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ceelomoon

Living Room for Sitting; and Exercise/bodywork/stretching

12 years ago
This living room has low ceilings, a wood stove that doesn't do much, a dark western wall and a vista to the north side of the french doors.
Here's the dilemma- all of these tables have been passed down in the family- they don't match and don't fit well as "side tables" b/c there is something a bit ornate about each. They are too nice to put in the children's rooms!
The first pic is the view from the dining area w/ couch and table to right not really working for me. The second features one of the nice tables but dark wood isn't matching. Don't think it'll fit in doorway after piano is set on this wall. The third pic is also looking from the big wall with no window but towards the hall entry. The last pic is from the couch, another lovely table. Thinking to set chairs for playing cards, drinking tea in the "salon" but for now another old chair, not super nice (but from grandmother when mother was born!)
I need to keep center open for my exercise/dance/bodywork. It makes sense to me to use the center area for that but I'd love to hear advice. What do you think needs shifting and improvement?
Thanks in advance for the helpful tips! {peace!!}

Comments (3)

  • PRO
    11 years ago
    This advice may be unorthodox and feel free to click delete. What if you took the table next to the couch and had it cut down to coffee-table height, to put in front of the couch? That way you can keep it in the family, but now you've added your own voice to the story it tells. I'm sure you could find a local craftsman who could do a nice job and make it look great. Then you could put the smaller dark marble top table in the corner next to the couch, where it would fit better than the larger round one.

    It's a shame when family pieces become a burden, but it happens a lot, and I speak from personal experience here. Sometimes carefully remodeling an heirloom to give it new life can be a good thing.

    I would hate to think of anything I own ending up in the hands of some member of a future generation, long after I'm gone, and having them be reluctant to "make it their own". Also, I wouldn't worry so much about the finishes and styles not matching or seeming to go together. They each tell a story and have meaning for you, which I think is the best kind of eclecticism. If you went out furniture shopping and brought home a bunch of mismatched stuff that would obviously be different.

    Hope this helps or at least gives you food for thought.
  • 11 years ago
    I agree with making the pedestal round table into a quiet place for social activities by adding a pair of chairs. Have you considered using the marble top table as a bedside piece? Often you can gain an updated look by mis-matching bedside tables but keeping them the same height. The 2-tiered one might look nice in a foyer if you have one large enough to handle the size of the table. I hope you have cushions for the sofa! Here's a chart for sizing tables and lamps that might help you decide how to use them.
  • 11 years ago
    LOL, it seems like it's been days since I even dreamed of making this space all dreamy. Thanks for the comments. As the table is from my partner's line, I wouldn't ask him to change it in any way. Thanks for the suggestion though. The hardest thing for me about this room is that it's a bit dark. I do like having the couch on that wall.
    And boy! do I ever use it as a multi-purpose space. just took down the massage table after having it dominate the open space for a week, which is never really a bad thing!
    I succeed in getting the glass top table to be a nice sitting space but I am BAD at managing papers so all too often it piles up!
    Who has advice for how to keep that under control??? I mean overall, I feel like I know where things are and I can find them but it does end up looking disheveled and to utilize the space, it usally means something else gets disheveled!! haha :/
    Turns out the white couch wasn't very comfortable. Two cushions for the seat meant it was hard to cozy and right after we got it a friend offered a burnt orange-brown couch WAY Comfortable! even if my man is constantly setting the pillows up for comfort which usually means it look WACK! after he's gone!
    The white couch looked better with the carpet but hands down comfort takes priority!
    Thanks peeps for your feedback and the cool chart drawing. Overall our lamps are small and I feel good about how they work and fit with the space.