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megan_a74

complete living room redo - transitional with touch of boho

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

I've been lurking and learning for months while waiting for my new sofa and it just arrived so I'm ready to go, unfortunately I'm even more confused than ever.

Here are a couple of updated photos - and a floorplan, without the furniture that is leaving. I ordered the wrong size curtains, so the teal curtains will be replaced with the same white ones when they get here.





Don't mind the table hidden in the hallway to get it out of the way of the photo (which clearly failed) or the box of curtains that needs to be returned in the dining room, or the dog butt.




this piece by the front door isn't always this messy. Stuff got piled there when we moved everything out and right now it has no other place to go.




The white curtains are new but I got the wrong length so, there would be another panel on the left of the sofa, and two more where the teal curtains are. My husband says the white curtains are too white with the white walls. Little back story - almost my whole house was painted a light coffee color called latte. My husband never wants the curtains open, so it was always dark and I got sick of it and started painting stuff white. I think I went a little overboard.

So, I'm looking to keep things light in this room. I think my style is mostly transitional but I like a little bit of color and boho fun.


Here are a couple of my inspiration photos


Mid Century Modern Masterpiece | Candler Park - Atlanta, GA · More Info



Bohemian Glam Living room · More Info



Bergen Street Residence · More Info


So I guess to start my questions are - should I keep the white curtains? What size rug? we had an 8x10 but I think it was too big. Thanks in advance.

Comments (79)

  • 5 years ago

    Following

  • 5 years ago

    Everdebz that is the crux of the problem. I had to take a step back for a couple of days because I was so upset with the sofa. I spent a ridiculous amount of time researching and shooting on sofas and dragging my husband to places to try to get him to compromise, long months before this whole Corona thing started.

    All the time spent inside and hating our living room convinced us both that it was time to get a new sofa and it arrived and I just don't love it.

    I think part of the reason is that I want softer and prettier. That just doesn't happen with a reclining sofa. I looked into some hybrid kinds but they only really have a foot rest. My husband wanted the whole nine yards - power and adjustable head rest, etc.

    I picked one that I thought was nicer looking - to me than the over stuffed types - but it's more modern than I would have liked. I guess I want to try to soften it up without making it stand out like a sore thumb. I also think you're right and it has a green undertone. Less so in person, but it's there. I also don't like that, but against the white of the wall and curtains it doesn't bother me, so I think neutral for the rug is the best idea. Im just going to have to adjust my expectations I guess.

    I'm going to get those measurements today.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago



    Nourison Celestial 7'10" x 10'6" Ivory/Teal Blue Modern Indoor Area Rug · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    Ooh I love that! Are you up in the middle of the night also or are you not in the United States? It's 3 am here, I just couldn't sleep.

  • 5 years ago

    I am in CA, so it's 1 a.m.

    I have been on houzz too, times I couldn't sleep.... wish for you some Zzzz's.

  • 5 years ago

    Just read your post - lol about recliners.

    To your liked items, add soft furry textures? a boho item, could be a fringed throw. There are things to find... one at a time. Stress isn't good, so please don't. :)

  • 5 years ago

    Hi Megan,

    I understand all about compromising for hubby's sake, but it seems to me that you are really not happy with this new sofa and that's not good :(

    Would you be able to return it? If so, maybe a better compromise would be for you to get a sofa you really like, similar to the ones in the photos you showed us, and get a recliner chair for your husband? Something a little slicker and modern than you used to have?


  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Hi Megan, Based on what I see, I'm going to give you my advice. I would remove everything in the room, EXCEPT your new sofa. The colors, blue curtains and other items you have in the room seem all wrong to me in order to get nice unity with your sofa. Get a nice piece of furniture for yourself, like a pretty settee and then choose a rug that will coordinate with both pieces.

    Add:

    A couple of round chairs;

    Some nice, full length sheers for windows and cream-colored opaque drapes;

    Lots of plants; and

    ONLY THINGS YOU LOVE!

    I think you'll both be happy and it's a way you can both compromise. Something like this:


    Here's a cute, little number I found:



    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Baxton-Studio-Felice-Pink-Faux-Leather-Loveseat-151-9240-HD/308490011?MERCH=REC--pipinstock--312447099--308490011--N

  • 5 years ago

    I totally understand about compromise. while the sofa is not your favorite, I believe it can be down played and be less of a focus as you bring in other furnishings. right now it's the only piece in the room so you are focused on it. as you bring in the 'fun' I think the couch will become less dominate. its neutral which is a plus to keeping it less of a focus.

  • 5 years ago

    Jen Osborne - no, unfortunately I can't return the sofa.

    Act one - great idea! That love seat is adorable! Pink isn't my favorite color but I love the idea. I was thinking maybe two barrel chairs or something like that. The teal curtains are almost gone, I ordered more white drapes.

    Theresa - thanks, I hope you're right. I'm thinking you probably are.

  • 5 years ago

    following

  • 5 years ago

    I can't figure out how to edit my comment on the app. Pink isn't my favorite color, but pops of fuchsia would be OK.

  • 5 years ago

    I know you are working on room dimensions, but it would also be helpful to get pics of all four sides of the room, even if one side doesnt have a wall and is open to other parts of your place. take the pics once you have things cleared out.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    The price on these is amazing and I really like the lines on these chairs + they look great in the navy. Not sure of staying power, etc.... but for accent chairs. I like them.


    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Microfiber-Tub-Accent-Chair-Navy-Blue/101413565?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0

  • 5 years ago

    Or maybe grey chairs with navy ottoman.






  • 5 years ago

    I would try and clear out everything that is not staying and take a new pic AND add a floor plan with dimensions (including sized of pieces that stay). Have you considered a swivel chair to replace the red chair? It could be "your" chair and you can find something you love in a color you love. And then maybe 2 ottomans/poufs under the picture gallery by the lone window. The ottomans could be pulled out to use as a "coffee table" by putting a tray on top. Since the sofa reclines, maybe forgo a real coffee table. End tables only for drinks and lamps. I'm not sure a torch lamp fits the space, but perhaps it can go in the corner by the picture gallery and then just have the lamps by sofa. A neutral rug would ground the space and have front feet of sofa and new chair on it. Then the color can come from the new chair and ottomans perhaps. Or even the lamps since your walls and curtains will be white.

    Megan A thanked Gcubed
  • 5 years ago



    Megan A thanked freedomplace1
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Possible palette: muted-natural grey with rich blue.

    One more question-- do you prefer burnt oranges/ warms, or the plum - purples - cranberry etc.? Thing is those are the exciting opposites of the amber floor - to consider.


    Engage Upholstered Fabric Armchair, Azure · More Info


  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Wanted to show that you didn't think so wrong! they add neutral rug - do you have a blanket to lay down just to see.... you already have teal in your lamps.

    Possibly the lighting we can't see well !

    Moderne Salon · More Info


    Ameublement appartement haussmannien pour la location · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    love the idea of crushed velvet. great contrast to the leather on the couch and would help move attention to the texture of the crushed velvet.

  • 5 years ago

    similar to everdebz kilim rug... like the stripe idea that brings in neutral and brightness for fun.. best of both without being overwhelmingly busy.

  • 5 years ago

    Everdebz definitely the blues over the warm colors. I love the combo you just posted. I was thinking blue velvet, my husband thinks I'm crazy but I love the richness of it.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    With sofa on warm/green side--- chair on green side of blue, not royal blue /violet.... could be wrong. ;)

    before a buy, try laying towel, or blouse in blues, over furniture.., well I do that.

    I think Azure might be good.

  • 5 years ago

    Has same horizontal lines as sofa -

    Enzo Chair, Azure · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    I just updated the photos in the main post with new ones that only include the stuff I want to keep (except the teal curtains - which are getting replaced with white when the correct size arrives). And I also added a floor plan.


    Unfortunately, I'm going away for a couple of weeks - taking my daughter to my inlaws for a change of scenery. I will still be online, but I can't really make any progress since I won't be home to get or return things.


    I'm thinking a neutral rug and at least one blue chair are pretty much givens, just a question of which ones. I had teal before and had trouble matching different teal items so I was going to go with navy, but everdebz has a good point that maybe a blue with some green in it would look better with the sofa.


    I'm also considering if a chair and a half or a small settee would be too much for this room.

  • 5 years ago

    Can you return the half-drapes for full ones? Was there a reason for the half ones? Your floors are beautiful

  • 5 years ago

    following...

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Gcubed - I could return the half curtains but they were for behind the sofa. When the longer ones come, they longer ones will be on the ends where you see them and the shorter ones will be behind the sofa - where you won't be able to tell that they are short. We used to have full length ones behind the sofa and it just makes it too hard to open and close.

    I was trying to describe it and it just made no sense, so here's a photo. I put the teal long ones back up while waiting for the new longer white ones because my family would freak if they couldn't have it completely dark in the living room - in fact I got dirty looks from my daughter when I opened them for this picture.

    But this is what I was thinking - the short ones are behind the sofa and the long ones on the ends. When I open them, I always open it like this so the middle panels cover the vertical split in the windows, mainly because the window is ugly and needs to be replaced but it's so big that it hasn't been in the budget yet.

    Is this a bad plan for the curtains? Picture all 4 panels the same white. And note that they are almost always closed.



    Also, thanks, we had the floors refinished when we moved in. We were lucky that the house came with pretty great hardwood floors. Some of the junk on the bench by the front door is actually for working on the stairs, they were carpeted but it turns out that they are also really nice hardwood underneath, so we took the carpet off and pretty much just need to fill the nail holes.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Do you like the shabby chic direction with fringed/ pretty? or more leather-y urban....

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I'm not a shabby chic person and I don't love the faux fur or sheepskin like throws. So I guess I'm more urban modern sleek, but I like a little bit of softness.


    You asked about how actual blue would look with the sofa, so here's a photo. We happen to already have two navy throws because it's my daughter's school color.

    I think it looks ok, but the teal might look better. I'm not sure.



  • 5 years ago

    I am going to reach out to one of the pros to see if she can bring in her expertise with the floor plan.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    peacock blues -- "And if you want to get really crazy, why not mix peacock and navy together? These blues are on the same wavelength, at least mood-wise so the resulting room would be relaxing and yet still sort of mysterious.....if you like navy, then a peacock blue shade may be where it’s at for you / not as neutral as navy, because there’s more green in the equation. And while some of the shades match navy in tone and intensity, this jewel tone, on the whole, is a little bit more glamorous and unexpected. [I’m not telling you to abandon navy if you love it.] Because it basically does what navy can do for your space: ground your decor, introduce a touch of color to an otherwise tonal scheme, and even subtly reference nature (birds, duh!) and the sea." from this site: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/peacock-blue-home-decor-263289

  • 5 years ago

    I think you are right. I spent a lot of time this evening virtually trying rugs and I'm finding the teal works better. I love peacock too.

  • 5 years ago

    I will at least change the shade on the regular lamp. I just like how much light the torch lamps give out. I'm not opposed to changing them at some point but since we don't have any overhead lights in this room, they seem to do a better job than table lamps of lighting the entire room.

  • 5 years ago

    I havent heard back from a couple of the pros I know, i would suggest sending out another post asking for some help on floor plan from the pros and mention @flo mangan and @home interiors with ease, they may get a note that their names were mentioned in a post

    Megan A thanked Theresa Janssen
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago
  • 5 years ago

    everydebz - that's what I've been thinking too that I need the softer colors. I've been playing with online tools









  • 5 years ago

    Love the rugs, especially 1 & 2. I have another one I think would also be nice in your room, if I can find it again.


    I like the chair, color and style. I know this is just a rendering and may not be to scale, but just want to note that the chair needs more heft to balance with the sofa. I think style would be ok, but a larger chair.

  • 5 years ago

    Actually, the more I look at third rug, the more I like it. Might even be my favorite.

  • 5 years ago

    If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. : )




    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/542613455099474518/

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago
  • 5 years ago

    you've got skill with the tools. I personally think a saturated chair color would be awesome, like a fuschia or maybe a saturated plum or maybe spice.

  • 5 years ago

    here are some additional rugs that could work, a little grey in some of them but also could add a saturated chair color as well.

  • 5 years ago

    as a tip, you will be adding a coffee table, so be careful with center medallion rugs as a coffee table may cover the center up.

  • 5 years ago

    one more rug... has a muted grey background with some pops of plum, blue and blush. what I am seeing is lots of great options that can work

    https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-persian-cypress-border/Multi/200KKAS23A-P.html

  • 5 years ago

    Follow....

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I like this alot ... interesting neutral organic.

    Weave & Wander Arsene Abstract Ikat Rug, Blue/Gray, 6'7"x9'6" · More Info


    https://www.houzz.com/product/134344097-weave-and-wander-arsene-rug-aqua-haze-67x96-contemporary-area-rugs