If nothing else that far wall where you have the piano would be beautiful in the blue with a floor to ceiling art gallery.

I think a dark blue or grey wall color could look great. Just pick the rug with that in mind. The desk perpendicular between the windows was something I thought about -- but I was picturing it with a wall of bookshelves on the back wall. I would love that, but doesn't sound like something that is on your list. I didn't consider a sofa in the room -- not something it seems you feel a need for, but would a sofa invite more people to sit and use the room than chairs only? You know your family better -- try to consider how things may change as they get older (as if we we really know).

If your son wants to play drums, I'm afraid doors won't be enough. At one time, we have a drummer on either side of our house and one behind us. I didn't hear them inside so much as the minute we stepped outside. I was glad I didn't have a drummer -- just a saxophone and a trombone. Both also vocalists. But no drums!

Thanks so much for the input!

I need to think more about shelves and whether we need that much storage space. I haven't totally ruled it out - I just don't have an immmediate need - so in need to figure out how else we might use the space as the kids get bigger.

I told my son he could start with piano or eukele...no drums yet. Haha.

We have some company for the next day or so. Once they leave I'll have a chance to move some things around. Thanks!

Boys seem drawn to drums. My oldest son wanted to play percussion in band when he was first deciding. He wound up choosing trombone in the end. They are loud too -- especially as the lungs get bigger and they learn to play better.

Here are a few options for your desk arrangement, though we think grover is on the right track.

Thanks for the inspiration, VRA Interiors!

I've been debating about how much seating we really need in here. We definitely don't need a sofa since we have two other rooms with sofas (living room and basement family room).

I have been wondering about how to include enough workspace so the kids can do homework in here as they get bigger. Maybe a round table with two chairs instead of the white chairs? I'm hoping to get a chance to play with the arrangement tomorrow or Friday.

I wanted to play a little with the arrangement, so I brought up an old desk from our basement. As much as I said I didn't want to face the wall, I pretty much hate the way the mac looks if I float the desk.

Option 1: desk floating facing the windows. I could see this working with a pair of chairs by the window, as suggested. I'm not crazy about how the computer looks.

Option 2: desk floating facing the entry. Holy computer, batman! I love the desk floating but hate how huge the computer looks. I also like that the (kind of ugly) piano is tucked out of the way:

I think something like this along the back wall is probably the solution:

What do you think? Thanks so much for taking a look!

Hi Laura,

I'm just chiming here, but I'd like to recommend some music related canvas wall prints for this room. We have an amazing selection, but here are a few thoughts based on the room and your conversation so far:

or

or

or

or

Abbey Road Beatles Canvas Print by eWallArt

Here's the whole catalog on Houzz if you care to browse other possibilities.

[The eWallArt Collection on Houzz[(https://www.houzz.com/products/prints-and-posters-prbr1-br~t_921~a_10-40750371)

Let's discuss it!

Kind regards,

DJ from eWallArt

Laura, have you tried the desk between the windows (facing either direction)? That way you could look out the windows. If the desk was perpendicular to the wall, perhaps you could have a lateral file, bookcase or table between the windows as a return on a desk would be or a smaller side credenza and put the mac on that (assuming you do work that requires that large screen, but another option is to get a laptop that can be closed or slid into a drawer when not working). You could do something similar if you put a wall unit or built-ins across the back and have the computer or at least the screen there.

I really like the idea of a wall of shelves and/or cabinets across the back. They could be done to serve a number of purposes.

And personally, I wouldn't put spam on my walls. You can do far better than that.

Thanks, lascatx. I'm going to play around with it a little more today. I started to think through what it would take ($$) to do what I suggested above and realized it's probably not in the budget right now. I'll share pics if anything works.

I pulled in the white chairs to try opposite the desk:

I still think I might prefer the computer against the wall. I realized sitting here just now that it doesn't really matter if I'm facing the window or not - the big monitor blocks my view anyway! Haha. And I do need the big work surface. I do a lot of research/writing/web work and routinely work between different documents.

And I did try configurations where the desk was a peninsula between the windows and off the back wall - they felt like they divided the space in a weird way.

I was thinking about swinging the desk around so it's against the wall. Then I could add an ottoman for the two chairs and have a comfortable spot to read.

Is anyone interested in helping me pick a rug? I'd like a new desk, but I'd love to be able to get some color in here first. I love how this room feels - although I think our style is a little more modern/eclectic. Any thoughts on a direction for a rug? We need an 8x10 and would like to spend under $400.

I've been collecting ideas, but I'm not sure they're quite right (and they're kind of all over the place - some caught my eye before I found the pic above):

https://www.allmodern.com/rugs/pdp/elan-hand-woven-redblue-area-rug-lnpk4473.html?piid=20944631

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/nuLOOM-Handmade-Flatweave-Herringbone-Chevron-Cotton-Rug-8-x-10/6830421/product.html?refccid=GXH4V6AE7MU347CH4QNT6C6B3I&searchidx=70&keywords=&refinement=price%3A400%7Crug%20type%3AIndoor

https://www.allmodern.com/rugs/pdp/barium-orange-area-rug-lnpk5343.html

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Safavieh-Marbella-Handmade-Vintage-Diamond-Light-Brown-Ivory-Wool-Rug-8-x-10/13298801/product.html?refccid=JHH3NONTXSHZZKCFN744JM6MGI&searchidx=123&keywords=&refinement=pattern%3AGeometric%7Cprice%3A300%7Crug%20size%3A8%27%20x%2010%27%7Crug%20type%3AIndoor

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Safavieh-Montauk-Handmade-Geometric-Flatweave-Ivory-Grey-Cotton-Rug-8-x-10/13298840/product.html?refccid=5AXRY4GRMDTKYESHIDB7X4ZVYU&searchidx=339&keywords=&refinement=pattern%3AGeometric%7Cprice%3A300%7Crug%20size%3A8%27%20x%2010%27%7Crug%20type%3AIndoor

Your rugs, in no particular order:

Thanks so much, groveraxle!! It's so helpful to see them in the room. I'm going to play around with paint color a little and see what I think if the walls are darker.

(And I think our puppy would love to play with the little visitor.)

I think I have lost my ability to tell what looks good.

This is black pepper on the walls. Please excuse the really rough mock up. I just threw some blue pillows on to cover the red.

Hale navy?

I hope you'll hire a pro to do the painting. ;-)

Haha! Definitely looks better with your paint job! Thanks so much for your help!

Do you like either one?

I like the diamonds with the lighter paint color and the last rug with the Hale navy. The diamonds and lighter paint create a softer, more serene look while the darker colors are warmer, some might say cozy, look. Both look good, but which one best suits the kind of work environment you want?

Laura, I like both colors. I like this look a lot:

Thank so much for the help! I think the lighter is more in my comfort zone - and might flow a little better with the rest of the house - but I really do like how the navy looks with that rug. Such a hard decision! I'm going to look around at rugs a little more just to make sure I'm comfortable with out choice.

Thanks, again, for the photoshop. It's so cool to actually see the possibilities.

I'm home with a sick kid today and entertaining myself by looking at rugs. Groveraxle, could you indulge me by trying two more rugs with the navy walls?

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Safavieh-Hand-woven-Moroccan-Reversible-Dhurrie-Sage-Green-Wool-Rug/7511853/product.html?refccid=XCZ6GJUXWOPYRE2HJNUVFQKEUE&searchidx=144&keywords=&refinement=rug%20type%3AIndoor%7Crug%20size%3A8%27%20x%2010%27%7Ccolor%3AGreen

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-Woven-Tribal-Elegance-Diamond-Gold-Wool-Rug-76-x-96/13680043/product.html

Thanks for your help!

I love that dark paint color.

Would you consider a very large desk (or table) and sharing it with homeworking kids? Of course you already have a plan going but sometimes a conference table floats better than a desk.

I could see putting one of those peninsula/bookcase/desk combo thingies on one wall--I don't like the floating monitor either, and I think it definitely gives off a receptionist vibe there by the front door.

I wouldn't worry about the sound coming from your piano if it's angled into a corner. It's not really a concern (and even if it was, neither of us has a good enough piano to matter). If your house is modern or has new insulation, you can put it on an exterior wall--just not in the sun or near a heat register. Not that you have room for it! But if your wall doesn't feel cold on a cold day or hot on a hot day, it's fine.

Thanks commenting, Fori! I think - for now - I'm going to keep the piano where it is, put a desk along the long wall, and add a rug and paint. And lighting. Definitely better lighting. Long term, I love the idea of built-ins on the back wall with a spot for a computer and then a floating work table that we can share - I really love that idea.

And thanks for the re-assurance on the piano! Good to know!

Don't laugh, Groveraxle! ;)

Hi Laura! Don't know how I managed to miss this post, but I'm glad to find out where the piano went! ;-)

Hi babophz! Thanks for joining in! That piano has been in every room in the house - except the kitchen! Lol. I'm finally embracing it - my daughter loves music so I might as well give her a place to do her thing. A place that will hopefully have doors at some point. ;)

Doors in a music room are a great commodity ;-)

(I have to catch up on this thread.)

Grover,

I love the mockup you did with blue walls. Can you please tell me where you found the rug?

Hi Lexi GS. This one?

https://www.allmodern.com/rugs/pdp/barium-orange-area-rug-lnpk5343.html

Your room has such great bones and you obviously have good taste, so it will be hard to go wrong with whatever you choose. Your last rug mock up (the pale green with white lattice pattern) seems like it would look great with your existing paint color, which I love. The Hale Navy would also look great, and paired with the orange and blue rug (the look groveraxle prefers), it has a vibe similar to that of the inspiration photo you love. Both looks work with your large artwork and other furniture.

The built in idea is cool, but I think you could achieve a similar look with a gallery wall on that back wall.

Hi eastautumn! Thanks for your comment!

We were ready to order the blue and orange rug from Groveraxle's mock up, but on a whim, I started looking at green rugs because I thought that might look good with the art. We have struggled with the art - which we love - because it's more traditional than the furniture we like and everything seemed to fight with it. I wondered if bringing in more green would help. Long story short, I ordered the green rug! I'll share pics when it arrives because I'd love input on paint color and how we can keep the room from veering too traditional (we're definitely more modern/eclectic). I think the existing color could work, but it needs a fresh coat so it's a good time to change things up.

Thanks so much!

Laura, I'm sorry, I totally missed your request for a mock up of those two rugs. Better late than never?

No worries! Thanks so much for doing that!

Laura, I still haven't managed to read the whole thread, but I absolutely love this wall colour with the rug and the art:

Looks very sophisticated! :)

Thanks! Look what just showed up...

That is really lovely, Laura! Are you happy with it?

Edit: I just noticed the hammer, lol!

There's a thesaurus holding down the other corner...lol! I still need a rug pad and maybe some double-sided tape. The rug came faster than I thought it would!

I think I like it. Actually, the more I look at it, the more I like it. It feels a little out of place to me because the color is very different from what we have in other rooms - lots of blues and grays - but that was one of the reasons I wanted to do a blue on the walls. I think once paint the walls, I'll love it.

Also, I didn't notice until I laid it down that it's a very similar geometric pattern to a runner we recently installed on our stairs. I don't love how they look together, but I think that's one of those things that only I will ever notice. The only time you really see them together is when you're walking down the stairs.

I'm excited to paint! I borrowed a sample of BM Eclipse from a friend, but it looks really gray on the side of the can in here (it looks much more blue in her dining room).

https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color/color/2132-40/eclipse?color=2132-40

We have a crazy weekend, so I probably won't get out for more samples until next week. Navy is the way to go, right?

And I was just standing in here and I really do think it complements the art. It always looks so dark in pictures, but it has these really beautiful variations of blues and greens (much prettier in person than what I can capture with my phone.)

I think so, yes, but I'm glad you're making the effort to find the right shade.

Funny that you say it felt out of place, because to me it looks like it fits right in your house!

Crossed posts, the rug is indeed perfect with the art. And what a beautiful piece, thanks for sharing a close-up. I'm going to bed now feeling very zen :)

Thanks! Have a great night!

Hi everyone! We took a little break for the holidays, but are back to work trying to finish some projects around the house. After we took down our tree, we did some rearranging because we decided our main living room doesn't work well when we entertain. This leather sectional was left homeless in that process, so on a whim we put it in the office - and we actually really like it. This is turning into a super cozy spot to read and relax. Would you be up for helping me finish this room?

I'm still working off the card table and really need to find a desk I can tuck into that corner.

We also need to decide on a paint color. Do we keep it light or still go navy?

Any suggestions for pillows?

(I had hung the mirror before the big furniture move so that will come down. I also realize looking at the pics that I need to adjust the rug.)

Thanks for taking a look - I'd love to hear your thoughts!

With the big brown sectional, you might want to do something other than the navy on the walls:

Thanks for painting the room! I think I like our existing color better than either dark color. That's super helpful. Thank you!!

BM doesn't have a color called basset hound, but they do have one called greyhound:

Your pup is SO sweet. She (he?) looks right at home. I think she'd have fun with our 8 month old girl!

We had that sofa in our family room two houses ago - and had the walls painted Sherwin Williams Basil - pretty similar to your first green. It's a good combo. I'm just not sure how I feel to committing to that much green again.

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6194#/6194/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0

Do I remember that the piano doesn't fit between the windows? If it did and you could put the bookcase/cabinet where the piano is now, it wouldn't be a wall of furniture all nearly the same height with no breaks.

Have you looked at the blue-gray of the distant horizon (trees or hills) in the painting as a cue for the wall color? Or the golden sky -- which is pretty much where you are with the current color but a a bit darker and warmer.

Hi lascatx! The piano does not fit between the windows or on the opposite wall unless I angle it in the corner which someone mentioned was a no-no for upright pianos.

I'm wondering if art and lamp above/on the piano could help with the "all one height along the wall" problem. And then I could move the existing art to the back wall where the mirror is in these pics.

The bookcase has been in our foyer right outside this door to this room. I kind of miss it there, so I may move it back. It's not really any farther away if I use it for storage for office items - I haven't been sold on it between the windows and that would be one less piece of brown furniture in here.

I definitely gravitate towards blues, so I'd definitely be open to that on the walls...finding the right color is the hard part. The current color is Benjamin Moore November Rain and it isn't terrible in person, but I figured I should explore other options since it needs a fresh coat.