Software
Houzz Logo Print
rosa_espinal77

Confused on Design Style

8 years ago
I am a bit confused or maybe nervous about choosing a design style. This apt is our first purchase and I would like to do a great job at designing it.
I have included pics of the items I have already purchased, except for the chandelier. I just added it to my mood board.

My problem is, I like everything. I like a few rustic and industrial items but I also like a more regal look with chandeliers and drapes. To make it more confusing, I really like colors. I love happy colors and most of the things I run into are gray.

Could you help me find a design style for this living room/ dining room combo?

Comments (11)

  • 8 years ago

    If you already bought all those things, you missed the boat concerning happy colors big time.

    The things you show do not fit into the industrial style, but more in what you call 'regal'. Now this more upscale style doesn't 'like' to be compromized. It is either, or. Not both.

    So in your case I'd continue in the 'regal' style and forsake the industrial style.

    Now, if you were having a house instead of an apartment and the house had a basement, you could live out the industrial style there. Or you could persuade your teenage son, that you probably don't have either. Add something bold red or blue to the picture there.

    But I'm afraid you have to wait for those options quite a bit.

  • 8 years ago
    You are definitely leaning towards a more glamorous style. Industrial and rustic are not part of that.
  • 8 years ago
    Thanks! I have only purchased the dining table, both rugs and we have the fine china from our wedding. I thought maybe the blue rug could help me bring in some colors to the apt.

    I'm still missing couches, which my husband insists on getting leather and I still need all the other stuff too. I'm really starting from scratch and I'm having a hard time searching in Pinterest/Houzz. So, a few key words or pictures would help.
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    You have a low ceiling, no trim, and a parquet wood floor. Those features are perfectly fine, especially in an apartment. You should go less traditional. Clean, simple lines. Color, you could go nuts with. It's a basic living room / dining L. Find a photo of one you like (with a similar low ceiling) and copy the decor. I like your choices, but you may not be on the right track to maximize the appeal of your home to a broad audience. But ultimately, it's your space. One thing I think works sometimes - let the master bedroom be a little more tradiional. Could you maybe use the oriental and then chandelier in there? Are the items you purchased already in your possession? I think the dining set is not what I personally would pick for that space, but I like it - a lot. What I don't love is the closeness of the upholstery color to the wood color. A bright, punchy color would look good. I'm actually wondering if you could stitch citron or turquoise grosgrain over the X patters on the chair backs and add small elongated pillows in the same color to host / hostess chairs.

  • 8 years ago
    Don't buy the ornate gold chandelier. It is too fancy and fussy. I suggest you buy a drum light fixture similar to the one shown in the trestle table photo. The blue oriental rug is beautiful. If you are looking for an accent color to brighten your rooms, that blue would be lovely with the grays. Your apartment has good walls for art, and art is a good way to bring in some more color.
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Rosa, no need to fret. You can alter, add and mix up different styles to your preferred taste. What's important is that you are comfortable in your space and that you enjoy coming into a home that makes you feel good.

    I think you can glam up and bring in color that matches the items you've selected. You might be leaning towards Boho Chic, which you can tailor to your taste.

    Here's a few photos I pulled, does any of these speak to you?

    Boho chic - still have the wood floors, white walls but color is added with the furniture, pillows, area rug...

    Modern chic - still has the rustic touches with a bit of glam. This look too can be changed to add more colors to add that Boho flair.

    Industrial, rustic, Boho - all working really well together

    Boho chic - glamorous mirror, colorful pillow selection, eclectic light fixture.





  • 8 years ago

    Thanks so much for all of your help!

    teamaltese, I LOVE your idea of adding iron and bronze pieces. Ezio Design Solutions, I was drawn to your 1st and 3rd pictures. For some reason it reminded me of the Spanish Colonial style. I looked up some pics under Spanish Colonial and I love the look. I'm just afraid that my ceilings will throw off the look. My ceilings are normal NYC height I think those short windows make everything look squashed.

    These are the ideas that I am taking from this look. I would appreciate it if you could give me your opinion.

    1. All white walls and ceilings. Maybe semigloss for ceiling to make the ceiling look higher.

    2.I'm thinking of long double drapes for the window. Inside curtains white and outside curtains in a small pattern. I hate this window size/shape but love the brightness the windows provide. I'm trying to hide the window

    3.Incorporate a few ornate furniture like the legs from my dining table.

    4. I'm not sure if the oriental rug matches this Spanish Colonial style but I will keep it for a little bit. In the meantime, I will try to pull up some of the blues, oranges and reds from the rug like felizlady suggested. Maybe by adding them to pillows in the living room area.

    5. I'm stuck on furniture. I see a lot of white sofas with brown wood frames. Would I be able to have a brown leather sofa with white chairs? The husband has to have leather.

    6. Add wrought iron sconces and candle sticks.

    Now I really wish that I had those wood beams but, I will have to do with out it. Will this look silly? I created a mood board below


  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Yes, I think the all white walls and semi-gloss ceiling will lend itself to the vibrant colors in your finishes. With your lower ceilings the added beams wouldn't be a good choice, make the height look even lower.

    The pillow you selected is perfect. Only go with one color for the curtains and install them to the ceiling to make the windows appear taller. Yes to ornate and iron décor items.

    Your selected rug will work, and yes pull in some of those colors with your other furnishings, pillows, throws (mix patterns and textures as well). Leather sofas can work, select a tan sofa with clean lines - add white soft/fluffy throws to help soften up the look.

    Beckwith Mid Century Modern Camel Leather Cushion Back Sofa 94" · More Info

  • 8 years ago
    Thank you, Ezio Designs, for showing her how to use what she has to make a look she can live with. I so appreciate when a pro helps to pull together a look a person loves -- not just the look they gravitate toward. Too many times folks are told what they have doesn't work as opposed to how to make it work.
    Your home will be lovely and your vision will be suited to your taste, OP! Congratulations! And even your hubby can have the leather sofa he desires- yay!
  • 8 years ago

    None of the photos posted by you (OP) or others look anything like your post war coop. They have high ceilings, statement windows, brick and timber detailing. They are the OPPOSITE of your apartment. I have seen so many of these apartments. Simple works. No styles that predate the age of the building. And for god's sake, no Spanish colonial theme! The mid century couch Is a good suggestion, but that's not going not happen in leather. You would be better off scrapping everything and starting from scratch by throwing darts at an IKEA catalogue than by following some of the advice you have gotten in this thread. I live in a Mediterranean house. It's not like I don't like Spanish colonial revivals. But that style doesn't belong in your apartment. i know I sound mean, but I don't think you would be asking for advice if you didn't care at all what other people think. What is most important is comfort and functionality for you and yours. Next aesthetic appeal for you and yours. Last is impressing friend and neighbors. We can all agree on that. But since you clearly care at least a little, please hold out for some better advice. I agree with Felizlady, btw. Otherwise, you are getting some BAD advice. You have a nice apartment. Go to open houses in your building and in similar buildings (same age elevator buildings) and develop and eye for what "works."