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aualibra

Need help with living room decor

9 years ago
I feel stuck!! I am going for a formal/contemporary/modern look. I have bought new pieces of furniture: 2 chairs, side tables, lamps, painting, I want to bring out the colors of the painting to have a flow. Having said that; here are my questions:
1.what color should I paint on the back of the painting wall?
2. can I add to my coffee table? Will a terrarium in a gold tray look good or should have a gold planter?
3. Is the tray of the TV table look good or should I replace it with a contemporary white ceramic planter?
4. What should I add in the corner space between the sofas?
I want to add things from Anthropology-the store. Please advise. Indoor Green plants are definitely an option. Thanks!

Comments (32)

  • 9 years ago

    I think your room needs some color. You could paint the entire room in a very light grayish/blue/green color taken from the art. Or keep the current wall color, and get a deeper blue/green rug to pull together the seating area, and paint just the TV alcove in the same color. Your art is great, and adding some gold accents is a good idea, with two pillows, or a large tray. I think the biggest improvement you could make to the room would be to replace the ceiling fan with a beautiful light fixture.

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

  • PRO
  • 9 years ago
    Love what you have done so far. But you need softening and colour. Rugs, cushions with a pattern and colour and yes, plants. Love the picture. It is a great jumping off point.
  • 9 years ago
    Thank you so much for putting it together so neatly.. it looks very beautiful!!
    Since I want to highlight bit of gold, how would this type of rug look with gold pattern pillows?
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Love celery's last rug with the OP's gold pillow suggestion.

  • PRO
  • 9 years ago

    No giant clock--this is way overdone.

    Please add some interest, some personal touches.

    Get rid of the frilly light fixture on the fan.

    Definitely a large rug.

    Put the little table between the two chairs and get a taller end table for the lamp


  • 9 years ago
    How would a rug similar to this look?
    How would Corel print rectangular pillows look on the two white chairs?
    These are a few prints from Joann for pillows
  • PRO
    9 years ago


    Colorblock Pillow - Mustard, Navy and Natural Linen, 12x16, With Insert · More Info

    Modern Rug, Handmade in Nepal: Martini - A Rug For All Reasons · More Info

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Why you want to use coral color? You do not have anything in your room to tie up with it. Pick some colors from your wall art . This natural rug will go with them.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    My priorities for this room would be: 1) rug, 2) remove mantel and replace clock with art, 3) replace fan with modern one, 4) taller lamps flanking sofas


    Add some colors from your art. Your room is totally neutral.

  • 9 years ago
    Adding more art work will that not take away from the existing art?
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Love what you have selected, ...............except why have you not centered the seating on the fireplace and under the ceiling fan? That seems essential to the room.

    Love the painting you have selected. Perfect accent for your items. Don't think you can place a color behind the painting because there is no way to stop the color. However, it looks like there is some gold paint on the image but there is no light to highlight the painting, so I think a picture light is a must.

    I changed out your fan, lowered your TV, replaced the clock on the wall and added a foot to your lamps




  • 9 years ago
    Thank you so much Beverly
  • PRO
    9 years ago



  • 9 years ago
    The fussy dark fan is a real distraction. Remove the shelf and the clock from the chimney, but replace the clock with art. The room needs a generous rug to anchor the furniture.
  • 9 years ago
    What will look good in this corner between the sofas? Options: A tall white planter or 2 white small planters on the corner table or tall gold plant stand with with rope around it or small gold planters from Anthropology store.
  • 9 years ago
    The drapes should be at least double their current width.
  • 9 years ago
    Thank you tbtanyderi
  • 9 years ago
    How will these planters look in the corner of the sofas?
  • 9 years ago

    Your chair upholstery blends into your wall, the legs blend into the floor. This room needs color and contrast. Turn off the overhead lights and use lamps. Add a picture light over the canvas. (Thank you for hanging it at the proper height, BTW.)



  • 9 years ago
    Thank you Groveraxle
  • 9 years ago


    Loloi Nomad NM-03 Rug | PlushRugs.com · More Info

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    You've done a beautiful job with the space. Love the art. You have great taste and a lot of great ideas, as well.

    I do agree with Calidesign, and I think the single/most significant alteration that would 'up' your space is bringing in a beautiful light fixture. Fans can be wonderful and useful - and if you prefer having one, the suggestions of bringing in something more streamlined/modern are all good. But I believe you would get the greatest impact with a striking/substantial light fixture (on a dimmer, of course).

    Kichler Erzo 8-Light Chandelier, Natural Brass · More Info

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Gorgeous art! I would paint the accent wall a deep golden metallic taupe or alternatively a neutral pinstriped or small print wallpaper, white ceramic with gold or silver accents for the coffee table and a small stack of magazines or books or if u like candles a large round tray filled with different sized auto-timed pillar candles, between the couches an elegant floor lamp with a fabric lamp shade to cast a warm glow at night or fiddle house plant. Yes to white ceramic add-ons. I suggest updating the lighting to a polished or brushed nickle lighting or fan. Also more throw pillows! Something in a satin and cotton monotone ivory or peachy cream color with a textured feel. Good luck.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    In this one, a painted zebra pillow with gold in the mix, from CB2. I know zebra is not for everyone, although I love the look in your space. But the idea is - black offers a lot of contrast. Also, you can see how the black in the pillows complements your coffee table, end table, lamp base, etc..... one way to tie the space together.

  • 9 years ago
    Thank you freedomplace1
  • 9 years ago
    Since the lamps need new highs, I want to replace my current side tables (18X22) to taller ones (24X24) below is a pic of one I want to buy. But, Is it ok to have the side tables taller than the coffee table in the center? The current center coffee table is (18X47)
  • 9 years ago
    I meant, to make the lamps look a certain height, Should I buy new tall side tables?
  • 9 years ago

    Side tables should be the same height or a hair lower than the arm of the chair or sofa it's next to.