17ft living room wall-what to do?!

13 years ago

I just can't decide what to do with this space, the console behind the sofa also needs to go. I am thinking of buying a bookcase, maybe one of Ballard designs' ones, and putting a chair either side and a low buffet table behind the sofa, there is maybe 8 ft of space between the sofa and back wall. We don't use this as a tv room. Any ideas appreciated!!

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Dwellings LLC

13 years ago

I think some furniture rearrangement is in order. Since this is not a television driven room, I'd like to see the two couches facing each other and moved away from the fireplace more towards the center of the room.. Center the area rug between the two couches and if budget allows a larger coffee table. The pictures do not show if there is open space on the right side of the fireplace, in any case, I'd like to see floating bookshelves on the side(s) , I'm taking into account the baseboard heating. You could then get two occasional chairs in a print to balance the seating arrangement. As far as the back wall is concerned, large art would balance the weight of the fireplace on the other side. Or even large blown up black and white pictures of your family printed on canvas with no frames. Floor to ceiling drapes on the picture window will add color and help control the sound in the room. Good Luck.

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Comments (47)

printesa
13 years ago
Shelving would be an idea...I see toys, so maybe you could have some shelving with some doors at the bottom where you can store the toys. There is never too much storage:)
printesa
13 years ago
A version of this would probably look nice in your room
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Virtus Design
13 years ago
I like the idea of shelving with storage. Another idea would be art work.
Marie Moloney
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for your great comments, we had the couches facing each other and an interior designer told us to move them this way but I will try definitely try your suggestion! Yes art would be nice, I must go check out art.com.
This was the bookcase we were thinking of: http://www.ballarddesigns.com/tuscan-bookcase-set---3-piece/furniture/bookcases/10404?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=16&redirect=y
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Matt Patterson Custom Homes
13 years ago
Art!
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chiaraspataro.com
13 years ago
http://www.houzz.com/pro/chiara-spataro/chiaraillusione
If you want look my profile and my website!!!! ciao!
Susan Flavin
13 years ago
I get the feeling from your cushions and the mirror over your fireplace that you love jazzy touches. Why not invest in a baby grand piano, pair it with a retro lamp and a huge mirror? You may have to rearrange the sofas, but I think this would bring another focal point to the room and really balance it out - whereas at the moment everything is leaning to the fireplace side of the room...
Nicole Beasley
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
This is perfect for a wall shelving design that is decoritve and may serve as storage. Since you like bold colors I attached 2 design ideas with color :) You could also do a cube unit and work with a different color in each cube to set it appart from your wall. This would incorporate nicely with your current setup especially since you have kids :) With Cube units you can work also with baskets to put toys away while still be decorative and appealing in case you have the unexpected visit :) Hope this gives you some inspiration
Nicole Beasley
13 years ago
It didn't attach all images here is the other one :)
Nicole Beasley
13 years ago
bitemap not jpeg that is why
Leslie Haney
13 years ago
you definitely need some storage/furniture. Bookcases with cupboards below. Lighting in the shelves with plenty of room for art (not just wall bound, but 3D, sculptures). I agree with furniture placement, it needs changing. Open the room with both sofas facing each other and maybe a chair or two chairs where the one sofa is currently. The space is large enough to handle more furniture without cramping people. Will this room ever hold a tv? The corner could be custom built with similar styled furniture as the 17' wall? Don't forget lighting, perhaps ceiling lo-voltage cans? Use several zones so one zone could light the 17' wall another for the seating area etc. I have a 15x20 room and have 4 zones! Great space and you'll have fun moving things around and making it your space. Good luck.
PRO
The Global Design
13 years ago
Shelving and art in one, what about Kartell Bookworm shelving and have fun making your own shape
Nicole Beasley
13 years ago
Leslie I like your ideas except for facing the sofas to each other. The fire place should be the focal point and the way it is set up now allows for that. It won't be noticed otherwise. The TV could be mounted over the fire place. HGTV gives some really good tips of how to incorporate both :)
delenaruehl
13 years ago
Buy old French Doors and window's, add trim, curtains and lighting to give depth and the illusion of outdoor space. I think that would be fun!!!
Nicole Beasley
13 years ago
yes I agree with delenaruehl you definitely need window treatments. We found some really nice and inexpensive shades at Target for our house. They are honeycomb, white and neutral so you can work with different styles. They look expensive without spending the money. JC Penny has great and beautiful curtains to add some flare.
Jessica Mahoney
13 years ago
or you could do some sort of a bar/lounge area.
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anne dee
13 years ago
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if the wall is not flush with the fireplace (difficult to tell from yr pic) have you considered a built in framed nook as seen in this inspiration pic instead of a bookcase.Another design element to consider.
printesa
13 years ago
The Ballard's bookcase is nice. However, it might be a bit too heavy for the room. I would look at something that doesn't have a back . I think it's too much wood. See if you can find some shelving with open back that you can arrange it so that art can be accommodated as well. Nice options are those listed by nalexp76
printesa
13 years ago
Here are some ideas
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Carolina
13 years ago
Bookcases are nice, but only if you have books to fill them for the largest part. And if you go for bookcases, I wouldn't do two chairs. One comfy chair, floor lamp and table will make it more dynamic and less 'staged'.
PRO
Shoa Gallery
13 years ago
How about two long consoles or bookshelves on either side with a giant art panel in the middle. Check out my work here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/katshoa I carry vary large canvas prints. Not all sizes are listed so ask if interested.
Eldonna Ruddock
13 years ago
Ikea like wall of storage.
cintia15
13 years ago
Cool idea from my friends in Montreal ESPACE PEPIN...how to create a great mood in a room by take nature IN.
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Hummingbird Designs
13 years ago
Here are a few ideas
leelee
13 years ago
I totally agree with rearranging the sofas so they face each other with the trunk between them and the rug running perpendicular to the fireplace. Push both sofas back about 5 feet from the hearth and bring the front edge of the one near the window even with the corner of the left side of the hearth. That should leave plenty of space to walk between the sofa and the hearth on the left edge.

Your metallic mirror is a nice contrast to the rock on the fireplace. You might see about painting the brass at the top of the firescreen black?

Can you post a picture of that arrangement? It will be easier to tell how the back wall should look when we see the furniture reconfigured. Thanks!
Marie Moloney
Original Author
13 years ago
I rearranged them roughly, definitely agree with painting that horrible gold piece!
leelee
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Wow! That made a huge difference....do you like it? Now you need some medium tall lamps for your end tables. What if you brought in a vibrant green or a bright blue? Also, now that your sofa has moved away from the wall your picture needs to drop down so the top is lower than the window frame by 3 or 4". If you like the lamps you could certainly add some similar colors in pillows.
Carolina
13 years ago
I like the new sofa arrangement (although I liked the other one too, with a little bit of tweaking), but if you're keeping this one I'd center the trunk on the actual fireplace. So the entire arrangement would then move a little bit away from the windows. This looks a bit off...
leelee
13 years ago
Yes, the whole area needs to slide to the right 6 or 8" should do it.
decoenthusiaste
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I agree with the designer who suggested you "L" the sofas, except they need to be flipped so the one side aligns with the wider stone side of the FP and the other one is facing it. This opens two views - FP and out the window. A floating shelf with that starburst mirror above it would be great in the recess to the left of the FP. Add a mantel that matches the floating shelf. Use heat resistant black paint to neutralize that strip of brass and hang a large wall sculpture on the right of the FP on that large expanse of stone.
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Marie Moloney
Original Author
13 years ago
Unfortunately I dont have the to move the room to move the sofas out anymore
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Stamps Design Services
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
How about adding floating shelves in the niche to the left of the fireplace, adding a cabinet would be a good place to store toys... Also some draperies and lamps... I like the crystal lamps because they are versatile. :-)
Marie Moloney
Original Author
13 years ago
As you see there is a wall behind and I need to leave some space to walk behind it. With this arrangement there is only 30" between sofa and wall
Leslie Haney
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
good start! I like this placement - it gives a bit of grace to the room and ease to people movement. Now for the 17' wall...
decoenthusiaste
13 years ago
18" can be enough walkway, 24" is better so 30" is very good. 36" would be excellent, but you have room. As for the 17' wall, we live in the area below the 8' level, so focus design and decor on making the living space a wow, and the upper area will not be an issue.
Marie Moloney
Original Author
13 years ago
We have decided on this bookcase to go beside the fireplace:
http://www.wayfair.com/Hokku-Designs-Gian-Five-Shelves-Bookcase-Display-Cabinet-in-Light-Walnut-KUI2120.html?refid=ER_W&mmid=114802626&csnid=EB8B9695-8083-4559-BDBD-6001BC163A49&ltr=

and this buffet for the wall: http://www.wayfair.com/Furniture-Resources-Freeform-Buffet-FNP1144.html

I saw these today in Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams and I have to have them:
printesa
13 years ago
All three picks look great. What is the size of your wall where the buffet will go? I see that the buffet is quite large so it might be just right for that wall. The flower photos are really pretty.
Marie Moloney
Original Author
13 years ago
Just under 17ft
printesa
13 years ago
of course,,what was I thinking?:) it's in the title of your post:) It's a good start..you'll still have quite a bit of space on each side of the buffet,,about 40 inches on each side
handymam
13 years ago
I like the sofas facing each other, but I think the throw pillows may need some editing. Just too many on there.
makooch
13 years ago
3 area rugs hung; symmetrical or collage, preferably (judging from children's toys) of an appealing or imagination inspiring patterns and colors.
Carolina
13 years ago
I absolutely love the bookcase and the buffet! Nice choices. Please post pics when they're there.
leelee
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
That buffet is really fabulous--so not typical. Good choice!
sarenamcmanus
13 years ago
I think that the fireplace is really pretty and shelves for storage is a good idea but maybe you should have a set idea on the colors of the pillows instead of having a bunch if different ones other then that I think it is a wonderful room!!!
Carolina
13 years ago
So many people, so many different comments: I like your pillow mix.