Goodnight Silly :)

Centered rug...comments?

I vote NOT centered. Seems to widen the space the other way. I think it works just fine :)

Agree LB, like better the other way.

I think I like it better the first way, what do you think decorcrazy?

I have no further comments on this because I think you all have covered many great ideas. I do just want to say that this has been the most entertaining "design dilemma" thread... EVER!

Maybe your hubby got a shoulder massage for his hard work holding up the wall art for us all to see ;)

Also about the reason for the weird shelf in the stairway: It is how the wall was finished to hide the cinderblock foundation. I'm assuming your house is below ground level at that point. Here are pics of what it looks like in my bi-level house here in Wisconsin. :) The unfinished area shows the cinderblock foundation and the finished area is half sunken thus the need to cover the foundation, creating a shelf.

LOL thanks Arizona, as I was so mixed up about not understandiing what it was. I was laughing at myself when the light bulb went on LOL

Hi all- I too like the rug off center better:)

I vote for the off centered rug also. I agree with LB that it makes your space look wider. I love the new direction you have taken with the new painting and darker rug. It's very striking. I liked it before, too. Just goes to prove there are so many options for decorating a space. You just have to find the one that is right for you.

Thank you Arizona710 for showing us what is behind the shelf. Makes sense to me. And yes I do believe there is cinderblock behind there.

I like it both ways and I do think off centered makes the space appear wider. Also, the rug is in the way of the floor plant when it is centered so I guess I will change it back to off centered. Thanks ladies.

Got another problem here.....right when you walk in my house you can see my whole living space and I feel the curtains are not right. I chose white sheers so I could get a lot of light in the house....but the sheers are more for a bedroom?? Not sure what I was thinking there:( I hate the blinds too as when they are raised they are very bulky through the middle as you can see. Suggestions? I was thinking yellow panels with short rods but not sure about the what type of blinds.

In all honesty, I like the sheers, and I rarely like curtains. I would put a soft sandy natural woven shade and leave the sheers. I think they look so nice and airy:)

Now, if I may be so bold,LOL. I do not like what you put on the wall between the windows. I am sure you must have something in your stash that we could put there? ;))

On a morning like this, with that sun shining in, those sheers are just perfect there. LOVE that look.

Starting with the blinds. Although I like Margo's idea, they would still bulk up when raised. The blinds are a costly investment, so I would leave them, unless privacy is not an issue. In which case, you could remove them altogether.leave them down, and just turn the vanes to get max sunlite. What is bothering your eyes right now, is that the white sheers , compared to the weight of the furniture, seem to fly away. I would suggest, either an open weave drape, neutral. Or a sleek print. Placed the same way you have existing ones, but I would extend the rods out maybe another 5 inches or so. So that the drapes stack on sides of window with just maybe 6 inches, or up to the first row of vertical thread .

Pull the blinds all the way up or down, not halfway. I too love the sheers and open windows.

Also, how about a couple of neutral area rugs for under dining table, and in family room? These would also anchor those spaces as well. Just as you did in entry.but these can be neutral.

All great suggestions....but the blinds are a pain in the a_ _. They are heavy to pull up and down. I only need them to go half way up. Privacy is only an issue in the evening and even then I just close the blinds on the top. I always have them raised this level. No one can see in on the bottom because I do not have neighbors in the back....only on the side of me...thus is why I only shut the top of the blinds....does this make sense?
So should I raise the rods up higher too?

Maybe you just need some of that.....film.......to apply to the top. I believe it helps with privacy and sun control.

I could take half the slats out???

Levelor rolling shades in a woven weave:
White woven wood blinds:

BINGO! Take half the slats out. The only thing you have to lose is an hour of your time. Try it! The color is right with the white. You might be a trend setter with this technique.

That's a money saver! Good Idea!

I do love the rolling shades but I think I will try taking out the slats first. I think it will look nicer without that big bulk in the middle:)

Here are the film for windows ideas that 'abbyjean' mentioned

Just wanted to say that I LOVE the painting in your open stairwell to the basement. I didn't want to chime in earlier and disrupt the flow of suggestions, but IMO, there were too many mirrors in competing styles going on in your space (above fireplace, above entry table, and then in the stairwell). Job well done!

p.s. The rug from your mom looks great too.

decorcrazy, welcome to my world. My dream come true would be for Candice Olsen to come over my house, demand my keys, do her majic, and present me with a fabulous decorated home. Decorating is a foreign concept to me...so frustrating!

How does this picture look? Margo did not like the picture in photo 2 and I think she was right. The 1st photo/picture has birds and seems to make more sense by the windows? Comments?

Hi decorcrazy, it looks perfect to me!

I love the birds. Great scale for the wall. Good job!

OK.......here is my deal.......I liked the first one as I liked it with the pillows you had on the bench. So now will this new one work with the pillows??? They were just happy pillows!!!

I like things that work in a room but don't necessarily have to be the same subject matter. I find it is more interesting. It's best not to overdo. Seems there are a lot of neutral colors in the art to work with most anything.

Hi Decorcrazy, Yes, I do like this one too;) For some reason I want to raise it up a bit though, yes, no, maybe ?? I see you changed the position of your table. What is the story on that? I like it both ways, good to have options!! What else is going on? I have missed your presence.

Aww..your so sweet Margo. I missed being on here too. I changed the position of the table just because it gives more room where that door is. The dogs go in and out in that area. I seem to have more room. I will probably flip it back and forth.
I will be posting another room soon:) I love this website its fun and I have learned so much from you ladies:))

Should I replace the round metal art on the wall with this picture to the left?

Just take it down. As much as I love metal art it does nothing for the TV. Maybe show with art work, but don't think you need anything.

Definitely red piece

I don't want to hang it until I am sure...but can you get an idea by this picture?

decorcrazy- I would take away the metal piece. Can you center that TV and cabinet on that wall? I think if that picture you show had a black frame, maybe but I am not liking it right now. I am a keep the TV viewing area with no distraction, but, maybe.... if that picture was in a black frame?? then it would match your TV and cabinet;)

I would say nothing with the TV.

Yeah I agree I just keep thinking something should be on the wall? Bare is ok then?

Go nak_ed!

Margo I have a bathroom posting you need to comment on:)))

I will go on the prowl for it...keep the light on;)

Another Houzz classic.

Margo's back ... you're just all over Houzz today :) Waving with both hands.

HI LB *waving*... we had good times on this thread huh?

Sure did!!!

I would stick with the black sofa table in the front entry of your home. It looks fairly modern and elegant.