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manuel_mas

Help with Decorating Open Floor Design House

7 years ago

Hello:

I'll start off by saying I know little to nothing about home decor. My family and I just bought our first house. It has an open floor Design. We are having a hard time deciding on furniture. Of note, we live in Puerto Rico where shipping from online furniture stores is not as easy. We have a Pottery Barn to which we are gravitating towards. We want to have a living room in the TV area and dining room next to it by the window. We are planning on having a console table on the wall opposite to the kitchen. We thought of Leather sofa to protect it from our two babies as they grow up. We trialed milk and ketchup on a Pottery Barn Sunbrella sample and it did not go well. I include some of the things the local Pottery Barn store designer recommended. I am also including pictures of the area and a floor plan I did. The only thing I did not include is the side window next to the TV. Here are links to the furniture we are currently looking into per the designer's recommendations. The mirrors are meant for the side wall with the 2 doors next to each other, one for dining area and the other above the Moluca console:


1. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/molucca-media-console/?pkey=s%7Cmoluca%7C1


2. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/cameron-square-leather-sofa-collection/?pkey=s%7Ccameron%7C123


3. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/toscana-fixed-table-seadrift/?pkey=s%7Ctoscana%7C10


4. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/irving-upholstered-armchair/?pkey=s%7Cirving%7C78


5. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/chapman-marble-oval-dining-table/?pkey=s%7Cchapman%7C3


6. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/eagan-multipanel-large-mirror/?pkey=cwall-mirrors&isx=0.0.1496.666748046875


7. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/townsend-roll-leather-3-pc-corner-sectional/?pkey=cleather-sectionals&isx=0.0.2270.5556640625
















What do you think? My family and I appreciate your help!

Comments (26)

  • 7 years ago

    Some other questions are:

    • Do you think a leather sectional looks good or is it better to go for a single sofa with leather?
    • If not, will that wall below the window look empty without anything there? I think putting an additional chair there might feel cramped.


  • 7 years ago

    Sorry for the bump but is anyone able to offer me some guidance. Greatly appreciate it.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I do think that a right arm leather sectional, with the short section against the window wall, would be the best alternative for this space. That configuration would allow for better flow in the room.

    Manuel Mas thanked 4Heidesign
  • 7 years ago

    I would rule out that marble table. It looks too top heavy and rather precarious for a family with little kids... Also, I would rule out the mirror because you can always get something to go on the wall later. Walls would be the last to consider until you have set the furniture and the tv where you want it. I am not a fan of sectionals because there is a lot of space where the two parts meet where no one ever sits. I would also suggest one table and chairs, not a bench, for the time being. Small children do better in a chair as they grow that has back support to keep them in place.

  • 7 years ago

    In your opinion, would a leather sectional look good though? I usually see magazines with upholstered sectionals in a tight space. Not used to seeing leather ones.


    We like the Cameron leather sofa but the sectional version of it only comes with roll arms. The reason we liked the Cameron is because you sit straighter up instead of laying back. Here are some options from Pottery Barn:

    1. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/pearce-square-leather-3-piece-wedge-sectional/?pkey=cleather-sectionals&isx=0.0
    2. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/townsend-square-leather-3-pc-corner-sectional/?pkey=cleather-sectionals&isx=0.0
    3. Don't know if these legs would fit: https://www.potterybarn.com/products/jake-leather-wood-base-3-piece-l-shaped-sectional/?pkey=cleather-sectionals&isx=0.0
    4. The one we like the most, but will roll arms fit the style: https://www.potterybarn.com/products/cameron-leather-roll-arm-3-piece-l-shaped-corner-sectional/?pkey=cleather-sectionals&isx=0.0
  • 7 years ago

    In that case, would that wall area below the window look too empty then? It doesnt fit a separate chair there based on the TV furniture dimensions in front of it.

  • 7 years ago

    Not every wall has to have something on it, but this wall has a big window and doesn't need anything below it, in my opinion. You could put an ottoman in front of that wall for extra seating, perhaps. Less is best in a small area so it looks airy and light.


  • 7 years ago

    Hi Manuel-

    Congratulations on your new home!

    I would not sink your money into Pottery Barn furniture.

    For what you get, it can be pricey, and the quality is not that good, especially for the upholstered pieces.

    I agree with espc10- do not get a marble table. They are extremely heavy, and who is going to move them every day to sweep and vacuum?

    I also agree with espc10 that sectionals are a bad idea.

    No one wants to be wedged in the corner of it, you usually can not alter it's configuration when the configuration of your guests or family changes and you can't change it to fit another room or house dimensions. It simply isn't versatile enough.

    Depending upon how much seating a person wants, they are better off with a sofa and chairs, or two sofas, or even two sofas and two chairs, and so on.

    I am a little confused about your space planning.

    What are you planning to do with the space next to the kitchen, on the other side of the wall that has written on it 8'4"? Isn't that space supposed to be the dining area?

    Manuel Mas thanked loobab
  • 7 years ago

    Hello:


    We dont have many options for furniture here in PR. I would assume you are not open to West Elm either? It has a store on the island.


    As for sectional, again, will that wall below window look good bare? I don't think that area would fit a chair or sofa comfortably. It would be about an 8-9 feet space taking into account the front sofa and the TV furniture.


    The 8' 4'' area is where I planned to put a console table, the Moluca in my example. I would prefer to have the Dining area next to living room area and leave the space next to kitchen empty. We dont have a need for 2 living room areas next to each other. Also, we want that area to be free to move in and out of the rooms' hallway.


    We were thinking of a bistro table next to the kitchen countertop. What do you think?


    Would a leather sofa mix with blue/gray upholstered side chair and wood dining table then?

  • 7 years ago

    Have you looked at Macy's? Not sure how much furniture they have in the Plaza Las Americas store, but it may be worth a visit. It's always nice to sit in furniture before you but it. I think a sectional will be too large for the space. It looks like you should have room for a chair on the dining room end and ottomans or a bench under the window would offer more seating when needed.

  • 7 years ago

    Sorry the window I am referring to is not in the drawing. Its the window next to the TV. If I don't use a sectional, do I leave that area without furniture?

  • 7 years ago

    Here is an updated floor plan:





  • 7 years ago

    Most suggest leaving the wall with the window open. But if you want something there, that is your choice. Comments suggest an ottoman to provide additional seating.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I would add an extra chair in the corner in front of the entertainment center near the window.

    Facing the sofa.

  • 7 years ago
    Sativa: There really isn't that much space there. Also, I have been thinking of a swivel base for the chair.
  • 7 years ago

    Congratulations on your new home! Not sure but you may have one of those baby products, Fisher Price Rock n Play, that has been mentioned as possibly causing 30-some recent baby deaths. Please check the news to learn more. They aren't safe for babies older than 3 months. My neighbor with twins had four and she just disposed of them. If there is a recall, you may get a refund, but please don't take any chances. The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for an official recall but that hasn't happened yet.

  • 7 years ago

    Some more pictures of my living room space just so that you guys can get an idea of how limited the space is. The sofa is from Ikea and measures roughly 8 feet.

  • 7 years ago

    And this is the same house model that's being rented and already furnitured.

  • 7 years ago

    Since you are undecided, I would suggest you use the model photos as a good guide for furniture placement. Good luck in your new home!!

  • 7 years ago

    Will something like this work? Like it because its a similar sofa to what we are considering and the space is mostly white/gray.


  • 7 years ago

    Our main issue is that we actually really like a gray upholstered sofa but we are afraid it will get damaged. We have a 1 1/2 years old and a 3 months old. Now when I see the brown leather sofa I feel as if there will be too much brown since two of the doors in the open-floor space are that color as you see in the rented house furniture.

  • 7 years ago
    Posting to see pictures.
  • 7 years ago
    What pictures do you need, Molly?
  • 7 years ago
    I can't see pictures on my phone unless I post something first. It's a known problem, but doesn't effect everyone. I like the leather couch, but you need to make sure it is real leather and not bonded leather which will end up cracking and peeling off. I like the sectional in the model picture, but feel couches offer more versatility if you move in the future. It also gives other seating options for people that prefer chairs (think grandparents who can't get out of low/squishy couches).
  • PRO
    7 years ago


    This is the ideal layout for the room.

    Either sofa is fine and than add an accent chair that brings in some color.

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