next place. Ikea also sells a reasonable arm chair in a natural beige that could go nicely with the drapes (Tulsta?). Add more texture (wool, rattan, wood) if going natural, colour if going modern (green, orange, red or turquoise).

All - although it creates a new challenge, I'm sticking with the TV in the corner. The room flows much better and the dog can't use the sofa to peak put the windows and I have eyes on doorways and windows. So nice to lay on the sofa (for 30 seconds) and look out the windows now.

I'm worried about the cream topped curtains with the grey rug - should I be? The walls are a light cream, so the white seems fresh, but I agree.with the dark color block on the bottom to balance to dark on both sides of the room.

Cream and grey are nice.

The brass tables can be spray painted in one step if you use a spray paint that already has a primer. It's sold on the same shelf as the other spray paints. I'd give the metal a light once-over with a piece of sandpaper or steel wool first, but not sure if that is even necessary.

If you don't like the glass, you can spray paint the bottom of the glass for a solid look. Or there are hacks to cover glass tops with contact paper (marble, wood-look).

If you're going to be repurposing furniture in the next while, look over some Ikea hack pages. They work for non-Ikea items too. There are lots of idea, some of them elaborate but others imaginative and simple.

That's my concern Tedbixby - I think I'll order a panel of what was suggested and try to find a panel of white sheers with some texture.

oops - that will allow me to see what I like best. Thanks for the suggestion.

Eakemp if you really liked the inspiration image I posted you should stick with the neutral drape of some kind...white is not a good choice it will not give the soft natural look you like.....sheers no...they are not modern or eclectic at all....

To make the inspiration image work in your space I'd try to use the following techniques

- repeat colours. The black chairs work with the black side table and black curtain rods. The grey rug works with the grey pillows and walls. The cream curtains work with the cream puff and throw pillows

- add texture. The rug, black side table and grey throw pillows all add texture and balance the smooth leather.

- add a subtle pop of colour, repeated at least once. The orange bowl and book are enough.

You have grey, black, cream and wood. Just repeat and add texture and you'll have a gorgeous room. (Would you be able to paint the walls a light warm grey?)

Almost all of the above are from ikea and very reasonable.

Hi Lisa, where is the circular table from in the last pic? Thanks

Eakemp...do you even have a budget? have you looked at your local craigslist? I have found so many wonderful items over the years.....

Current budget is minimal - budget down the road will expand considerably. I have some options and have been working via Craigslist endlessly.

Lisa0527 - ty for the fabulous suggestions! Unfortunately I cannot paint the room or I would have as a love a grey over cream.

The round table is also from Ikea

Home Interiors with Ease - in your perfect example I noticed that the sofa was cream and thus they were able to use a black coffee table and a round black piece for another end table.

I'm guessing that much black on my end would be a poor choice. Do I go with a reclaimed barn wood table to balance it out? I suppose I'm not to sure how to layer - common sense says the opposite but if i go with a light blond wood, isn't that going to clash with the curtains.

Oh I'm glad ya'll are good at this...

FWIW I'd go with wood

Hi eakemp.....the inspiration is just that...you try to balance the colors as they do....you have black sofa..they have black chairs....add neutral pillows or add a neutral chair.....it is all about balancing the tones around the space...I always try to work in 3....so 3 black items in space..3 neutral items....3 gray items....it really helps when shopping for items....maybe give this formula a try!

Good advice! Here's some ideas. All from Ikea or West Elm.

So how are things coming along? Can't wait to see the pictures of what you are doing now.

I would place a long storage console (assuming you need storage) under one of the windows and put the TV on one end. I would look for something on Craigslist but IKEA's KALLAX shelves would also work.

But no tv in front of window.

Hi all - no major status update currently. Thank you all for the input and updates. I now have a room arrangement that I like and am letting it sink in before taking next steps.

My daughter and I are slowly working on gathering our art to hang above the sofa and we're making due with the furniture we have until we're ready to purchase what we want.

I like the idea or the storage under the window on the small wall with 1 window - I'm going to start to entertain that.

I settled on some texted white and grey curtains with a very small pattern. I like them for their neutral aspect, and they keep the room light. They won't be a forever curtain, but they more than work and the price was super cheap.

I'll try to get some.pictures once I have the ability to add a few new pieces or find them via yard sales/craiglist!

Thanks again everyone.

Congratulations on splendid progress on making a comfortable home. I'm sure that's a reflection of your healthy and purposeful outlook on life. Keep up the good work. Folks are rooting for your success.

I like the curtains with the small, all-over print better than the pair with the contrasting, horizontal colorblocks, and I would try to incorporate some harmonizing prints in different sizes to bring some contrast to the room. As for the sofa, I would add a quilt that harmonizes somewhat with the print curtains while providing contrast from the solid black sofa. You also might angle the sofa across the corner to make the furniture arrangement a bit more interesting and add a framed, matching pair of mirrors wth one on each side or wall of the corner behind the sofa.