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Help again! What to do with a bare wall and do I need a rug

10 years ago
A few weeks ago I posted a dilemma on how high I should hang new drapes on different size windows. Our old ones were hung from the top windows and at that same height on the other wall. Houzzers have convinced me that they should be hung between the top and bottom windows (any photo shoppers who could give me a visual?). They will be stationary panels on both sides of each window. I don't need them to open and close.
Now that the old drapes are down and some of the new furniture is here the room looks like one big white blob. I will have accent pillows (fabric in pic on left side of couch) and two accent chairs (fabric on right) plus the drapes that will add color.
Should I add an area rug (example in pic)? It would have to lay on the wall to wall carpet as it is only a year old.
Also should I leave the wall area above the drapes bare? It seems so empty. The ceilings are 20' tall.

Comments (59)

  • 10 years ago

    I love all your fabric choices and rug choice. I do not love them all together. Too many geometric patterns are going to be crazy-making. I also would not hang anything higher than the draperies. One large knock-your-socks-off canvas over the sofa is all you need. I will return and Photoshop in the morning...unless someone in another time zone beats me to it. ;-)

  • 10 years ago
    Looking forward to Grovers pics. I do feel all that negative space is a lot though but who knows. Here are a couple pics on how it was handled by others. Also, a co. That makes custom decorative grills. These are not metal so they are lighter weight.
  • 10 years ago

    These are not exactly your patterns (except for the rug), but close enough for you to see how all the geometries fight.


    I have other duties this morning, but will return later to help you adjust, if you'd like. Perhaps you could give us some closer photos of the fabrics; I'd like to see the pillow fabric in particular because I think that might be a good jumping off point for the rest.

  • 10 years ago

    Yes, you need an area rug. I would hang one large piece of art over the couch. And I would remove that tree in the corner, that is making the room feel unbalanced and it's making the couch look too short.

  • 10 years ago

    Hang drapes as groveraxle has shown, then measure the remaining space above the sofa and get one large piece of art for that spot (hung 5" above the sofa back.) Don't worry about anything above the drapes. You want your decor to be within the living space which is always 8-9 feet.

  • 10 years ago
    Here are close up pictures of the fabrics. The three fabrics together are pillows for the sofa. The teal would be a lumbar size. The teal color is more green then it shows on my computer, but you get the idea. The next is the chair fabric and the wood sample. I have also attached a picture of the chair style. These have already been ordered so if we change anything it would be the rug or drapery. Also attached is the fabric that we thinking about as a lumbar pillow on the chairs, but that may be too many pillows. And of course the drapery fabric.
  • 10 years ago
    Sorry the chair didn't come through?
  • 10 years ago
    That looks lovely Grover. Guess I overthought that one;(
  • 10 years ago
    I also meant to add that the two end tables are going. We haven't chosen new yet. We are also thinking of cube ottomans (2?) that can be moved around the room to any chair. Covered in expresso leather? We like to put our feet up and I don't think that there will be room for a coffee table and ottomans. We are waiting for the chair delivery to decide.
  • 10 years ago
    Here is what the room use to look like! Yikes!
  • 10 years ago
    That was a lot of fabric Adrienne. Now the tables make sense.
  • 10 years ago
    Looking at your before picture I realize you were trying to compromise for the asymmetry as I was. But Grovers pic proves its not necessary, will look lovely!
  • 10 years ago

    Ignore the space between the two higher windows. You don't need to decorate that. Put the focus of your room in the bottom 7 or 8 feet. Spend extra on the one painting rather that getting 3 or 4 like you had before.

    Your new room is already looking fabulous!

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Enough square corners in the room. Round end tables would be my suggestions and the lamp style and shade is a bit too traditional now for the room.

  • 10 years ago

    You should be able to find ready made pillows that you can experiment with. Don't lock in the pillows that you would have to have made until you're sure.




  • 10 years ago
    Thanks everyone for all the comments so far! I have been going back and forth with my decorator regarding the area rug. I would prefer not to have one, but the sofa turned out to be so close in color to the carpet that I wasn't sure. Hence the Houzz dilemma ;). I would like to get started on the drapery however if my choice works with the chairs. Maybe without the geo design of the rug they will work. Waiting for groveraxles next wonderful visual. The pillows can definitely wait until I have the larger design elements in place. I do like the colors in the fabric choices however. They go with the rest of the house.
  • 10 years ago
    If you feel the pattern of the drapery fabric may be to much and this is the one thing you can change at this point you might want to do a textured type or a fabric with a tone on tone pattern for a very subtle look. I have a rug on rug in my living room and it's not a problem, but I'm sure it depends on the type of rugs. It would certainly help to ground this space though. I went to the Stout site and these were just a couple of ideas. They may not look like anything up close and personal but just a reference. The 118" goods wood be lighter weight and I'm not sure that is what you are looking for but it does cut the cost down when doing panels.
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Personally I hate rugs over rugs. Thin rugs over sisal is different. What's wrong with being subtle? I wouldn't do strongly patterned draperies.



  • 10 years ago
    This reminded me of your space.
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Regarding decor ideas for your room....A big bold painting brings serious flair, and can instantly change the vibe of any space. Whether hung above a fireplace,sofa, or elsewhere in the room, a painting can create a focal point with impact and add both color and dimension.

    Pick up a few of its colors in accessories, like pillows, to highlight the piece even more.

    Just play a little with your wall you might like......to know more about my Art work and collections please visit my shop on Etsy website -

    https://www.etsy.com/shop/PooviArtGallery?ref=pr_shop_more

  • 10 years ago

    Oh, damn, the chair even has a geometric pattern on the frame. Since they are the immovable objects here, let me play with the rest. Stay tuned.

  • 10 years ago
    Lol! I hadn't even noticed all of the similar patterns until you pointed it out. No wonder the rooms of some of us novices turn out looking a little less than desirable. If you can put them all together for me I can show my decorator why I may be tossing out a bunch of her choices. Only the chairs, sofa and chair and a half have been purchased. Lots of changes can be made.
  • 10 years ago
    Umm , Her choices Adrienne.
  • 10 years ago
    Lynartist, yes she selected all the fabric choices and I did like them. Still do, but not if they don't work together. I thought they would, but as I am a very "visually oriented" person I couldn't put it all together in my mind. When I posted I was hoping to get just these types of responses (and groveraxles great photoshopping) to help me decide. I've put off ordering anything other than the furniture for weeks for just this reason. I want to love our room and it needs to last awhile! Thanks again everyone for your time. Keep it coming. BTW for those who post pillow and painting examples, I lean more towards green than blue. As I said earlier the teal pillow fabric color I had posted looked more blue in the pic, but it has more green in it in person.
  • 10 years ago
    Oh I get it! HER choices, should be mine. I'm the client who has to live with them.
  • 10 years ago
    No Adrienne! You shouldn't be so hard on yourself as you hired a designer who should have had a better handle on this fabric selection! They are all beautiful fabrics indeed so I don't blame you for liking them! Maybe she should have been better at editing them for you though! That's what I meant.
  • 10 years ago

    Adrienne - I think white sheers would look fabulous on the lower windows including large one to side. I think an area rug would be too much. Keep the palette light. Here are my favorite colors - which I think would look exquisite in your room.


    Vail Residence · More Info


  • 10 years ago

    I think your best bet on curtains is going to be a plain linen slightly lighter than your walls. I've given you three different looks, one monochromatic, two with the teal and yellow palette you've chosen. (Don't look too closely at the chair. I had to upholster it myself so it may be a little ragged, but it should be close.)




  • 10 years ago

    Correction: the teal and yellow palette your decorator chose. BTW, there is a big difference between a decorator and designer. Designers have certification and a degree, generally work with architects, and understand principles of functionality and aesthetics. Decorators may or may not have these skills. Yours seems to have missed the course on combining patterns. ;-)

  • 10 years ago

    And without a rug:


  • PRO
    10 years ago
    Nix on the area rug especially if you want to prop up your feet. I would do a large ottoman, with an "over the top" coffee table. It would do the job of grounding the space and yet serving two functions. Perhaps do the ottoman in a nice taupe leather with a metal and glass over table. I will post some pics. Rug on carpet is a constant hassle for sure. You would do the rug to grand space. My idea grounds the space without a rug to trip over, straighten, try to vacuum etc., etc.
  • 10 years ago
    I actually like the pic without the rug the most. The others looked too busy even with the solid drapes and we hadn't added a coffee table or ottomans yet. Thanks groveraxle! It really helps to see it. I like your "upholstery". I guess it's back to the drawing board for the drapes? I still really like the fabric. Will you be able to see the design so much if they're stacked? I need to go look at some houzz picture examples.
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Here are some examples so you get the idea. Of course, size would have to fit your space, but that is easy to figure out. Just make ottoman a bit smaller than width of your sofa, but keep it as big as you can so it provides that "grounding". Then find a table that will fit over it that you like for the "coffee table" part. Takes a little doing, but would fit this space perfectly. I would do higher, bigger end tables as well. All these elements will ground your space, then the large art over the sofa between the windows finishes look. I agree, keep geometrics to minimum. Maybe in pillows or what you already ordered. Get that in and then decide how much more "pattern" you need.

    Athens Ranch · More Info
    Notice the tufted, leather look, really "grounds" this whole space and it has all the "light features" of your room. Only touches of pattern are in the pillows and art work. Notice height of end tables are at or higher than arms of sofas. Except for the small one on end left of the one sofa. The plaid pillows don't excite me, I think your choices will be better! But get the art first, then you can pull colors for the ottoman and pillows from that.
    Virginia Waters - Octogan Developments · More Info
    More contemporary look, but just so you get the idea.
    2nd Avenue · More Info
    Lots of choices available with this concept. Just choose which works best for your lifestyle and usage patterns. The less use the room gets, the more risk you can take in fabrics. Leather for more heavy use, velvet for more "show". Enjoy!

  • 10 years ago

    I agree, you need some round choices and be careful choosing painting as drapes must be accounted for.

    I also agree that a coffee table will help. Please don't clutter with a bunch of accessories.

    What does the other side of the room look like. If you get a rug, it can't be a pattern. I do think the drapes might work with the chair, but it is hard to know, especially without the chair.



  • 10 years ago
    Thanks Flo. I like those ideas.
    Ramona the other side of the room is the entry.
    Off to the left in the sofa pics (and to the right of the big chair pic) is the dining room which will be our next room to work on. Here are some pictures from different angles. I will need artwork above that big chair too. I think I will wait on the delivery of the other chairs before I make any more decisions. It shouldn't be too much longer before we get them. Then maybe more discussion?
  • 10 years ago

    i agree with the rug and can i play when you do pillows?

  • PRO
    10 years ago
    Wow! I think that armless piece is out of place there. Can you move it to create a sort of wall to entry? Or is there not enough room? I have a feeling there is more furniture than space. High ceilings often trick people into thinking you have more floor space than you do. It annoys me that you have a decorator? and he/she did not plan this space very well. Or maybe you had this piece? Just doesn't work in spot that is too far from conversation area and in what appears to be walkway? Could you draw up floor plan of this whole space for better perspective. Use ink because pencil doesn't show up well on Houzz. Post floor plan if you already have one. Thx.
  • 10 years ago

    Totally agree with Flo about the chair. Try moving it directly across from the sofa.


    I'm also not crazy about the color in those niches. Consider painting them out the same color as the surrounding wall, then putting a console in front with a smaller vertical mirror or art and perhaps a couple of lamps.

  • 10 years ago

    No to these curtains with this chair.


  • 10 years ago
    Sorry wrong link in above post
  • 10 years ago

  • 10 years ago
    You guys are the experts, but IMHO large chair might be placed at a right angle next to the sofa on the left side in front of dining room entrance and the two new chairs placed in front of the large window. Hard to tell if there is enough room but just an idea if large chair is staying. It's a great room and I lean toward the teal as accent color and rest of the room in calm color scheme.
  • 10 years ago
    Ok. So the chair in question is exactly the same as the couch. Arms and all. We have it set off to the side until all pieces have arrived and we can decide on the best arrangement. I am out and about at the moment so I can send dimensions tomorrow. There is more room than it looks like in the pics I think.
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Dimensions would really help! Thanks.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Here is a picture from our portfolio that might help you along in your dilemma. Notice the rug and artwork.

    Douglas Cottage · More Info


    Douglas Cottage · More Info

  • 5 years ago

    def high curtains! white and beige would do the trick!