Stunning! When can I move in?

Thank you Chartreuse Design! I was thinking about a floor lamp behind the sectional's wedge where it meets the wall, to the left of the arch doorway? Not sure what to kind to get though... will be changing the chandelier to something "more simple" I think..... Suggestions? Also, I agree about the ottoman, something needs to happen there... Maybe change fabric to something that will compliment pillows and/or drapes when I get that figured out?

Oh you are so nice Mary Ryan! and thank you again for the great advice and the sofa table picture! :)

Three lamps in a room is usually a good rule of thumb for good task lighting. The ceiling fixture will be a nice accent but won't be a comfortable light source all the time. Your tv is placed high enough that you might consider doing two squatty, fat, round table lamps at either end of the sofa table. Depending on the chandelier you choose, you could do metal to match, or even mercury glass- with which I am completely obsessed! The spotted mercury glass would tie in nicely with the island counter top as well.
I love the one on the left in this picture, but I would find something a bit shorter (like if you eliminated the metal base)
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/serena-mercury-glass-table-console-lamp-base/?catalogId=91&bnrid=3318529&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Lighting&cm_pla=Table_Task_Lamps&cm_ite=Serena_Antique_Mercury_Glass_Lamp_Bases&adtype=pla

OH MY GOODNESS! Here is the lamp I have with it!!!

but I only have one... I can still get another one, do I need two?

LOL! Great minds think alike! I saw a lamp in the picture but couldn't make it out. That's perfect! Get the sofa table and then try the lamp. I'm guessing that you might need two on the sofa table because of the length. You will have a nice even spread of light in the room then. If you do two lamps on the sofa table, they should match, and then a different style to coordinate on the end table.

Thank you!!! Should they all be mercury glass though?

No. I would do only two matching in mercury glass and the other one in something else like metal, or black wood. (or two black wood and one mercury glass depending on which table they would go on.)

I see... Oh and the soars table height.... Was feeling like the top should end where the pillows start?

The sofa table should not be higher than the back pillows on the sofa. It's ok if it's a little bit higher than the back rail of the sofa though. It doesn't have to be perfect. If the table I showed you is too high, try to find something a bit shorter. The table is 32" high. I'm guessing your sofa is about 36-38" high so you should be fine.

Thank you soooo much! You've been just great! ;)

Great work you two! I also am obsessed with mercury glass and have one in my family room. Here's my room (still looking for a couple of chairs, a table or two and accessories)
good luck!

beautiful! and so cozy!

It looks like you went all out on ur kitchen area, with ur newer cabinets, granite countertops, because of the open concept design, you'd want that to flow into the family room area and not dress it down with that type sectional, which by the way looks uncentered against the wall. Personally since u have the option of changing the sectional, I would go with sofa and love seat and def. not as casual look. You can go either contemporary or traditional, ur choice, either way, try to have that "dressed up" look carried on in the family room area, best of luck

So glad I could help! Feel free to contact me with any other questions. This was fun!

Thank you Calimeg! I'm having a bit of an "identity crisis" I think! Lol
We just built this house on the lake and moved in 3 months ago. ALL of my existing furniture from our previous house is very formal. I want this house to be a bit more relaxed as we will be entertaining a LOT, and I don't want people to feel like they can't sit down anywhere.... I was hoping that tons of patterned pillows, drapes, and artwork would "dress up" the room so it all looked consistant.... If you go to my page and look at my previous questions, you can see some of my other rooms. I'm trying to get a "balance" I guess, but I'm just a girl obsessed with decorating and not a trained designer, so it's been challenging to say the least! ;) Thanks for the advice!!!

No - The sectional is far too large and blocks the flow of the room.

A sofa and a pair of armchairs would be far better, with a couple more upholstered side chairs that can be brought into the space.

I think your room looks gorgeous and very lake like! I agree with Mary Ryan(I'm a Ryan BTW but no relation :). I think all her comments were spot on. My dream is to live by water, so you should enjoy the view and what looks to be a beautiful house...you're so lucky!

I definitely agree the ottoman has got to go; it's too much upholstery in one area. Rather than a long skinny table, I would add 2 coordinating tables or stools (in metal, mirror or rattan - not wood) to create a less bulky cocktail table...

I think the sectional is perfect. I can see a family all cozy there on a stormy day. Lucky you!

I originally was going to buy the sofa since I own 2 of the coordinating chairs. I thought it would be the choice that " looks " right. However, when I saw this sectional I knew it would be more comfortable. This house is 6,200 sq feet and we're in this one room probably 80% of the time! So for once, I chose the one that "felt" right for how we live, when normally I'm a "form over function" kinda girl. I always feel better when I get some opinions on this site! So THANK YOU to you all!

Thank you Wall to Wall design! ;)

I agree, the room seems closed off, and not inviting... open it up so that there is seating with the love seat on the wall and chairs along the side, so that you have the window seat and chairs and love seat to create an inviting conversation space with the fireplace being open.

Your home is lovely! I do agree that the sectional closes off the room, but the only thing I will advise is that you avoid a loveseat. They are NOT comfortable for casual lounging.

If it was my room, a sofa and 2 chairs would be my first choice, something in a simpler design, perhaps with the switchable chaise on one end, but otherwise straight as opposed to the large L of a sectional.

My big whitish sofa is the first thing one sees upon entering my home. As the seasons change, I "casually" place a handmade silk patchwork quilt, or a leopard soft throw, or a beige wool throw, or any plaid soft throw that looks seasonal. I tuck in down behind the cushion and let it flow casually toward the floor. It looks great. Everyone comments on how pretty that loooks without noticing the sofa. Also, it looks too good to use! Think cashmere-like.

How about two love seats facing each other perpendicular to the fireplaces? A square cocktail table in the middle. Fill with occasional tables and lamps as needed to balance the space. Add some tallish plants and you're done.

I love the sofa and ottoman-where are they from?

another idea is to put two lamps on each end of the long sofa table behind the sofa, that is what i did, and i like the light it creates and almost frames in that area and gives some height. and then put a small narrow end table on the wall side so it isnt in the walkway, pull the couch away from the wall a bit. i have almost the exact couch, i got the trivoli console table from pottery barn and it's perfect. it comes in black and a natural color. i will try and post a pic of the table.

here is the table, and i think actually because your kitchen island is black the black table may be a nice change rather than another wood. good luck!

thelakehouse - your great room is almost exactly what we're planning for ours in an upcoming house addition! Would you mind sharing your lxw room dimensions, to the back of the kitchen stools? I too am hoping to put a big oversized comfy sectional in our room, but was hoping to have it floating away from the walls. Also, wondering how you're finding the TV over the fireplace? do the side windows make it hard to view? I've heard a lot of people say it's uncomfortable to watch that high, however it looks great and seems to be the only place to put it! thanks!

You haven't mentioned if you have a lake view from this area of the room. Do the two doors flanking the fireplace lookout at the lake or are there windows on the long wall that isn't shown that lookout at the lake? If you have a lake view, I would definitly take that into consideration and make sure there was comfortable furniture facing it or at least could swivel to take advantage of the views -- after all isn't the lake views part of why you're there?

Looking at your room again, you have plenty of room to put two couches facing each other on either side of fireplace, you won't block the exits to the deck and it will break up the space.
You could put one of those soft ottomans in the center that has a top that flips from hard to soft and adds more storage... we use 3 small ottomans that have that storage feature ... they are wonderful because you can move them around as needed. They can become a coffee table or 3 separate surfaces for people to have drink and snacks when there is a gathering.

If there is an opening to the fireplace area from the kitchen the traffic flow should be fine. If you keep a "visual" hall way like you are doing now, it cuts off the room and makes the room look much longer.

Jazzed is right about the lake view. I was assuming as well that the window seat looks out onto the lake and that the two doors lead out to a deck.

This is why I stand by my original design. If the lake house is a vacation home (another assumption but it works either way) then I'm assuming you might have the whole family using that room at once(at least in the evening hours). You have comfortable seating for six to seven on that sectional. And the sectional is the only way to take advantage of all of your focal points at once. Two sofas facing each other in front of the fireplace serves no function for tv watching, enjoying the views out the large window (and will totally separate the window seat from the rest of the room), or really even enjoying the fireplace. Not to mention, it would completely block the walkways on both sides to the doors. The window seat is nice but isn't really practical seating for watching tv. If you do a sofa against the wall and two chairs (or a loveseat) separating the kitchen and the living space you are still using just as much floor space but cutting down the number of comfortable seats. To open the room a bit, move the sectional back as far as you comfortably can with out it, or the sofa table, blocking the walkway into the room. It does not need to be centered on the wall, you CAN cheat a little, it's your house. Finish off the room with an area rug for color and very unique piece of art, wall sculpture, found item (like a large piece of driftwood), or a grouping of pictures (maybe family). You have infinite possibilities for that wall.

Hi, Awsome home! Can you please tell me where you purchased the sectional? Thanks, Vicki

I'm sorry, but I respectfully have to disagree w. Mary Ann. . A sectional this large needs room to breathe...space on all sides; or it needs to be tucked into a corner. It is not designed for a space such as this. Also, I hadn't noticed the TV above the fireplace. That's a no-no in my book. It forces you to cran your neck to see, plus it detracts from the beauty of the fireplace.

I have a 103yr old craftsman home with window seats and odd shaped rooms with fireplaces, I have struggled with furniture issues.. LOL Another thing you can do with the window seat is use it as a behind the sofa table and put crystals or plants or sculpture etc .. you can also angle the sofa's as things don't have to be in straight lines. I have odd walk patterns in the house and once I played with proportion and paths I realized I didn't have to make invisible hallways for people because if there is open space, it's fun to not walk in a straight line everywhere, and my guests get to see spots of interest.
We were going to get a sectional but it limited us to only being able to have it one way in our room, so we opted for a couch and a mission style lazyboy... for us it works...

First of all I would like to say that I love your home and design choices...Your kitchen is awesome. But I agree with you that the sectional sofa is overpowering in this space. May I suggest a sofa and love seat with a large coffee table. A sofa table would also help make a softer transition between the two spaces.

I think the sectional overpowers the room and a more open flow could still be functional, but inviting. Right now it just looks like you've shoved the sectional against the wall. Is there enough room to use a two sofas or a sofa with loveseat? If so, I would put the longer piece on the space that provides the most space. In other words if the width from wall to wall/window is wider than the wall from kitchen to fireplace, I would put the sofa on the longest space, then love seat on the other option. A comfortable chair angled in front of the window would be nice. I would also put a square end table between the sofa and love seat. An upholestered square cocktail table would also be a nice addition. I have a similar room, so I can appreciate this dilemma. I've found that arranging furniture has become more of challenge as we've made the TV the focal point of the room. Good luck!

OH MY.... I'm alittle overwhelmed, but do want to respond to everyone who took the time to give me advice. First of all THANK YOU, all your responses are valuable to me and I appreciate them very much.
Okay.... I don't mind that the sectional cuts off the kitchen some, as really, I am not an "open floor plan" person. I love old houses with tons of character and interest and this is a brand new house. I packed in as much character and detail as I could while working on the blue prints ( arch door ways, built ins, etc...) BUT I also want it to look inviting, so I'm concerned about that piece.
*Two loveseats facing one another sounds pretty, but we couldn't see the TV, which means I would never see my husband again! lol Off he'd go to his "dream basement".... I HAVE TO have one there, but don't worry, there's no TV over my living room fireplace and I believe in hiding them in armoirs, etc.. to make a room look prettier!
*The space measures 22' from the island stools to the fireplace, and 14' wide (this doesn't include the window inset) I never envisioned a sectional in this space, so definately go wider for your room addition if you know you want one for that space!
*Believe it or not, the sectional is a Pottery Barn knock off I found at Rooms to Go of all places. I've never bought anything there as I'm told the furniture is cheaply made, however, I could get THREE of those for the price of one that looks the same at Pottery Barn! If it doesn't last, oh well, I'll buy something better with the money I saved. :)
*The Trivoli table is great! My island is actually chocolate brown...wonder if it comes in other colors? It's length is perfect!
*TV viewing is awesome at the height we have it above our mantle. The bottom of the TV is 62" from the floor and we're sitting about 14' away- no cricks in our necks so far and we've lived here for 3 months! I love that I can watch TV while cooking, etc... & never have to pause it when I get up for a drink!

*The bright morning sun does make it harder to see. We have an LCD instead of a plasma, so I think that helps! Its fine after 10am when the sun moves farther west.
*I do have lake views from that window and also both doors.(see pics) There is no window in the long wall.
*Mary, I measured the space for a sofa and 2 chairs and you're right. It takes up the same amount of space once an end table is added.
*This room is really for small cozy intimate gatherings I guess.... like when a few good friends drop by. I have a large living room and dining room to accomaodate a big crowd when needed. (see pics)
*A chair by the fireplace will definately block a door as that space is pretty narrow...
and the light weight nesting tables are taking care of food and drinks nicely, so far.
*I knew from the start that a sofa and loveseat/chairs would be best for a space like this. I really get what you are all advising in regards to room flow, scale, etc... I don't really like sectionals, they always looked contemporary to me. BUT, they are comfortable and perfect for watching TV & napping, which is what is happening most in this space. So I guess the question isn't really "Does this sectional work in this space?", as much as it is "HOW can I make this sectional work in this space?"

I think your space is incredible! It's a very large house and I doubt everyone posting has this much space and other rooms for more formal gatherings. From your postings I feel you love this room and are searching for a comfortable, cozy room for your family. So... please do what feels good to you! This is your HOME.....LIVE in it!
~ I love it !!!

The sectional works with the exception of the chaise portion. Interrupts space and flow. It's like a second ottoman that you can't kick out of the way when you want to. Other than that, you need artwork over the couch and a colorful throw and colorful rug that begins under the couch and fills the L space and even extends a bit beyond.

Thank you camurray, I appreciate that. :) My husband always acuses me of choosing "pretty over comfortable" , and he loves this sectional. Says it "feels like home."

Thank you woofwoof! :)

Your room is beautiful, the seating is great for maximum use. I think you need a backdrop for your sofa, a long table, maybe the length of the couch. The height of the couch and table should be the same and in a dark tone, an accent lamp with a red shade to match your cushions along the window would be a great combo. Accessories, books etc for on top of the table....It is alsoa multo purpose table, drinks and snacks can be put their for entertaining when sitting in the area.

Thank you Xntric Design! I'll be searching for the perfect table to go there! I think that's what will make the difference here!

thelakehouse - You're welcome!
I always go with what makes me happy and what feels comfortable. I think your husband said it best....."feels like home" !!! You have great taste so the sofa table, art, accessories etc. will be fabulous!
Enjoy!

Thank you so much ;)

chartreuse design,what is that great fabric on your sofa?