What about something like bamboo. I just think the forsythia looks very meek next to the sunflower.

not as many sticks as this....just a few.....
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Love the chairs! I'll bet they will be more comfortable to sit in for long periods of time, too. (Although I suspect you don't get too much time to sit for any length of time!)

Yes, that is where Quinnpad will sit while she eats her bon bons in preparation for her daily massage.

I wonder if there is a way to move the desk to the right and do without the vase altogether. Desk doesn't have to be centered, but could be moved somewhat to the right so that door could still be opened.

The desk is as far to the right as possible for the door to open. I wish I could center it!!! Only reason I am trying to find something to fill the void :-)

cdrdesign: I finally caved and bought the set of 3 metal/wood sunbursts from Kirklands. I hung the largest in the LR already; I will post it there. I have two more. The 24" I am posting for the laundry room bathroom but the smallest 16" sunburst will fit over the side door as you have mentioned several times before (the 24" will be too big and the 16" will be a very nice fit!!). Here is a photo of the largest sunburst. Do you still think having something (this sunburst wall art) over the side door in this room would look good?

just noticed the nailheads.....pretty chairs!

What do you think of these as alternatives:

http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Walter_Wooden_Wall_Keys_-_Set_of_3/910/

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/designer-blackboards/wall-decor/message-boards/278188?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=1

several ideas that complete the "office" theme

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/wall-decor/office/

I think it will look good over the door!

Love the chairs! Great find.

cdrdesign: For the "office theme" ideas, are you thinking of these wall decor accessories to go to the right of the sunflower art (to fill the void)? I feel like I missed something somewhere :-)

If this is what you are implying, then I looked at Ballard and found these wall pockets, which I could really use now that my cow-print storage ottomans are gone. What do you think of these/this idea?

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/pocket-embossed-organizers/wall-decor/office/43118?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=11

Yes, that is what I was thinking.....that a more practical piece like this would replace the forsythia. I think it would look better as well as be more practical. Also, one less thing to work around when cleaning.....no worries with kids knocking over vase.

Great idea!! My only question now is color/finish: They have wood, vintage metal and the embossed copper (as sited above). What finish would you find the most appropriate?

wood: http://www.ballarddesigns.com/wood-wall-pocket/wall-decor/office/240334?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=7

vintage iron: http://www.ballarddesigns.com/vintage-wall-pocket/wall-decor/office/209333?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=9

embossed copper (quilted): http://www.ballarddesigns.com/pocket-embossed-organizers/wall-decor/office/43118?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=11

I say no on the wood ones, since I do not think the black, white or gray(very light gray) would work.

Vintage iron: I like that it would echo back on the sectional and the patina is very rich looking

embossed: they would go well with the artwork, but are more feminine-looking than the vintage iron.

I think this is a decision your husband will have a strong opinion on and I think I know which one he wll pick, but I've been wrong before.

Small question this morning. Does everyone like the grommet top curtains or do you think a pleated top curtain would look better? Same curtain, just different top finish. Thank you for any feedback.

I personally do like the vintage iron myself. I like the antiqued look and gray iron tones and I do know that my husband is not a copper fan. So...I think we can bypass troubling my husband with one more "decor" question and choose for ourselves :-) ha, ha.

Thank you very much for your opinion!!

Since you are going with a lighter colored ottoman, I think the pleated would look better (less rod showing).

Drapes: I had a moment of panic this morning but remembered why I chose the gromment top. Let me know if you like the concept and rationale:

-The end tables of the room are wood & iron so I think seeing the iron drape rod looks very cohesive.
-While having light colors in the space (more feminine ottoman & drapes?), I think seeing the dark iron rod helps keep a masculine touch in the space.
-If I go with the vintage iron wall pocket organizer, again, the gromment top/rods will tie it all in.

What do you think? :-)

Also, which floral arrangement do you like best atop the turquoise cabinet? (The forsythia can be trimmed down.) I love the elegance of the white hydrangea but like how the yellow forsythia brings balance of yellow to this corner.

(look to the left side of the photos!!!)

grommet drapes: I meant to say this....I don't think it is something that is going to make or break the room, one way or another. I think you need to trust your judgment and it is sort of one of those things that is personal choice. You could wait until you have the ottoman covered and see how you feel then?

I think you could feel comfortable with your decision either way.

What do you think of placing a sunflower in the vase?

Reminded me of your space, except yours looks better.

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Drapes: Cool. Thank you for the insight. I really do like the break up the grommet top offers, which is why I decided on it in the first place.

Florals: Sunflower would be okay..good idea, makes sense....but think I would prefer the forsythia if I go with yellow. Not ruling it out by any means though!!!

floral arrangement more comments'

-cabinet and sconce look crowded by drape. Can you move drapes to the left more. Same issue by the door.

-are the vases new or something you had already. To me, they are not working together.

With the lines of your furniture, I would recommend a clean, contemporary look with 3 vases all the same with tight flower arrangement.

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For a more traditional look, you could do something like this, with different heights, but same color. (less vases in your case)
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or one large vase with a wispy arrangement

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Consider this also and save some $: my humble opinion is that you should have nothing in that corner. I would remove the chest. It will make the room feel bigger.

Just one person's opinion.

Are you putting a counter on top of the peninsula? One thing you could do is to extend the counter on both sides and slip some stools underneath the family room side, in addition to the kitchen side.

We are still putting a countertop atop the pony wall/penninsula when we get the chance. We have discussed before putting stools on the FR side. You recommended against it in earlier posts.

At any rate, as things have progressed, the turquoise/teal cabinet has ended up in this space and there is no place else to put it. It serves as the only "adult" bookcase/book storage in the house and needs to stay. While I know it is a bit cramped, it does work. I wish it fit in numerous other spaces in the house, but it just doesn't. It holds books, thus fits with the office/den theme. I think I can handle a few ...eehhs? :-)



What do you think of the new pillows? the inserts finally showed up today :-)

Wow. This post is so long, I am starting to go back and forth. It is weird when you look at something so long, isn't it?

Anyway, as you say, sidetable is not terrtible there and putting something on top of it draws your eye up. Good idea.

I know it is long but I am almost done...right?? ha, ha. I really do feel this room is drawing to an end. As soon as the upholstery for the ottoman arrives, we will be down to very small details :-)

Yes, almost finished. All of your hard work is paying off!

Pillows: well, I actually like the tailored look of the pillows that came with the couch. But, I think these could look great if you want a more casual look. The colors and pattern work really well.

How were you thinking of arranging them?

drapery panels on each side of the blinds would really look nice. but if you like a clean look, I would suggest you don't put anything above the verticals, the pictures above look odd.

I like both flower arrangements but if I had to choose I would pick the forsythia because the color works so well with the rug, chairs, sunflower. In the picture it looks like it might be a little too tall but you could tweak that. And you could always alternate the flowers.

Also, now that you have the high back chairs by the desk, it looks like the sunflower should be a little higher-what do others think?

cdr do you think a couple of the original pillows would work with these, like in the picture of the gray couch you posted. Maybe use only 2 yellow if it's too crowded.

kcooz07, good point about the artwork. Not a lot of room there, because of the sconce, but could be moved up some.

Not sure about the pillows. They appear to be down-filled. I am not sure they would work with the very tailored grey pillows.

Sorry I haven't posted lately.....the laundry remodel has been taking a lot of my "free time"!!!!! I am absolutely hating the yellow down-filled pillow inserts and either need to fill them more or buy poly-filled inserts; they look deflated all the time. I could bring back a few of the original grey tailored pillows and do an assortment of all three pillow styles over the sectional. We can work on how to arrange them once I get them out of storage. I think that would look very nice and full utilizing all three styles :-)

I have also been considering not doing the vinatage iron wall pocket organizer from Ballard D. I am actually afraid it may take away from the current look at the desk. Does anyone else agree or disagree? I would love opinions!!! Thank you!!!

Oh yes...I can also raise the sunflower art a bit....perhaps to match the top or just under the top of the chairs.

Desk area: I think the floor vase you had there took away from the art. I think it is worth a try with nothing there.

ideas for above your sidestand table (not the right color necessarily, but the idea. Your room has clean lines and is more masculine and contemporary-oriented.


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Quinnpad..I agree on no wall pockets..leave some breathing space and save your money for the next house.:-)
For down/feather filled pillows, allow the pillow size to be at least 2" bigger than the cover.I have only down pillows, and they never appear 'flat' unless someone sat on them.Also- they last forever if they are good quality.

There is something about that pillow fabric....looks wrinkled.....probably the down not filling out the cover. That is what you are saying, right, pap oodles?

I am planning on filling the down pillows more to make them fuller. I, too, am very disappointed in them but love how much longer the down pillows last and will hold shape at a single fluff :-)

I did get the grey tailored pillows out of storage and will get photos uploaded and we can decide on placement.

Well, this is it!!!! Everything is completed as discussed at this point, and I am open to final detail suggestions. I would love to hear what you all think!!

Wow! It really is breathtaking and a testament to all of your hard work! I am really impressed!

WOW Impressive. Enjoy it.

Beautiful!!! Looks clean and fresh yet warm and comfortable all at the same time. I'd love to take a peek at the desk.

Minor thing, but if I could change the pillows, I would. I think they need to be overlapping on the left and right sides and the white does not look good against the white curtains and is too dominant in the center. I would change them to

my first choice: moving from left to right and pillows overlapping

left: yellow, gray
center: gray, yellow, gray
right: gray, yellow

my second choice if you want to use the white

left: white, yellow, gray
center: gray, yellow, gray
right: gray, yellow, white

Fantastic job!!!!

Hello! While I do understand your point regarding the white pillows, every person that sees them in person just loves them so I think we should keep them :-) I can certainly re-arrange :-) Thank you so much for your input!!!

It is hard to show in photos sometimes what things look like in person. I understand. My "choice 2" includes the white pillows.

Just saw the final pictures. It looks GREAT quinnpad!! Would also like to see the rest of the room when you have time.

Yes, I will get the other photos posted very soon!!! We don't have the entertainment center (w/toy storage) done yet since we were so busy with the laundry remodel, but it will also be done very soon and I will post photos of that as well later :-)

So perfect ..:-) You must be so thrilled with this transformation,Congratulations:-)