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Living room help

13 years ago
I painted the walls a taupe color added some throw cushions and shag rug..what am i missing? Should i get a few cream nic nacs for the end tables? I think im going to put up 2 !/2 inch faux wood blinds.thanks so much

Comments (14)

  • 13 years ago
    You need a pop color for either pillows or a throw
  • 13 years ago
    Yes i bought all thes cushions and then thought i needed something more that stood out but since i can not return them what color/kind of throw and which piece of furniture should it go on..also would the blinds look ok on window? thanks for you help
  • 13 years ago
    I do have a cream throw on the chair that you can not see in the pics
  • 13 years ago
    Floor is brown, furniture is brown, tables are brown, so too much brown.
    A larger carpet would be a better fit, if you get a carpet with a pattern, then you can pick a color from the carpet for drapes, pillows and accessories.
  • 13 years ago
    From what I have learned being on here, pick out a color on the picture
  • 13 years ago
    How about orange? And have you thought about white sheer curtains for the window the window is great and brings in such nice light will the wooden blinds block the light? Were you thinking about white wood blinds
  • 13 years ago
    I just bought cushions and rug so can't change that now.Sheers may be a good idea but I don't think orange would go
  • 13 years ago
    How about a really soft throw on the corner/arm of the couch? Go for the light green mix you have going...perhaps a plaid or multi-twist? Good luck.
  • 13 years ago
    Thank you. That sounds nice.
  • 13 years ago
    Maybe a throw like this one:
    Home Tweed Throw - Gold/ Brown (50x60") product details page · More Info
  • 13 years ago
    First, I think white 2-inch blinds would be great! They do not block the light, but allow you to control it and give you the option of privacy at night. In every house I've owned, I've had white woodwork and white wood blinds throughout as a common thread. I see your baseboard is white, so you have that going for you! I hope the trim around your windows is white, too. That and the white blinds will really add the contrast you desperately need. I've also always had wood floors, and yours look great! Those are all in keeping with your contemporary case goods and accessories. I think we have similar styles, but my guess is that I am many more years into this! I will try to add photos at some point. Beyond confirming your idea of [white] wood blinds, I will respond to your request for help, based on my own experience and preferences. We are all individuals and express our own views. Personally, I do not understand why people including professional designers like sheers or draperies for a contemporary room. Second, I agree that there is too much brown, as someone noted above. I would NOT add orange as someone suggested above...you already have enough colors. Shades of brown (walls and furniture), shades of white, (woodwork, blinds and area rug) and shades of green (pillows, vase, apples...and the green plants you will add for much-needed life, texture and softness.) Less is more, and there really are some design rules. Three colors are all you need (or should have) in a room except for the occasional surprise such as as in your prints. Third, what I see is a furniture store "showroom." Now it is time to add your personality and make it your own. Make it your "home." What are your interests? What do you really love to do or see? Gardens? Photography? Travel? The ocean or lake? Shells? Rocks? Books? Any collections? Please, NO knick-knacks. Bring in accessories that you really love or that reflect what you love to do. After the white blinds (and faux-wood is great...it does not twist or warp) I'd bring in off-whites and creams. Start with the candles, an inexpensive change. Remove the green in the hurricanes...the attempt to match the pillows is too obvious. Groups of three are great. I also like the green vase you have on the bottom shelf of one end table. Unless your plate on the coffee table has too much sentimental or financial value, consider painting it a cream color so it contrasts with all of that brown. [I have green apples, too!] While adding off-whites and creams, let's work for some asymmetry, too. Move the middle pillow to the left end of the sofa so you have two there, and add a cream- colored throw (or a pashima) behind them to break up the expanse of all that brown leather and the brown end tables (I have a leather sofa and dark tables, too!) It can be folded into a long narrow rectangle and placed neatly over the back, the seat and on down toward the floor...a nice, clean contemporary look. Or you can pick it up from one corner and casually drape it at an angIe for a more relaxed look. Then place the two pillows on top. I think one of the reasons you feel something is missing is that too much is matching, so don't let yourself buy or do anything else that matches! You said you can't return pillows, but maybe the reverse side is different so they don't all look the same? If not, can you use the ones on the love seat in another room instead? Another throw might be nice on the love seat, again breaking up the brown expanse. Perhaps this one could be a lighter or darker shade of green than the pillows on your sofa. Or it could be beige. Something with texture. If you don't want another throw, can you find a rectangular pillow (so it is different than those on the sofa,) making sure it has a different texture such as the woven look of linen in an off-white, or with a little tan and/or green geometric or garden pattern. (Look at at Pottery Barn pillows for ideas.) I can't see how tall your ceilings are, but the picture over the sofa is too low (most people make the opposite mistake!) Yours looks like it is too big for the space, but I can't see the top of it. If possible, raise it AND move it to the left, making room for the print you currently have over the love seat. "Heavier" or larger on the left is more pleasing to the eye. Together, the two prints will balance your long sofa. Two different sizes are fine...just line them up along the bottom edge, but not so close to the top of your sofa. (The space you currently have between your love seat and the print is good.) Over the love seat, you could make of collection of inexpensive prints of varying sizes (always odd numbers in decorating.) Buy ready-made frames in varying sizes, all in the same color and style for continuity. Stay with your contemporary style--simple, clean lines--and perhaps a low-sheen metallic or off-white, either of which will lighten the space. See Pinterest for ideas. Look in great stores and catalogues to get a sense of what you like, and if it is too expensive, find a similar look in a less expensive store. Or consider a grouping of three mirrors with frames as described above. Once a no-no, mirrors are in, and they reflect light. For the left end of your love seat, start looking for an inexpensive but unique table. Every seat in the room should have a table for beverages, etc. (Do you have two of the same vase, one by the love seat and one in front of the window? If so, can you put them together but at different heights in front of the window, perhaps setting one on a light-colored wooden box?) For the table, you might find something that is intended for outdoors. I've seen barrel-shaped tables that look ceramic or enameled metal in various colors--go for one in white or cream--the height of the arm of your love seat. You might also add a tall green plant behind it. Mother-in-law's Tongue (a terrible name) is easy. Also, see Pinterest for interesting groupings with your table lamps...perhaps two or three family photos of various heights. A stack of books. And a live green plant in a simple pot. (Check lighting needs of plant...the internet is a good resource.) You can have the same type of items on each end table, but don't match them. Consider adding three stacks of books on the lower shelf of you coffee table. Make your room look lived in. Surround yourself only with what you really love. Another website I have found helpful is Houzz.com and you can start folders with it. Check the library for The Peaceful Home and other decorating books. Make notes and/or color copies of things that are aesthetically pleasing to you. Over time, you will start to see the same look in your many, many gathered photos and this will give you a feel for your personal style...but do realize that it will change through the years. FYI--Though unintended, I, too, fell into the trap of choosing browns and blacks in case goods and accessories. I kept choosing pieces for their form and didn't think about the fact that I already had too many brown items until I got home. Now I'm in a house that does not have enough daylight, and all these browns are just way too much. I've learned the hard--and expensive--way that I need light and dark wood; a mix of metals; shiny and matte finishes; new things and old things (antiques such as primitive or distressed pieces); and texture, texture, texture. Realize that eclectic is very hard to achieve. Take time to collect photos of what inspires you and gradually try to add just a few pieces in another style. Mix inexpensive but tasteful items with expensive pieces and no one will know it's not all expensive! I can occasionally find something from IKEA or Pier 1 or Target ( for example, in the Smith and Hawkins line which was formerly an exclusive, high-end stand-alone store for gardening and home accessories. I was so disappointed when the store closed.) Just check for quality, and make sure you can return it if you don't like it once you get it home! I'm looking forward to seeing your progress:) and maybe even sharing mine!
  • 13 years ago
    Wow thanks for all the great ideas!! will try a few of them for sure and would love to see your pics as well.
  • 13 years ago
    Larger area rug for sure, and add some color to it.