Maybe move your houseplant to that spot

Thanks,but I do not want to hide the painting. That why I was thinking a bench.

Oh I didn't mean to hide it! Looking now I see that plant is quite tall and would obstruct the view. But I think it is a great place for a plant, maybe a shorter one. I think a bench would work but i know for ME, I would walk in everyday and set my stuff on that bench and curse because it would fall through the railing down the steps.

if you have children...no bench. Mine would climb over the railing, or be tempted anyway! I think a low plant or grouping of plants would look great.

ditto on the kids. if you have them, not a great idea. Honestly though, I don't think you need anything there. it will become too visually busy. I'd leave it.

Hi Diane, If you have the Houzz app on your phone, you can try out different options for the space using the "view in my room" feature. More information about how it works here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/61877912/list/inside-houzz-introducing-view-in-my-room

Nothing ... but I’m a “less is more” person. I love open, uncluttered spaces in a home.

I'd move that coffee table in that spot for a moment as a prop to help decide about the bench.

Lovely home! Although the painting is beautiful it draws a lot of attention to an area that is generally not used as a focal point in a room. I would move the painting to a different wall in the living room, then add a plant grouping in this corner. No bench as it is a danger to children.

I agree - something with the painting in it's current spot is very off proportionately. I'd move the painting to another space, and either leave the space open or add a grouping of plants.

Hi Diane,

Beautiful home!

I agree with you, it needs "something."

Also agree that while the painting is lovely, it's a bit too boxy, maybe a rectangular shaped something on that wall would bring more balance?

My vote is you go shopping! ;)

I agree with those who think the art is more of a problem than the bare floor and railing. Try it above the mantel or in the dining room. It seems very different in style than the rest of your space. Might it work better in a den or man cave - seems very manly/outdoorsy for this room.

Interesting, I never thought about the painting not suiting that spot. I love the painting and my husband hung it in peril LOL.
The painting is too tall for over the mantle and our dining wall in this open concept is stone (see below) and I prefer not to hang anything on it. There is no other place in our open concept area for it. I do like this painting and do not want to place it in another room.
There are no kids to worry about and I had not considered the issue of things falling off the bench and falling between the railings.
Not sure about plants either....
Any other suggestion? All comments are appreciated!

Hmmmmm....is there a corner where you could set the painting on a large easel? To me, the color just seems a bit jarring with all your other furnishings. Maybe if you added some pillows in green (instead of the red) and add some other pops of green? And, try a bench with a fabric that blends with the art in the open spot, or a grouping of plants in pretty pots...

Did you try placing the painting in front of the stairs over to the right leaving the wall above the railing open? It really looks too long for that space above the railing. Otherwise, try a collage of wall art .. 4 across which means the painting would have to be moved elsewhere for sure.

One of the disadvantages of open concept is the lack of walls for beautiful art. I agree with getting an easel.

Bench AND carpet.

I think I’d want an actual wall the height of the railing.

How about a storage ottoman? They have some nice looking ones...some with legs, some flat to the floor.

I love the art there, I would not move it, looks great

I like your painting also , it's very beautiful ..but it's not centered right ..either you center it in the middle of the railing that you like help with or you off center it more to the left or right ..but do not replace it ! I would buy an ottoman or have a storage box made with paint or stain it the same color as your floors ..with a large velvet seat on top for seating ...it's nice to have seating in that space ..and if you need , storage ..! Nice entrance ! Take more pictures of your entrance to help with future questions ...enjoy your space ! I vote for a seating of some sort ..and take your time finding the right one ..it looks good without anything at all , ...so, until you find the right bench ...ottoman ..box or sculpture ......the fun part is to wait and think real hard about your needs there ..

Can't really tell how much space there is in the cove where your plant currently is from the photos. However, if there is enough space, and it compliments whats on the wall in the family space beside it, you could remove the tree, move the painting to that cove, put an upholstered bench underneath it that compliments the family room seating, then put a plant (probably a grouping of a couple of different heights - not much higher than the railing) in the corner of the railing by the stairs - open, airy plant(s), not full bushy trees...

If none of that sounds appealing to you, you could just try a nice vase that compliments the painting - a tall one with "twig" stems, or a chunky one that you could drape something soft over (like a solid color blanket or greenery stems like asparagus ferns or similar). ...could even put a few wooden handle umbrellas and canes in for a "functional" look instead...

Upholstered bench. I like the artwork.

I’d go with either houseplants or a credenza (face it, everyone likes storage space) WITH a small houseplant on top. Everything is very rigid, boxy. The loose organic shape of a plant will loosen things up. And yes to the rug. As for relocating the painting, maybe (I find it hard to judge the rest of the space from the pictures). I personally do not like the easel idea. Unless the home is Downton Abbey scaled, I find it gets clumsy and looks a touch pretentious.

How about a sofa table ...in front of the railing ..

I too like the painting. It echos the wooded view outside.....good choice. Perhaps, at even greater peril, your husband could center it over the railing facing the kitchen.

Maybe you can find a bench with a back? But if I had that it would end up a drop zone for purses and shopping bags.

I am appreciative of everyone’s comments and I now “get” everything is boxy. I knew something felt not right. I like the extra seating in the form of a bench that can be used for extra seating but won’t that just add to the boxiness? Perhaps I need a bench with rounded ends?
I love pillows and will look for green ones. The red textured ones are not comfortable next to skin.
I do want to keep the painting where it is.
I have an upholstered storage bench in my closet that I will place here and take a photo.
Here are views of that wall sitting from my sofa.
Thanks for the compliments on my house.

So here is the space with a storage bench. What do you think? Is it just reinforcing the boxiness?

This is the photo of my entrance that someone asked for. I live in Canada and unfortunately when I download the Houzz app I do not have the ability to place furniture as Emily suggested. Houzz please work on that!

Hi Diane,
I live in Canada too and am able to use that feature. Maybe contact admin

I wouldn’t put anything there. N I like the Art on the wall.

To me - it's six of one or a half dozen of the other. It looks good with or without the bench.

You know, I mentioned a storage ottoman, but after seeing your pictures, I think I am going to say to put nothing there....keeps your home looking nice and airy and uncluttered.

A rug runner ,a bench , a decorative pillow and your purse on it. I would add a taller house plant to tie in with that painting.

Now that I see your pictures from the angle of the living room, I like the nook better with nothing there. It looks open and spacious, not like something is missing.

Leave painting and open floor space.

The painting is lovely. Leave it where it is. That green throw ties in beautifully with the painting. Try placing it casually over your railing. No bench needed.

Love the painting and the space doesn't feel boxy to me, just personal. I would put a table there, not a bench, more like a slim back-of-sofa table, with some interesting low items on it (so as not to interfere with art) like art or travel books and a few items of interest. And then I might use a basket or two underneath the table as well.

following

Have you thought about a small game table with two chairs ?

Hi, so I bought some pillows and a throw in some accessories in emerald green and mustard that go with the colours in my painting. The colours of the and pillows and the throw actually match however I know they don’t look it in the light. This looks so much better than the red! And the green pillows are in velvet so it’s nice and soft. I think I will leave the area by the railing empty for now. I did not like the bench there. The games table and chairs were a nice idea but I don’t think the atea is wide enough and really we would just play a game at our dining table in the same great room.
Thanks for the help everyone!
Diane

Excellent!