Please help me pull this living room together

12 years ago

We recently purchased these two chair and a halfs, but they seem a little big for the space. They are a different style from the blue tufted setee, as I was going for an eclectic look. Not sure if it works? There isn't money in the budget to make another big furniture purchase, so I would love ideas on how to arrange the room.
A yellow/gold rug will be arriving from West Elm, which should help to ties things together.
Should I swap the placement of the chairs and setee?
What about placement of an end table and lamp? Or a big blanket basket or garden stool?

Also, I can't decide if I want to add curtains to the living room and kitchen to add color. I love the clean look of the woodwork, but does it look "blah"?
Thank you for any pointers,

Featured Answer

bunecca
Original Author

12 years ago

Funny you mention the art, I have been asking my husband to fix that for months! I guess I just need to do it!

I just moved the chairs to the window. Big improvement. Moved the armless chairs out.

I want a new coffee table or ottoman and would love suggestions on that.

I guess it wouldn't let me link to the product, but the rug is the Andalusia wool dhurrie from West Elm. A golden yellow rug with cream medallion accents.

Dar Eckert -- are you referring to the paint color not going with the chairs? Just curious as to what colors suggest.
The wall color is Ben Moore Grant Beige, a light gray beige. Trim is Ben Moore Linen White, a creamy white.
The two chairs are actually a very pale gray, but look almost white.

I'll attach a pic of the chairs against the window. How far should I push all of the pieces forward?
Thanks again :)

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Comments (267)

hanna1984
12 years ago
Oh, I'm sorry your little one is sick. I know this is a stressful time. :)
groveraxle
12 years ago
I'm sorry about the diagnosis. It will take some time, but you'll learn to manage it and it will become second nature. The good news is your room could stop right here and still look great, so don't worry if you have to put things on hold for a bit.
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Sandy G. ltd.
12 years ago
-- So sorry to hear about your child's trouble. You will learn how to manage this, being Mom-Nurse. Yes, your LR can wait and is good to go for now. Spaces are always evolving and you will enjoy changing things up through the years. The focus now should be on your child - the rest can wait!
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
I just ordered the zig zag feather gray drapes from West Elm. I feel like doing a happy dance! They should be here next week. I still haven't found a floor lamp, but I do know what house plant I want -- a Fiddle leaf fig. I also ordered a throw from West Elm. Now I just need a big tray to set on the ottoman as well. I will update with pics when the drapes are hung :)
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Curtains from West Elm are arriving Monday. I had to order the curtain rods online because Target never re-stocks them. Can't wait to post pics!

I did get a tray for the ottoman like someone suggested earlier. I will be getting some coasters from Anthropologie to put in the tray.

Went to Home Goods to look for a floor lamp and no dice. I think I will order the one from Urban Outfitters that Groveraxle suggested a while back.

I'll post a pic of the tray . . .
abbyjean
12 years ago
Look what a pretty pretty room you have! Nice work with this and hope all is going well with your family.
Belindee
12 years ago
Think it looks great...good job :)
Tess Wakefield
12 years ago
Room looks great. A bigger tray may work better?
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks all -- Tess -- this is the biggest tray I could find :) You can't really tell in the pic, but the ottoman is just so darn big. The tray was only $15 at Home goods, so I grabbed it. If I find a bigger one I like, I'll get it later :)

Curtains and rods arriving this week, hallelujah ( we moved in this house a year and a half ago . . . it's about time!)
abbyjean
12 years ago
It is about time! True then, that good things come to those who wait!
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Well, 6 out of the 8 curtain panels arrived yesterday. Looks like I need to make an appointment with the iron, yikes. Guess that will keep me occupied until the curtain rods get here. Anyways, I love the colors and think they will perk up the sitting room and dining area windows.

It's early morning and lighting isn't great -- the picture below looks kinda yellowish. But it gives an idea . . .
groveraxle
12 years ago
I think they look perfect! Well, except for the wrinkles, but they are definitely worth the effort to iron.
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
^^thanks -- yes, the ironing will be worth it in the end!

I got a throw (someone suggested a throw over the chair a while back. They also suggested to get rid of the faux fur cream throw on the sofa)

So, I am challenged with throws. They always look awkward. Am I masking this too difficult? Lol

Any tips on the new throw?
I liked the cream throw, but am trying to figure out a new place for it
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
*making, not masking (ugh, my iPad . . . )
tlparks
12 years ago
In my opinion, you might have to wait until the drapes are hung before deciding on the throw. I feel like it might look better on the other chair in the room. The other chair has solid colored pillows, and it doesn't have a large print behind it (the drapes). Maybe try that and post another pic.
Ab
12 years ago
Love the yellow rug and the scribbles curtains! Glad you removed the two patterned chairs.
groveraxle
12 years ago
Everyone makes throws too difficult. I found a bunch of photos of throws carefully folded and draped with a pillow placed just so. C'mon, it's called a THROW for a reason. IMO, this is how it should look:
celia lima · More Info

Ready to grab and snuggle into.
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Yep, now that I look at the throw, the stripes might clash with the chevron. I threw it on the other chair for now.

And yes, the space feels better without the two small armless chairs!
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Groveraxle -- you're right. so funny -- I try to fold it all nicely and it still doesn't look right. I am going to just throw in on the chair and call it good :)
tlparks
12 years ago
I know u have already chosen the chevron drapes, but this is the ONLY time I disagree with groveraxle's suggestion. I still envision the scribbles drapes (insert pouty face) ...
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
The Scribble drapes are nice too :). I just picked the ones that felt more "me". It was really hard to choose, though (I mentioned earlier that it took me a year and a half ;))
Nancy Walton
12 years ago
I'm glad to see they go so nicely in the room. In the photoshopped image they looked too gray and bright white.
abbyjean
12 years ago
Wish I could help iron....I never mind doing that with drapes like this. Anxious to see the change they make in your home.
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Abbyjean -- if only we were neighbors , I would put you to work!

I wish the curtain rods from Target would hurry and arrive!
motupeg
12 years ago
beautiful room. I like what you are doing bunecca!
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you, motupeg :)

Well, 4 panels ironed and hung. It took me an hour and a half to iron 4 panels.
Now on to the next 4!
abbyjean
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Hopefully you could watch tv or visit with the family or something while ironing that long. Half done! Hurray!!!
tlparks
12 years ago
Do we get a pic of the 4 hung panels? :)
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
I watched lots of Netflix with my kids while I ironed. And I made my husband hang the curtain rods :)

Here's a pic of the living area. I love it!

I have them hung in the kitchen area too. I am ordering some prints for the kitchen and I can't wait to see how that turns out as well.

Here's the room so far
groveraxle
12 years ago
L O V E.
motupeg
12 years ago
Really Kool! I like your room a lot.
Nancy Walton
12 years ago
Very nice!
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks all, for your help! It has been such a great process to see the room evolve into something we love!
tlparks
12 years ago
I'm so in love with your room. Ahhhh...
PRO
Sandy G. ltd.
12 years ago
-- Very cool! One small tweek would be to switch the solid gold pillow over to the other chair and the patterned one. A bit stronger color by the draperies and some pattern on the stairway wall.
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Sandy G -- I swapped the pillows. Does this look better?

The first pic is so dark, but gives the idea
tlparks
12 years ago
Hmm, I like some yellow back by the stairwell wall.
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Also, I'm starting a thread on our home office that I want to add pops of cobalt blue to. I'd love it if any of you want to pop into that room as well as give ideas!
abbyjean
12 years ago
Will you post a link here to your office thread? LOVE this room!!!
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you abbyjean -- this room has done a 180 since I started!

Yes, the thread for my office is:
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/decorating-our-home-office-in-white-and-cobalt-would-love-ideas-dsvw-vd~926736

It is in need of serious assistance, but has some potential :)
PRO
Sandy G. ltd.
12 years ago
-- Ya - You need more color over on the stair wall. Solid gold pillow over there will do it. A little blue between the rug and draperies would be nice too. Pull the colors around the room.
Janice Robinson
12 years ago
How about having the couch face the fireplace with a chair on each side facing in?
Nancy Walton
12 years ago
Hey Janice, scroll up and check out the last posted photo!
Janice Robinson
12 years ago
I've joined a community of mind readers! Lol!
abbyjean
12 years ago
Funny, Janice! And sooooo correct!!! Welcome!
bunecca
Original Author
12 years ago
Haha, yes, the furniture placement was the first thing I changed with the help from this board!

Just need to add a floor lamp and I'm pretty much good to go :)
1beth58
12 years ago
Your room looks great!!
sunnydrew
11 years ago
Your room turned out much better than when I first saw it. Good job.
motupeg
11 years ago
This is one of my favorite room renovations.
Debp
11 years ago
I just read this whole thread. I love your room. What a wonderful result.