I don't usually pipe in on decorating questions, but I still think that the blue leather ottoman looks great there. I would consider, replacing the lamp table, with a squarish shaped table. The two round surfaces, lined up, is what I notice first, and would like to see changed. If I missed, upthread, that the lamp table has to stay, my apologies. It is a nice table, I just think that a different shape would work better.

Jb, yes, see I just questioned the table two posts before yours. Great minds...

I even think an elongated oval type shape might work if such a thing exists. Or a rectangular with slightly rounded ends.

Found this on CL — obviously an old desk that someone cut down to use as an end table. The size is actually just right. At $40 it’s worth trying!

I also have this in a bedroom upstairs, size works...

I like the room even better from the new angle. Makes me realize we all need to see rooms from <1 angle. Look at me getting all math-y.

Anyway, Id move the round table even closer to the wing chair, to make sure it doesn't look like you wanted to center it and missed.

I haven't said a word about lampshades in weeks. Not my fault.

The dog models LOL! I'd leave as is, other than maybe changing the table. Love the striped pillow.

I agree with mtn. I think that would look great.

I like the looks of both of those rectangular pieces, but particularly the CL table, as it reminds me of something you'd see in an old library.

Moved the table:

Found this table too, which is about 6” wider than the round table I have. I’m going to email about the CL table, though.

or rattan again!?

I did see your comment, but somehow thought that you were referring to the ottoman, not the lamp table. Of all of the tables posted above, I do like the rattan table very much!

Do you have a similar sized square or rectangular table somewhere in your home that you could try out there? I think round is better between two chairs. Wouldn't the square/rectangular table have to be off-center under the window as well? I think round works better off center than straight lines.

I think a rectangle could be placed off center below the window, but then you could off-set the lamp on it so IT'S centered on the window. It's a wonderful room. I drank my coffee there this morning!

Yes, Oly, you’re thinking exactly what I’m thinking! I need the lamp closer to the red chair (“my” chair).

Here’s another thought. The little wood chair is cherry, from Room and Board. One reason why it felt out of place to me was that the cherry wood was different from any furniture we have in both rooms. Maybe the chair would fit in better if it had a relationship with the new end table? Either of these would work size-wise, both with cherry tops. I like the first one because, of course, I could stack more junk, I mean books, on the shelves.

Gail, I do have a rectangular end table that I thought I’d pop in there just to see how it looks. I agree that round tables usually work better but I’m trying to break the rules a bit I guess. Ideally I’d like to find a rectangle with rounded off ends, if that makes sense.

I haven't read through every post but have looked at your photos from various angles. Could you possibly move the wood chair to where the red chair is now? It's small enough that you could shift the table over to center in front of the window. Then, move either the gray or red chair to where the wood chair is now. I think the big bookcase needs the smaller chair next to it.

I know that may disrupt your enjoyment of the room, though, and your chair.

ETA, actually, in my mind, the bookcases are the problem and I've rearranged the whole room. So, just ignore my suggestions because I now appreciate what a difficult situation you're in.

I'm all for breaking the rules!

Feathers, yeah, I see what you're trying to do but that is my reading corner and I like the coziness of the chair nestled up to the bookcase (which came from our old house and there is nowhere else for it to live).

BTW the painting over "my" chair is a picture of "me" that DH and I found in Charleston a few years ago. In case you're wondering what I look like. ;-) I know I have told the story here before. We walked around the corner in a gallery and both stopped in our tracks and started laughing because it really did look like me. DH ended up buying it for me after we got home, and had it shipped. Actually it was exactly 5 years ago because we were there in mid April and he gave me the painting for our anniversary, which is early May. Um, now it looks like a younger version of me. With a decent haircut and roots done.

Oh hey, it's me again. So the CL desk/table is available so I'm just going to get it tomorrow. It's about an inch and a half shorter than the round table I have, and about 6" longer. I think it could be cool and fitting with our style (I have an old school desk as an end table in the living room). I can play around with it too, maybe even paint it or something. If nothing else, I need a smallish coffee table at our beach cottage so we could cut the legs down more and use it there if it doesn't work here.

I'm so glad! That's the one that got my vote. It's such a classic looking piece!

Maybe someone suggested this, but could you put the small wooden chair in the other empty corner without blocking anything or flow? I like the rug and the glass bookcase and hate that it’s blocked by the chair.

I think your room is very comfortable looking and the chairs pulled in made it even more cozy. I was wondering if you placed the striped pillow from the red chair on the wooden chair.... it just needs something maybe to soften the look. Can’t wait to see your new table..

Outside — the other corner has a beloved old table so no room for a chair there. There’s also a floor vent there. That chair could go elsewhere but to me, it felt funny when we just had the two chairs in the room facing the living room....

Love my $40 table!

Here’s the room minus the little chair. Thoughts?

I love your new table, and honestly I like it just as well without the chair. It allows the bookcase to shine. Does (or would) anyone use the chair?

That table is perfect! I love it. I want it.

Love having a reading nook! And yours is very cute!

What my eye keeps wanting to do is lower the bookcases so they are below the chair rail. Since it's obvious that you can't do that maybe painting out the chair rail so that is the same colour as the wall would make the bookcases not feel quite so much like they don't belong.

Of course they "belong" because it is a reading room and they hold books. I think however that they don't fit quite as well as they could.

What I keep picturing is 2 fitted lower bookcases on both sides of the window. Maybe in white? They could even wrap around the corner.

I know I know quit spending your money.

It looks very nice! Love your room.

Yeo, the bookcases stay. Fairly pricey Stickley pieces bought for former house and this is now where they must live. I get bothered by a lot of things, but the chair rail vs the bookcases isn’t one of them, fortunately!

Outside, no one uses the chair, ha! It’s only used when it’s turned and pushed into the living room when we need it for guest seating. I think I’m trying to force it to be used somewhere even though it really doesn’t work anywhere in this house. Maybe I’ll try it in the living room for a while.

I think the room looks perfect! Great table!! I like the room without the little chair. However, I love the chair and hope it will work somewhere in your home.

I love the new table, and $40 is such a deal. And loved your story about the painting of "you" above your chair. :-)

Sue, too funny! I was thinking it was the other way around, and that you would have to move something into THIS room to have a place for someone to sit! I do like the looks of the chair itself and being small it should be easy to move around.

I meant no offense. I realize now that I probably shouldn't have given an opinion over something you didn't ask me ask for. If you would prefer me to erase my reply I will.

In my defense I am constantly doing this to my own home so didn't even think twice about talking about what I see. It's easy to forget that you are not looking me in the eye and seeing that I accept and appreciate what you like while at the same time I enjoy imagining something different. Indeed sometimes I just imagine it without even wanting to; it just happens. It not hard to take it personally so I totally understand. Sorry again.

That table is just right! Great find!

Yeo, I was not offended! No worries.

I love your new $40 table. It ties in really well with the ottoman. Now, the ottoman has a friend.

I would keep the small chair just to add a counter-balance to the other side of the room. Love the new table and the lampshade, but I agree the shade is a tad big. Making the lamp top heavy.

Hmm well DH so helpfully destroyed the box so we own it now. The bottom is the same diameter of the former shade and the next size down is 4” smaller so it seemed like it would have been too small. Maybe I can order the smaller one and return this one in that box!

oh now I know why you blamed me --- i did buy that very lampshade from Anthro, but decided it didnt work in my room; i like it in yours!

Oh jeez, I just measured it — no wonder it’s so big. They sent me the wrong size! I ordered the L size (XL supposedly not even available), which is 16” wide. The one they sent is actually 19.5” wide. The XL is listed as 20” w so I’m guessing that’s what they sent me. I’ll call them tomorrow!

The room looks so inviting! You (and your helpers) did a great job!

The lampshade is beautiful! Yes, a tad big, so if you can get it replaced, I would do so.

Btw, my husband does the same thing with any box that enters the house... gotta break it down and put it in the recycling pronto. I don't get it.

I love the finishing touches you are putting in this comfy space!

Love the lampshade and another friend for the ottoman. Is that yellow outside the window on top of the column and above on the beam and on the railing? Ties in with the yellow on the shade,

If you didn't notice the lamp shade is too big until now, I wouldn't replace it. I didn't notice it. Take another picture from a distance and see if it looks big.

I also love it!

I don't think it looks too big at all, you have a beautiful home, I just love to see older homes as an old homeowner myself and your style is wonderful!

Thank you all! And thanks for following this zig zag thread which started with a chair and ended with a lamp shade! I have ordered the smaller shade so we will see — if that one is too small, I’ll keep the larger one. I do love it but yes, even from the next room it looks a bit too big. But again, I’ll keep it if the smaller one doesn’t work.

Yes, the shade is too large. I didn't want to mention it at first. Glad it was their mistake and hopefully the smaller shade will work better. Could you use the larger shade elsewhere with a larger lamp? Haha, zigzag threads are the best! Apparently I live a zigzag life!!

Just to follow up. I finally got the smaller shade, and it's TOO small. It just looks silly, but I am now used to the "too big" shade and don't want to give it up, so it stays. I kinda like how it's a bit weird. A lot of stuff in my house is a bit weird!

The wood chair is still there for now, but I am probably going to move it up to my master bedroom when my new storage piece for that room arrives in a few weeks.

I LOVE that shade! Try a slightly larger piece of pottery or bowl on the table and the shade won’t look too large.

The slightly oversized shade reminds me of a flouncy southern lady with a bit of attitude. "She" is perfect to my eye!