I have two wingback chairs in my great room. I found some very reasonably priced ones (online) that were the size and shape I wanted. Then I found the perfect ivory fabric to go with my other furniture and reupholstered them.

Upholstering takes talent!

I love the rug in your living room! Too bad it's too small.

By the pictures of your living room, you don't seem afraid of color. Would you consider bringing some of that same color into the dining room?

Yes! But I am looking at green chairs with black legs. If you find any that look nice & the price is good, please send me a link!

I hope @DIS will come back with links for the rug, chairs, and cabinet he rendered yesterday.

But I found this ....omg its gorgeous... and only $780 each!

and this!

Abby- I didn’t do the upholstering myself! I found a person in my neighborhood who did them. Ironically, several decades ago I worked for an antique refinisher and he taught me some upholstery techniques, but I couldn’t redo a wingback chair.

Same chair in Hemlock Green from Article. $298 each.

https://www.article.com/pla/24359/nosh-dining-chair-walnut-and-hemlock-green

I like the melon orange or the green chairs for your space. The chairs in the renderings are from Crate & Barrel, which are $500ish. A cheaper version is Wayfair which is what is pictured in the third pic.

A dark wall would really bring out the art:

This is not a great rendering because it doesn’t model your space exactly, but trying to show how you could arrange the living room. I’d suggest a more contemporary wingback chair so that it doesn’t look like two different styles from your dining room to living room. I didn’t add in a lot of color but that can be changed.

@Emily : Thanks! Yes, I appreciate your suggestion of more modern wingbacks and your renderings! There is not enough space for a console under the big pic, tho. Like the roman blinds!

I'm not sure if I should start a new thread or just continue to add onto this one - but I cleared off the wall next to the DR table and now need something functional (storage) and attractive to place on the empty wall. The wall is 47" wide. The challenge is clearance - I don't want anyone bumping into the corners of a cabinet or bookcase. IMO the max depth is 13", maybe 13 1/2.

tTaffic often enters and exits the kitchen here, and there is also the DR table. The DR chair is about 4ft 6 in from the wall.

I've looked at many furniture pieces- tall cabs, bookcases, shorter cabs (36-40"). I also have some family pics and fav "do-dads" I'd like to display so I considered a display cabinet, but I do need some behind doors storage. Not sure what to do. Suggestions?

So- my immediate plan is:

Decide on green DR chairs and make a purchase -

Same with the wing backs for the LR

Purchase low cab as rendered & linked by @DIS

Look into replacing current shades with Romans- thanks

Purchase rug linked by DIS:

@ simplynatural Your comment is appreciated re dark wall, but I dont think it's quite right for this space. You are correct tho- it does complement the art well!

@emily- what size is the art above the FP in your render?

I think the wall areas flanking your kitchen entryway are not the ideal place to gain more storage. It’s going to make the area feel congested. It is 100% okay and in fact needed to have empty walls and space. That is a major walkway area. 12” depth item isn’t going to hold enough to make congesting the area worth it. You’re not using your family room area and the adjoining sitting area to its fullest potential. You have close to a 14’ depth there if I am reading the measurements correctly which it is hard to read because they blur when blown up. But if you turn your sofa 90 degrees (along with the area rug which looks to be too small?) so it faces the fireplace you will then be able to place a console cabinet behind it to gain easily accessible storage to your dining area plus the added bonus of creating a division of the two spaces. Then position the space with chairs flanking the fireplace which can be facing each other across from a cocktail table or ottoman. Add lighting to the space. Your fireplace wall art and items are completely out of scale for the wall. Consider placing a mirror above the fireplace then stacking large art on each side. Your arrangement would look like this. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to bring in more of the olive green and plum: lavender for a rich but fresh feel.

@DIS I really appreciate your suggestions and reminders that negative space is important, too. Absolutely gorgeous render!!!!! Love it.

I'm not sure what the 14" refers to, as you mentioned in your last post. The Floor plan is in Adobe -I'll see if I can do anything to make it more clear as I copy it here again.

I tried once before centering the sofa on the FP and the chairs flanking the FP, but they didnt quite fit, the problem being the 42 3/4" wall that you see thru the middle, if my memory is correct.

I'm going to try again and I'll post a photo.

ok so i moved the furniture around.

The 87" long sofa is centered on the FP. The front edge of the couch is 75-78 " away from the FP (depends on where one measures on the FP- hearth or box).

There are 41.5 inches between the wall and the edge of the sofa, which doesnt seem enough for a console or such. Maybe if the console was very short or very narrow? Not sure.

Smaller chairs might help?

Sofa stays. Everything else can go - my daughter just bought her 1st house and needs furniture so anything that doesnt have a place hrer can go to her if she wa

I think this looks better already. To keep your walkway minimum 36” I would eliminate console behind sofa and have your chairs face each other straight on if possible. Then flank your fireplace with two cabinets for storage . They can be just cabinets with art above them and lamps on them or you can have shelving above as well depending on your preference. They can be free standing or you can consider having built ins done. This will give you storage and if you choose to do upper shelves the added bonus of height in the room which it appears from the little you have shown you do not have. also if you want to bring in more color art can now replace the mirror

OMG I am so grateful for the help! I am saved from many costly mistakes.

But I'm worried that cabinets here , along w the FP, will give too much visual weight on this side of the room - No? You dont think so? I def agree more height is needed. I've been looking for art to hang above the FP but so far havent found anything I really love that I can afford. And I'm unsure as to the best size. Sigh.

You said "... height in the room which it appears from the little you have shown you do not have. " What is it you wish to see? Im glad to add more photos.

I feel these tall cabs need to be the best quality I can afford, and since there are 2 of them I need to watch the price. Does anyone have suggestions for good quality cabinets (either drawers or doors) that can be had for under $1000?

No I do not think so. If you are worried about that side looking heavy you can paint builtins the wall color or choose a lighter wood but I don't think that is needed. I placed the black cabinets because your fireplace is dark and i thought it was going to look better than a lighter wood tone near the charcoal color of your fireplace. Currently beside the dark fireplace and dark sofa there is nothing anchoring the room. Both rooms you have shown have all low furniture so adding height will add some variation and interest. As I mentioned above if you want some color over there you can place a piece of art above the fireplace.

OMG I am soooo grateful for your help! You have saved me many mistakes. I was getting tunnel vision as I have looked at the spaces far too long. We have been in this house 4 years and its time to decorate properly, not just "fill the space".

BTW I am ordering the rug - anything I need to do so you get credit somewhere along the way?

I wish....

I wonder if lower cabinets with artwork above might work better? There are electrical outlets on the FP walls, so lighting is easy here. What height & width of cabs works best? the FP is 48" tall and 72" wide (including the granite hearth).

I ordered the sconces today - black torch sconces, 28". Also ordered a swatch of the Lulu&Georgia rug.

I like the two rugs that are being showing they both look good it depends what kind of vibe you want with it

Do you like these?

https://nathanjames.com/products/mid-century-modern-solid-wood-accent-cabinet-light-brown

Go as large as you can dependent on the wall measurements on each side of the fireplace. As far as base or base + shelves that depends on how much you need display space. Several times you have mentioned needing storage. You also mentioned needing shelves near your kitchen entry. Whether that’s closed storage or open or a combination of both only you know. It sounds like you are in need of both and if so I would max out the storage in whatever you place there.

I probably need display space as much, if not more than storage space. So shelves with doors/drawers and open shelving. As I move stuff around I realize it's not just lack of storage, but a combo of too much stuff I don't use and poor use of space. And stuff can always find a forever home in a dark basement corner....

Today, as an exercise in futility, I brought up from the basement a little used 10x13.6 indoor/outdoor rug and placed it by the FP to help visualize size and color. I moved furniture around, too.

I arranged my old comfy PB swivel chairs to the flank the FP - I regret buying these chairs in this Ho Humm YAWN fabric, but they go anywhere - they just don't add anything even close to interesting. Hmmmm - does anyone make custom slipcovers for them????

Although I won't leave this in/out rug in place (for obvious reasons!), I am surprised that the combo of patterns & colors doesnt drive me crazy. There is something here I actually like but can't describe.

In the pics you will probably see another part of the house, or where I've piled things as I move furniture around, or unused lamps, etc - please ignore for now. I'm not there yet.

The brown cabinet with the red measuring tape and picture on top I plan to rid myself of as soon as I get new cabinets. Also the wine / wine glass rack will likely go, too

@katinparadise I so much appreciate your post! I do like thim, but I'm not certain they work in this situation. I actually prefer lighter wood (like what you sent), but in this case I agree that very dark around the FP is best.

@happylegs Hi happylegs! Long time no see. Thanks for chiming in.

Abby pottery barn sells slip covers for their slip covered furniture but I see nothing wrong with those chairs as is. A throw over the back of them and a lumbar pillow placed on each would do the trick.

The chair is neutral and compliments your sofa color.

I like the rug. But I would put solid colored pillows (one in that deep red orange for sure) on the sofa to liven it up. You can use a comfy throw on the chair in the dark blue too. Your furniture is what it is. Now use accessories to liven up the space. That rug gave you a start.

Oh is this the rug staying? I mis-read that. I thought you said it was your outdoor rug and you had just brought it in to see the size.. If you like the rug and want to use it then find a complimentary one/s for the dining room and adjacent space and use the russet and blue colors in this rug for your color scheme. You could do russet dining chairs , find fabrics that incorporate the colors. This rug has a playful quality to it. I think it would change the aesthetic of all the suggestions prior you’ve had. I also don’t think it leans to the more sophisticated feel of your dining room art.

I thought it was only a trial, too. I'm one who shies away from bold patterns, so take this with a grain of salt: I think it would be a challenge to find art that works with that. (edit: brightly patterned rugs) Personally, I would choose to keep the same "feeling" in the two adjacent rooms. I'm still loving your art. I looked at the artist's website, hoping to find (edit: the photograph you have.) No such luck. But I would love to bring in that peaceful feeling by placing it above my dining table, too. (Maybe I should contact him?)

You like color so do that in a rug that works with the style of your space. Keep the furnishings neutral but add some color in the accessories. The pillows don’t have to be all solids like I’ve shown, but be careful to not have patterns that will fight with the rug.
I’ve added one of the bookcases that you were looking at, and also added a coffee table that is similar in tone to the cabinet you have between the LR and DR.
I would pull one of the colors from the rug you choose to use for dining room chairs- making the two spaces more unified.

Excuse the interruption. @RedRyder, would you share info on the two wing chairs? Thanks.

Hi All! The rug is NOT staying. It is an indoor/outdoor rug that was in my basement storage that I brough up to judge size and color, as I stated in a previous post. But I do appreciate the comments and suggestions!

The reason I am asking about slip covers for the PB swivel chairs is that I'd really like fabric with a subtle pattern and color.

Here is the link to the Thomas Mangelsen gallery. 30% off right now but there are frequent sales.

https://www.mangelsen.com/

If you click through to "open edition" you will find the prints are quite inexpensive.

I struggle a bit to marry the calm serenity of the art with the lively colors you like, but maybe something like this could work (using @Emily's rug)?

(Sorry, I know you nixed the dark wall, but it's what the art needs!)

Abby are those chairs currently slip covered? Are they the Ayden from PB?

If they are not slip covered then you can’t pop a slip over on them. It will not fit correctly. But if they are then this company will make slip covers and you can COM the fabric of your choice

https://www.replacementslipcoveroutlet.com/Pottery-Barn-Ayden-Square-Arm-Swivel-Chair-p/99sasc.htm

If they are upholstered and not slip covered just have them reupholstered in the fabric of your choice. Fair warning often you can replace for less than these options.

I think before you get too much thrown your way you need to consider which color story you would like to follow in these rooms. Right now the suggestions are all over the place. Which colors do you want to use? Choose one main, one accent, one neutral (your neutral is gray if you’re not changing the sofa) . Too much is too much. Too many colors are going to make the two spaces disjointed and chaotic. You want them to flow with a sense of calm.

DIS you cannot imagine how much the one main, one neutral, one accent helps!!!! It's SO hard to choose. Obviously gray for the neutral. Contenders for accent and main are: greens, mauve/reddish purple, blues - can you help me choose? I'm looking for color palette generators now.

I am now shopping for DR chairs, cabinets and a large rug.

The chairs are slip-covered and they are Ayden. I'll check your link and compare pricing vs new.

Neutral - gray

Accent - greens, mauve/reddish purple, blues (cant decide!!)

Main - greens, mauve/reddish purple, blues (cant decide!!!)

Using the three choices above, does this rug for the DR still work ? I see beige/tan, gray, green, slate blue/ gray and reddish-purple when looking at this rug on the L&G website. Guess I'll wait for the swatch to get a better idea of what it looks like in my house.

And good news! The redecorating budget has been approved for an additional 5K! Not a tremendous amount, to be sure, but I think enough to get some things in place.

We are empty-nesters, no grandchildren (doubt there will ever be any). We have always made-do with whatever was cheap/free/thrifted/estate sale finds and although we have been ok with the arrangement, it's time for more attractive rooms.

That rug is still somewhat of a chameleon since we have not seen it in person. I like the pattern as it seems you lean a bit modern in your selections, is that correct? If I were building a color story for your space without fabric as inspiration and without seeing the rug in person…..because currently the rug is somewhat subjective, based on your description of what you are envisioning in combination with your existing art work, sofa color, the colors you mention and fireplace color you can lean in to a darker moodier pallet somewhat. Is this what you’re envisioning? Because if it isn’t then first I suggest nailing down the feeling you want the space to have. My first inclination would be to consider something like this. As far as colors. Your dark gray , light gray, bringing in the olive green, plum and then a touch of the unexpected in the way of an aqua blue. If this isn’t what you envision then my suggestion would be to find some colors you love. Share them then we can work from there.

This site is giving me fits
ignore the styling done here we are just looking at the color story your art the sconces you ordered and the rug

OMG that's funny because I was looking at Hex - almost the same colors but in a little different shade/tint

https://www.color-hex.com/color/9da5b6#color-schemes

Triadic Colors of #9da5b6

#9da5b6 #b69da5 #a5b69d

These colors might be the summery version of what you posted.

I love LOVE the colors you posted! We have an abundance of east/west natural light in these rooms so could maybe pull in those darker, moodier colors. In the winter I love the saturated curl-up-by-the-fireplace colors, but in the warmer months I prefer a little lighter & brighter. Guess I need more than 1 house. Or a change-up of pillows, throws, decorative items summer to winter.

Feel - airy, comfy, homey, fresh, colorful, calm, intriguing, intimate, "old made new" (house was built in 1948), pretty, thoughtful, delicious, surprising, personal, reflective of our lived lives.

You are correct that I was going modern. But I've decided that I don't really enjoy living with too much modern influence. I prefer more warmth and some sweet decorative touches but still appreciate clean lines and functional pieces.

I'm going to take a leap here and proclaim that I am a a garden artist intern - that is- outdoor space is my canvas that I paint and sculpt at the behest of Mother Nature and my media is soil, seeds, roots, rocks, wood, etc. My paid work is Nursing. My husband is a writer and anthropologist. He loves books; sci-fi and fantasy especially. And all the dinosaurs. His paid work is in academia.

Abby, I'm liking the looks of that rug. After reading your last post, I'm wondering if it will work with the lighter colors you want for spring and summer. I'm eager to see the solution. DIS will have it!

Dsimber- did you see my link to the Thomas Mangelsen gallery?

https://www.mangelsen.com/

The wall sconces came in today and are very disappointing. Cheap looking. I'll be returning them and looking for something more suitable.

Yes, thank you, Abby. You had shared it previously, and I had no trouble finding it. What I couldn't find was a water photo similar to yours. I'm going to enjoy following him, though. He's a fantastic nature photographer! Thank you for introducing him to me. 🥰

Sorry your sconces were disappointing. Returns are a pain. I've noticed recent changes some stores have, though. Just take it to UPS and show them the QR code from the store. They scan it, then take care of packaging and shipping.

What are you hoping to find in sconces?