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jabbott2012

Why is it so much easier to decorate someone else's house??

12 years ago
I can always give friends lots of ideas, but in my own home I have trouble :) Please help me finish this sitting area off my kitchen. The entire house is being redone, so my brain in aching from thinking so much. I need your help! I like things more on the modern side, with a little glam.
We gutted and redid the kitchen (just a few details left, such as baseboard, etc.). This sitting room is like a small family room open right into the kitchen. The curtain rods and the two green chairs are the only things that stay (just bought the chairs......LUV. Curtain rods are new). I want to put a low back settee in front of the window, add a glass table, and place the two chairs there also. On the wall where the green chairs are now, I thought about putting a console table with a couple of stools under it that I can pull out for extra seating as needed. Questions for you:
1) I've posted a few colors of a settee I found on Wayfair. What color would you recommend. I've also posted pics of my kitchen; as you can see it's white and brown (or you can call it vanilla and chocolate).
2) What about curtains and a rug? Would you do a small rug in front of the sliding door and no rug near the settee? I have no idea what to do for curtains.
3) Any suggestions for lighting is much appreciated. I haven't changed out any of the lighting in the house yet.
One of the photos is looking from my living room into the sitting area/kitchen. I've also uploaded measurements for you. Thanks in advance; I really appreciate it!

Comments (51)

  • 12 years ago
    This is the settee I thinking of; brown, blue or light gray......not sure.
  • 12 years ago
    Room measurements
  • 12 years ago
    If I follow...low settee will be placed under low window with the two green chairs there also. Can you put the rug there along with how you think the two chairs will set and post us a picture?

    Will the dining table stay (imagine you need a dining table near the kitchen). You would want it close for taking food and dishes back and forth.

    You have a beautiful space to work with!
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you Antica. These are beautiful pieces, but not quite what I'm looking for. I need to make sure the settee is correct first, then will do curtains and rug, then accent pieces. Beautiful work though on your part.
  • 12 years ago
    I'll rearrange and take another pic. The dining room table is not staying; I'll get a new one. I think a rectangular shape would be best. Your thoughts? What color table base would you recommend if I do a glass top?
  • 12 years ago
    I have the same issue, I have helped all my friends but no friends help me! Your space is great. I would move the rug under the table, I am a fan of mirrors in the dining room, so I would do one above the chairs. Your style looks contemporary, I would find grommet curtains in a dark smoke grey. I think if this was my house to keep it simple I would try to expand the curtain rod so the curtains hang further out on the sides. Then small art on the wall besides the back door. If your keeping those cool chairs there. What about a longer table in between them? Keep the lamp and maybe a crystal bowl or vase.
  • 12 years ago
    I see you having the same problem with this room as I have in my own kitchen/family room. That is that the patio door is on the far side in the middle of the wall. That makes the middle of the room a traffic lane. Difficult to arrange furniture...

    I think your current rug is an awkward size for the room. May work length wise in front of the patio doors.

    I see your heat vent is on the floor by low window. A settee there would be right on top. I kind of think the round table should stay in front of that low window because of that and because of the proximity of the kitchen.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I think you have the same ceiling light I did until last year when I replaced it :) [houzz=
    Holland Bar Stool Louisville Tire Cover in White - 29 Inch x 8 Inch · More Info
    ] I bought mine in Lawrenceville, NJ back in 1989. If you are keeping the table, I would either move or find a light that would hang over it to compliment the rest of your decor.
  • 12 years ago
    I moved the chairs closer to the spot I want to have them. I've put two kitchen chairs where the settee would go in order to give an idea of the space taken up. The rug doesn't have to stay. The table won't be staying. PC.....for the heat vent, you can get these things (I don't know what they're called) but it's an acrylic shield type thing that goes over the heat vent and will redirect the flow of the air. I'll see if I can find a link for you.
  • 12 years ago
    What do you think for the settee color? Brown, blue or light gray? The width is 60".
  • 12 years ago
    The thing I notice that most modern homes are missing is art work on the walls. And I think that's why so many peeople feel their rooms look incomplete because there's nothing for the eye to focus on other than a rug and some throw pillows. A room looks sterile without some hint of what the occupant likes reflected in art work, and knick-knacks.

    Find some pictures you like to go on the walls. Here are a few ideas that will work well with your green chairs and neutral palatte:

    This i a field of orange poppies. Orange and green work so beautifully together, they're my two favorite colors.

    http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?startat=/getposter.asp&APNum=8665731&CID=E29133118A3E4CFF9D39AF27F3FF62E9&PPID=1&PODConfigID=4991099&search=mygallery&f=g&FindID=0&P=1&PP=2&sortby=PD&cname=&SearchID=

    This is a Van Gogh print of sunflowers that work well with your chairs as well:
    http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Sunflowers-Posters_i1335297_.htm

    I like the blue settee the best as it adds color to your home.

    For curtains, I would go with something with color and pattern to add more visual appeal to your room. I got some great curtains from Overstock.com for a reasonable price, and am very happy with them.

    If this was my house, I would put a large rug under the table to protect the floor, and to define the space. I always put a rug in front of my sink and another in front of the stove for comfort as well as visual interest in the room.

    When trying to figure out what to do, ask yourself if it reflects who you are, and does it work towards bringing about the look you want. When you can answer 'yes' to both questions, you will know how to make your house into a home you love to spend time in.
  • 12 years ago
    Diyher....if you still have that light fixture, I'll send you this one for free so you can have a matching set :) Rina - Thanks on the color advice. I like that blue but was afraid it was too much to look at every day of my life. You think the light gray instead of the brown?
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I would move the table closer to the kitchen near the half wall and window. Then set up the couch, chairs and end tables in the rest of the space. That way, it will look like a eat in kitchen with the family room attached. I love the green chairs and the light gray for settee.
    Jennifer Abbott thanked vjs12
  • 12 years ago
    Thanks vsj. But I don't have room to move the table and still put in a couch, etc. The room is only 12 X 13.
  • 12 years ago
    Your ideas are great. Go for it. Love the green good job. Also the glass table. Go 40" or bigger. If going round make sure seatee is curved. Or just go with 2 more of your chairs. Center table in room. A buffet on chair wall would be good add a big base silver lamp with a white drum shade. Area rug using the green mixed with blacks, and a contemporary design. If gong round table go round rug 7ft should work. Big sunburst mirror over Buffett. You could add a wine rack. Ck Pier One, and TJMax for decor items.
    Jennifer Abbott thanked Nancy Travisinteriors
  • 12 years ago
    Center table under ceiling light get a much more updated chandelier. 24" drop so 36" from top of table. A drum style in black. Or silver on white. Go on line. To get ideas. On windows panels on ends only go a print using the green as your accent color. Just don't over do it.
  • 12 years ago
    I don't want to make this into a dining room only, as I have a formal dining room. This is more a hang-out and maybe eat kind of place. Travis, what do you mean by panels on ends only? Print panels, or the bottom part of panels in print?
  • 12 years ago
    Below are pics of some sitting areas I like. Any ideas on where I could get the curved settee without it costing more than a new car? I really like that one. Do you think it could work in the corner near the patio door?
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Wow, it looks so much bigger jabbott. I like travisinteriors idea. I like the second picture, on the top right. Your floors are beautiful! Are they engineered wood or solid hardwood? Thx
    Jennifer Abbott thanked vjs12
  • 12 years ago
    I know, Travis always has good ideas. What do you think: a settee in front of the window where I have the dark chairs, or look for a curved one like the below pic on the right?
  • 12 years ago
    Hi again -- without reading the interim posts (I will before I go to bed), yes, I definitely thing the light grey settee instead of the brown. More lighthearted.
  • 12 years ago
    Since you did the chairs and (chairs-sofa) thing, looks good by the way, is there room for the table in the corner where you had the green chairs/table now? Or just use the glass dining table with two of your kitchen chairs in that corner....
    Jennifer Abbott thanked erinsean
  • 12 years ago
    I prefer the curved one if it will be going around the corner. The settee will be nice too but more in front of the window?
  • 12 years ago
    Ok, I just moved the dark chairs around to mimic the rounded settee above, with the two green chairs across. Not digging that. So am going back to settee in front of window. Rina, I can do the light gray settee. The width is 60" and I think that's the smallest I'd want to go. I'm thinking a rectangular glass table. Not so sure about blue curtains. Travis suggested something with a green print. Any suggestions on curtains and rug anyone?
  • 12 years ago
    When I moved the chairs to mimic the rounded settee and put in the corner, it took up too much of the room in front of the patio door. Makes it difficult to walk in and out.
  • 12 years ago
    Erinsean, I can't put a table and chairs in the corner you're talking about as it blocks the patio door too much.
  • 12 years ago
    vjs12: just saw your question on the floors. This is real hardwood in stock from Home Depot. It was a special color they only had in certain regions of the country (I'm in Ohio) and they only carried it for a little while. I really like maple but my husband wanted oak; fortunately this oak came in a color I loved, so he was allowed to have some say in the decision :)
  • 12 years ago
    Sure cassie, that would be great.
  • 12 years ago
    Found this pillow on etsy. I could do this on the light gray settee. Is this too casual for my green chairs?
  • 12 years ago
    Forgot the pic.....
  • 12 years ago
    lol on the free light :) mine is cracked, so won't be using it again.
  • 12 years ago
    Since this will be a casual hangout area... maybe turn the other wall area into a wine bar/frig area:
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    Jennifer Abbott thanked pcmom1
  • 12 years ago
    Hi Jabbott. I've just woken up so not full of ideas ... but I think the throw pillow you found is fine with your chairs. It would look great on the grey sofa. As for curtains, I also like Travis's suggestion of a green pattern.
  • 12 years ago
    Getting in late on this discussion but just a word of caution about a glass top table. If you're going to be using the table everyday, I would strongly suggestion anything other than glass. I've had one and it is a monster to clean. Fingerprints get everywhere. I can't tell you how many times I have crawled under the table to get to fingerprints in places I didn't think anyone would have been able to reach. They are certainly pretty but never again will I be hypnotized by them. Just way too much effort to maintain.
  • 12 years ago
    Ok, nvm. I see you already have glass top tables. You know what you're facing so I'll go slink into a corner now.
    Jennifer Abbott thanked User
  • 12 years ago
    Rngp....thanks for the comment on the glass. I know what you mean. I swore I would never get another glass table :) but in a room this small I think I need to go with glass. The table you see in the pic isn't staying. I think I'll do a rectangular one, 72" by 36". The settee I want to order (gray one above) is 60" wide, so this should be the correct size (please anyone let me know if you think otherwise).
  • 12 years ago
    I have to go to NYC next week for work. Going in on Sunday to do a little "sightseeing" (aka shopping). If I don't see a settee I like better, I'll order the gray one. Just a little leery of ordering something that big without a chance to sit on it first; don't want it to be uncomfortable.
  • 12 years ago
    Yes, small settee or none at all.
  • 12 years ago
    Must sit on it first!!
    Jennifer Abbott thanked User
  • 12 years ago
    I love the title of this! I'm having that same issue.. I had an art teacher tell me.. "when you think you are done put it up on a wall and look at it again" Totally helps to post it and get peoples opinions.
  • 12 years ago
    A few ideas.
    Jennifer Abbott thanked Natosha Schafer
  • 12 years ago
    A few more.
    Jennifer Abbott thanked Natosha Schafer
  • 12 years ago
    Oops. Some more
    Jennifer Abbott thanked Natosha Schafer
  • 12 years ago
    Natasha, really nice ideas! Particularly like the first rug, upper left. It's different.The lamp shade is great! Really like what you brought to the party.
  • 12 years ago
    Oops, sorry, natoscha. Auto correct sneaks past me too often. I apologize for goofing up your name.
  • 12 years ago
    I LOVE those green chairs! Where r they from?
    Jennifer Abbott thanked Berta C
  • 12 years ago
    Thanks berta! Got them at Homegoods. Wasn't even looking for chairs, but these jumped out at me.
  • 12 years ago
    I agree, bsellers. I really like that rug in the upper left......it's different. But this will be an eating area, so I think white will be an issue.
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