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Design Dilemma
susancbradley

Need help with my living room

12 years ago
We recently replaced our living room carpet with hardwood. The room is 16x24, the entry is located at the fireplace end of the room. The house is Georgian , large centre hall, which is tiled in a cream & black diamond pattern. We have lived in this house for 18 years.
I have always struggled with furniture layout in this room.
The present layout fits the way we use the room well, but I wonder if it looks awkward? I do have a Breakfront, and a Chest that are still sitting in my hall waiting for a home.
I am looking for advice on:
1) layout
2) area carpets - will 2 different carpets work
3) lamps -must get rid of the lamps in the pictures!
4) art - I did not put any back up. Looking for suggestions.
Thanks!
Featured Answer
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    You are amazing, the way you are working to get this room just right! And CDR will get you to perfection!!!
    I rather like suggestion #2.

    Comments (177)

    • 12 years ago
      Or these? I am also fine with sisal or seagrass, but wonder if they are too informal for the room?
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Art----yes, wherever you could find an inexpensive frame....you could add a liner to keep the art away from the farm and increase the overall size, but then.....more $.....you could check into the cost.

      Rug:

      very top 2 coordinate, but they are so traditional......is that what you want?

      It seems that top right of second set is more what you are going for.

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    • 12 years ago
      Actually, the top right of the 2nd set is my favorite. After that, I would choose the bottom left of the first set. Would it be better if one was patterned and one was plain?
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      That could work, but Not necessarily. See how the very first 2 work together?

      Look through Momeni rug collections. I think they would have many that you would like. I love their rugs!!

      Let us know which ones appeal to you and we'll take a look.

      http://www.momeni.com/collection.aspx
    • 12 years ago
      I love the idea of the art being off center. It makes sense with your room. Maybe wait until you find something to put with it and then decide if you want a frame or are happy with it like a canvas.
    • 12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      Is the top right of the second set of rugs the size you need? I have to agree that is a striking rug and looks like it will be sturdy, but comfy.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      Rugs you could pair together

      1) (this one has some teal in it-maybe too much tan though?)

      http://www.momeni.com/lrgview.aspx?p_Params=&p_ItemID=BELMOBE-07LBL93C6&p_PageName=Coll&collpage=1

      http://www.momeni.com/lrgview.aspx?p_Params=&p_ItemID=BELMOBE-04LBL93C6&p_PageName=Coll&collpage=1

      2)

      http://www.momeni.com/lrgview.aspx?p_Params=&p_ItemID=ATLASATL-3NAT96D6&p_PageName=Coll&collpage=1

      http://www.momeni.com/lrgview.aspx?p_Params=&p_ItemID=ATLASATL-7NAT96D6&p_PageName=Coll&collpage=1

      3) collection of 3. pair any 2 of these

      http://www.momeni.com/SearchCollection.aspx?p_Quality=RADIA&p_QDescription=RADIANCE+COLLECTION&p_SlideNo=1&p_PageNo=1

      4)
      http://www.momeni.com/lrgview.aspx?p_Params=&p_ItemID=SENSASEN-6BRN96D0&p_PageName=Coll&collpage=1

      http://www.momeni.com/lrgview.aspx?p_Params=&p_ItemID=SENSASEN-5CHR96D0&p_PageName=Coll&collpage=1

      5) http://www.momeni.com/SearchCollection.aspx?p_Quality=SONOM&p_QDescription=SONOMA+COLLECTION&p_SlideNo=1&p_PageNo=1
      susancbradley thanked CDR Design, LLC
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      You might want to look through these and see if there are any that appeal to you.

      http://www.homedecorators.com/Rugs/color/174/Gray_Rugs/#p=2&f=Transitional%2BRugs
      susancbradley thanked CDR Design, LLC
    • 12 years ago
      I like that site, thanks, CDR. Joss & Main has an event today that has some I like too. What do you think of these?
    • 12 years ago
      I know .... the turquoise one is over the top. Couldn't help myself.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Seems like top 2 work together and Left 2 work together.

      I think you need to go with something that is more grey than beige, unless I am reading the room wrong.
      susancbradley thanked CDR Design, LLC
    • 12 years ago
      Of course I like the 2 on the left, even though the bottom one is far from neutral.
    • 12 years ago
      As it turns out, I really don't have much I could paint and put on the mantle. Here are a couple of pics. What do you think of the scale?
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      The pieces you have are way too small. So, what I would do is to see what large vases you can find at TJ Maxx or other store.

      or

      See what it would cost to get if framed. Adding a liner and frame will make it quite larger. I think that is your best bet.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Rugs: I like the 2 on the left! Nothing wrong with teal! Rugs are still relatively neutral.

      I would buy the rugs the same size. What size are you thinking?
    • 12 years ago
      Agreed, and I'm not really interested in bring more "stuff" into the house. When I buy a new piece of modern art, I can still use this oil in the room, right?
    • 12 years ago
      Rugs, I measured some time ago, and can't remember. I will measure again tonight.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Okay about rugs.

      Yes, you can mix traditional and modern art. Usually the liners are sold in neutral tones....white, taupe, sand. So, I would recommend a liner that goes with the art and then maybe a charcoal or shale grey frame.
    • 12 years ago
      Finally some progress and another dilemma. I picked up my chairs and cushions yesterday. There was a problem with the fabric, so it took much longer than expected.
      In the meantime, I did have a glass tabletop made for the little Indian table and we're using it with the 4 chair arrangement.
      The larger oval table won't fit down our basement stairs. We love the table and want to keep it, but it won't work in any other room. I've removed the grey armchair because it looks like too much furniture with the table in the same area. I am wondering if I could do a very large piece of art or a grouping of 9 prints to fill the wall beside the Breakfront. No carpets yet.....
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Looking good, Susan! Yes, you could do a large grouping of art or large piece of art to the right of the breakfront.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Are those the old toile chairs recovered? They turned out great! I actually like the round table there.

      Do you really need the large pillows on the chairs by the window? What do you think of putting them on the couch?
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Rugs will really pull things together!
    • 12 years ago
      Those are the chairs! We had to have them rebuilt, so at the end of the day I spent more than I expected to. I may have to wait for carpet - we just had our daughter's wedding a few weeks ago. Must stop spending for a bit!
      That said, I would love to go ahead and get this room done.
    • 12 years ago
      And yes, I could put them on the couch. I have overdone the pillows - way too many.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Congratulations on the wedding! I understand about the budget!

      The chairs were still worth it.

      Do you have any rugs in your "furniture store"?
    • 12 years ago
      I do not! I did, but I donated them. I've put an indoor/outdoor carpet in just to see, but it's way too small. Looks silly.
    • 12 years ago
      Here are the cushions on the couch. I had the animal print made up when the chairs were done, so now I think I have too many. Do the teal look better?
    • 12 years ago
      Also, I am trying to work in my chest and huge mirror. Just looking at it, I suspect the mirror is too big for the chest. Is there a way it could work?
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Pillows: blue ones look best on couch. The animal print ones look greenish. They are not working.

      Question: did you get down pillows inserts? Some people love them, including many designers. My problem with them is that they need continual fluffing. It is a personal choice.

      Yes, mirror way too big for chest.

      Crazy ideas:

      -could round table work as coffee table is legs were cut off some? Still too high?
      -then chest could be placed btn chairs?
      -do you have another chest of table what is wider that mirror could sit over?
    • 12 years ago
      Yes, down cushion insert, agreed, always need fluffing. I like them because they are so comfortable.
    • 12 years ago
      I've thought about that. I think cutting the legs would compromise it. See the pic. Likely too big, anyway. It is 34" wide. I have lots of other mirrors that would work over the chest. Will grab some. I can use the giant mirror in my dining room I think.
      The round table - actually oval, won't go down the basement stairs. Ugh. I do want to keep it because I can see using it as a dining table in a downsized house.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Right about down cushions being so comfy. Personal choice!!
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Right, I noticed the gorgeous work in the table. Would have to trim some from top and bottom and the cost would be prohibitive!

      Good about finding the smaller mirror. Love that furniture store.
    • 12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      GREAT to see you and this room again! And yes, congrats on the wedding! Bet it was lovely!

      I love that table in this room! GREAT find and happy it does not fit down the stairs!!!
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Indoor/outdoor rug....couldn't see the whole rug, but thought maybe it was actually too large!

      Can we see it?

      Looks like it might work better on the chair end.
    • 12 years ago
      Thank you abbeyjean! It was very nice. We have a happy girl, so we are happy too.
    • 12 years ago
      Here you go! It really is not so nice. It will go back outside if it ever gets warm again. I thought it might be close to the right size, but it looks skimpy to me. It is aprox 6x10.
    • 12 years ago
      Please excuse the speaker mess on the floor!
    • 12 years ago
      LOVE the table legs with the chair legs!!!
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      I actually think the size of the rug is perfect! It needs to be move toward the chairs, so that both front chair legs are on the rug. This will also balance the rug, so that equal amounts are under the furniture on both sides (if you know what I mean).
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Just a thought.....I can't remember if we talked about a sofa table behind the couch.

      -could move couch a little closer to chairs.
      -sofa table behind couch
      -place lamps on them....ones with gold shades?
      -help define the spaces as well as give light to both areas
      -do you have floor outlets?

      Thoughts?
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Susan, just want to say that this room is going to be really striking when complete! Can't wait to see the finished product!
    • 12 years ago
      Thank you, CDR. We didn't talk about a sofa table. I think it might make the room feel crowded. Sadly, old house, no floor outlets. I really appreciate your input. I've followed you on other streams - you ask the right questions and consider the homeowner. I think you are very good at what you do!
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Thank you for the kind words, Susan! Yes, listening is a big part of this.

      If no outlets in the floor, then forget it.

      We will need to address lighting. Are there any lights in the ceiling?
      A floor lamp on either side of the chairs? But you will have to move the plant.
    • 12 years ago
      Yes, we do. No ceiling fixtures. The plant will be on it's way outside shortly! I'm open to all suggestions for lighting!
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      I think your best bet is 4 floor lamps, one in each corner of the room.

      Table under the mirror: what about those 2 tables with leaves placed next to each other? you could open the leaves and make sort of one wide table.

      Nesting tables for either side of couch?
    • 12 years ago
      You have a great memory! I will try the 2 tables. I do have a set of 4 nesting tables in the room. We are always using them. I have a number of floor lamps - I'll bring them up from the basement and see if any will work, though I wonder if I should consider something modern. Perhaps modern shades and/or paint will make them new again?
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Right. Let's go to your furniture store first and see if we can make those work. New shades, paint....let's get creative!
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Remove white chairs. And place purple sofa on their place.. Furniture must not block entry
    • 12 years ago
      I would add area rugs. And window covers to finish room. Big oil art pieces on walls a contemporary look to change it up a bit. Good job.
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