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kris_bruesehoff

I’m learning…maybe????

8 months ago

So I have posted in the past with very pointed questions and not all the info to make use of the abundant expertise here… so hopefully I am learning and with this post, including a floor plan, background info and photos from all sides.

This is our home for a few more years. Budget is dependent on whether we are investing in improving resale value and or if items will easily transition to a new home. The furniture in the living room is all being move as these pieces were purchased for our previous home and feel too large for the space. Fall decor is transitional.

This is our main level gathering spot, we do not want a tv here. Usually used to relax, enjoy wine read etc and do some entertaining here. Kids are moved out but we are blessed to have them visit.

I like the wall color and probably wont be replacing the flooring. i will be getting two smaller couches. We love the view of the sunsets and we do not need window coverings for privacy.

So open to suggestions for a new look in this space that is comfortable and inviting.
















Comments (47)

  • 8 months ago



  • 8 months ago

    You have a very lovely and welcoming home! The only change that I would make is to the bookcases. I would add more books, remove any plants, and use a few key items.

    Kris Bruesehoff thanked grapefruit1_ar
  • 8 months ago

    Thank you for the nice comment. I do strugggle with the shelves- most of my books are in our library and my plants do love the light here. The shelves are such odd angles they are hard to display things on, my antique bowls seem to fit ok but I willl try to lighten it up a bit.

    I


  • 8 months ago

    Try removing the chair-and-a-half. The couches may not seem so large.

    Kris Bruesehoff thanked Rho Dodendron
  • 8 months ago

    I did try a smaller chair there and couches still felt too long. i dont like that from the front entry the couch blocks the entry to the seating area.

  • PRO
    8 months ago
    last modified: 8 months ago

    You've too much bulk

    Keep ONE sofa. It is just fine, not too long

    Lose the bulky chair/ a smaller scale accent swivel

    Buy two chairs, to replace the sofa with its back facing the entry





    I understand people want to put their feet up.......but the matched ottoman feels all wrong. A repeat in every way, and adds bulk but is too small to be useful

    Something lighter, more open a different texture, metal, glass anything but more fabric

    To me, the dining chairs feel heavy, so perhaps something lighter. I don't think you need a rug under the table.

    I love black and white, but two is over kill and the rug anchoring the seating feels quite a bit small and dark

    I'd add a real floor plan,,,,,,,,,but I would have had to count your graph squares ( no dimensions noted ) so pardon my lazy : )

    Kris Bruesehoff thanked JAN MOYER
  • 8 months ago

    Thank you Jan. the length from the shelf wall to the kitchen counter is 25 ft and the width from the library door ro the slider is 19 ft. If that helps. I can get other measurements.

    Ill move out the excess pieces as soon as I get some muscles in to help.

    Above the mantle would you put a mirror? if so what color frame.

    i do love the navy/white rugs but can relocate them and look for another option.


  • 8 months ago

    Not sure what you mean by “improving resale” since you don’t seem to be doing a renovation. Your home is lovely, and maybe the furniture feels a bit squished. It’s always nice to have so many friends and family that you feel a bit squished sometimes.🙂 You want everyday living to be easy and comfortable, but still be able to entertain without too much hassle. What furniture do you need in the room for everyone to be comfortable on most occasions?

  • 8 months ago

    The exsisting furniture is comfortable…once we are all settled in, its just a bit of a shuffle getting situated. I do love the two couches for conversation, but i think access from the shelf side would be nice.

    Usually our dining set is smaller and 2 of the chairs are removed. but it does look heavy here too.

  • 8 months ago

    If you remove the big chair, it looks like the couches can be moved over a bit to have access by the bookcase.

    In your prior post, you mentioned you will be getting two smaller couches and a glass coffee table. Have you already ordered? Because I am not sure you need new couches, especially since you mention moving again in a few years.

    Kris Bruesehoff thanked kcooz07
  • 8 months ago

    Yes couches and coffee table are on the way. My family room furniture needed to be replaced and i thought I would bring some of this to that room and put the smaller couches here. .

  • 8 months ago

    Family room is in walk out lower level. down the steps next to the library. the soft furniture in these photos are gone and my plan was to bring the current sofa(s) here. We are looking at replacing the flooring in the lower level.

    I am second guessing but it does feel like all the large soft furniture though comfy is just too much in the space. so yeah i do want to try smaller… i think the smaller couches will allow an L shaped arrangement as was suggested earlier.





  • 8 months ago

    Kcooz… the problem with scooting out exsisting couches so that i can get access on the fireplace wall causes the couch on the window wall to cut off our sliding glass door.


  • 8 months ago

    Here is the mostly blank slate…waiting for new couches.



  • 7 months ago

    Here is the larger couches now in our family room. The furniture might be a bit big for this area too…. but it works better here. The mess under the tv will be replaced soon.

    Do i keep the brown lounger or bring in the oversized chair and ottoman? Other thoughts?


  • PRO
    7 months ago

    Please put feet and inches to your drawing? The windows, the wall between....all of it.




  • 7 months ago

    You have a georgeous home and that view! Lucky you!

    I can see several issues as to why you want to update. With all the architectural features, you will need to designate zones and streamline the design.

    I'll take a look at it in the next few days. A+ on your floor plan! Is the graft 1 box = 1 foot? This looks like fun.

    Kris Bruesehoff thanked Denise Marchand
  • 7 months ago

    Denise, Thank you. ,yes one square on the graph equais one foot. Thank you for any suggestions!

    Jan I will get specifice measurements posted tomorrow. Thank you!!!!


  • 7 months ago

    I am so sorry for the delay. INthought I added the dimensions befor I left for my FIL a funeral. Made it home and then Yesterday our 8 week new car was rear ended while my husband was stopped at a red light. The driver didn’t even slow down.
    Anyway here are the measurements.

  • 7 months ago

    Thank you for any advice!

  • PRO
    7 months ago

    Yikes......an accident after a funeral! : (


    Help how, please? We've no clue what couches you purchased, do we?

    Feet and inches don't lie....

    Does the patio door open inconveniently? Yes, access should be RIGHT side, and you are very focused on that, so might be worth a switch.

    That said, I hope the new sofas were not smaller than 84 x 36 and you didn't need two. You didn't need a "wall anywhere.



    More open and as suggested earlier.....





    Rooms are more than "just seating" It's the scale and bulk or not, it's where you set a drink down, how you will light the space, what size rug etc. It is always the sum of all THE PIECES AND PARTS.





  • 7 months ago

    Back from family gathering for Thanksgiving and a 90th birthday party so looking forward to

  • 7 months ago

    Oops! Apparently I am looking forward to learning how to edit or delete a post made in error on this site

    I wanted to post the new sofas ( 72 long x35 deep) and table ( 48 x 34) Photo probably doesn’t look that different but I think the fit is much better Functionally I think the table will be nice and love that I can access the room from both sides of the sofa. Jan - my goal is the room arrangement you’ve provided after the holidays, but want to center tree in the middle of the room so thinking I’ll go with this for now. This gives me time to look for next addition …I think finding the chair?

  • 7 months ago

    I've been following. Your room is looking good! Please tell me about that beautiful magnolia garland!

  • 7 months ago

    Thank you. I used a whisky evergreen with pine small pine cones garland then tucked in magnolia stems, and navy/tan ribbon. The gold leaf sprigs are new addition this year. Do you think it all works? I can’t wait to get the rest of Christmas up!

  • 7 months ago

    Not whiskey… wispy That was auto correct. You all must think I only post after a glass or two. ….Although that may be true sometimes it is more due to fat fingers.

  • 7 months ago

    Adding a picture ….keeping it like this until the tree comes down .
    But if anyone finds the perfect chair let me know!

  • 7 months ago

    Looks gorgeous!! And I think whiskey and evergreen go good together.🙂🎄

  • 7 months ago
    last modified: 7 months ago

    Consider an Eames Chair for that space. You already have cozy sofas and this chair is classic and a great reading chair. It won't overpower the room.

    BTW your home looks lovely and so festive! What time are drinks being served?


  • 7 months ago

    We are flexible on bar opening,,, we live in wisconsin. And it’s 5 o’clock somewhere right?
    The easmes chair would bring a much more modern look than I was considering… but I like the idea! I’m wondering if it would work space wise since I already got the coffee table larger than the circular option Jan suggested.

  • 7 months ago
    last modified: 7 months ago

    About the Eames chair: It really doesn't come off as modern even though it is. It's the wood back that's appealing and a sheepskin or throw blanket adds to the allure. Also lightness is what I thought of when you said chair.

    It's worth it to sit in these chairs. Take a look at Stressless by Ekornes Lounge Chair and Ottoman. There is a good selection of wood bases and leather vs fabric.

  • 7 months ago

    Thanks for the suggestion Denise!

  • PRO
    7 months ago

    What a beautiful house, so warm!

  • 7 months ago

    Your house is very nice. Do you need another chair for seating?

  • 7 months ago

    I am wanting another chair. When I take down the tree I will be putting couches in a L shape, like in the layout above, so will want to add a chair.

  • 6 months ago

    The tree is down. Not all the Christmas is put away but I couldn’t wait to try Jan Moyer’s layout from above. I pulled a chair and table from another room. Thoughts?

  • PRO
    6 months ago
    last modified: 6 months ago

    Very nice!!! If you snuggle the chair up, can someone reach the coffee table? May not need the chairside table?

  • 6 months ago

    Yes it works….
    Wondering if until I find a bigger rug I should rotate this 90 degrees? Does the chair work or should I look for something else?
    Would you put a mirror over the fireplace?

  • 6 months ago

    Had to try it….

  • 6 months ago

    So I think this furniture placement works. Thoughts?

    What should come next?

    Question on if this chair works or if I should look for a new one… maybe one that swivels?
    Should I put a side table near the couch?
    I currently have a floor lamp as well as the overhead lighting. - other lighting suggestions? There is a outlet in the floor under the couch opposite the fireplace.

    Also looking for options above the fireplace- do you think a mirror, artwork , or?

  • PRO
    6 months ago
    last modified: 6 months ago

    ANGLE!!! the chair, please? Not straight on to the coffee, table: )

    You want the message to be "come in! sit down ,lets......chat!"

    Mirrors over a fire ( jmo ) only works when the emphasis is the frame and incredibly interesting. Otherwise? Art is far superior, and you aren't reflecting a ceiling and a fan!

    Reduce the number of shelves on the left, add one to the right. Line them up! left matches right!

    And I WOULD like to se a lighter and bigger rug: )

  • 6 months ago

    Chair is at angle. Added a table beside the couch.. off to ski for a week and will look for a bigger rug. Square or rectangle?

  • 6 months ago

    Just started looking at your thread and your home and room are both lovely.

    I think the chair works, but I think you need to angle it more. Can you have more of its back facing the bookcase? It looks kind of superfluous as it is, and I think it just needs to be angled MORE.

  • 6 months ago

    Is there a way to get sconces flanking art above the mantle? And a floor lamp and round side table next to the chair? I’d like to see you less reliant on the overhead lighting at night.

  • PRO
    6 months ago
    last modified: 6 months ago

    Fix the shelves.....: ) I might beef those up, thicker, and use a wood stain?

    Line them up across/ number reduced

    You'll have all the cozy, minus the cluttered look, and MORE impact, without drowning out the fireplace



    versus.....



  • 5 months ago

    Thank you all for the comments…
    This rug is available in larger sizes, as well as with the colors inverted. What do you think, ? I wish I could see it in person to see how ithe lighter one would work with walls and couches. Also wondering what size, I’ll have to measure out when I get back home.

    The built in shelves are something I have wanted to change since before we moved in. Jan I love the cleaner lines you’ve shown. Because of the wonky walls they are a very odd fit and are ion the plaster of the niche. The one professional I had come out said that pulling them out to replace them would damage the textured walls and it would be very difficult to patch. If I replace the shelves I could probably redo the whole wall ( including the marble tiles around the fireplace. If anyone has ideas I’m all ears!

    As for lighting. There is an outlet on the window side of the fireplace , if we are redoing the wall I’m sure they could drop electricity for sconces. I wonder if that.would emphasize the uneven angle of those walls?
    No outlet near the chair. But there is a floor outlet under the couch. Where I can add a lamp.