Claudia_nalab- this forum is not intended for you to hustle us for money. Get off the Houzz site.

Okay. So I would choose some art with those colors. Oils and acrylics will serve you better than prints.

Inspiration for you

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CDRdesign, group the photos on the table to one side? I am not seeing what you mean. Should I remove the table table lamps and work with one larger lamp on one side?

Hall table: it is sort of crowded with that hall table and the tv table, but we can leave it if it is temporary. I would

-leave the buffet lamps on the hall table
-remove all else from hall table
-put photos all together somewhere else (they would look nice in another room displayed all together)
-Remove floral from hall table
-Do you have 2 similar vases like the gold one that are cranberry and navy? Add those to grouping or we need to come up with something else.

Couches:
-You really need 2 side tables (one by each side of couch). The one to the right of the couch (secretary?) is not working. It is too high and the lamp is covering the art.
-then you need 2 lamps to go on those side tables.

Just curious....what is the next room over? I like the bench.

OK so yes, I totally agree. I will leave the lamps. I do have another olive green jar and a cranberry. I can group them all together. Just may look bulky. We are looking for end tables. Nothing gets done quickly for me unfortunately...too busy. We also want two lamps on the sides of the couch. The secretary is something that has been suggested to be moved many a times! LOL I am seeing it too just need to replace with something. Not happy with my home these days. We are gutting our bathroom this month so that should be my priority but I always need to get this room where I want it and it's not happening. Also still looking for curtains/drapes that will add interest. thanks for your input. Your a big help :)

oh and that's the kitchen adjoining....
Spaces

Kitchen photos

Wow. That is a pretty kitchen.

Front room will never be perfect with those large couches, but we can improve it greatly in the mean time.

Yes, use pottery only if the other vases are smaller. Otherwise, do you have a large, long bowl that would fit in the space. Then we can add something very colorful in it......for the fall and winter, you could add some red, gold and navy ornaments.

Drapes:

I would buy something that is not so muslin-looking. Something neutral, but with texture. Or, do you want to be brave and add color or pattern? Safer for you to go nuetral and add pattern in pillows.

Here are some nuetral drapes. I would go with a darker rod as in photo.

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Do you have anything more slimline to put under the tv?

I do have the darker rods and clips...will need to hang them soon but I think this color scheme is a little to blah. Shouldn't I go for more of a texture/pattern?

Well, up to you on drapes. You could go neutral and then add a lot of color in pillows or you could do something with pattern/color.

Just to help you with decision, to me the cheapest and easiest thing to change are pillows and accessories. So, for example, you could do neutral drapes and be able to change your color scheme several times with same furniture and drapes.

But, there is certainly nothing wrong with going either way. Depends on the amount of time/money you want to devote in the future.

So, take a look at these rooms and others on Houzz to see what direction you would like.
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http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/pennington-rod-pocket-window-curtain-panels/3243392?poc=209876

love the red panels but with the couch color being more of a mossy green would the red tones work? They are very pretty. Also do like the 4th photo ALOT. I guess I do like the neutrals.

The decision of whether or not to add window mullions has everything to do with the exterior style of the house, and very little to do with the interior. Can you post pictures of the exterior? Generally if you have mullions on one window or door you will want them on all windows. However, the cheap little clip-on mullions usually look terrible, and it is better to have them integral to the window rather than applying them later.

Have you thought of bottom-up blinds? That is, with the opening at the top where you look at trees rather than at the bottom where you look at the street.

Oh, I thought the sectional was more of a gold tone. I think you don't want to decorate around the sectional, as it will be moved.

We are still looking at colors of gold, navy and pops of cranberry, right?

I think using the 4th photo as inspiration is a good idea.

Do you want a more casual or more formal look?

Hi the sectional is not leaving anytime soon so I do need to decorate around it. I didn't think it looked too big when I got jr but see now it looked better as a sofa loveseaf. For now I want to add something to clean up the look. Those colors of green gold cranberry and navy are in the rug. The sofa is the most difficult to work with :(

Judith thanks and yes I can move the blinds that way. Both ways work and look good

Do you still have the sofa and love seat? Can you move them back?

Or, I have an idea, if you would be willing to try it. Can you remove the middle section of the sectional? Then we can place a large end table in the corner.

Or......what about removing the middle section.....then placing the 2-seater section with the 3-seater section, making it one long couch we can center under the window. Then we could add a couple of small chairs on the front window end.

This story starts like this...had a leather sofa and two chairs in the room. I moved that sofa to another room in the house. It's not at all in great condition so wouldn't want it back in the LR. The two chairs are also pretty faded so I moved them to the basement for our future room downstairs. Then I purchased a loveseat and sofa which had to be returned to JCP as they were horribly made and sagged within 3 months. I was given a credit and found this sectional at Bassett furniture and used my credit. It was over 6000 which surprises me in that it doesn't look that expensive :( It's what my kids and husband wanted as this is our only family room. It's probably the worst mistake I made but living with it now. So to remove the center and put two chairs back there is making me smile. We were considering doing that for the holidays anyway so it may be an option. Never thought of the long effect under the window.

Maybe I will go to a fabric store for the curtains to match up to the sofa color. So difficult to blend with this color.

Thanks for the story of the sectional. I rarely recommend sectionals, as (you can see) they are challenging. For a very large room, they can work.

We will figure it out, though.

If you try the options I mentioned and post photos, I would be happy to comment.

Drapes: I think you can buy some. If you use a fabric with texture and variation, they will blend.

Do you want grommets or a casing header?

something like this with a lot of pattern. Bring one of the cushions to a store or take photo of cushion with you to store and then bring home a few to see if they work.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/Suzani-Rod-Pocket-Window-Curtain-Panels/209712?categoryId=10551

I really am not a fan of grommets as they look too casual. I have dark rods and clips to put up once I find the right drapes. I see the pattern you mentioned and it could work with the colors in the rug and the sofa.. Good suggestion, thank you. I do like this pattern a lot better but see it is shiny and I don't want that look in the casual room it is.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/bombay-garrison-rod-pocket-back-tab-window-curtain-panel/3192632

I see it's also grommet ;(

Okay, you want a casing and more non-shiny fabric with some pattern. I think you might be able to find that in store-bought.

Sort of how your sectional could look if taken apart. High, square end table btn the 2 sections would solve problem.

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Rather than grilles, how about brackets? These are popping up everywhere!

I think the blinds need either to be hidden by a valance or replaced all together. Maybe you could consider using a grass or matchstick blind. That will add a whole new dimension of texture in the room and would be much more interesting than window grills. Also, I agree with others about drapery. The existing looks a bit drab and combined with the blinds, I can see why you want to spruce things up. Most drapes are only one width wide and with a light-weight fabric can easily only eat up only about 24". So you could use four drapes, one of each side of the window, and two spaced in between. Don't forget to maximize the height in the room by placing the rods as high as you can. Standard drapes are 84"L, you want to find the next size up, usually 94-96"L. New drapery can add more impact than most people can imagine.

How is it going, Colleen?

I love the sectional! It looks so warm and comfy and inviting. It is not too big! Love the space!!

I am loving the idea of splitting the sectional especially during the holidays. Also love the idea of the matchstick blinds. Was looking into them from a prior recommendation as well. Thanks everyone. Was offline for a bit...getting ready to gut the bathroom and busy shopping for pieces. Stay tuned....

Good luck with bathroom!!

Yes, keep us posted. Breaking up the sectional will be a huge help.

Polka dot girl, thanks for he drapes suggestion. Can u suggest a photo suggestion if the drapes/matchstick blinds pic? I do like the idea a lot. I am not that good at visualizing this.:)

the matchstick blinds would add a nice texture that the honeycomb shades don't. However, how often do you use the shades? If you have the money to do this in your budget, it is a great idea.

Biggest thing you can do right now is to divide the sectional and work on cleaning up all the little pieces of decor. No flowers on ottoman/move out secretary/take all the little stuff off table under mirror.

Let's do that and change drapes and then see how you like it.

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I believe I gave you suggestions about blinds in a previous thread, you don't have that information anymore ?

Mark what I was looking for was a picture idea of the drapes sectioned off in the middle with the matchstick blinds.

Hi the shades are drawn every night. Right now I have he ability to do from the top/bottom. I do love the warm look of the matchstick blinds. Are they safe to order from Home Depot or Loews?

Hi Colleen,

In answer to your question, it depends. Like any purchase, I would check with 2 or 3 places.

The advantage of big box stores is that their prices are generally good. If you want someone to install, they will set you up with a contractor. I have gotten good and bad feedback from this: both the good news and bad news is that there is a middle man.

So, if you have a problem with the contractor, there is a middleman, to which you can complain. On the other hand, I have heard stories of back and forth where the contractor, manufacturer and big box store all blaming each other.

You may feel more comfortable with a blind store place coming to your home. I would also check at least one other place to make sure you are getting a fair price.

Hope this helps.

Difficult to find photo with matchstick blinds and drapes in the corner, (I am guessing that is what you mean, but I did find one). It will look good. Don't' worry about that.

I don't like how they hung the blinds from ceiling height, but that is personal choice. The photo I posted above are inset. I think it looks nicer? If someone comes to your house, they will be able to tell you if there is enough room to do an inside mount.

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Thanks!!! That pic is great! I do like the split in the drapes placed in the middle. I am going to price out the blinds and will try to get my husband onboard. He is the one doing the work:)

Okay. They are pretty good at the big box stores about guiding you. Taking really good measurements is they key. I would recommend going on a weekday when it is less busy and you have the staff who work in the window treatment area full-time.

Great advice! I will try that today. I have the day off to shop vanity/tile. I'll throw this into the mix:)

I have plastic grills inside double hung windows. They are easy to clean. however, they do not add any interest to the window for me. Every home has them in my neighborhood community. It was a builder design. If I were you, I would not waste money on adding grills. I would focus on your interior space. You have many good ideas here.

Have you removed the corner floral arrangement yet? It is out of date. The actual window is fine. Spying on the neighbours adds interest.

You are too funny chookchook2 !

Home Depot has the best choice of styles and colors for matchstick, bamboo type blinds and are reasonably priced. As long as everyone is careful when raising and lowering blinds, the inexpensive ones will hold up well...just no jerking and pulling roughly. Used them in every room of a vacation rental property...have had them for about 16 months and have held up well even though our guests don't appear to be gentle with them...only one is messed up a bit, but not noticeable enough to replace yet with new ones we keep on hand for change out. In one statement you state the room is casual, then you state the drapes are too casual???

Chookchook2 the tall twiggy piece? Hmmmm afraid to answer that. Didn't want nothing there till I found something.

I am afraid to ask. Did you add something there?

Chookchook2 the tall twiggy piece? Hmmmm afraid to answer that. Didn't want nothing there till I found something.

I like your sectional. It looks SO comfy! Fitting the family and everyone being comfortable are the most important things, in my humble opinion. I'm always design around comfort and not necessarily what looks 'cool'. :) Anyway, sounds like you are well on your way with ideas!