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Design Dilemma
alphatosh

Need help furnishing and decorating my new home.

13 years ago
The pictures you see are the upstairs interior of my new home. The furniture and belongings you see are from the previous owner, as I am waiting to take possession and going over ideas of how to furnish it myself. I am looking for some suggestions on what colours and set up I should us for furniture, area rug, lamps, curtains, accents, ect, particularly in the living room. With the paint being a darker shade of green throughout, I know I have to brighten it up. You can also notice that it is an open concept, but not the biggest living space. Ways on how to make it "feel" bigger with this specific layout would be great. I'm just looking for some suggestions and guidance on how to give it a fresh earthly feel. I am a very open and easy going 26 year old male, just to give you an idea of the feel i'm looking for. Anything and everything will be much appreciated. Thanks!
Featured Answer
  • 13 years ago
    What an excellent comment! It's not going be one of those perfect rooms that nobody sits in, so don't make it that way. I will definitely trust my own instinct and do what feels right to me. Thank you for all of your great comments and ideas. You ladies rock! I will definitely take a picture and share it with you when the room is complete :))

    Comments (47)

    • 13 years ago
      Love the kitchen. You can do a lot with that. I would do some open concept shelving over the oven. Not too big to get in your way of the stove. Bold curtain. And lighter wall color.
    • 13 years ago
      Hallways would look good by trimming out the walls. It is a tedious job, but it would give it a lot of interest.

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    • 13 years ago
      I know the wall colour is rather dark, but I actually like it and was hoping to furnish it in a way to make it work. Thanks!
    • 13 years ago
      What color is your furniture now? Or all you bringing in all new items? Just want to make sure I understand.
    • 13 years ago
      The link at the bottom of the page is the furniture that I have right now. It is not new by any means but isn't in that bad of shape either. I've taken fairly good care of it and is also extremely comfortable. My plan though was to use it as basement furniture, as it will work well down there. What do you think?

      https://www.staginganddesignnetwork.com/#!/individual-item-listing/Cream-Microfiber-Sofa-Set-of-2/5065/
    • 13 years ago
      Sorry, that link didn't work the way I wanted it to. The furniture is a cream coloured microfiber couch and love seat as shown in my attached picture.
    • 13 years ago
      Here is a look at my basement.
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      Well loved furniture is theeee best and your basement is a fun area, with that fireplace! What a great home you have! Your furniutre will be perfect in your new man cave!
    • 13 years ago
      Thank you :)) And you are spot on with the man cave comment, that is what I'm going for. I am although looking to make the upstairs a little bit "prettier" if you will. By sticking with a light earth colour for the upstairs furniture (light brown), adding lighter shades of green and white where I can (lamps, throw pillows,plants) and bringing in different shades of brown with wood coffee and end tables, would you say I am of the right track? What other colours could I throw in there to liven it up? I would also love a large area rug in there, any suggestions for style and colour? Thanks!!
    • 13 years ago
      Are you keeping the carpet in the basement? And is the fireplace gas or wood burning? If its wood burning..I would take the black thing off the front and have it exposed. Also paint the mantel what ever color you like. And wall color. Place all furniture facing the fireplace for a cozy feel.
    • 13 years ago
      Yes it is wood burning. Painting the mantle and removing that black frame are great suggestions! I was however planning to have a tv in the corner next to it, in which case my furniture would be in that direction. I'm hoping I can put it in a way that involves the fireplace and tv.
    • 13 years ago
      This is my first home and I was actually planning on keeping all the wall colors and carpet they way they are, for now that is.
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      The tv will totally work by the fireplace and your furniture will easily face it. LOVE what you are planning with the upstairs, too....neutral and earthy! Light brown will be easy to work with and you are smart to know you need some green for accent colors.
    • 13 years ago
      Thanks! The reassurance means a lot :)

      Do you have a suggestion of where and what colour I can add to make the upstairs pop a little bit? What color do you think for an area rug?
    • 13 years ago
      Yes, a rug will give the area a more inviting feel. If you are going to keep the carpet you could use some darker pieces of furniture. With pops of colors. Like a bright color throw. With a fireplace a blanket is a must ;). I would also suggest going to a few flea markets on the weekends. Its a great place to find fun pieces to add. Especially in a basement. You can have a little more fun.
    • 13 years ago
      Overstock is a great website for rugs. I ordered five from their website and they are great. Good quality
    • 13 years ago
      That makes a lot of sense. And with it being a man cave, some fun items will go well with the theme. Can you suggest a color for an upstairs living room area rug, based on the colors I said I was going with in a pervious comment.
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      Every room needs a pop of black, and even though you want a light feeling, I do like black with tan and green. Or a gray will work with them, too. You have beautiful wooden floors and I hope lots of them will be able to be seen. So many rugs have a floral theme to them....not good here. I am even wondering about a sisal rug with a black border around it just for something to anchor your seating. Ikea has some nice rugs.....shaggy style, if you like that.
    • 13 years ago
      Something with some red in it...
    • 13 years ago
      Even if you don't like this rug...something with red I think would be would look good
    • 13 years ago
      I didn't mention this before but I actually do have a big black/grey/white shag rug, and it wasn't cheap! I didn't think it would look good but now that you mention the black, maybe it will. Here is a picture of it, along with my pup :D
      What do you think?
    • 13 years ago
      It is quite big though, and like you said my hardwood is really nice. What do you mean by "sisal"?
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      THIS is the rug you need.......pooch loves it, too! And we do not want your rug wasted! Your couch will work with it and so will the green walls. Now the trick will be finding pillows to tie it all together.....and curtains, I am guessing.
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      The rug you have is soooo much better than the sisal I mentioned......here is what they are like.....they look nice, but not comfy on the feet.
      http://www.potterybarn.com/products/color-bound-sisal-rug/
    • 13 years ago
      Put it in the basement. It would look great on the tan carpet
    • 13 years ago
      The tan rug you suggested is a great idea too
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I'm with Janelle on the red rug, but your black one looks like it's in really good shape. To keep the living room feeling bigger, keep the furniture in a trim style, no overstuffed furniture upstairs and reserve that for the downstairs but a generous sized coffee table is very inviting and makes a great work surface of sorts. I have one and it is the envy of everyone who sees it. Nothing wrong with black and white with that green. The "punch" of "color" could be in bold graphic black and white patterns or prints like argyle and herringbone.
      Gold accents as in a gold framed mirror would be very sophisticated with this combination.

      Painted furniture like this is a knock out. [houzz=
      dining room · More Info
      ]
    • 13 years ago
      I guess it will just be a matter of trying it in both rooms and deciding where I like it better. Thank you both for all of your comments, I feel a lot more confident in the direction I'm heading!
      And yes, pillows and curtains for the window I will need as well. Here are what the curtains I have now look like.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      The arm-less chair is from Overstock, but notice the green wall. :)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      The curtains are like wood tones or neutral. I think you can make those work just fine.
    • 13 years ago
      NICE pic to show those colors DO work together! AND very masculine, too! What a great deal to know your rug and curtains will work!
    • 13 years ago
      Wow! I wasn't expecting this many suggestions, and this much support. Thanks to all of you :)

      My curtains are long, probably long enough to come down to the ground. My plan though is to have my sofa up agains the back wall. The top of the sofa will be above the bottom ledge of the window, so it will be hidden. This should be okay, not?
    • 13 years ago
      It is perfect if the curtains are long and go down to the floor........right where you want them.
    • 13 years ago
      Given that you like earth tones, I would say given it some punch with rich red, burnt red, burnt orange, brighter green, amber, camel or.... Something to add some zing to the otherwise darker neutral pallet.

      Nothing I think makes a place more like a home than art. Maybe find a nice state piece and draw your accent colour from that (looking for it the other way round can be a headache---I've tried!)

      Also bring in plants.

      I'm not sure if it's my computer but the basement walls look yellow. I find it doesn't go well with the fireplace, nor do I think that it will go well with a presumably black TV. I understand you're not going to tackle that right now, but I'd definitely put it on the future list.

      Any inspiration pictures that would give us an idea of your style preferences?
    • 13 years ago
      Yes reds burnt oranges yellows
    • 13 years ago
      Yes the basement walls are yellow. To be honest I haven't really put a whole lot of thought into what I want my basement to look like. My focus has just been on the upstairs, as the basement is going to be more of a "man cave" than anything. My idea of a man cave though isn't simply putting a sports bar in your basement. It should be smart, sophisticated, and oh so so warm and cozy. Think of a cabin like feel. That would be my ideal basement. I attached a pictures of what I talking about.

      Going back to the upstairs I am somewhat of a music buff, I have a lot of nice, colourful pictures and paintings of artists, instruments, quotes and so on. Could these work on the walls? I really like the idea of oranges an yellows.
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      You have theeee best ideas for your new home as you want to be surrounded by what you love....like that puppy! And music! It only makes sense that you would hang that theme on your walls. Your friends will smile when they first walk in!!!
    • 13 years ago
      Oh yes. Those would look great. I'm not sure your exact style but it seems a more eclectic. Don't worry about everything matching so much. Pick what feels good and right to you
    • 13 years ago
      You better! :)
    • 13 years ago
      Oh, no! You are inviting us over for drinks and snacks for that house warming!!! Promise I won't spill!
    • 13 years ago
      How could I say no!! I bet you didn't think a 26 year old male from Canada would put this much effort into his home did ya? And ladies, I'm single *wink wink
    • 13 years ago
      Ha, no that's great, everyone should take pride in what they have. Married with two sweet babies :)
    • 13 years ago
      Liven is great isn't it :)

      Thank you all again for your help, it's much appreciated!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      You should pick up some decorating magazines. They always have a lot of good ideas as far as color goes and furniture placement ides. Avoid blocking windows and doors when arranging furniture and try to open up areas of the floor and as far as color is concerned my personal favorite is lime green which also couples well with some of these other colors.
    • 13 years ago
      I will definitely do that, lime green is such a cool colour. I don't want to block my window with furniture, but at the same time I want it to be a comfortable room to watch tv, movies, sports, ect. I guess it's just important to try and find that balance.
    • 13 years ago
      Hi! If you are looking to buy new furniture pieces you check out Bryght, beautiful modern pieces without the mark up... there are beautiful sets for every room. Happy decorating! www.bryght.com
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