bridgetmarie21's Ideas

Reply to: Every house grows and uses for areas change. Maybe now a dedicated playspace - with the suggested easy care rug, ottomans or poufs, some dedicated toy storage (soft close toyboxes or storage ottomans). Later on, it can be more of a coffee and read space where you can sit and gather your thoughts, a space where the kids can come to chat after school. Let the space change as you need it.

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Reply to: You say you just renovated so it is what it is. The only thing I think is strange is the little doorway from the dining area to the "hall" area. I'd close that up if possible. Everything else is tweaking. It's very neutral-black/white/gray-so it could use some color. Lots of hard surfaces so it needs some softening. Wallpaper would be so pretty and warm up the space. I would suggest a colorful rug in the bay window area with seating like Bev suggested. Upholstery and pillow fabric would add a lot. You could also add a runner. I'd also change out the hard blinds for fabric roman shades or woven wood shades and curtain panels. If the children's table and chairs need to stay there, you might want to use a bright saturated color palette, with lots of primary colors. Can you move the high chair to the dining area? And in the dining area I'd add window treatments to complement the bay windows'. Accessories can help too--dishtowels, bowls, plates on stands, plates on the walls, stand mixer, toasters, blenders all come in pretty colors. It's going to take some time and planning. From your photo it looks like you are in the stage of your life where small children are taking up a lot of your time. Perhaps you work outside the home as well. You might want to hire a decorator to help you get to the next level. Here are some ideas:

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Reply to: Do you have a backsplash? It's not showing in the pictures you posted. The rug in front of the sink doesn't look like the right color for the floor although that could just be a trick of the light. Does it look better in person? If the kids are going to play in the bay window area I would definitely put a rug there. Maybe while they're little just unapologetically let it be a play area. Everyone knows you need to be able to keep your eyes on them while you're cooking and they won't be that little for too long. It's hard to maintain a perfectly Pinterest environment with little ones. :-) Your kitchen looks nice.

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Reply to: You might want a rug under this lounge area.

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Reply to: I'd move the cabinets up to the ceiling. It's a cleaner look and gives you more space above the machines. Not sure what that pole is, but it looks odd.

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