Help with new guest room....some fresh eyes needed!

9 years ago

I've been gathering attic furniture, CL stuff, and other homeless items into our daughter's former bedroom; now a guest room and place for her and her husband to stay.

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a few projects and need some fresh eyes....

Here is the room now: (apologize for the poor lighting)

So far, the room is painted EK Lichen. In the first photos it looks dark but is actually a soft green which adapts well to surroundings; looks cool or warm depending on what you put next to it. All other options are open, including painting furniture other than the bedside tables. DD wants roman shades on the windows. Here are the fabrics I have that could be used to cover the headboard, bedskirt, roman shades, and bench cushion. Pillows not the bed are from Target and can easily be returned.

Here are some closer shots of the pieces I have to work with:

My initial thoughts are to use the print for the Roman Shades with the trim/tape. Then what for the bedskirt/headboard/shams/bench cushion? I have enough of each fabric to make any combination.

I haven't painted furniture in a long time but also know that the dark pieces aren't giving the room a fresh look that I would like. It's not a large space and just want it to be calm, soothing, and just a pleasant place to be!

Thanks in advance....I'm just OD-ing on decisions lately...WWYD?

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Comments (19)

tibbrix
9 years ago
My initial thoughts are that I'd use the sparkly fabric for the headboard and the patterned for the chair and bench cushions.

No bedskirt at all.

Definitely paint the furniture, although I think the chairs could stay. The '60's looking case, if you can take the boards off at the bottom that make it flush with the floor I think would update it a bit. And change the hardware on that one as well.

Wall color: BM Van Courtland Blue.

leave the blinds; maybe add just some sheer panels to soften the windows a bit.

Change the lamp shade to one more interesting.
sc_irish
9 years ago
Love the serenity of your colors and fabric selections. I do question, tho, the need for all the pieces of furniture - ie, the bench at the foot of the bed, the tufted green bench, plus the cute chair. I live by the 'keep it simple' when it comes to guest rooms. If that chair is covered with a needlepoint/petitepoint, do you really want to cover it?
As to fabric uses, my first thought would be roman shades and dust ruffle in the print. The neutral 'dot-dash' for the headboard. I would eliminate the bench at the foot of the bed (if you're thinking luggage stand, get a real one to store in closet until needed). Do you need two substantial mirrors in that small an area? LOVE the bedside table and would suggest hanging light sconces above each (thus leaving the top of the wall tables free for clock, quest's objects, etc).
You have a lovely start to a welcoming room.
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The travel distances in the kitchen are excessive and inefficient. You have created too many work counters too far apart for one person. I find your comment intriguing. You are clear in conveying the gist of your opinion but you've completely left out any reference to WHY you hold this opinion. Why are the travel distances in an 8x12 open space excessive and inefficient? Is there a kitchen designer's study which suggesst kitchen designers limit the point to point travel to less than 12'? Is that what you're basing your opinion on? As for the inefficiency, here too I'm lost. Efficiency is a concept related to productivity, at least when it refers to human labor. Most of the labor in a kitchen involves either work at the sink, fridge or stove. This kitchen design minimizes travel between these fixtures. To the right of the stove is 5'6" of counter space before the sink interupts the work space. Within easy reach of the fridge are two counters upon which I can place items removed from the fridge. In terms of labor productivity I think that the kitchen works efficiently. What are you seeing that I'm missing? On the side of the kitchen opposite the work triangle is the dishwasher and plenty of uninteruptted counterspace. This counterspace has a grain mill at the end, it allows for baking to take place without intruding on the work triangle, it allows for me to place 60 canning jars without worrying about crowding, it allows me to place any gadgets that I decide I simply must have. Now perhaps you're concluding that the space is being inefficiently used because it's not being used as centrally or as frequently as the space within the work triangle and if so, yes, I'll cop to that, it's not, but if this is the line of your criticism, then it should be the case that every kitchen that incorporates space outside of a work triangle is using space inefficiently. Rather than me guessing WHY you reach your conclusion it would help me to have you TELL me WHY. What would help me even more is a suggestion from you on what I should do differently. That would be golden. A statement that the layout is inefficient and excessive doesn't help me much at all. A better configuration is a double loaded work area with support elements either side like a pantry or pastry station that you would not use as often as the central area and appliances. What is a "double loaded work area" and how would 1 person use this work area efficiently? Other than the bar sink I have located in the area outside of the triangle, what else, specifically would you suggest be included to make my time in the kitchen proceed more efficiently? If you think the basic design, a G-Kitchen, is beyond salvage, what would you suggest replace that layout? The kitchen is overly generous with space, the stair is an overly grand staircase but the entrance is into a cramped back hall with far too many doors. The elements of the house seem oddly out of scale with each other. In another thread I wrote that I couldn't offer an informed critique of someone else's plan until I knew what was guiding their choices. In this thread, in my original post, I wrote the following: The requirements were: - Big kitchen, disproportionately so compared to the remainder of the rooms. So I find it odd that, after you chimed in and agreed with me in the other thread that you needed to know more about the other person's goals before you could offer feedback, that here, knowing that I want a large kitchen, your feedback to me is "The kitchen is overly generous with space." The entrace isn't into a "cramped back hall", it's into a "cramped vestibule." Most vestibules are cramped, it's kind of the nature of the beast, isn't it? I agree that there are too many doors. I've since remedied that by removing two doors, so now the vestibule has an entry door, a closet door and two glass doors leading into the home. I moved the powder room to the back of the home and created more landing space around the bottom of the stairs and I removed the closet door on the right side of the house, across from the stairs and I use that volume of enclosed wall for a built-in accessable from the living room. See below: The space at the center of the staircase is to be used by a curving masonry bench which forms part of the fireplace and which will retain some of the heat from the fireplace. I've experienced such benches in my travels in Europe and I really enjoyed curling up on them and reading, or napping, after coming inside from a cold day of skiing. The gentle radiative heat seeping into my bones was luxurious. I admit that the inclusion of this space now is a design compromise but it's one that I'm happy to make for it gives me a space that I will use, it creates more radiative mass into which heat can be stored and it's out of the ordinary. It wasn't a "must have" but as a space filler it hits the mark on a number of fronts, far better than how I see people fill up space in their homes with chairs of tables that will never be used. The space at the foot of the stairs is available for a table, art, a build-in of some sort. The space midway up the stairs allows for a shelf for a plant next to a window. The staircase is overly grand. I've been struggling with how to incorporate it without wasting a lot of space. It's been quite a struggle. If I did away with the curve and went to a simple straight staircase I could slice a 6'x 15' section off of the plans and make an even smaller home, thereby making the kitchen disprortionately larger in a smaller home. Look, my garage is 24x24, space for my truck, motorcycle,sports car plus room to spare at the front. I'll have a metal/wood workshop in a separate barn. I have a large kitchen. These are all spaces that are useful to me. My dining room is small because I don't have large family gatherings and when I have guests it is only every a handful of people, a lady friend over for dinner, a buddy over for beer and to watch a game, one or two couples over for an evening - there are no grand dinner parties where I have 20 people crammed into my house. The living room is primarily for my own use but has space for 6 people sitting around conversing - I don't need space for more people and I don't need space, like a family of six would, for 6 people doing their own things in the LR - when I have six people in that room, I can assure you that one won't be watching TV, while another is reading, while another is doing needlepoint, and while two others are playing Monopoly. In the basement will be the utility and laundry rooms. I'll have an endless pool down there, a sauna or possibly a steamroom, I haven't decided yet, as well as a workout room of some size, and open space for whatever may strike my fancy in the future. Upstairs will have two master suites and an office if I can squeeze it in and if not, no matter, I can do office work anywhere in the house because I don't have kids or a spouse to distract me, so I don't need to cocoon myself away to find a quiet space to work. The elements of the house seem oddly out of scale with each other. There is some truth to this. Large kitchen, large garage (considering many 2 car garages are 20x20 or thereabouts), large staircase, fair sized mastersuite, small dining room, small living room. I'm not sure what I should be doing about this though. Should I scale back all the large rooms where I want space or should I scale up the the LR/DR where I don't want space and should I make my mastersuite larger or smaller and should I do away with the secondary mastersuite which might be used by one of my parents at some point in the future if they move in? Any suggestions? Criticism is useful, to a degree, but what really helps people in the design phase are actual, concrete, suggestions and alternatives. As I noted in the thread title, fresh eyes and fresh ideas would help me a lot.
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The downstairs seems to have a pretty good layout, but the rooms -- if I'm reading the numbers correctly on the small plan -- are fairly compact. With only two of you in the house and only one possible child in the future, I wonder if you wouldn't be better served by fewer /larger rooms. I mean, you could use the un-used upstairs guest room as an office, and you could go with one nice-sized eating area instead of two cramped spaces. I would relocate the door to the screen porch. Once you have a table in place, you won't be able to reach it -- not without gymnastics to get around the table and chairs. The kitchen looks more than a little awkward -- it needs a whole re-do. It's a modest space, but it still could be laid out efficiently. I think it would work best as a simple galley -- two straight runs of cabinets on each side, and bring them a little closer together. A galley is also cheaper because you're not paying for complicated angled /corner cabinets. I like that the staircase has windows. The upstairs hall bath vanity is not large enough to support two sinks; and with NO storage in this bathroom, you'd be better off going with one sink and a small linen tower to one side. And given your circumstances, I would remove the door splitting the bathroom in two. I like the layout of the shower, but note that the toilet-in-a-closet door will cover the main bathroom door -- that's going to be a constant aggravation.
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I think it looks good but, of course, I couldn't help myself. I had to tweak some things. All are optional and your preferences matter more than mine except one. Most of us at GW consider that one, which I'll identify, very important. I didn't draw up changes on the second floor because I only saw one thing that I would change up there. I would put the door to the master bedroom closet on the far left side of that wall, right by the entrance door. If I needed to grab a sweater and had to run upstairs to do it, or whatever, I would appreciate not having to also run across the room and back. I hope I can remember all my tweaks: The red triangles are just saying NO to those small casements. They take up space and I just don't think they're necessary. And the one on the right might impact the idea of being able to put an additional table there blocking chairs or the ability to walk behind chairs and get out if you're sitting on that side. It may be OK but really think about it and measure well. I moved the front door back to directly at the base of the stairs. This will help with a feeling of spaciousness and ability to arrange furniture in the living room. I moved the door under the stairs back to the office. Again, for a feeling of more spaciousness in the living room and ability to move furniture around better. If you use a banquet table to extend your dining table, you may need to move some of the living room furniture up against that wall under the stairs. With a door there, it would look bad. And what if you need something in it? Because of moving the under-stairs door into the office, I made the door between office and kitchen swing the other way. Just because it seemed crowded, I erased the bookshelves (I think those were bookshelves, right?). Where it says recessed, I suggest you build recessed bookcases into the wall under the stairs. I think it will look quite interesting whether you go with an angled, gradually taller top stile or a stair-step style. (Hope that makes sense) It will give you more room and won't be so crowded for traffic walking through. All of those are just suggestions. This is the important one. IMPORTANT!! Really. I moved your DW to the other side of your sink. The main area for prepping is always going to be the counter between sink and cooktop. It's natural to prep there, efficient, and we all just naturally do that. If your DW is in that spot, nobody can load/empty the DW while you're prepping. You will effectively make it impossible for the kids to do kitchen chores while you're cooking. It makes your kitchen almost like a one-person kitchen. If you decide you want to do a bit of clean-up while prepping, you have to step back, open the door, close door, step forward to counter. With DW on the other side, you can leave it open while prepping so items can go directly into it. This keeps your kitchen much cleaner as it eliminates the step of piling things in the sink or on the counter and then moving it into the DW. So much more efficient! And, of course, allows something to load/unload while you're prepping. When it comes to storage, you'll want all the items you generally use to prep in the prep area. Moving the DW allows you to have an additional cabinet (hopefully a drawer stack) in your prep area. All your knives, gadgets, colanders, cutting boards, bowls, pots/pans, etc., should be able to fit in that area. That extra storage will make a huge difference in making that work. And now all your dishes, eating utensils, glassware, etc., should be able to fit in the cabinets in the peninsula to the right of the DW and you'll be right there standing next to where you store them. When the DW is open, it will probably be blocking the drawers immediately to the right of it on the peninsula. You will want to store lesser used items there. If you store your dishes and such there, you will have unload them onto the counter and then close the DW and move them into that cabinet. Annoying. I would probably put casseroles, baking pans, gadgets, and such that I only use occasionally there. Your items may vary but I'm sure you get my drift. I think your plan is shaping up nicely. I really like the pantry, closet and 3/4 bath area. And I really like how you just went to French Doors without the bay in the dining area. I tend to like bays but I think this will be a cleaner look and give you a bit more space. I think this is going to be a nice, comfortable layout and a house that's easy to live in. Let us know how things go once you sit down with the pros for blueprints and stuff. I'll be curious to see how it all turns out.
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I thought the last two plans have the back door in the kitchen. Anyway, here are all the proposed plans with traffic patterns, prep paths, and clean-up zones. The first plan posted (whether the peninsula moves forward or not) is the only one with an efficient prep flow and no traffic through any work zones. Traffic to the fridge wasn't included because most of the plans have a beverage fridge on the bar run. I doubt the peninsula will be used for prep since it has no prep sink, but I added a sink and the green lines to denote that layout. I also added them in the second plan, as another poster suggested, but because the island is a barrier, IMO the prep sink doesn't add to function--and would put the prep zone in the basement traffic path. Even without direct access to the back yard, the first plan would be my choice. BTW, if the peninsula is only 3' deep, the seating overhang will be only about 10" since you'll need to account for a front overhang and a back cover panel. The NKBA recommends a minimum 15" overhang for seating at counter height, so an extra 6" depth would be more comfortable and would take up some of the dreaded dead space.
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jjam
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks tibbrix and irish!

A few clarifications; paint color will stay. I agree that there may be too much furniture, so the bench at the end of the bed can go.

Also, don't need to cover/paint everything; just wondered which would be best do leave alone and which would benefit most from freshening up.

And yes, we plan to add wall mounted lamps.

Thank you for your thoughts so far!
jjam
Original Author
9 years ago
Oh, and one more thing, definitely need a bedskirt. We added bed risers to utilize storage under the bed and it needs to be hidden.

Also agree; one bench is enough. Do you think the one along the wall is right?
coll_123
9 years ago
Definitely paint the sixties looking piece under the mirror...that has potential to look very updated with some paint...maybe a gloss cream/ soft white?
jjam
Original Author
9 years ago
I just tried the linen dot-dash on the headboard, and it just kind of disappears on the wall. May not be a bad thing, but it definitely doesn't stand out.

coll, yes, I'm definitely leaning toward painting that piece; the finish is damaged anyway.

I also removed the chair and put the little bench in its place; already the room looks cleaner. Either piece; the chair or small bench, could stay, but not both.
coll_123
9 years ago
I was just going to ask you how that dot dash fabric looked against the wall color. I think the headboard needs to be darker or lighter than the wall...maybe just leave it as is and use the lighter fabrics on the bed.

I agree, you don't need just the chair and the bench. I would consider painting the chair if you keep that- I have seen a lot of chippendale style chairs like that painted lately. I don't think I'd paint the bench.
jjam
Original Author
9 years ago
thanks coll, the headboard is covered now in an olive microfiber; not my fave but it might be fine once everything else is in place.

Would you think the ticking stripe could work instead?
User
9 years ago
I love the wall color and your fabrics! Agree there is far too much furniture in the room. My opinions:

Would put the bench with high sides at the foot of the bed if and only if it is really sturdy.

Would take out the piece currently at the foot of the bed entirely.

Use only one of the wall hung tables and push bed closer to wall (leaving enough room to get in on that side and make bed).

Use other wall hung table under mirror. The rectangular piece under it now is not apropos of anything and I wouldn't use it, as they can't unpack in it and the shape/appearance is not pleasing. It also seems an impediment coming into the room.

Chair in opposite corner of room from current location, floor lamp beside it?

Headboard and small pillows in the second burlap-ish fabric
Roman shades in floral with that small strip of trim vertically along both sides
Would not do dust ruffle, not enough space
High sided bench in stripe
Chair in floral piped with aqua trim fabric.

Love all your choices!!!!!
jjam
Original Author
9 years ago
thanks so much kswl. I agree with so much of what you said. Unfortunately, the practicality of the situation interferes in a couple of instances.

DD requested that both she and her DH have a night table/surface, and that they have enough room to walk around the bed. We used to have things the way you suggested, with the bed closer to the window, but I can see why both of them would want a surface to set things down, etc.

A bedskirt is essential; storage under the bed is necessary and needs to be hidden.

DD also nixed the idea of the high sided bench at the end of the bed; thinking she or her DH would probably trip over it!

Agree also about the limited function of the rectangular piece; but it is there primarily because it is shallow; only 18" deep. Anything deeper isn't a possibility. It is a piece of my mom's that could be painted; but I'm still open to ditching it if I could find something else. DD also said she could use it as a place to do hair/makeup if we used the mirror there. It also does provide some storage; if we eliminate it there is nothing that could store anything in there except the closet.

Hence the reason for the larger bench; it could be used for setting down a suitcase or sitting down.

I really appreciate your ideas about how/where to use fabrics. The roman shades with trim are a definite; still up for debate would be the bedskirt, headboard (or leave that as is), and bench cushion.

I appreciate your thoughts and am somewhat encouraged that I may be on the right track.
coll_123
9 years ago
I like the idea of the ticking fabric on the headboard, but do you think the buttons would do weird things with the stripes? I don't know enough about tufted upholstery to know that- maybe google it and see if you can find an example of how that would look.

I agree that a chest of drawers would be more functional- but when I go to visit anyone I just use my suitcase as a portable drawer- I never unpack anything...I guess I am lazy that way!
tibbrix
9 years ago
that's why i suggested Van Courtland for the walls, in order to provide more contrast for the fabrics you've chosen!

If you're going to keep the wall color, then I'd pick different fabrics with more contrast to the wall, i.e.: go the opposite of what I had suggested re: the van courtland blue for the walls.

I'd keep both the bench and that little bench and remove the chairs. Put the long bench at the foot of the bed for people to sit on, and stick the little one a few inches from the wall in some spot for people to put their suitcases on.
jjam
Original Author
9 years ago
OK, tried a new piece in place of the vintage 60's cabinet.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

I think it's obviously better....will need to find something to replace it in my FR but the size is better in the BR too.

I also took out both the small bench and the chair. If I eliminate both of them I would be able to place folding luggage racks in their place and they would probably be more useful. I placed a small lamp on the wall mounted table just to add some light in the corner; hopefully when the wall mounted lamps are in it will look a little brighter.

Now, the question is, whether to leave the bench alone or cover it? I tried out a couple of fabrics; WDYT?

Current bench fabric:

{{!gwi}}

tweed style linen:

{{!gwi}}

ticking stripe:

{{!gwi}}

Then, if I figure out all of that, (with your help of course) the dust ruffle and headboard question should be a snap!
Thanks all.
jjam
Original Author
9 years ago
coll, agree about the tufting in the headboard interfering with stripes. If I used that I would just slipcover the headboard and use a solid piece. Also wondering if I use it for the bench if a solid cushion might be best.

WDYT?
User
9 years ago
I think you're making really good use of existing pieces and new finds to accommodate the people who will use the room--- that's not easy!

I'd use your floral fabric for the roman shades and bed skirt, if you plan to do a gathered dust skirt. If you use the stripe material, I would do a more tailored box pleated skirt and get inch or inch and a half grosgrain ribbon in the trim fabric aqua to run around the bottom of the skirt about an inch up from the hem. That is a nice detail that makes a huge difference in a bed skirt. And still use floral and trim fabric for roman shades.

If you keep the rectangular piece I would paint it, maybe a little bolder green (but not much) than the walls. It seems to suit the space size better than the one in the latest pic.
rgps
9 years ago
Like the furniture changes. I would leave the headboard and bench just as they are until you change out everything else. Then if it doesn't work you can change them out but I like the dark green in both pieces as they are. I think they will work with the new fabrics you have chosen.
voila
9 years ago
What are you using for a duvet cover and pillow shams? I have to admit that I'm sitting here giggling-your DD is married and gone, but is still dictating your home decorating. Yeah, I have a DD too. If she lives close, no need to sleep over. If she lives far away, she won't be back too often. I like kswl's idea to trim the striped fabric if you use it for the bed skirt. You need a little more blue in the room.
amykath
9 years ago
I would leave everything as you have it now, since you moved in the new storage piece. I would use the ticking stripe for the windows. Perhaps the same for the headboard. If you are wanting to use the floral fabric I would use it on the bedskirt. You do not have to upholster the headboard. I think it looks just fine as it is. I see no need to paint anything, unless you really want to.

I like the ticking stripe for the bench. Very nice room! I would be happy to stay at your house!
jjam
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks so much everyone. I decided to put the ticking stripe on the bench (upholsterer picked it up yesterday). He removed the seat entirely, leaving the frame here, so I could paint/distress it if I want. That's the only piece I would paint, and think it could look great if it had more of a grey/distressed finish. I haven't done that yet, and I know AS chalk paint is all the rage, but after browsing around a big flea mkt and consignment store last weekend, I was seeing that look over and over again.....some of it looked kind of cheap. So I'll think about that one before going forward. The look I would want is more of a grey weathered finish; (a la Restoration Hardware) and don't want it to look amateurish.

Also decided to go with the print on the roman shade and the bedskirt; then will use the nubby linen and stripe for accent pillows, cording, etc. I am going to start working on those projects today; or, at least, that is the plan, lol.

Voila, after reading one of my responses I see what you mean! But it honestly hasn't been like it may sound. One of the goals I had before beginning this project (revamping two daughter's rooms into guest rooms for them and their spouses) was to get their ideas and create a space where they would feel welcome and comfortable. Before getting started in this room, we had a large sleigh bed, tall bookshelves, a high backed bench, a large nightstand, and full drapes. Way too much oversized furniture, tons of books, memorabilia, etc., and no room for two people to organize their belongings and feel at home.

I recall many long drives to my mom's house (14 hours in a minivan with 3 kids) and while I treasure those visits; it was a little disheartening to arrive exhausted and stressed, to a room (my old BR) to share with DH that still had a small bed with a rock hard mattress, non working AC, dressers and other useless pieces stuffed with
extra clothing, etc. Don't get me wrong; We all loved my mom and still treasure each and every visit, but agree that it would have been nice to have a comfortable room.

My MIL, on the other hand, always had a welcoming and stress-free space, and that is what I would love to create.

Travel is harder than ever now, and I know when I arrive in someone's home I am grateful for every little detail devoted to our comfort! All of the kids were here last weekend and I asked for their ideas. I was happy they spoke up and let me know what was important to them.

I hope I didn't give the impression that DD was demanding certain things; it really wasn't that at all, just a conversation about what would make them comfortable. Most were suggestions, and of course they are happy with anything we do to create a pleasant space for them, as well as for anyone else who pays us a visit.

I'm encouraged and excited about the room so far and appreciate your comments and suggestions. Now to get started sewing......

Help with new guest room....some fresh eyes needed!

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