@JAN MOYER oh ok. Good to know. Ty. They have Lexington and precedent too. Any good? We also looked in Macy’s and Arhaus. Junk. There aren’t many places near us that have the better stuff. 25 weeks to get some of this stuff.

I just took a look at your ideabook--all the photos show light, fresh colors on a white background. Lots of light greens, blues, orange, yellow. Make sure you stick to that palette, it seems are drawn to it and it will make you happy. And if you really like and trust the decorator, try not to second-guess her. If you post too many questions here, you'll really make yourself crazy with all the varying responses.

You have to use sound judgement and know what you like and what you just cannot live with. If a designer says trust me and I'm looking at something that I cannot live with, then I need to use my common sense and do what I feel is best , because in the end she is off to another client.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC I hear yah. I’m getting too many opinions, my bad. Makes it more confusing. ty.

@shirlpp I’m really bad at making decisions, as you can tell. That’s why this isn’t fun for me, because I’m doing something Im not good at. But I’ll figure it out. Ty.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC

@shirlpp

the adjoining kitchen has white wash cabinets and then we had added cherry cabinets, with the help of a kitchen design person. The current decorator likes the cherry cabinets and how they did the molding around the frig and such. So she suggested we have a tv cabinet made with a similar look to bring the warmth from the kitchen into the den. hardwood floors, light colored furniture and brighter colored accents that I like. So I think it’ll be nice. It’ll be similar to the colors I have now. which is ok because that’s what I’m drawn to. @Diana Bier Interiors, LLC ty for looking at my ideas book. You guys have been so nice. Thanks again.

I think its hard because I don’t have a specific design style. I like a lot of different styles. And I don’t know if den should be similar to kitchen or if I can do something different so that it stands alone. I’ve read that both are ok

I’m all over the place. Like I like all of these. And I think they’re all very different. I’m a PIA. aren’t you glad you’re not working with me. 🤦🏻‍♀️

It's good to look at different styles to try and narrow down what you want for yourself. A good designer can help with this.

Notice how all of the styles start with a big ticket item - mainly the sofa and then an accent color is added.

I'm no designer, but I like to take my accent color and throw it across rooms. The accent color in my home is red. I have red pillows, vases, candles, plant pots, accent chairs, artwork with red in it, red curtains in the living room and red round balls(from original pier1) on a coffee table.

BTW - You are not a PIA(have you seen some of the dilemmas on Houzz...wow wee)

I think you need to decide on the big ticket items first, the flooring, sofa, paint, etc. I suggest you choose neutral finishes so you can swap out small decor items when you tire of them in the future.

@shirlpp I love pier 1. I’m like that with orange. I have it all over.

youre right. Big ticket items first. Ty

@Amanda Smith yeah. We have to decide on the flooring first. The decorator did a bring a sample color hardwood that we like. And we did go furniture shopping yesterday. We were having trouble deciding on a sit depth that suited us Both. My husband likes deep , I dont.

He likes 41“ And up. I like 38”

Btw. Here’s an updated pic of den. I got it looking a little better for now.

Yes, it does look much better...may I make a suggestion? The valances and sconces really don’t work in this room. Too dainty. I would take them down for an immediate update to your room. I think you’ll find the sofas wont look so out of proportion

Also, a large horizontal piece of artwork containing some orange over the sofa.... and large wicker baskets for balance at the bottom of the cabinets with the geodes.

Also, bulkier lamps to balance the heft of the sofas.

Here’s a crude mock-up:

Regarding the sofa depth. We had the same issue. I bought 41" and use pillows when I sit on the sofa. My husband moves the pillows to the side.

I’m trying to save you money, Kim, by getting you to use your current den furniture and rug...I think it’s workable. You said the sofas are relatively new.

@Amanda Smith I hear yah. And I appreciate it. Two years ago, when I bought the sofas and had curtains done, I knew it wasn’t good. I’ve been trying to make small inexpensive changes ever since, but nothing helped. That’s why I recently hired a decorator and am going to make big changes. Just popped on here to give an update. I deleted the decorators ideas that I had posted on here the other Day because I was getting more confused. Im going to have a back and fourth discussion with the decorator and get This right. Ty. Yeah. The curtains are going. And we’re going to do hardwood floor, so both of those should help. Then new furniture

Sometimes big expensive changes are not what’s needed. New flooring yes... the brown rug needs to go... I saw how people were jumping in to critique your choices....very frustrating.

@Amanda Smith omg. Right. I’ve been very beaten up on here.

My husband used to watch tv in his room. He recently started sitting in den To watch tv. And he was complaining because the cushions slide foward on current sofa and he wanted to get new. So it started a whole thing.

(background info) , i ended up with that area rug because I was trying to improve the room by covering the wall to wall. (My son is autistic so it’s hard to make major changes) But that didn’t really work either.

and my husband and i don’t always get along. its hard raising a son with issues. So I have a lot going on. That’s why I go back and fourth. The den is ugly. It gets to me. But I also don’t want to rock my sons world.

so when the discussion started, between my husband and i, about what to do in den, and we realized we had no clue, we agreed to get a decorator, but it’s still hard Because there’s a million different decorators. But it‘ll work out. Ty.

I appreciate everyones Help and input on here. But i Figured it was best to have someone come in. Plus they can be like a mediator for my husband and I. Because we Cant agree on anything.

I think you are doing the right thing..this forum has gone too far on people being undiplomatic....arguing with opposite opinions..pushing their ideas too hard....your decorators suggestions are more middle of the road...safe...and you have someone to make this happen within your budget....without knowing your personal challenges this feels like the right way to go ..

Hopefully you have learned enough from this forum to ask the right questions and express what you want clearly...and to be able to keep an open mind at the same time...that is all you need to work successfully with a good designer...

The room is a great size and layout. The couches need to go, that slouchy puffy leather is way out. Roman shades in woven woods. Paint the room new leather couch and maybe matching love seat. Nice art over the couch. You could even get new cute carpet!! It’s cozy!

Cute pillows on the couch and nice chairs

I have hardwoods everywhere but I love carpet in a family room and bedrooms

@btydrvn yep. Definitely learned a lot of here. Ty. I think I’m doing the right thing too. this forum is unbelievable, some mean people on here., but some really nice too, like yourself. Ty for your help.

Kathy, those sofas are only 3 years old. The OP needs a super comfortable place for her husband to sit. I think sofas could be made to work if some other changes are made...

@kathy furt. Yep. Going to do hardwood. Found a sofa today. Now working on chairs. Then will go from there. ty

@Amanda Smith, I disagree with your comment that all decorators only make money if the client throws everything out. Maybe some do, but personally, I respect my clients' likes/dislikes and budget. If there's something they'd like to keep, I work around it. And I've often suggested keeping things that the client thinks are "outdated" if they're of good quality and still look good. So being "unkind" works both ways.

Thanks Kim... I am so looking forward to seeing your results!

Yes ok Kim sorry I don’t often read through 300 + posts. So yes keep couches if you must, new coffee table, art over couch, woven blinds, hardwoods paint will look killer!!!

No decorator worth ten cents, makes any client throw everything out and start over. What we DON'T do................is support a client in keeping things that will keep that client from getting the room she really wants.

Seating is the core of a room. It is possible to have comfort and good looks in a sofa or chair. When a client needs to keep every element in the room, and also to freshen the look, and more?

We recommend a stylist. Why? Mostly for ONE reason.

Time and money are inseparable, The fewer the resources a client has? The more time it will take. We don't want to steal any clients resources.......but unlike a free forum ; one where pros contribute for fun, and a break from the work of consequences and a serious responsibility for outcome? " Real life" doesn't allow it. We do it for a living. : )

So, if you scroll back a couple hundred posts, you see a scaled floor plan, a budget, suggestions, ............etc. FREE. In this real world of make a living, that comes with a price tag.

Tomorrow, I will meet with a client clinging to an armoire in her living room. I want ot out. The sole reason it is there ? Would not go up a stair. Is it HIDEOUS? No.. It's a lovely piece. For . somewhere. else. But it chokes the room, denies her a truly great result, diminishes light and air. It steals more from HER result than it could ever deliver.

I am more than certain I will lose the battle. A shame, really. It has zero TO DO WITH MONEY. HERS..............OR MINE.

The bottom line is we get paid to see what you can not yet see, and to know what you may not know. To make all the decisions look effortless and harmonious at end result.and do it on a budget .....( everyone has a gag threshold ) . To make it look easy. It is anything but.

@JAN MOYER Yeah. I’m no longer clinging to the curtains or the wall to wall carpet.

@Amanda Smith my decorator didn’t ask me to throw everything away. Nothing I have is worth saving. in order to do it right I have to get new furniture and Place it on new flooring. Ty tho.

@JAN MOYER you gave me great floor plans and furniture choses. It was just hard to convey to my husband what you and other were saying on here. It wasn’t until a professional came in and talked to us both, that we got somewhat on the same page, and that things started to go better for us to move in the right direction to get started on making floor and furniture choses. So it’s very helpful to have a decorator, your advice on doing that is much appreciated and definitely the way to go if you need to make Major changes like we do. So ty, again, for everything. You taught me a lot. Especially that there’s definitely a difference in quality of furniture. I can’t afford baker, but there is some nice middle ground quality merchandise out there too. And that investing the money to do it right and one time is worth It. I’m lucky to be able to afford to do that. I was trying to make things easy and just replace area rug and sofas. But not doable. So we’re doing it right then we’ll be done for 10-20 years.

Are those book cases falling over? What about the TV unit? IMO, they are worth saving. Do you have a basement where you can store them?

You just never know while you're redoing your den or another room whether they can be repurposed.

When I had my condo I had a matching set of a sofa table and 2 end tables - heavy glass on the top and a funky base. I was going to give them to Goodwill, but decided not to.

Today, the end tables(painted the base of one), are in 2 different bedrooms as night stands. The sofa table is on the wall in my living room, because I needed something below the cabinet that my TV is in.

You just never know!

And.....that area rug is nice too! Not unless you just absolutely don't want it - would I throw it out.

Kim, I was just trying to save you some money, like i said. The sofas are relatively new, you said, and even though they are not on-trend they do look very comfortable for you and your family....

@Amanda Smith oh I know. I hear yah. And I appreciate that. They actually are comfortable with the high back. But the cushions slide out. Ty. Appreciate what you’re saying. because they are newer.

@shirlpp yep. Keeping the shelves. They’re actually very nice and in good shape. Going to put them in the basement for now. Same with area rug. It’s In good shape. Only 2 years old. Going to keep it. Ty.

theres a group of hard working people that pick fruit on the farm behind us that we’re going to offer sofas to. they took a mattress we had before. We were throwing it Out and they ask if they could have it. They were thrilled. So maybe they can use the sofas too.

@shirlpp yep keeping tv stand too. Good eye. The shelves and tv stand are in good shape. They’re made well and in good Condition. They’re made in America Ethan Allen pieces.

Kim, I know how difficult it is to change furnishings in a room, especially when the room opens to another. Every little decor change or "tweak" ricochets across the space and before you know it, shopping for new sofas becomes a total room redo. Not much of this decor stuff is "easy" and I get how compromises need to be made when your spouse isn't on the same exact page as you.

That said, I'd like to share a couple of thoughts with you:

1) The reminder to be kind to yourself. You aren't a pain because you like different styles or have difficulty deciding on elements. We're all entitled to love different design styles and choose things at our own pace or even change our mind like the wind. Taste evolves and is personal. Truth is, you owe us nothing in this forum. For better or for worse, we're giving our advice freely. We're all free to walk away from the thread. Just know that most of us are well-meaning design-loving souls who wish you the best in your decor endeavours. Btw, your current den isn't "ugly". It might not be au goût du jour but I can think of much uglier things in life than uncomfortable over-scaled seating.

2) Real life limitations and budgets are to be respected, not dismissed nor shamed. Only you know the impact decor changes might make on your family life and only you know your actual budget limitations. There is no need to justify either to anyone. I get that 25K is the cost for a total room redo with good quality new furnishings but to see such a plan presented to you after you stated a 10K limit makes me wonder if Pros have a code of conduct where the client's budget is given due consideration. Perhaps a plan that costs two and half times the initial budget is meant as a wake up call to current marketplace reality. In my world, it's simply rude or "tone deaf" to use current parlance. Sure, tell me the cost of new furnishings but offer me affordable options! Remind me that quality second hand options exist, furniture can be painted or relocated! Things can be done in stages and perfection isn't the goal. Isn't Interior Design a creative profession?

This is a decor forum where it can be easy to forget there are other priorities in life besides perfectly appointed rooms. A perfectly done living space does not a perfect life make. Regardless of what social media will have us believe. There is no shame in "making do" or opting for temporary solutions in order to respect one's project scope and current life situation. As others have expressed, there are plenty of ways to repurpose furniture and textiles. There is more than one way to achieve a pleasant and functional room and as homeowners, you and your husband decide on the budget, project scope as much as the timeline. No law says it needs to be done all at once.

All this to say, I want to echo what others have expressed: I hope you're now working with a Pro who truly hears, understands and respects your family's needs, project scope and budget.

Best wishes.

@tartanmeup ty. I am definitely hard on myself and always feel like I’m defending myself and my choices on this forum. I appreciate you saying what you said because I’m starting to get aggravated over something not so important in life. I want it to be nice. But it’s definitely not a fun Process. nor is it worth the aggravation it’s causing. As long as my son is happy and can get through the day without much struggle. I’m happy. your thinking is definitely aligned with mine. Ty for taking the time to reach out. I was starting to think it was me. I did come on asking for help. But I didn’t realize people would get so angry when I didn’t take it or changed my mind. My post is annoying in that I didn’t explain enough of my situation from the beginning. But I didn’t realize how in depth I needed to go. Thanks again.

The decorator gave us furniture suggestions At different price points. which I appreciate. We can get the “better stuff,“ like Lexington aNd century through her, using her 40% discount. So that might be the way to go. We can get quality pieces at a reasonable price.