I agree mforr, that rug is a definite vertical.

Are you using a rug hanger to hang the rug? Here are some "hidden" rug hangers.

http://www.lazyrivertradingco.com/HiddenHangerPhotoPage.htm

Yes, I'd only hang the rug vertically. I'm sure there'd be a huge feng shui problem with a horizontal orientation:) The space is only a bit wider than tall anyway and I was quite pleased (and surprised) with how it filled the space when I plotted it on paper. I have no idea how we'd hang it yet, but it's pretty thick and sturdy so we might be able to get away with about 4 nails into studs near the top of the rug without the top drooping - that wouldn't work for a blanket but it just might for the rug. I'd have to very carefully poke the nails through the rug so I didn't damage it. It might be a while before we get to all this just because hubby thinks my decorating pace is ridiculous right now and he's iffy with this plan (exasperated by a tough week at work for him). I seem to be shopping the house and moving things weekly - it's kind of driving him crazy. But, he'll come around and I really think this idea has great potential. I'm actually pretty excited about it and think it has the possible potential to look amazing. I won't even consider vases or anything until the rug is up and all else is down. At that point, hopefully you'll help me figure out if the mantel needs anything and what. Something red would be just fine.

Lynnie, I did go with the striped rug. The sample of the other one came and it was darn nice, but I simply loved this one and couldn't part with it. It is a long thread - here's the current state of the room.

Okay Ann, thanks for updating me. Personally, I would go with a simple red vase with a couple strands of straw along with the hanging rug. That is all you need. :)

Your rug is wonderful and colors are great. I'm sticking my nose out here. I love the leaf art above the fireplace. The wall and FP are the focal point in this room. The vases are too short and most anything else would look too short. I think you would need a large artwork or a large sculpture. Your scale for the art above the FP is perfect.

So... I guess I'm saying no rug in the alcove on the right. I'm just wondering if the rug in the alcove would still be ok with the art above the FP? They are too different elements. The art is a large bold open piece, the rug has small delicate pattern to it. They may contrast enough and are like in colors. Maybe they can work together. ?Also, they wouldn't be on the same plane together.

Very interesting comment LB! I say that because Hubby's concern is just the same - we were just discussing it during dinner. He thinks the most important area is the wall above the fireplace rather than the alcove on the right. He loves the leaf art - it's photography we found at a gallery and ordered custom for that spot after quite a search. I researched exactly how much wall space should surround art and ordered that piece to the precise size of gallery recommendations (I googled it at great length). It wasn't an inexpensive piece either. I really don't think the rug and leaf art will go together. Granted, they aren't on the same plane, but are right next to each other. I've been contemplating that whole area and prior to the rug idea, here was my previous thought. I recently got a pretty nice new camera and was thinking of taking some close up pics of leaves and branches in my good sized garden. I thought of leaving the sandstone/leaf art where it is, taking all the "stuff" down and getting two very large square black and white pics framed from my photography attempts of close up foliage, branches, tree trunks, or whatever I'm successful with. Then, placing those two side by side in the alcove in hopes that the subject (close up foliage) would provide consistency and the colors wouldn't compete (color vs black and white). Thoughts about that idea??? I'm happy to take my time with this decision and get it right. The hanging of a big branch is a great idea, but as I mentioned, I already have a bunch of twigs and sticks and stuff in the house so the idea of hanging a branch isn't my very favorite (kind of overkill). It sure would fill the space but it just doesn't feel "just right".

Ann-the rug is nice but imho not what you should put in your now updated room. Please don't kill me.

I just want to say how grateful I am to have all of you to discuss decorating issues with! I like to try to decorate my own house without hiring a designer and I've learned so much hanging out on this site. I love thinking about it all, discussing it, hearing varied opinions, making up my mind, changing my mind, and finally settling on a plan. Beyond all that, it's a very fun social experience. Thanks a million to all of you!!!!

I agree with Angela, the rug is too traditonal for your new updated room. Thanks Ann for listening with an open mind. I know sometimes I go off on a differernt viewpoint from time to time : )

Well, the rug has a nice home already so it doesn't have to make it into the living room. The colors and size were very good though and I was thinking the idea had great promise, so I certainly haven't ruled out the idea, but back to the drawing board for now. If everyone didn't fall asleep reading my long novel just above, please let me know your opinion of the "black and white art pair" idea.

Oh yes, I forgot, I love that idea for the art on the right of the FP wall. For me, I think you may have something there!

I'm wondering if maybe a sepia color might be a bit more warming and softer, rather than the black and white which is more stark. I think the warmness in your room with the leaf art and wood tones throughout, plus the flooring may be a softer transition without being such a strong contrast to the leaf art.

I think you would need to use 4 appropriate sizes. I think the areas need to be separate but co-ordinate. I wouldn't want the new garden pic sizes to be too close to the leaf art in size.

I'm not sure of what you are thinking as far as the type of composition for your photos. A more transitional to contemporary composition is many times using the focal point of the art placed off center and sometimes cropped at the edges. I'll try to find a pic to describe what I'm thinking.

Maybe something like this - variations of the same subject matter. Not this but gives you an idea.

You could take photos of leaves only,
or angles and portions of the same flower

Hi Ann. I may have misunderstood. I thought you were taking down the leaf art.

No way would it work to have both the leaf art and the rug next to each other. I agree that the leaf art is beautiful and looks great there.

I would not put another picture in the alcove. I think it will compete with the leaf art. I like the original idea of the asymmetrical large branch there.

You mention you have plenty of sticks in the house. But, what are they? Are they dated? A large, manzanita branch would give you and updated look. Not snappy chic sticks in an urn.

Recommnedation:

First, take down all the stuff from the niche. Then, you will have a blank slate to work with.

Below are photos with art over fp and art in adjacent walls. To me, they all work for 2 reasons:

1) the art over the fireplace is the dominant piece
2) the 2 pieces of art are different. One is art, the second is an art object (not picture art).

houzz=[houzz=[houzz=[houzz=]

Yes, CDR, I was definitely thinking of removing the leaf canvas if I proceed with the rug idea. I think the two (rug and leaf art) would be terrible next to each other. I haven't discounted that rug idea yet (because I LOVE that rug and its colors), but I have placed it on hold for right now because of what LB and Hubby said about liking the leaf art as is. Way back, Michele suggested only art with no objects at all and I've liked that idea (and her example pics) as I've pondered this whole situation. I also do like the leaf art where it is which led me to the idea of framed black and white pics in the alcove, with the leaf canvas remaining above the fireplace. LB, I think sepia is a wonderful idea (might work very well with the warm colors of the leaf art) and I think you're right about a set of 4 forming a square. I was thinking rather large mats - any thoughts on mat and frame color with sepia prints??? And, yes, the type of close up, off center, possibly angled composition you've described is what I have in mind. I'd take lots and lots of pics with my nice camera lens and post my favorites for your input. Then I'd spend the money to have them framed very nicely with non glare glass. So, let's call the rug idea from yesterday plan 1. The leaf art as is with 4 framed sepia prints in the alcove will become plan 2. The leaf art as is with a huge manjanita branch on the alcove wall will be plan 3. Please keep chatting with me and giving your opinions and thoughts. I'm simply LOVING the room with the wing chairs, coffee table, rug and new blue pillows and I want to feel the same way about the "up high" space when finished.

CDR, I can also see something like the objects above the fireplace in your Contem-Prairie pic in my alcove. That could look pretty nice next to my leaf art.

Ann, I think your first step is removing the things from the niche.

Also, can you take a pic of your kitchen and the wine rack? I think in that space you need a large (tall piece) of art to balance the fireplace wall.

Possible place for rug?

Only problem is that the wine cart is rather diminutive. Do you use it?

I agree with CDR that you should take everything down and leave the area bare. At this point you know that you want to and will do something about it. Leaving the stuff up there is not serving any purpose. Take it all down so you can look at it and envision what you really want. Sorry to be so blunt but you need the Drill Sergeant to push you right now. You are moving, moving, moving so keep moving and get it done.

Hey Ann,

That's a very unique coffee table you got there. Certainly something to really consider purchasing especially if you feel it will flow well with your space in question. Here are some other shots of coffee table's our clients have utilized in their homes. If you ever have any design dilemmas feel free to visit our site www.NuBirch.com to gain more inspiration for all your remodeling needs!

Team NuBirch

CDR, I will remove all the stuff from the niche, but I'll wait until I've chosen the new plan. I have finally come to grips with the idea that it all must go, but I still kind of like all that antique "junk" and think the room will look weird with that spot completely empty. So, when the new plan goes up, the old will all come down (except possibly the leaf canvas). At this point, I'm liking the kitchen area so I'm not going to open it up to Houzz (at least yet). It seems every time I post pictures of a new area, I end up spending a bunch of money - lol! I don't want to do that in the kitchen right now. I do use the wine rack. It's another one of my custom pieces I had made for a previous home where I needed a huge butcher block chopping surface and a place for wine storage. I have much more counter space in this house, but I definitely still use it for wine storage and the end grain maple butcher block is quite pretty. I like the art above the butcher block - it's a recent purchase from the same photographer that did the leaf art. In fact, I pick it up today from Michaels with nice new non-glare glass inserted since it had terrible glare on it. It's a beautiful photograph of Vorselaar Belgium with great rust colors for the room.

Don't worry, I'll get there Angela:) I know it has to happen, but I don't want it sitting empty while I figure it out.

What we are trying to say is that it is easier to visualize what will go in a space, once the old items are gone. Blank slate.

My vote is for plan 3.

Good point CDR, but without seeing the space blank, I do feel pretty comfortable that all three of the options will work. It's just a matter of which is best:) Any other votes for option 1, 2 or 3???

Since this discussion no longer has anything to do with the coffee table and has gotten so very long, I think I'll start a new discussion.

Here is the new dilemma.
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/please-help-me-redecorate-this-area-dsvw-vd~860846

I like your photo shoot idea. I would go with more than two large ones. I picture about 4 medium sized ones. And with the black & white photos, a tall red vase in the corner. It would look lovely.

Here are some great ideas to go through: http://www.urbanloftart.com/botanical-black-white-photography-wall-art-c35538.htm

I will have to edit later, as I did not read all of this thread and your new dilemma. :)

Lynnie, just to let you know, Ann has started a new thread. Here it is ...
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/please-help-me-redecorate-this-area-dsvw-vd~860846

Ok, thanks LB!

Chrome metal coffee table. Contact me for more info...!

Thanks everyone but this discussion is all done as the coffee table has been already been purchased!!!

Hi everyone! Remember all those months ago when I bought the RH coffee table and we discussed something like a soapstone box to put on the coffee table with the TV remotes in it. Well, I never found that box but I went to the annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival yesterday and found this heavy pottery bowl and bought it for that purpose. It cost way more than I should have spent, but I really liked it. Also, those that followed/helped me with this room, the interior painting is scheduled to be done in the next two weeks. I'm looking forward to that. In the meantime, I got a new concrete paver patio just last week. So, changes are happening, slowly but surely.

Ann, what a great place to sit outside and enjoy morning coffee and afternoon drinks. And I have been wondering what you found for the remotes, so question answered. SPECIAL piece that you found that way. Love the glass with the bowl, too.

Wow, that bowl is gorgeous! The patio----I love how it works with the pillars and the chairs and the outside paint.....not to mention with the view!

Oh, whew, I'm so glad you like the bowl:) Something about its quiet simplicity, nice charcoal and creamy white colors, and very heavy substantial feel just captured my attention. Due to its high price, I walked away from that booth twice before I finally went back and coughed up the cash.
The patio colors are more pinkish than I'd like, but there were only two color choices for that particular paver and I wanted the large scale paver so furniture would sit better. The pinkish color should fade a bit in time. We had our driveway done in pavers and it's faded beautitully over the years. I'm a HUGE fan of concrete pavers after living with our driveway for 5 years!
Nice to see both of you! It's been a while!

Sometimes those things we just can't walk away from are the most special. I've walked away from a few and always regretted it. Love the bowl and the beautiful patio--2 new things to enjoy while waiting for paint!

Is that a different bowl in second pic? It looks lighter. I like both colors. Just wondering. What is the white on the edges?

Ann the bowl looks great. Good choice. Also the patio looks wonderful.

No, same bowl CDR - just different lighting - first two pictures taken toward windows and closeup pic on counter taken with windows behind me. It's a charcoal color with white ends. The artist had two in this size, this one with white ends and one with turquoise ends.

The simple designs are always the most beautiful and stand the test of time. Good choice.

This is another bowl he had, similar to mine but round instead of oblong. This one had three white points - I didn't take this picture, I grabbed it from the artist's website. I loved this round one but it wouldn't fit my TV remotes. I also loved this teapot but had spent plenty already:)

I also got this ceramic vase at a different booth at the arts festival. I thought it was kind of fun. It was not terribly expensive so if you hate it, it won't hurt my feelings. I kind of liked the idea of a vase that hid ugly stems and water unlike my glass/crystal vases.
Oh, and CDR, I don't know if you remember, but I had a decorative stripe at the bottom of my backsplash. I had that removed and replaced with the field tile a couple months ago. It's not a terribly exciting backsplash but at least the dated stripe is gone and it was inexpensive to get just the strip replaced.

We have a festival like this one you were at this coming weekend, so you have me totally fired up to go shopping and find fun things like this.

That's great about your backsplash! I love that striped vase on your soapstone.

Have fun abbyjean! I love the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver. Most of the stuff is quite expensive so I really have to limit myself. There are smaller art shows in Denver, but this one is the big one with the really nice art.
CDR, it's actually a leathered natural quartzite. It does resemble soapstone.

Ann, when I' m next in Denver, we'll have to meet! It's on the way to ski place, plus niece and nephew are there.

Absolutely fissfiss!!! That would be great!

Abbyjean, if you buy something at the art festival, please post a pic here. I love that stuff!

Love them both Ann.

I've got a new design dilemma if anyone is willing:)
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-color-should-i-paint-this-small-bedroom-dsvw-vd~1061013