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jen_rizzo10

First home design help needed!

8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

Hello--my husband and I have recently moved into our first home and I'm having a difficult time with designing the living room space.

I love beige, grey and soft blue/green colors like the dusty miller leaf, but I've found that everything is starting to look very drab. I would love to include a bold blue that you see on mid century modern furniture, but I'm having a hard time visualizing how it would all play together and whether it would look too disjointed with the furniture I already have.

I am planning on moving the needlepoint chair (which is a family heirloom) to one side of the grey sideboard and would like to purchase two additional arm chairs for the space but don't know where it's best to arrange all the furniture to allow for flow of traffic and conversation. I also need a coffee table and end tables with table lamps or floor lamps. Any design ideas for furniture layout and color palette would be amazing!

NOTE: please disregard the dining room area. While I absolutely love the mid century modern dining room table I feel the wood is too dark for the space AND I haven't purchased chairs yet, hence the folding chairs there now.







Comments (26)

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    What are the measurements of your room?

    possibly this layout...

    This is about 16’x18’

  • 8 years ago

    Thank you! The space is approximately 17.5 ft x 11.5 ft. I originally thought about putting the couch (86 inches) situated the way you have it and then thought it would cut off the space. But your floor plan makes it look like it could work. I will definitely try positioning it that way tonight. What is the box item you have along the dividing wall?

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    So the width is 11.5...sofa is 86”...let me lay it out with the proper size..

    here is a quick idea board for you...

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Does the 17.5’ include the door (entrance)

  • 8 years ago

    no it doesn't include the door. I stopped measuring when i got to the door

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Ok room is very slender unless....... the 17.5 is the width from window to dining room wall? But assuming it is the length from door to media cabinet?

  • 8 years ago

    I was considering purchasing two of the West Elm Everett chairs in either ink blue or lagoon blue.

    https://www.westelm.com/products/everett-upholstered-chair-g432/

    But I see you chose a cream colored accent chair. Do you think the blue chairs would be too jarring? Because that is my hesitation in purchasing them


  • 8 years ago

    Here is my terrible attempt at a floor plan


  • PRO
    8 years ago

    This is 11.5x17.5 layout...depending on where that wall is across from door you could put a small chest with a mirror....

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    The small round circles flanking the coffee table are two small ottomans that can be moved around for extra seating...helps balance out the room too!

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Really not enough space for two chairs...I would accent with pillows and art..some decor and keep the larger furniture pieces neutral...that way colors can be changed over time without needing to purchase new pieces...it is a big commitment when you purchase bold pieces..something to think about.

  • 8 years ago

    I love those blue chairs! But I understand your hesitation. So why not try this: look for some pillow covers (or make them) in a similar colour and cover a few of the pillows on your couch. If you feel good about how that looks, you'll be more confident in investing in the chairs. And if you don't, well you haven't spent too much cash.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Ok thanks for all your work on this. Point taken on the bold furniture color. I'll stick with getting an accent chair that is neutral.

  • 8 years ago

    Jennifer K--good idea! I can easily pick up a similar colored pillow at home goods. Will try it out.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    The West Elm chair is great comes in neutral fabrics...

    here are a couple ottoman ideas...

    jen_rizzo10 thanked Home Interiors with Ease
  • 8 years ago

    I haven't been able to try sitting in the chair as they don't have it on floor display at the two west elm stores in my area, but it looks comfortable and I have generally found most of their furniture to be pretty comfortable. I was hoping that the everett chair would balance out the very antiquey look of the chesterfield sofa and the needlepoint chair.

  • PRO
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    You could have a slipcover made To go over needlepoint and still expose the wood arms..that way the needlepoint is protected for keepsake purposes.

  • 8 years ago

    All the Everett Chair's blues in your room.

    Ink blue

    Lagoon blue


    Celestial Blue


    Ming Blue

    Eucalyptus (this may be more green than blue in real life, but it looks aqua-ish on my monitor)

    jen_rizzo10 thanked cawaps
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Make sure to check the size of that chair it shouldn’t be any deeper than the depth of your sofa...so measure sofa depth and you can do a chair that size in depth and width...the chair I put in your layout is a 35” x35” chair...

    jen_rizzo10 thanked Home Interiors with Ease
  • 8 years ago

    Cawaps, wow! how cool to see the chair in the photos. The ink blue actually looks pretty decent. I've seen ming blue in person and it doesn't look like it does online. Its actually a navy with a white box pattern. Do you like the ink blue? or do you also feel that i should go with a neutral color like a beige or gray?

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    You could introduce a Carmel leather mid century chair..like this...it would really allow the antique chair to blend in much better.....love this room!

  • 8 years ago
    The Carmel leather is a beautiful idea and I can see that pairing nicely with the other colors. Thank you!
  • 8 years ago

    I love the idea of the blue chairs. And I think you could do two. I like unexpected. Ink blue is unexpected :)

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Unfortunitly 2 chairs will not fit in your space..:(