First, I am not going to help much on the ceiling fixture, as from the perspective in the pictures you have given, it seems fine, and suited to the space.

I would want to try some serious re-arranging in the space.

Center the rug with the center of the bay window.

I would take the larger table that is under the mirror (where you ask about the cords) and use that in the bay window with the lamp from the skirted table on it. It is too large where it sits now, straddling both the doorways. It would seem to be perfect for the window. Then situate the two simple chairs in front of it, angled, and try the lumbar pillows from the brown wing chairs on the wood chairs to add some weight and softness.

Next, I would take the valance off the drapery on the single window, and put that on the center of the bay with the one that is there. The current one is too skimpy in the bay by itself, and the double set gathered will fill the window better. The other panels look too crowded with the valance over them, almost bound in, so that will open up that window a bit.

Move the skirted table under the mirror between the doorways, where the larger table was that you moved to the window. You might need to lower the mirror a bit. Get a nice urn with a plant there, or a pretty vase of flowers.

Take the smaller table that was in the front window and use that between the two brown wing chairs, with the lamp that was sitting on the table that was moved to the window (the rectangular shade lamp)

Move the couch away from the single window a couple of inches, so the drapery has some breathing room. Use the cream colored tables on either end as end tables, and try one of each of the lamps from the bay on the end tables. Remove the beige pillows from the couch and use one on each of the wing chairs.

Take down the gold mirror on the right side of the bay window,and the three pix over the radiator. Replace the three over the radiator with the single piece that is currently hanging to the right of the single window by the couch.

Use the three pix in a grouping by the wing chairs.

Use the family photo grouping on the wall to the left of the single window by the couch.

Les, I am an "almost always" lurker, but I have to say that I love reading your comments when you work your magic. Obviously everyone has different taste but you give people a way to look at their rooms from a totally different perspective, opening up so many possibilities. Lynn fr CT

Thanks for sharing your room! It is great, I love the wall color and the zebra covered table with that lamp!

I am definitely not an expert, but here are some of the things that stuck out to me right away.

1. YES, change the light fixture - something that matches more with the lamps in the room maybe.

2. Window treatments. I don't mind them so much in the bay window, but I think you could really enhance the right wall window with different window treatments. Maybe it is just the angle of the pic, but the window looks off center and a bit thin. You could try and make it look wider - maybe extend the drapes on a longer pole? I do think woven wood shades would look fab in your room. And with outside mount shades you can make the window look wider and as tall as you want really. That brings up the point of maybe even raising the window treatments up to the ceiling possibly.

3. Trim. With such beautiful wide/thick baseboard and door trim it seems a little off that the crown molding is so thin. But maybe this is a Victorian thing that I am not aware of. Perhaps if the window treatments came right under the trim, up to the ceiling, you wouldn't notice it so much.

4. Its a bit dark. All your furniture is dark and I think you could use some brighter throw pillows or maybe even a brighter rug to add some light. If interested, slipcovering the chairs in a lighter color would be a quick fix.

And lastly, if you have room for it I think a coffee table/ottoman might look nice!

Great job, you have made a really awesome room so far!

Karen

Just a few quick thoughts...........

Instead of replacing the wood chairs with something else, how about keeping them and replacing the table with a round one, and making the area a nice little place to relax with a book or something.

Or, just remove the wood chairs altogether and use the oval table on the other side of the room in the window area. It looks a bit too wide and bulky in the spot where it is now.

The chandy looks to be original to the house and I would keep it. I think what is bothering you is the length. Can it be shortened a bit? The ceiling medallion looks too small and does not look like it was originally part of the house. Is it one of those plastic ones or is it real plaster?

Victorians did have their furniture up against the wall but the couch need to be moved out a bit so it is not crushing the drapes.

The table with the cloth is too high for the couch with that big lamp. (Beautiful lamp!) I have the feeling you could shop the rooms in your house and find something that would fit better there.

Do you have a wish list and a budget? There are some things that could be done in the room like putting a cover on the radiator.

I like your mix of Victorian and Modern. (Love black lamp in the room!) Is eclectic your goal or are you trying for a pure Victorian look? I like the muted colors in the room with the contemporary tones. Overall you have a very nice room there already and it needs some tweaking with wall art. I love your idea of a vintage Paris map and the fact that Paris is special to you would make it a great fit in the room. How aout some sepia tone drawings from the Victorian era?

1885 Paris Exhibition Plan Map:

Hi Misenplace.

Welcome to the active side of the boards. Like you, I was a long-time watcher from the sidelines, but eventually I took a deep breath & jumped right in. Lots more fun this way.

It's hard for me to give any specific advice about your room without knowing what direction you want to go with it. Toward a more elegant effect? Toward a looser, more modern feel? Toward an authentic period feel that would match the age of your house? I might have suggestions for each of those things, but without some guidance from you, a lot of them would cancel each other out, so I'll wait till I know more before I start trying to diagnose you living room's "problems". Talking before you listen can get you in a lot of trouble. I know.

One time--on another board, fortunately--a poster showed a photo of a pretty little antique wooden cottage dresser that she had seen on Craigslist, and she asked us all what we thought about it. Most people thought it was wonderful--I didn't bother reading the other responses, except to note, in passing, that they were full of "Cute!"s & "Darling!"s--but what other people thought was great, I thought would be a waste of money. You can find great bargains on Craigslist, but there's a lot more overpriced junk, too, and that's what this botched pice was--junk, even without knowing the asking price--and I told her why.

I explained that someone had stripped off the original subtly glazed multicolor paint job that was typical of cottage furniture of the period, revealing, in the process, the ugly, mismatched woods underneath--pine, oak, maybe gumwood--woods that would have been hidden by the original paint job. That's why they painted it to begin with: to hide the cheap wood. Worse, someone had--Let's call him Mr. Craigslist--given the now-stripped piece a cheesy, too-shiny polyurethane finish that emphasized the magpie wood grains even more, and to top it off, somebody--maybe Mr. CL, maybe somebody else--had removed the original turned wooden knobs & replaced them with sparkly brass-&-blue-faceted knobs, probably plastic, rather than glass. I told the poster that while the dresser was, technically, an antique, and that, while that it had probably been a charming piece to begin with, it had, in the meantime, been completely ruined by whoever was trying to sell it on Craiglist, and that, whatever it's original value, after its tacky "makeover", it was now worth no more than $25. I was just trying to keep her from wasting her money on a foolish purchase, when places like Craiglsist (or Goodwill, my own favorite department store) has so many better examples, ones that haven't been pre-wrecked. I was trying to help.

Can you guess where this story is heading? Yes, that's right, it HAD, once upon a time, been for sale on Craigslist--and in its original paint & with its original handles--but what the poster was now proudly showing us was its AFTER condition, after she spent an entire week redoing it. I felt like a total heel. I hadn't just told her her baby was ugly, I had told her to take it back to the hospital. Yes, the little chest was still ruined & worthless, but if I had known all the facts before I shot off my mouth, I would have just said something vague & non-committal, like "Well, I can see you spent a LOT of time on that--it's like a totally different piece!!!!!" Or, better yet, said nothing. Like it says in Proverbs, There is a time to speak & a time to remain silent.

Anyway, shooting first & asking questions later can cause trouble & a whole heap of hurt feelings, so I'll just wait till I know more about your hopes for your room before I open up the suggestion box, which is always bursting at the seams.

I will say, however, not to worry about the painted doorframe around the wooden door. The other way around it's all wrong, but this way, it's a classic combination that's even older than your house, so if you're too busy to start the ugly job of stripping paint, it's really not a problem. Aren't you glad you mentioned that? One thing to check off the To-Do list.

Also, your photos are too small to see details but it looks like your chandelier is a piece from about 1910 to maybe 1925, obviously, not original to the house, but it's the kind of thing that might have been hung later on, after electricity was installed, so it doesn't really bother me. I think what's throwing things off is not the fixture itself but that medallion, which is so white that I'm assuming it's not plaster but the plastic kind from Home Depot, installed to hide the broken plaster from when someone retrofitted an old fixture into an even older ceiling. That--using a not-strictly-authentic fixture-- can work, and when done well, it can blend in just fine, like something that's been hanging there for 80 years and therefore, by now, historic in its own right, but that glaring white on the medallion is giving the game away. The easiest thing might just be to paint the medallion in what looks like the dirtier white color on the ceiling itself, which would make the medallion recede into the background. It's always best to emphasize the best, most expensive thing in a room, not the newest & cheapest. At any rate, painting the medallion will be much easier--not to mention much cheaper--than finding a period-appropriate chandleier, which, if you want to get picky, would probably be a conveted kerosene fixture. This if fine as is.

Anyway, if you tell us your vision for the room--or the house--then we can tell you how you might to get closer to it. It's a one-step-at-a-time journey for all of us, believe me. You've got a good start.

Regards,
Magnaverde.

Sorry for blowing the margins guys. I don't know what happened.

You are so right magnaverde! I should have thought about that before writing my response. I can't help it your story did make me laugh - but oh my gosh how HORRIBLE! Lesson learned I guess, thanks for passing it on...

Dilly - Oversized pics stretch the margins. Love that old map :-)

The chairs in the bay window have a delicate feel, can only assume you want a heavier, more substantial look? So like one poster said a Big round table migh achieve that effect or a love seat....

Tape the lamp cord to the leg of the table, to hide it. :0)

Personally...in my climate, I'd put a ceiling fan(dark wood blades) in that room. For comfort and it would give a more masculine look to the room.

Hello all,
Thank you for you thoughtful comments. It has given me a lot to think about.

To answer a few questions...

I do really like a mix of modern and eclectic, and that is definitely the look I am going for, with a touch of glam as well. DH prfers very simple and uncluttered, while I prefer a layered look. We have young children and have done a ton of DIY work on the house (ie total kitchen remodel which is posted on kitchens forum) so honestly we are a little out of stream, but your ideas are reenergizing me.

The oval table and one in bay window belonged to my great Uncle and off white tables were DH grandmother's so I have tried to make them work.

It is also important for me to be " green" and there's not a ton of money to spend on this room, so CL/yard sale/thrift store finds are always a bonus and are used throughout my home.

Typing on a Blackberry, so that's all for now.

Posted by wantoretire_did: Dilly - Oversized pics stretch the margins. Love that old map :-)"

Yes, I know. I already said I was sorry for the screw up.

I was off of work, tired and eating a sandwich when I posted that, so I wasn't paying attention and the snafu slipped through. Please don't turn this into another pile-on.

Dilly, if the image is posted on Photobucket you can still go in and change the size. Just click on edit, then resize. It shouldn't effect the link.

Another vote for trying out Les' excellent ideas for re-arranging -- the larger table would look lovely in the window! Especially with the lamp -- very welcoming for guests!

Another vote for switching out the chandelier -- but I do like the ceiling medallion -- brings the viewers eye Up -- and makes the room appear to be taller.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

It's been a long time since I've been around these boards. Trying to jump back in again is tough but I spent a long time reading old posts yesterday and saw some familiar names still around the place so I'm trying to dive back in again. (Still working on that blasted living room for those who remember.)

Memisenplace, what a wonderful room to work on! Love that bay window. I think Les has some great ideas and have to agree with moving that table that's straddling the doorways. I also really like your wing chairs. It's the first time I've seen a pair that are actually inviting to come sit in. Must be that yummy chocolate color!

Magnaverde, great story and reminder.

Please try everything Les said. Hopefully, you will then show us after pictures.

Im back! Here we go with my progress so far...

Room dimensions are: 13Â3"x 13Â3" (plus bay window alcove) and 9 ½ foot ceilings with the double-wide doorway into playroom, single door into dining room & single door into front hall (just to help with scale).

This is the outside of the house

Here is the round skirted table in the new location (haven't moved the mirror lower yet)

I doubled the valance (as suggested) and the panels too. What do you think? The curtain/sheers colors look very funky here, but it is just the lighting at night with the flash! Should I get a smaller harp for this lamp so it is a bit shorter, or does the scale look ok?

magnaverde, I think ceiling medallion is plaster, though definitely not original to the house (nor is the crown molding  karenn, great idea to update that to something thicker -- I hadnÂt thought of that). And youÂre right, they ARE super white. Honestly, I donÂt think they got painted after being installed (by the previous owners in the early 80Âs when the room was last redone). We skipped painting the ceiling in this room when we stripped the wallpaper & painted the walls (for time sake), but I will definitely add that to the list!

The lighting fixtures look to me to be from the 40Âs or 50Âs maybe, and are just poor quality and not my style (matching chandy is in the room we use as our playroom right next to LR & I told DH we could keep that one if he letÂs me replace this one!). I really wanted a vintage crystal chandelier in this room (too much for DH), so the lamp with crystal prisms was our compromise.

Ideally, I would like a bit more seating in this room for when we entertain, so more than 2 couples can sit comfortably, which is why I was thinking of replacing the 2 wood frame embroidered chairs in the bay window, but I didnÂt want to overwhelm the room with a loveseat. We went with a slightly larger couch than is probably "ideal" for the room, b/c this room is also used for family quiet time, so itÂs a great couch DH & me to snuggle up with the kiddos and read (and all 4 of us fit comfortably :)

Here is a close-up with those chairs & the bolster - definitely a no-go:

I do have 2 of these (currently) yellow chairs. If I painted the frames and re-upholstered the seats, would that work?

I do like the idea of adding a large ottoman, which could also be used as seating. A little worried that the kids will use it as a jumping launch pad, so weÂll have to work on that!

Wall with wing chairs has doorway to dining room to left (was hard to see in pics), so I actually canÂt move the table that was in the bay there, but have moved it out of the room, b/c I think it is too large to put on right side of couch.

Here are what the different pillows look like. The tan ones that used to be on the couch look too big to me, but I like the zebra ones. Better than the bolsters?

The artwork that is to the right of the couch is our ketubah (marriage contract) and is hand-done calligraphy and copper work, so I canÂt hang it over the radiator (due to heat fluctuations). IÂd like to keep in a prominent place in the room. Is there anyway to make it work on this wall?

Can someone explain though why the 3 stacked smaller framed pieces donÂt work over the radiator? I thought they looked good there with the proportion & stacking, so tell me why I am off on this? Each are only 16 inches, and the space above the wing chairs is large and I think could handle a larger piece (4 feet x 3 feet) Â I know it is hard to tell the scale from just viewing pics though.

Thank you dilly-dally for the map suggestion. The one I have been looking at has a similar feel, and I hope the scale will be right for over the chairs.

The single window is off-center, which has thrown me off as well, because I keep wanting to center the couch in front of it. The wall to the right is 4 feet, while the wall to the left is nearly 6 feet. I need to buy a decorative rod to try the hanging the panels farther from the window frame (currently on cheapy white metal-must-be-covered rods)

and with the couch centered (if I leave the panels doubled in the bay, I will replace them here with decorative rod, no valance):

And finally, below is a link to my finished kitchen post in that forum so you can get more of an idea of our style (it is a bit warmer now with accessories & valances added).

Oh goodness, I have written a book. Thanks if you read this far!

I really LOVE the larger table at the new position in the bay window -- VERY nice! I like the smaller chairs -- BUT I do wonder IF a loveseat (and this is a time when measuring really helps! LOL!) might work there too?

I wonder if you painted the yellow chairs (Very nice BTW!) -- to work in place with the table in the bay window? Maybe in simple fresh white? Or perhaps in chocolate brown? Or classic black?

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Love the relocated round table with zebra cloth, and the oval table in the window! (Also your kitchen, and 'wow' on the exterior shot.) I'd tighten up the seating area by placing one of the wing back chairs (with lumbar pillow), in the bay window angled toward sofa; with the other wing chair floating a conversational distance away from other end of sofa. That would leave a walkway in front of, rather than through, the seating grouping.

Re: your question about the trio of prints: The proportion is fine where they are, although they do draw attn to the radiator. I think the comment was meant to give them more pride of place by moving them to a natural focal point. Re: off-center placement of sofa - I think if you shifted it a bit closer to the bay window so that the large table has room to breathe, it would look great. It would also be closer to chair in bay window. You would probably want to add a narrow table or floor lamp in the corner between sofa and bay window.

zebra pillows in the brown chairs....WOW! Bigger table in the window, that works nicely. The cained chairs are more substantial, would be nice if the wood matched the wood table and yes to upholstery.....zebra? :0) It's a VERY nice room with very nice furniture to work with.

I am in love with your house, both inside and out! Great job with everything.

First, let me commend your willingness to accept suggestions, some which you knew wouldn't work but were willing to make to allow us a better perspective on the room.

I think the skirted table is good where it now sits. I am not a fan of that little lamp on there; I think you need something taller,perhaps something where the body of the lamp is clear, such as something in lucite or glass, but with a traditional style and a black shade

artemis clear

I love the cane chairs. Wondering if you would consider painting them a really striking orange-red? Then use them by the bay window with the larger table that you moved there.

I agree the beige pillows are too big for the wing chairs. The zebra ones are fine, but also feel large. I like the lumbar pillow shape better. Maybe find some fabric with the orange-red and browns, in an exciting pattern, and wrap the existing bolster pillows, then get some decorative cording and tie the ends like pieces of candy.

mingei nile denton

I dont care for the doubled panels on the bay window. I would like it to have the single panels it did before, but double the valances in the middle by taking the valance from the single window by the couch. Let the other panels go back to the single window, without the valance.

The three pix above the radiator arent wrong. There are two reasons I would move them. First, they only serve to draw more attention to the radiator, because they attract your eye and make you look closer, and they mimic the shape of the radiator. Plus, they are hung so high that they soar above the line of the drapery and mouldings in the room, and also make it difficult to see the subject of the art. I would rather see those displayed lower where they could be appreciated, and have a simple shelf on or just above the radiator, with a pretty plant or fern on it.

Leave the ketubah where it is, and use the small table that was in the bay window originally below it. Move the couch to the left so that it fits comfortably on the wall, and still allows the table to have a little breathing room in between. Add a lamp to that table. Get a floor lamp for the left end of the couch.

If the white tables have no antique value and you are willing, consider cutting them down to be an eclectic pair of coffee tables in front of the couch, perhaps painted the same red-orange of the cane chairs.

Cheering you on...looking good!

Wow. The changes really make a positive difference. You ask about the doubled drapes and no, it looks too crowded. Keep the valance doubled because before it looked too skimpy before but the drapes are too bulky doubled in that area.

The chandy looks like someone created a hybrid using a vintage one and bought a DIY chain and flange from a hardware store to lengthen it. Here is an antique similar to what you have but in the original length:

Thanks, everyone!

Les - That crystal lamp is gorgeous, and I vaguely remembered seeing it at my local Homegoods, and sure enough, I went last night and it was still there at nearly half the price! It has a white shade, not black, but that's easily changed, so I took it home and am giving it a trial run.

I shopped my house and found a table I forgot I had to use in place of the too large end table, switched around some artwork and added a piece from another room, am bidding on a new chandelier, bought a curtain rod for the single window and will post final results pics once everything is in place!!

I think spending a day doing everything on Les's list would be worth a try.

To help you mix and layer a bit more, I would consider replacing the lampshades with simpler ones, in white or ivory silk without trim.

Here is a photo of the light fixtures in our 1893 city townhouse. (Before curtains...and don't even think about that mantel...it's on the list!)
They are not period, or even correct for a strictly period redo...which is more than fine with me. They work because they have a classic simplicity without being modern, they light up the room with reflected light onto the ceiling, and they are all on dimmers to keep the center of the rooms from being shadowy, even when the lights are low.