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norgen

so much potential

5 years ago

I always felt that this room has so much potential but I never brought it to life.I know I need different furniture. one of the things I’m also thinking about doing is pulling out this book bookshelf. And perhaps putting in some floating shelves. That may seem like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. I’m open to any suggestions, after recently having a big life change I’d rather not spend a whole lot of money. But I also would love to have this room live up to its potential.All comments welcome and would particularly love to hear your thoughts on pulling out that bookshelf

Comments (19)

  • 5 years ago

    I too would take out the book case but replace it with a piece of long narrow colourful art. an abstract would be my choice. And while I like the red cabinet I dont think it suits that location. I would break up the fireplace look with a substantial mantle and put the TV on that. Straighten the rug and furniture to directly face the fireplace.

    You have a great space and the brick fireplace is so cosy. I just think it needs a mantle.

    norgen thanked flygirl519
  • 5 years ago

    Lots of potential! Biggest problem is all the different colours and elements are giving the room a chopped up look. I would paint out that gray wall and if you keep the bookcase painted out as well.

    norgen thanked drdeb1234
  • 5 years ago

    I think you should leave the shelf, but restyle it with less books and a few decor items, move red unit out of the corner and put a nice plant there. Maybe have a small sofa facing the fireplace with a round and smaller profile coffee table. I think painting the walls a lighter color would be nice. Paint the door a different color. Then, get new curtains.

    norgen thanked Shawna
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    As drdeb1234 said - there's a lot going on in your room. I think simply is the word I would emphasize. I do think the bookcase does need to go. Would suggest painting all walls the same color. Might suggest painting the fireplace also BUT depending on what your wall color is the natural brick might provide a good contrast. A mantel might also enhance the fireplace. The armoire should be used elsewhere other than the corner. I wasn't a fan of mounting the tv on a fireplace until I actually did it. It worked just fine and freed up a lot of floor space. Would suggest getting a new rug. The color and texture of the rug is unappealing. The consider replacing the two patterned chairs with a sofa that coordinates with your chair. Perhaps blinds instead of window curtains. Will take some time and thought to reign all the elements you have to create a calm, soothing space. Good luck!

    norgen thanked Norwood Architects
  • 5 years ago

    I like the fireplace, armoire and rug. Paint all the wall the same color, including the bookcase.

    It's the furniture that is too heavy for the room. The drapes are too light and airy for the room.

    Side panels plus a blind if you need privacy.

    Hang them high as you have to give more height to the room.

    The bookcase gives balance to the fireplace wall. Try re-arranging the bookcase

    with some other items, I'm sure you have a few objects around the house.

    Place some of the books flat.

    Good luck and keep us posted.


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    norgen thanked Angel 18432
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I wouldn't touch the bookshelf. I would paint the door frame to match the wall and add curtains in the same color.



    norgen thanked er612
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Definitely get rid of the bookcase as the proportion is all wrong. You can leave the space open or put a tall thin plant there instead. I would paint the room all one color in a light shade to brighten the space. I would put a mantle shelf on the fireplace. Either replace the 2 patterned chairs or the brown chair--because they don not go with each other. If replacement is not an option, then recover or reupholster them. The wall behind the sofa needs bigger art or more art to fill the space. Also add different draperies or roman shades.

  • 5 years ago

    I think the paint color is making the ceiling appear lower. I would repaint the entire room including the fireplace white. The fireplace I would white wash not paint. I would also remove all furniture and put back the few things you want to keep. I really like your ottoman btw and I think that u should use that as inspiration and maybe get a matching couch or sectional to that. A fresh rug and new coffee and end tables. I would remove the shelves as well and paint the wall there to match

  • 5 years ago

    Your floors are also beautiful!!!

    norgen thanked HU-187528210
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    What are your most favorite and least favorite pieces in the room? Do you love the wall colors and rug?

  • 5 years ago

    I actually love almost all of what is in the room, but I know they don't work together. I got divorced recently and this is what was leftover - which is why it is all in there together.


    I do love those chairs (the patterned ones not the other one). My favorite painting colors are grey and white (like on the walls), but I could definitely get rid of the grey on the wall as so many suggested (the rest of my house is white with some grey). I also like the red cabinet, (there is a TV in there) but again I could move that to another room. And I even like that rug. I do see though, that it isn't working together. No one even wants to go into the room so it is almost entirely unused.

  • 5 years ago

    Do you have furniture in another room you could try in there. Do you want to post pics of other living area that you DO use maybe we could move things around,

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks for asking. I have three pics here: the dining room which is separated from the room we are talking about by a center hallway. Then the sitting room is open concept to the kitchen. I am already planning some changes:

    1. putting up an ebony-stained walnut mantle in the dining room.

    2. putting up shiplap on the wall with the fireplace.

    3. Putting in a large window to let light in where The blue tape is



  • 5 years ago

    Painting the entire room white would probably help unify it with the rest of the house, but here’s an inexpensive thought if you really like both the gray and white: Paint everything above the chair rail white and everything below it gray. (Can’t tell for sure but you might need to install a bit more of the chair rail if you can find it.) And if you like having the book storage, paint it white, too, and see what you think with the books back on it before taking it out altogether. Best of luck, and don’t stress. It’s a process and it may take a few tries to land on something you will love.

    norgen thanked fenstanton
  • 5 years ago

    wow, that's a big expense for a large window. I think I would buy new furniture before a new window. Did you get an estimate for that major reno?

  • 5 years ago

    Yes, i did, it is all about the light. Of course, I hope it looks good but aesthetics are not driving the decision at all. I live in the northwest, I don't get a lot of natural light in my house. Electric light does not do the same thing, and that wall faces south, so there is sun on it most of the day (when the sun is out). So I am going through that effort and expense for the light.

  • 5 years ago

    How many different furniture arrangements have you tried already? A new arrangement might do wonders and spark some new ideas. To me, most of the pieces in your room can work together, except the brown chair. And the white fuzzy pillows scare me a little bit. The scale and height of the bookcase don't seem right with the mass of the fireplace, but it looks functional, which counts for something.

  • 5 years ago

    Until you can afford to do more, I would rearrange the room. Move red chest on the wall where chairs are now. Move 2 like chairs in corner flanking fireplace. Hang picture on floor by chair over FP. Move brown chair by red cabinet or by window angling toward FP. Agree with painting window wall same color as other wall - if have leftover paint. If not , buy drapes for window. Move round table in hall between two chairs. Put lamp by/behind chair to left of FP. Bookshelf needs less books on top portion with decorative items. Chair will hide bottom of bookshelf. Ottoman can be in front of FP or off center red cabinet on wall and place ottoman by cabinet. Rehang black frame picture by red cabinet,