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tammymcl

Design advice on living room

7 years ago
I really need some help pulling my living room together. Recently, I have been drawn to clean and modern spaces. I love the Restoration Hardware modern look. To move in that direction, I changed the wall color from taupe to BM White Dove. My sectional has to stay and I’m open to making other changes. I would really appreciate some advice. Happy Holidays!

Comments (98)

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago


    Leeward Media Console · More Info


    Leeward Media Console · More Info


    Design advice on living room · More Info


    Same piece in different finishes with sliding doors (as shown) 78" x 34" x 19" $3229.

  • 7 years ago
    Is this too small? Please ignore my poor half lit Christmas tree. It’s a work in progress
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    It’s ok...I think once your wallpaper is gone a piece of art or set of art would look better.

  • 7 years ago
    I am up for change! If I switch them out, what do I do about the chandelier? I was going to replace it with something like this one. What do you ladies think?I could use this one over the dinette table instead of the metal orb. Some mentioned replacing the column entryway table. What do you think? I could put the dinette table there.
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Just an FYI regarding teal, posted June 1, 2018

    By Kate De Palma

    Teal — that elusive color between blue and green that’s not quite turquoise, not quite aqua, but still manages to come in a variety of its own shades. A timeless color that can be seen in artwork as old as that of the ancient Egyptians, teal is making a major comeback.

    With its ability to act as both a cool, soothing color and to stand out as a beautiful, rich accent color, teal is trending as one of the most popular hues to use for painting and a variety of other interior design elements.

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    This would replace the current red pillow on your sectional.

    Antigue rug lumbar pillow Home decorative pillow Sofa pillow | Etsy · More Info


    Zak and Fox 'Postage Campaign' Pillow Cover // | Etsy · More Info



    Walter G Textiles Designer Pillows // Luxor Saffron Linen | Etsy · More Info


    Some pillow suggestions for your sectional. Texture is important in the instance of a large one-color collection of furniture.

    Sheffield Ottoman · More Info


    43" square...maybe cocktail table for sectional (scotch guard it and cut glass for top?) The lines of this striped duo is working with lines of Tiffany style lamp, rug, flooring, etc., etc...LOL

    Shop Safavieh Handmade Heritage Timeless Traditional Blue/ Brown Wool Rug - 12' · More Info



    Tiffany Style 3-Light Ivory 24" High Glass Pendant Light - #V7230 | Lamps Plus · More Info


    I like how the lines of this lamp and triad holder mimic the design of your floor. A little of a cozy tiffany (ish) look paired with the wonderful palette knife effect of the RH art...


    Paul van Rij: Fences Ifor General Public · More Info


    39" sq for over the table to replace the mirror.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Tammy I would not do that sputnik style light...that is just way to mid century for your space if going into a more RH style.....I do love the Idea of using the kitchen dining round table in the entry it is more of a RH style and would also work with your painted console..would you be ready to change out your kitchen dining area furniture? I would stick with silver or bronze fixture for kitchen table area....



  • 7 years ago
    I’m glad teal isn’t out. I love the color. I have it in the formal living room/ dining room too. The room is open to the family room like one giant L shape. Should I use a different color for the family room so I don’t have an overload of teal?

    Julie- looks like I will be moving more furniture today! I forgot to answer your question about size of family room it’s 20’ x 28’ (26’ if your measure side of room to the bar). Here is a pic of the floor plan from 1958. We’ve made a few changes which I noted in chalk on the plan. S
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Yes hold off on more teal..I did see your formal dining chairs and they are beautiful but keep that for living room dining room and if you want color wait and add a complimentary color into the family room...maybe a mustard yellow?...something like this 48” square table would look great in your kitchen eating area...do you have a 4th brown leather chair you could use instead of the settee.....


  • 7 years ago
    Yes I do have another brown chair. I really like the settee though. Can I use it somewhere else?
  • 7 years ago
    I could recover it if it helps.
  • 7 years ago
    Karen- thanks for the explanation of why that rug works with the tile. It makes sense now. Btw, the console suggestions are beautiful.
  • 7 years ago
    Julie, I previously thought about switching the rooms around completely. Dining table in the family room. Maybe add an identical table to make a square or a really long table for the holidays. I had my husband add a satellite cable in the middle of the bookshelf. The only downside is we use the heck out of our fireplace on the winter. The fireplace in the formal area is gas logs. Also, I couldn’t figure out the furniture placement in there
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    these are the rooms I was talking about switching...the long dining table would look gorgeous when looking into that room with the book cases....the area between the fireplace and stairway....you could flank fireplace with the chairs and sofa would face fireplace...what is the size of that area? You would only need 3’ behind sofa when facing fireplace...the color in there is more of a peacock blue..gorgeous..


  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Covering the sette would make a difference! Thoughts on the chandeliers I posted?

  • 7 years ago
    I like them both!
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Tammy, I've been loading up suggestions in one spot (scroll up) and I will keep adding. Personally I have no problem with your "settee" long as more white elements are added. Note the piece of art over the settee, the lamp, the ottoman, etc.all with white/off-white/bone or whatever..

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    it looks to miss matched to me.....if the sette was in a muted brown and neutral tweed mixed with the brown leather chairs it would look more cohesive...and blend better with your family room furniture......are any of them real leather?

  • 7 years ago
    Formal areas moved around. I like it a lot but itthe 22” seems a little tight between white chair and table. Sofa is 42” from back wall. I wasn’t sure what to do with the bench so I put it under the window for now. What should I do for a coffee table? I have the original coffee table from the family room. I have a smaller round glass top. I also have a wood slab on hairpin legs project that I could use once I get it done. I’m willing to spend some money if there is another suggestion.
  • 7 years ago
    Formal areas moved around. I like it a lot but itthe 22” seems a little tight between white chair and table. Sofa is 42” from back wall. I wasn’t sure what to do with the bench so I put it under the window for now. What should I do for a coffee table? I have the original coffee table from the family room. I have a smaller round glass top. I also have a wood slab on hairpin legs project that I could use once I get it done. I’m willing to spend some money if there is another suggestion.
  • 7 years ago
    The dining chairs aren’t real leather. The sectional is real. When I remove the wallpaper and paint the walls white dove, what fabric colors do you suggest?
  • 7 years ago
    Tables I have now. However, I’m not afraid to change to something new.
  • 7 years ago
    A bit more room to move between table and white chair. Thoughts?
  • 7 years ago
    Also random thought- if I’m not keeping the column table, I could take the top off (it’s 2 pieces) and find a salvaged piece of wood to set it on.
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I would work in multiples of threes in the "new" d.r., so 4 side chairs reupholstered to pick up the light hue of the 2 l.r. arm chairs, leaving the sofa and 2 d.r. arm chairs in the deeper hue. It's always nice to change to real suede or leather if given the opportunity to do so.

    tammymcl thanked karen paul interiors
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Yes chairs should face sofa angled out from the fireplace..heading out will check in tomorrow..great work today! The formal dining room is gorgeous!!!

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Move those chairs as close to the fireplace and angled more towards sofa...

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Move sofa back more..only need 36” behind it...

  • 7 years ago
    Karen- after reading the comments this morning, I think I misunderstood your question regarding the leather. My answer was for the family room and dinette. In case you were asking about the formal room, the white chairs are q_bic covered in Poltrona Frau leather. The rest of the room is fabric. Great pillow selection btw. Love seeing how the colors are blended.
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Tammymcl

    could you fill me in on your color palette wanted for casual family room?

    are you wanting reds..greens? That will take far away from RH style or look? I am thinking more neutrals...


  • 7 years ago
    I would like to stick with neutrals. I was thinking about the sette and brown chairs. I could get slipcovers made for all of them. If so, would I do all the same fabric or different one for settee and another one for chairs?
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    All the same for sure...for the cost of slipcovers you may be able to just replace...being they are all faux leather..something to check before taking the plunge.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Hart's Design

    I would try to use a warm grey. Grey is very popular and does not go out of style. Then a darker grey or even black honed grey. But I would definetley square the hearth and use underneath for storage.


    tammymcl thanked Hart's Design
  • 7 years ago
    Because you suggest a squared of hearth, would you square off the arch? Also, I like your suggestion of a built in cabinet on the end. Thanks for your suggestions!
  • 7 years ago
    Normally I love cow hides ..,but it does NOT fit into or onto this floor . Put it someplace else would be my suggestion . Maybe the entry hall with the mirror ...or den ..bedroom? Move the tv and loose the mirror .... Do you want to sit and read ..? You would need lamps ...stay focused on what you can change now to make it more intimate and comfortable to watch tv , entertain or read ...then ...look at the wall paper...you need to brighten the room ...everything is too brown , put white pillows ..accents ...and then live with it for a while ...go slow and keep us posted to see what else to change down the road ...!
    tammymcl thanked silviakunst
  • 7 years ago
    Nice, Beth.
  • 7 years ago
    Beth, I know it’s cluttered but I’d say that hardly makes me a hoarder. Have you seen those tv shows? How someone can live with much stuff is beyond me.
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Tammy...sorry for the delayed response. If it is a wood burning fireplace, I think I would leave the firebox and surround alone. Instead I would use a nice square wood mantel from the left end to the right and then I would wrap it around the right corner. I would remove the round piece of art work from above the mantel and use the mantel for some very select family photos in some very slect frames. I am a big believer in making the fireplace correct as it is a focal point. Also believe picture frames are very important because they bring in color and different styles.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    These are the measurements I need when you have a chance...so when doing mood board I have the correct size furniture:) thanks

  • PRO
  • PRO
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Did you get my email?

  • 7 years ago
    Yes. I emailed you back.
  • 7 years ago
    HIWE- Leaning towards the second mood board. I also really like the first one too.
  • 7 years ago
    Oops. I posted wrong pic for 1st board.
  • 7 years ago
    Weird. My first post with two boards showed a single peacock ottoman. Looks like it corrected itself.
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Just sent you a email....my fav for your space is the second moodboard....but they all work beautiful for your space...just let me know...

  • 7 years ago
    “Clean and modern“ style is usually clean, modern, sleek and “minimal”, with just a few appropriate accessories and everything in its place ready for the photographer. Sometimes “clean and modern” looks unoccupied with no signs of human clutter. Throws, blankets, little rugs, dog and/or cat bowls, people-activity things are usually out of sight, but your house looks like a place where real people live and relax together. If your family includes children under 16, plan for your future uncluttered life, but don’t expect or hope for immediate cooperation.
    Try to begin with a rule or two: when you leave the room, take your things with you, fold your blanket and put it in a basket or cabinet, pick up after yourself (dishes and cups to the kitchen, trash in the trash bin).
    Good luck. Most of us have been there, too.
  • 7 years ago
    HIWE. I love the second on too.
  • 7 years ago
    Felizlady- great advice. My girls have graduated college and moved on. Time to pare it down.