Hi Shannon. Congrats on your new home.

Is the alcove just windows or doors that lead somewhere? Is the furniture in the pictures yours?

~Lyvonne

Hi Lyvonne! Thanks for looking! The back of the room has a six foot wide bay window. The furniture is a mix of things left by the old owners and random pieces from the move. Appreciate your help!!

You're welcome Shannon.

Do you need to put a tv in this room?

~Lyvonne

Nope!!

I'm not a designer but I'd paint the brick white, right off the bat. Paint the walls white or a pale shade of blue. Invest in floor to ceiling drapes in white or a light tan pattern. I'd have two matching light tan love seats or sofas (whichever fits best) facing each other opposite the fireplace, and with a simple coffee table in the middle. Or, a sofa and two matching club chairs. I'd maybe place chairs by the bay window, or reupholster those benches. I'm not sure you need anything right by the windows at the other end. I wouldn't fill this space with too much furniture. Keep it simple. Don't put your tv above the fireplace no matter what.

Shannon - is there one entrance or two to this room?

I like MJ's idea of the sofa & two matching chairs facing either other (perpendicular to the fireplace).

For now move the little benches into the alcove just to get a feel for how you like something in that space.

Do you have any chairs in another room that you could use as placeholders?



~Lyvonne

There is only one entrance. I only have dining room chairs, do you think that would work? What size rug? 5 x8 or larger?

Do not do/buy anything untill you have had the room drawn out by a pro to scale. Let that person know how you plan on using the room, and take it from there. They should come up with several floor plans for you. Better to invest in a perfect floor plan to scale, than buy a bunch of stuff that won't look right, or satisfy your lifestyle. Good luck!

Ok, what about a sofa and two of these chairs? And then maybe maybe maybe some sort of other kind of chair (wicker or fabric) in the alcove. A simple coffee table and maybe a sofa table?

I'm not personally a fan of leather chairs unless they are a lighter and more worn looking leather, but you should purchase what you really like in the end. I'd go neutral on the couch - tan, beige, off white (no off white you have kids, lol!) and than the chairs in a complimenting monochrome pattern (like attached). You can add color in art, pillows, throws, baskets, vases, etc.
I just moved to a new house and had to buy a bunch of new stuff which totally freaked me out. After two months with no seating I ended up just going with a light brown couch (nice and on sale) because if I want to upgrade or change it if I change my style, I can move it to another area of the house (the den) or sell it. I waited another couple months until I found the perfect chairs to go with it. Measure the area where you want to place your couch with tape. With this method you can measure what is too big or too small for the space.

I am not keeping the current couch and really appreciate everyone's feedaback! This has been so helpful - thank you all!

Ok, so we want to start with a couch, two chairs, a rug and a coffee table. What style do you prefer - traditional, modern, transitional, funky/eclectic? Sorry if you said already.

~Lyvonne

I guess it would be transitional. Thanks! I'm so excited!

Ok, so let's start looking at couches first. Unfortunately, we don't care any. But do you have a favorite store? Do you have a budget for the room?

~Lyvonne

What a pretty room with such nice windows! Do I also see a stair rail behind the current end table and lamp? I like the idea of a sofa facing 2 chairs perpendicular from the fireplace - or two love seats. YOu will need space to pass from one end of the room to the other. From your photos the walls look to be a soft yellow and look nice with the brick fireplace - are you thinking to paint or leave that as is? Will you want drapes or shades or what is your window plan? Though I personally would figure out the furniture first and then decide about the windows. In the bay window a small chair and lamp might make a nice reading spot. What is the view from that window? There is a shelved alcove to the right of the bay window - is there a matching one to the left? If you decide to use that as a reading are, books would be a great idea for some of the shelves. If you don't want to use it as a reading area, perhaps a small round table to do puzzles or other tasks that need lots of light. On the triple window end I would consider a writing table or other attractive table with a pretty lamp on it. The lamp would most likely be off centered. Again - what is the view from that window? I'm thinking that might be the window one sees from the street or driveway - it would look nice at night with a lamp lighting it up and welcoming you in. Work with your existing furniture and see what sorts of arrangements will work for you. Have fun!

I like the pieces in front of the window, I would utilize them to fit into the decor away from the windows maybe beneath the other window.. I can see it as extra seating or storage if you build under them. You could frost the windows to keep them completely open to let the light in but have privacy too. I used white finger paint on mine.. brushed it on.. or you could use a film

Ok, played around with furniture placement last night and love all the ideas! Here's what it looks like now.

It is going to look great with that set up! I would have at least 2 feet between the fireplace and the furniture & 2 feet between the opposite wall and the furniture. You should have no problem with that with an average size couch.

What size is the rug you have there - 5 x 7? When we start looking for rugs, I would do 8x10.

Anyone else vote 8x10?

~Lyvonne

I think 8x10 for sure. What do you think of this sofa if I could get it with three cushions? And not this fabric color.
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/carlisle-upholstered-apartment-sofa/?pkey=e%7Csofa%7C152%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C22&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

I love the sofa! Does it come w/three cushions? Do you need three cushions? What color fabric are you thinking about? I like the dark blue.

Check out this thread -- https://www.houzz.com/discussions/i-misjudged-furniture-i-bought-online-and-cant-return-ithelp-dsvw-vd~609820 -- she has a similar couch (brand new) & is thinking of selling - thinks it is too big for her room. Maybe you could get it cheap. :)

~Lyvonne

It only comes with two cushions but I could try and find something like it maybe? Thanks for the tip!!

I'll sell it for half the retail price and it is brand spanking new!

Where is it from and where are you located?

Awesome - glad you guys connected. If you do decide to sell Peggy, you might try to contact YRC Freight -- http://www.yrc.com/ We use them. I'm not sure if they work directly with individuals but they might.

Shannon - I'll be back later to search for some other options. :)

~Lyvonne

I'm in Portland Oregon.