skip to main content

Home Decorating

help with LR and DR decorating

16 years ago

Hello, I have been reading many of your postings for some decorating tips and was hoping that some of you could help me!! We moved to our home 10 months ago and have been replacing floors and painting to update it. I am working on my living room and dining room and can't wait to have a finished room to enjoy in the house! So here are my questions... For my living room I need a rug. Should I get a solid rug and have it bound or should I get a rug with pattern? For my dining room I plan to buy new furniture. I have a very rustic farmtable I was going to use bu now that we added the raised panels I feel like the room is really formal. I have silk curtains that I am waiting for my husband to hand. I bought a black wood rod and copper brown silk panels. Does the rug look OK in there? Is the black rod OK with the brown? I would like to get a black wood painted mirror for the wall, and am thinking about a round table and buffet for the new furniture. I would love any suggestions!! I have never posted pictures before and have been working on getting them posted all day so I hope this workd!! Thanks, Lisa

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Tryin2Grow
16 years ago
Hi Lisa

What is your first picture of? That's not the same table that is in the DR (or is it)

I think your DR table and chairs look quite nice in the DR. The raised panels don't scream formal to me. There are so many ways to accessorize, that you can take that room any way you'd like. Or would you prefer to have a more formal table?

You can easily go with a pattern under the sofa. Might add some interest to the room since the sofa is large and solid colored.

I'm having trouble visualizing how the sofa room works. What is on the other side? It looks like you enter the room, and have to walk a ways to come around to the sofa. Almost like it should be turned so the seats greet you rather that the back of the sofa.

The white table in the corner looks rather lonesome :(
Do you plan to keep it there? If so, it needs a chair and maybe a darker color on the table.

Hope this helps some. You basically have a blank slate here, so you can go in many directions. You've done a super job with the remodeling. I know what you mean about wanting *one* room to finally be done!
lisak111
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks so much for the advice! The first picture is of my kitchen table that I was thinking of putting in my dining room. I don't think it works though. I didn't want to go really formal because I like a more casual relaxed feeling, but I dont want to make the room look mixed up. The sofa is facing that way because we have a gas stove in the corner and a TV in the amoire but you do have to walk around the couch to sit down. I agree that the table in the corner may need something too but I'm not sure what...
Related Discussions
photos of my LR and DR
Q
Comments (33)
Hi2all & Luvs, Luvs, We have to somehow make them think they have to "earn" a pretty table by buying us the pretty dishes. And, did yall know that dishes need to have a "rotation period"? That means they can only be used so many times before they have to be allowed to "rest" and you have to rotate another set into their place. ;~) And hi2all, Dishes and shoes go together perfectly. And I hope you get your camera working right soon. ;~) Karen, Your shopping trip sounds wonderful. I hope you have a great time. When my grandmother got to where she couldn't walk long distances I finally talked her into renting a wheelchair at the mall. She refused at first, but then she loved it. I could push her until we got to something she wanted to see and she could walk around some without getting too tired. Just a thought.
...See More
Small Space. Lower Peninsula? Switch DR(--)LR? No DR?
Q
Comments (13)
BalTra, it's nice but in no way does it fit your notion of flexibility. Both the banquette and the island would be built in. Neither could move an inch. Plus, given your square footage limitations, why build in TWO small dining areas? Maybe just a seat at a nice-sized but not large island for kiddo or a friend to keep you company? But you don't want a "large" "formal" table in your kitchen for everyday meals--of course not. Precious few would. How about instead a nice cozy table for 2-4 that expands to hold 8? Handsome enough to dress up but with a tough finish that doesn't showcase fingerprints? Or the table you mentioned that could be separated into various parts and put back together as needed? Or a table that lowers and raises as desired? All are ways to design in comfort and flexibility instead of building in inadequacy. You could, of course, if you wished also have a fine-quality banquette-style seat that's super comfy to pull the table, or a piece of table, up to; I'm thinking more of a custom couch for dining, though, which doesn't have to be bolted to the wall and floor. With your table pulled over, or pieces placed at the ends and in front, it would allow friends to dine or lounge for hours.
...See More
awkward lr/dr combination...need help
Q
Comments (12)
hi yaya...yes, we had the sofa positioned in that orientation originally (purchased a very uncomfortable small sofa for that reason)....my husband really didn't like it because he likes to stretch out and lounge, and the 78 inch sofa (with the big rolled arms) just doesn't allow for that in this space...i think i will need at least an 82 inch sofa...if i purchase that length and float it, it leaves no room for end tables or lamps....so i think floating isn't a really good option (though i liked how it looked!) i'm not too concerned about the current configuration in the living room...i've had the sofa on either side and floated, and frankly from a utilitarian pov, positioning it against the wall seems to work best... not sure if you can tell from the pictures, but right now the dining table is centered in the middle of the room (and the living room opening), and for some reason this just looks awkward....but it seem more functional than pushing it closer to the wall, if that makes sense... i have to make a decision about the positioning of the table soon because i need to replace (and move) the chandelier ... i'll probably mount a large drum pendant over the table...right now the room looks extremely traditional with the egg and dart trim and crown moulding, crystal chandy, etc....and i want a more transitional look... i plan to buy upholstered chairs for the dining table, but i think those need to wait until i pick out the living room sofa and chairs as they relate so directly to each other visually any other suggestions about decor is much appreciated! really struggling with the space and how to furnish!
...See More
Help with paint color for DR/ LR.
Q
Comments (16)
I don't think so. The chairs are basically the color of your furniture, and green would give a fresh feeling to this room, as would blue. Are you planning on having a rug in the dining room? I'm wondering if there would be other colors to take into consideration.
...See More
skypathway
16 years ago
I just wanted to post that I love the color in your dining room. I do agree that it appears to be more formal than your furniture. I like the color on the wall, but I'm wondering if another color might allow you to have enough of a casual feel to work with your current furniture. You could then carry that feel onto the chandelier with patterned lamp shades. Following that scheme, go with something like linen drapes and not silk which would again be too formal.

Sky
deborahnj
16 years ago
I think a patterned rug in the LR would be nice to break up solid surfaces and frame the beautiful wood floors and furniture in the room. Your drapes are nice and I would try to find something to compliment them. I would add a nice throw to the sofa, some accessories and artwork and you will be well on your way. I'm with t2g, what is on the other side of the room?
startbright
16 years ago
I see some red in the dining room rug. You can make the dining table more formal by using a runner or a fabric that picks up the red color. I would use the red and your neutral colors (including the black) with other accessories. Definitely a rug with a pattern that can ground the whole other room.

Related Stories

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 5 Savvy Fixes to Help Your Home Sell

By Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

Get the maximum return on your spruce-up dollars by putting your money in the areas buyers care most about

MOVING Relocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move

By Laura Gaskill

Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Look under, over and inside to find places for everything you need to keep

ORGANIZING Get the Organizing Help You Need (Finally!)

By Laura Gaskill

Imagine having your closet whipped into shape by someone else. That’s the power of working with a pro

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways to Design Your Kitchen to Help You Lose Weight

By Mitchell Parker

In his new book, Slim by Design, eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink shows us how to get our kitchens working better

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

What to take, what to buy, how to make your favorite furniture fit ... get some answers from a homeowner who scaled way down

DECORATING GUIDES How to Decorate When You're Starting Out or Starting Over

No need to feel overwhelmed. Our step-by-step decorating guide can help you put together a home look you'll love

DECORATING GUIDES How to Savor Your Beautifully Imperfect Home

By Laura Gaskill

Hardly anyone escapes home design envy. These strategies can help you appreciate your home for all it offers you right now

DECORATING GUIDES 13 Strategies for Making a Large Room Feel Comfortable

By Laura Gaskill

Bigger spaces come with their own layout and decorating challenges. These ideas can help

Sponsored

Shylee Grossman Interiors

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators in Franklin County

More Discussions

missoni for target is my happy ottoman find

16

Need help with this room layout

6

I NEED EXTREME HELP

16

No green thumb. Try live again or faux?

5

Table and chairs - mismatch or same chairs

4