Living Room Refresh

8 years ago

I am in the process of updating my living room and could use some advice. I live in a high rise condo so space is tight and ceilings are only 7.5’. I am keeping the rug (size is a little off, but I like it and it was expensive), the two chairs which are new and tables are TBD. The couch is either going to be replaced or recovered. I realize the price is usually a wash. Attached are the fabrics for pillows and some current room pictures. The blue ottoman is a potential couch color. It’s a lot more blue than it looks in the picture. The cushion on top of the ottoman is another option, too light for an every day couch?

I had someone out with art yesterday and like both of these oil paintings. Thoughts on size and colors would be appreciated. The Italy painting is 36x48 and would be gallery wrapped. The NY painting would be framed to about the size of the current picture, 30x40. Additional pictures will follow.

Thanks for your input.

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

8 years ago

Would love to tackle the whole space, but right now I think you're looking at too many blues! If your rug is at least 2 feet longer than your sofa, it will be fine. Remove the valance from the drapes (it is contributing to the low feeling with the 7.5' ceilings) and visually enlarge your room by matching wall paint and drapes. I only see a pic of one chair. What does the second one look like? If you leave the louvered doors to the kitchen open most of the time, remove them so you have room to put the sofa on that wall with art 5" above it. Unless you find real art that you fall in love with, leave that for later on in the process.

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Comments (17)

Molly
Original Author
8 years ago
Painting options. I am also painting the walls and it was suggested that I go with BM Classic Gray. How will that look with my floor (espresso in color)?
leelee
8 years ago
I think you can do so much better with your art.

These all came from etsy.com Real oil paintings with texture and interest.
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leelee
8 years ago
Framed prints are another alternative.
leelee
8 years ago
The fabric that has the crewel look flowers is too much with the rug. It would be a good thing if you could introduce another color instead of repeating the blues.

Maybe a stripe with beige and blue?
Molly
Original Author
8 years ago
Leelee-I am not a fan of abstract art. I am not sure about the art, but I thought the one brought in some color. I do like the set of 6 prints idea. The crewel look fabric would only be for a few pillows.

decoenthusiast-The valence will eventually go. I do have ivory shears which are hard to see. The doors are always open, but there are so many layers of paint on them, I’m not sure I can get them off!! What other color would you incorporate? Here is the other chair.
Molly
Original Author
8 years ago
Bumping. Hoping for some input on couch choices so I can purchase this weekend.
decoenthusiaste
8 years ago
The chairs are so distinctly different - one casual and the other formal. Since the dining chairs look formal too, I'd go that direction with the sofa and consider moving the casual plaid/check chair to the master perhaps. Do you like English rolled arm style sofas? If you stay formal you can keep the Queen Anne sofa table for now.
Molly
Original Author
8 years ago
I do like the formal lines of furniture with a more contemporary fabric I guess. No room for the chair in the bedroom. Here is the couch I’m considering, but I’m 3 cushions . Color is very light gray and would be the fabric is choose. Only concern is how well it would wear.

I’m trying to get away from so much brown, hence the potential blue reupholstering of my current couch. I’ll see if I can find a better picture of it.
leelee
8 years ago
Try turning the table so it's centered with the wall.
Molly
Original Author
8 years ago
I will give it a try in a little while, but it may be tight. The hall to the bedroom and bathroom is to the right of the picture molding. Pictures to follow.
Molly
Original Author
8 years ago
Here are the pictures with the table turned and centered. The walkway is too narrow now. The chairs are normally reversed so there is a little more space, but it’s still too tight.
leelee
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hmmm. Well, the table certainly look better in the new direction and it sticks out much less into the room so it might be easier to walk around?

The chair with the floor lamp behind could move forward a couple of inches, don't you think?

Or switch the two chairs with the smaller chair positioned with the floor lamp to give more walking room.
melinda1977
8 years ago
Just a couple of thoughts...I second the suggestion to remove the doors that you don't use. It will dramatically change the look of that wall. You would then need to measure from corner to casing to determine whether the sofa could be moved there. However, I also think your current set-up is fine. Regarding replacing vs. recovering the sofa: you are right...cost-wise it's a wash. I wouldn't go to the cost and effort to reupholstered unless the sofa is very well-made and you love it. I would also go darker rather than lighter on the sofa for longevity's sake. Finally, I would keep the art piece you have until you find something that you can't live without. Its current position needs to be lowered so it relates to the table beneath.
Molly
Original Author
8 years ago
The couch is a Rowe from about 8 years ago. It’s in good shape (and is a sleeper), but the cushions need to be replaced anyway. I was told today that Rowe couches built more than 5 years ago are somewhat better quality due to less assembly line workmanship (don’t know if there is any truth to that). I like the darker fabric but other couch style and I can’t get it that way :(

What do you think of this picture? We like the pop of colors (sorry for the screenshot image).
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Bayberry Cottage
8 years ago
We like the blue fabric for the sofa, and the rug. However we are unsure about your oil painting choices. Would you consider also getting two chairs that are more along the same style rather than contrasting?
Azalea Cottage - Living Room · More Info

Azalea Cottage - Living Room · More Info
Molly
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Bayberry Cottage. The oils are out. The chairs are brand new so they are staying. The leather one is VERY comfortable. The blue couch is on order and I’ll be back with a follow up once it and my new pillows arrive. :)