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nataly_kr

unique or tasteless?

5 years ago

I am posting a photo of my family room work in progress project. We remodeled our family room and I bought 2 new arm chairs and a sofa to add to an existing sofa.


My original idea was just to chairs, but my husband really wanted a sofa, so I decided to order both and return what doesn't work out. The sofa looked better than I thought it would, but I am still not sure what to return.


As it is there is too much furniture in the room. I like the new light fabric sofa and the chairs, I think it works with the existing leather sofa and the fireplace marble. The black leather ottoman is getting replaced with a black leather bench on stainless steel legs, which is just a little bigger, but the same height and I have a side table ordered.


Now, for the main question. While thinking where to put an old traditional wingback chair, I temporarily moved it into this room and I think it adds some character to it. I thought it would clash terribly, but maybe not. What do you think? My eyes can't see anything any more, I've been trying to make sense of it for too long. Is it unique and interesting or a tasteless mix of styles and colors?


The chair is old, but very comfortable and I have nowhere else to put it, so it is either staying there or going to be donated.


And whether it is staying or not, should I return the new sofa or one of the new chairs? I was thinking, either the new chair to the right of the fireplace is going back or the sofa. If I get rid of the sofa, then one of the new chairs is going in its place.


Oh, and the old wingback has a matching ottoman, which I can put there if I get rid of the sofa, so there is more space.


The double door on the left is rarely used, so I do not need much of a walk way there, but occasionally I do open the door if I am in this room and need to go to the home office behind the door. Otherwise there is another door to access the home office, which is the main walkway.

Also, for additional background, this room is 13x22ft and the other end of the room has a sliding patio door on the right and a black polished upright piano against the wall opposite the fireplace.




Comments (26)

  • 5 years ago

    Each piece individually looks quite nice (except the wingback chair which would be better elsewhere IMO) but to my eye the room looks too crowded. Plus the sofa blocking the french door makes everything seem extra crowded. Hopefully a pro or two will come by here and help with layout ideas.

    Nataly K thanked einportlandor
  • 5 years ago

    Typo: not vision - cushion/ottoman

  • 5 years ago

    @Therese N I know it is unfinished, that's why I am asking advice. I understand you don't thing the wingback belongs there and return the fabric sofa. Leave the leather sofa and the 2 other chairs? The ottoman is there as a placeholder, I have a different one on order. I must have not explained it well. The two small occasional chairs would on either side of the fireplace? Or would it be better to put some open side bookshelves on either side of the fireplace instead?

  • 5 years ago

    @einportlandor I understand you are voting to return the sofa, not the chair and get rid of the wingback... Thanks!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    My thoughts: one sofa should go & since you have black leather bench on way to replace brown ottoman, my vote is keep new sofa. I think it looks best with the fireplace suround. The black bench & current ottoman look better with new sofa & new sofa great with rug. Wing back chair should go. It doesn’t blend with rug or style of new sofa & won’t work with new bench either. Agree that the two new chairs should be on side of room with doors - looks balanced & should allow free & easy access to French doors. You mention bookcase on sides of fireplace. - I like that idea or even a console table on one side display case on other with art on wall above. Or tall plant - something. can’t tell if there‘s an inset on each wall with fireplace surround depth.

  • 5 years ago

    Love love the new pieces. To me, you have a very modern asthetic. I would keep the 3 matching pieces, ie the light color sofa and two chairs. Love them with the fireplace and rug. Layout below. I would keep the french doors available to use when needed. Putting furniture in front of doors looks odd. I would take away the dark sofa and wing back chair and then rearrange the new pieces like below and then reevaluate what accessories, side tables, lamps, etc are needed. You are completely on the right track with your new furniture pieces. It will look fabulous

    Nataly K thanked Theresa Janssen
  • 5 years ago

    Sorry, but the wingback chair needs to go. Nothing about it (color, shape, style) works with any of the other pieces in the room or with the fireplace.


    In my opinion the space has enough room for two chairs and a sofa, not both sofas. In order to have a little contrast, I would return the fabric sofa and keep the leather sofa with the new chairs. The chairs are really lovely. Although the new sofa is lovely too, I think it reads a bit flat to have all of the upholstered items match. The new chairs seem to go well with the leather sofa.

    Nataly K thanked pricklypearcactus
  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I would keep the new sofa and chairs and create an arrangement something like this


    The new chairs by the sides of the fireplace flanked by two floor lamps on either side of the fireplace. The left chair could get the black small table, the right chair can share a side table with the sofa. The black ottoman in front of the sofa. Move the piano by the french doors and add a round side table on the other side of the sofa. You could probably fit another chair by the patio doors but not sure you need it. The other pieces x-ed can go


    Nataly K thanked LilDesignWorks
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    If you cannot move the piano center the 2 chairs, sofa and ottoman around the fireplace like this


    Nataly K thanked LilDesignWorks
  • 5 years ago

    Not sure there is a piano that needs to be in the room, unless I'm missing something... didn't see any comment about a piano?

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks, clearly I missed that. Read too fast, nice job.

  • 5 years ago

    Agree with the above to do away with the dark couch and wingback chairs. I love the three matching pieces and think hey look great!! Play around with the layout. Maybe the big couch facing the FP. Obviously otherwise on the other wall.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    If you know me, I am always amazed when people buy furniture without doing scale drawing. To answer your question, no, the wing chair needs to go. Your new pieces are lovely but too large scale for your room. The darker sofa is better scale, I believe. How many people use this room every day? Do you plan a TV in this space? Or is it more a seating room? If it’s just seating I think your original idea for 4 chairs was good strategy but with swivel chairs. So if more than two people use this room every day I would return the new pieces and if hubby needs sofa keep the leather and get two more compact chairs. A round coffee table might work better with that arrangement too. If mainly used for reading, relaxing or listening to music etc. 4 swivel chairs with a round ottoman would be great.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    This can be a spectacular room. Just needs different pieces. Something like the unique wall unit in 3rd photo could be nice beside your fireplace. If you stay with modern styling.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Your fireplace wall is beautiful and I would do a pair of tall pieces of art either side of the fireplace. Let the art influence other selections. Will you get refund if you return furniture or a store credit? Do they have art? Did you order new coffee table from them too? Just trying to get a feel for what options you might have.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    For inspiration, I did this mock up. Now art is very personal so you pick art first, then the chair fabric, then ottoman, then accessories.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Since I didn’t see a junction box in ceiling for cool chandelier, I selected two tripod black shade lamps for contrast and lighting. A large light gray ottoman with black tray for setting cup or glass down. And some textural metal wall hanging over sofa.

    Nataly K thanked Flo Mangan
  • 5 years ago

    @Flo Mangan thanks for so many great ideas. This is an electronics free family room/casual living room. A novel concept. No TV, it's centered around the fireplace. The 2 sofas are the exact same size. I created extensive 3D models upfront and knew I would be returning some if the new furniture up front, so I am not one of "those people". There are 5 people in my family, so 4 chairs and no sofa is not for us. I also bought an arc floor lamp, which I forgot to mention. I don't think I like large scale art at the center, I am not a huge art lover, so can't imagine what I would like that much especially with the symmetry of it all. I am thinking smaller scale shelves with knicknacks, photos, etc. - in other words warm family room vs show off living room... Can you think of anything else with that in mind?

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    That’s really helpful. I was keying on the sophistication of your fireplace wall so great. I thought about an arc lamp but leaned into more symmetrical look. I personally love asymmetrical looks so no problem. I will think about it and get some ideas together. I would keep your leather sofa and build around that. Bbl

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    You can add some shelving on either side of the fireplace, a few ideas to narrow it down: floating shelves or wall mounted or freestanding. Either way clean lines and some black would be nice, unless you prefer wood accents








    Nataly K thanked LilDesignWorks
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I think you could do asymmetrical floating shelves beside your fireplace. Your fireplace is very sophisticated so shelving should be too. I wouldn’t go industrial or Farmhouse. I did this house for a darling couple. They wanted statement wall. It has electronic fireplace and asymmetrical floating custom shelves. They love their room. It is 22’ high! Quite a project!

    Nataly K thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    You could do sofas matching facing each other like this and add one chair on end. That could work if you select small enough pieces.

  • 5 years ago

    @Flo Mangan thanks. You guessed the size of my leather sofa, the fabric one has the same length of the seat, but it's 76" because the arms are not angled out. You also guessed the coffee table/bench size. This was one of the versions I was considering actually. The other is a chair instead of the sofa.. Do you like it better than a sofa and 2 chairs? The chair by the piano would be too tight. I like the floating shelves. I


  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I would prefer two smaller chairs and the leather sofa with round coffee table. That way you don’t need drapery across French Doors and chairs could set on angle to sofa leaving access to office even if you don’t use that entrance. It would just look better. I don’t have good feel for side of room opposite the fireplace. A photo of that would be helpful if you would. Thanks.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    "I created extensive 3D models upfront and knew I would be returning some if the new furniture up front, so I am not one of "those people". There are 5 people in my family, so 4 chairs and no sofa is not for us. I also bought an arc floor lamp, which I forgot to mention. I don't think I like large scale art at the center, I am not a huge art lover, so can't imagine what I would like that much especially with the symmetry of it all. I am thinking smaller scale shelves with knicknacks, photos, etc. - in other words warm family room vs show off living room..."

    The point of a "plan" ( any accurate plan ) is NOT to have the issue of returns of too many, too large pieces. Let's see the 3 d you created.

    A "warm " feeling in a space , one that is both beautiful and welcoming need not exclude art or family photos., though both require some thought or the modern aesthetic will be lost to a more cluttered feel.

    I think you're a bit conflicted. The second you hit click/purchase on the new pieces, you "eliminated" the wing chair. ........: )

    Which element in the room appeals to you most? The french doors, or the fire style? They too are conflicted.

    Show a picture of a family room you love, your 3 d rendering, and refine your goals. Otherwise? You're just plopping seating into a space with no specific goal in mind other than places to park a fanny

    Nataly K thanked JAN MOYER
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