Agree w/ decoenthusiaste on larger rug! Skinnier lamps are in order - the ones you have are too large for the tables they sit on. You can re-purpose them in another room - I've even painted over ceramic before. Get lamps that don't match for a more updated look.

Also, I believe the pic above your couch needs to be raised to eye-level, it apears too low.

Thanks for your suggestions. The pictures above show a large area rug over wood flooring. I debated about getting wood flooring, instead of carpeting. However, I'm not really steady on my feet, and I thought carpeting would be better for me.

My carpeting is in pretty good shape (even if it is 23 years old), except for areas where I sit (at the dining room table) and the walking path between the kitchen and the dining room table (not shown in pictures). Note: my dining room is an extension of the living room (not a separate room).

I just used my Bissell carpet cleaner on the walking path area, and will see if that will clean and raise the nap on the carpet.

I have been thinking about getting new lamps (good suggestion). I got them when I bought the sofa, end tables, coffee table and area rug (all from Ethan Allen, and I've had these pieces about 23 years). I don't use my living room all that much, so that area is still in good shape. Do you have any suggestions for places to buy lamps that are not terribly expensive, that would go with my Country French furniture?

I'll try raising the picture over my soft to eye level. It is a large picture, but I love it.

To be honest, I live differently now than years ago. I don't entertain much, so the living room doesn't get a lot of use. I have my laptop on my dining room table (no room in the den or kitchen). Since it's wireless, and I have my printer in the den, I can just move my laptop or put it away when I'm not using it. My dining room table is my desk, ha!

This may sound like an off the wall idea but I mean it with all sincerity. I think wood flooring may be better for you if you are sometimes unsteady on your feet and maybe you should ask your family doctor for his opinion. I notice that I often catch my heels on carpeting and this can be dangerous. I've already fallen in my kitchen in the most simple of accidents and broken my hip so I am unusually tuned into these sorts of things. One hip surgery is all it takes! If you don't feel like mentioning it to your doctor broach the subject with your women friends. Goodness knows we all have opinions! I love your country French room. I call my decor Paris apartment..meets California casual! Good luck to you!

I love your room - I'm jealous that your things have stayed so nice over the 23 years..my kids have destroyed everything they so much as look at. In regards to carpet color - I'm not a fan of beige here. Although neutral, I don't like it paired with white tones such as is in your room. If your accessories were off white or earth tones, then beige would be fine. But your sofa base color and accent colors (pink, blue, soft green) are white based. The beige carpet would look dirty in your bright clean white room. Maybe a soft almost white grey? If you're wanting a color, maybe paint the walls a color from your area rug.

I've been going round and round looking at carpets. I used my small Bissell carpet cleaner on the areas that showed the most wear and dirt. The carpet looks a lot better, but the walking path area between my hallway/kitchen/livingroom still looks a bit flat and shaded. My neighbor came in and looked at my carpet, and she suggested I try getting my entire carpet professionally cleaned. Althought my carpet is over 23 years old, it's still basically in good shape (except for the walking path area I mentioned). The carpet color (ivory) goes well with all my living room furniture, and it was excellent, expensive Karastan carpeting.

To be honest, I've never had this carpet pofessionally cleaned (only done it myself). Does a professional carpet cleaning make a big difference in raising the carpet nap and doing a good, deep cleaning?

Professional cleaning..yes and no. You get what you pay for. Those $99 specials are a joke. It's $99 to walk in the door..oh you want a cleaner...+25...you want odor removal another +25 and on and on.... I've had pros come in and be done with the entire house in less than an hour..how thorough could that have been? Also had some that stirred up more than they cleaned, leaving streaks and odor. (my dog pee'd in the hallway and cleaning reactivated it). So my opinion - ask questions before you book an appointment. What exactly is covered, what is extra. Insist on a DEEP cleaning, not just a surface cleaning. A reputable place will and should rake the carpet to bring up the nap. Cleaning is cheaper than replacing, so it's worth a try first. Also, make sure they move furniture, just don't go around it. If they do move furniture, make sure they place carpet/furniture protectors while it is drying otherwise your wet carpet will stain where furniture legs are. Do your homework, ask neighbors for recommendations. I rent a rug doctor and do it myself, cheaper and I can be very thorough. But its a back killer.

Sharyn, thanks for your comments regarding carpet cleaning. I'm going to check with my neighbors in my condo building to see whom they recommend.

I understand that with new carpeting, I'd need to have my carpet professionally cleaned every 18 months (and keep receipts); otherwise, I'd void the warranty.

I've had my ivory Karastan carpet over 23 years, and it really looks pretty good, except for the areas I mentioned. After I used my light-weight Bissell Steam Cleaner on the walking path area, that was dirty and worn down, the carpet looked a lot better. I also used a stiff brush to try to bring up the nap. Still not perfect, though, and I can see a "shadow" in the walking path.

I'll probably try to get the carpet professionally cleaned (by a good carpet cleaner, well-recommended) and see if I can keep my carpet a few more years. It's almost a shame to replace the carpet, when there are only a few areas with problems.

I remember having my old bedroom carpet "professionally cleaned", and the carpet looked worse afterwards than before. There were even streaks in the carpet. They only cleaned the walking paths, and didn't move the furniture at all.

And dare you try and tell the technician that he missed a spot or didn't move the furniture..they look at you like you have a 3rd eye. I have heard good things about Service Master.....just ask questions first.

I like the french provincial decor and i like the lightness of the carpet .
If you could get a rug a bit larger to accommodate most of your furniture it would make it more cosy , i was thinking about something like this for example
[houzz=]

Since your pathway that is older looking from the kitchen to the dining ... You might want to consider replacing the dining room carpet with tile or wood flooring. Get an area carpet under the dining table. Will the layout work with the design of the rooms and how they relate to one another if just the dining room was changed to a different flooring?

I live in a condo that's similar to a typical apartment. The living room and dining room are not separate. The living room extends down to the dining room, so there is no real dividing line between the two. I think it would break up the space too much to put wood flooring in the dining room area only. Maybe I just need to break down and get new carpeting. I'm probably stuck with looking for ivory carpeting again. Note: please excuse the extra wood pieces on the floor -- left over from kitchen/hallway renovation.

Yes, I see that that would not work. Your hutch is placed between the two rooms where the walls for those rooms divide the spaces.

Would you be open to tiling or wood flooring in the dining room and the living room? I know you said that you're a little unsteady on your feet. Since you don't use the living room, a larger area carpet for the sofa set is probably needed anyway. You could also put a large carpet in the dining room. Never have to carpet again.

I find that carpet in high traffic areas costs more in upkeep and wears so unevenly. You would have to decide how important the expense would be and how long you anticipate the length of time you will be in this condo. If the carpet lasted you 23 years, then I say it's time, carpet again if it feels so much safer for you.

I really do feel safer with carpeting, rather than wood flooring. I'm looking at some Shaw Caress carpeting, which is soft but strong (Soft Fleece is the color). I'm not expecting any carpet I install now to last me 23 more years anyway. I also need new baseboards installed, so will have that done the same time as the carpet is installed.

I thought you'd say that, so now it's just a matter of what color and what product. Good luck! Keep us posted.

Your carpet is 23 years old and still looks great other than a few places. It was expensive carpet and was worth it, but I beat you would love some new carpet now and treat it just as well. Good luck with whatever you do.

Here is a picture of my living room showing Shaw Caress carpeting in the color Soft Fleece. It's not ivory, but a very soft beige. Do you think this would work in my living room and dining room areas?

Note: my sofa and the center of the area rug are actually ivory, not white -- although they look white in the picture.

LB Interiors, do you have any rug product and color suggestions?

Hi, you don't have anything beige that it would work with comfortably. I think maybe stick to an ivory color. Maybe something that is varigated with a few different light tones. There are so many options, I would start with a varigated and check them out at the store.Something like these

Check out this link for shaw carpets
http://shawfloors.com/carpet?gclid=CPmViOqfgLcCFSSCQgodPzMA3Q

http://shawfloors.com/carpet/Texture

The area rug is 4 x 6 and is meant to use under the coffee table (which has a glass top). It was suggested by the designer at Ethan Allen when I bought the other pieces. I suppose I have to go back to an all ivory carpet, but I really don't want that anymore. Not sure what to do now. I'll see if I can find something variegated -- ivory and light beige if possible. I really didn't know it would be so hard to find a carpet for my living room/dining room area.

ask around ..my husband does carpet cleaning..He is well know in our area.. Just cause they have a BIG brand name doesnt mean they are good. We agree with the above mentioned things are great to look for and ask...
Steam clean is the best.. Rug doctors leave to much water in carpet. The salesman that told you about cleaning is correct .Great salesman. Not all will tell you that. Ask him they know the good ones.
As to my opinion.. Hard surface would be good for your area. also good resale value If you ever want to sell..Good luck..

It seems the trend today for area carpets has changed from 23 years ago. So, it's really your choice if you want to purchase a larger one. Sometimes we only see what is the trend.

LB Interiors: Are you saying that people don't use 4 x 6 rugs under their coffee tables anymore?

nanalea: Thanks for the comments regarding carpet cleaning. I live in a condo (like an apartment building) on an upper floor in the back of the building, facing a courtyard. I can't have carpet cleaned by a cleaner that uses a truck and a hose. Can steam cleaning be done without the hose?

I know wood flooring would be best for resale value. It would be more expensive than carpeting, plus then I'd also need an area rug. I don't have the money to spend on wood flooring at this time. Plus I'm concerned about slipping and falling on a wood floor.

Stick to ivory- your current colour is perfect but the beige has way too much yellow. My parents have carpet similar to yours and they get it cleaned every 6 months. It's amazing how good it looks afterwards. Make sure you use a good cleaner.

I realize my comment was ignored but I discussed this question with my husband and we both agree quite adamantly that wood floors are much safer, as long as one does not place throw rugs down, as far as slipping and falling. In fact there is no reason to "slip" on a wood floor unless of course some water has been spilled but that's very unlikely. I will try to find some statistics that might set your mind at ease. But in the end it's all about what you want to do.

I agree with you that I need to stick with ivory if I'm going to get new carpet (maybe something that has a couple shades of ivory). I'm going to take my time finding just the right carpet.

It's a shame that the only area of my carpet that looks bad is the walking path from the hallway/kitchen area into the living room. The rest of my carpet looks great!

Hi Madeline, I appreciate your comments. I'll consider wood flooring, and perhaps that's the way to go. (I really don't like carpet under the dining room table).

I had an engineered wood floating floor in my kitchen and hallway, but had that replaced with luxury vinyl tile. I had water damage (from a faulty garbage disposal) in this area, and the wood flooring buckled and delaminated.

What do you think of engineered wood floating floors in the living room and dining room? I sure don't want the same thing to happen with wood flooring in this area. My floor is concrete, so wood cannot be nailed down.

Also, how does one determine the size of an area rug in the seating area, does a rug pad need to be used, and what type of rug would I get that won't be a tripping hazard? Plus I'd need a reasonably priced rug (can't afford $1,000).

It is unfortunate that your carpet cannot be cleaned with a truck-mounted machine with a long hose, due to the location of your living space in the building. A professional cleaning using steam and excellent extraction can indeed make a carpet look new (even one that has suffered kitty hairballs, an overnight hot water heater leak and a dropped potted plant.)

I feel safer on carpeting, as you do. I have not had the experience Madeline did of catching my heel in carpeting and breaking my hip. I found a bit of research on falls in nursing homes. Falls on a vinyl floor resulted in 46% of patients being injured. Falls on (hospital grade??) carpeting resulted in 17% of patients being injured. You are not a resident of a nursing home, so these results must be interpreted with that fact in mind.

Would it be possible to install a handrail on the wall along the walking path from the hallway/kitchen area to the living room?
Could you have just the walking path carpet replaced? Some carpet installation companies can make seams that are almost invisible.

I have the same design dilemma in my own home (12 year old inexpensive carpet) and unsteady on my feet (arthritis). I am looking forward to reading the suggestions and final solution for your dilemma.

You might consider a carpet the color of the border in your area rug. That would help your feel that your money bought you a new look. I do agree with buying the best carpet that you can afford and also a good underlay.

eztia, I'm not at the point I need a handrail, but I do have arthritis and some balance issues at times. When I go out, I use a cane, but not at home.

I'm pretty stuck with getting an ivory carpet -- maybe not as light as my Karastan carpet. However, I want a good carpet, that will last many years. I'll take my time looking, and maybe I'll find just the right one. I have a couple carpet samples at home. One works perfectly for color, but the quality isn't the best. Unfortunately, that color is only available in that style.

I appreciate all your suggestions -- they really have helped me make a decision on flooring for my living room and dining room. I think I finally found a carpet that will work for me. It's an ivory Masland carpet that is very durable, stain resistant, and has a loop and twist. I also can use my upright vacuum cleaner easily on this carpet. My vacuum cleaner doesn't work on the new, soft carpets. I don't have any kids or pets at home; and if I'm careful to only walk on the carpet with slippers, it should hold up really well. After all, my current carpet has lasted 23 1/2 years!