Evolution of a Room, Need Advice Please (Pics)

norasnews

15 years ago

I am trying to decorate on an extreme budget.. reuse recycle repurpose, etc... I would love any and all comments..

Here is my living room:

It was like that for TWELVE years, until I inherited this furniture from my 94 year old aunt:

I had slipcovers made since I was not crazy about the fabric, and couldn't afford much. I used painter's dropcloths as the fabric:

I found the lamps at a thrift store, but did buy the shades.. they can be returned (not the bases, but they were not expensive... ) I found needle point pillow covers.. (very muted) at a thrift store,(for the chairs) and they are at the drycleaners.. the pillows on the coach are from TJ Maxx. Tags are still on, since I am incapable of making a decision!! Oh, and I have a plain sea grass rug on backorder from Ballards, so I brought the small patterned one down from my bedroom to see.. I may move that to the foyer, cause I kinda like it!

I would love opinions on what works and what doesn't and also any suggestions for the finishing touches.

Thanks a million for any advice! You all make this look so easy! It is so NOT easy for me. The "decorating" still needs to be done.

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Comments (59)

maddiemom6
15 years ago
It's a greal collection of pieces and you have brought the room a long way. What is the geneal use of the room? for me it's verging on that "nice" room that no one ever uses ( I grew up in a house like that).. If that is where you are going.. then great. I think it feels like a very proper *room*.

For me I would like it to feel a bit more used/inviting. I think the pillows will help but have you ever thought of floating the furniture more towards the middle of the room?.. centering them around a round upolstered ottoman/coffee table sort of set up?

I think the room has a great "warm" vibe working for it.. enhanse it with a luxury throw on one of the chairs and one for the sofa. It's looking good!

maddiemom
norasnews
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the ideas so far! I will try the skirted table between the two chairs and the plant in the corner.. I appreciate the compliments, but this really is a foreign language to me, and I REALLY need an interpreter..

Thanks for the ideas on how to hang the art, and yes, the sisal was just there to see what sisal/seagrass would look like. It sounds like most of you like the Karastan, which is interesting to me! It was a sound absorber in a empty room forever!

I love the photo gallery, and have many inspiration pictures but still can't easily think of/place the finishing touches...

It is definitely a more "proper" room, (thanks to Aunt Jane.. ) furniture really not my style, which is why I slipcovered them in painters dropcloth, in an attempt to make them less formal.. I thought sea grass would make it less formal as well, so we will see!!

One of my IRL friends told me the pillow looked "off"... the arm's too casual and the middle too fancy.. but maybe we just stared at it too long!!!! SHe also told me to add more chocolate brown somewhere else in the room...

TIA for your help.. I really appreciate the comments.
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neetsiepie
15 years ago
Love the slipcovers!!

Now, if this were my room, I'd mix it up a bit by moving the piano to the wall where the sofa is located. I'd put the chairs on the former piano wall and float the sofa across from them. So the windows would be to the right of the sofa.

Can the large round table be cut down? That'd make a great coffee table.

Leave the taller table/cabinet where it's at by the windows, but put a shorter lamp on it. Maybe put that lamp on the piano?? Use the two shorter tables on either side of the sofa, or one between the chairs and one to the side of the sofa. For a casual look, don't match your lamps to either side of the sofa...that makes it too formal IMO.

If you keep the room layout as is, move the tall table between the chairs over to the right of the sofa and move the small table currently in front of the sofa between the chairs. That lamp is way too high where it's at right now. I would still like to see that lamp on the piano, if it'll fit.

Love to see the seagrass rug. I personally like rug on rug, especially when they're so different.
loribee
15 years ago
Wow, what a glorious transformation! YES, swap the tables around and I too am eager to see how the small rug looks once it arrives. Kudos!
norasnews
Original Author
15 years ago
Just wanted to clarify.. I ordered a 9x12 seagrass ... it would actually replace the Karastan.. Although listening to your comments, the Karastan is not necessarily a problem.

The small sisal would either be layered over the sea grass, or moved to the foyer.

I brought it in to see what the lighter rug would look like, to help me decide whether or not to buy the 9x12....

I liked it with the dark wood pieces...

I see now that the tall green lamp is too tall, so hopefully moving the tables will help!

Also, and suggestions for decorative finishing touches??
redbazel
15 years ago
I think your room is coming together really well. The slipcovers are great and I like your Karastan rug.

Red
zipdee
15 years ago
I'm so impressed that you used painter's drop cloths for your slipcovers, they look awesome .. Well done!
k9arlene
15 years ago
Love what you've done with the furniture! I think I'd recover the piano bench with a different fabric. I also don't understand what people mean when they say to "float" the sofa. Where would it "float"?
dilly_dally
15 years ago
My first impression when seeing the room was "Wow". It has that 'shabby chic goes formal' look to it. I don't know why I like this room so much either. It has all the things that I personally do not care for, like an upright piano, ornate gold framed mirror, little decorator plates on the wall, oriental look rugs, but it all just comes together so nicely.

I love the sturdy white slipcovers on furniture with formal lines. Great idea. I like the light colored rug on the darker one. It brightens the space and balances the white furniture against the dark rug. The wall color is nice and bright yet warm and rich looking. The curtains are perfect. The long length looks elegant and the style is not too fussy.

Now, since you did ask for all opinions........one of the things that looks a bit 'off' is the fact that you have matching identical candlestick lamps on two wildly divergent table styles. The skirted table fills the empty corner in nicely but I would put the ceramic lamp on it, as it is bigger and fills the space better. Maybe add an accessory to the table. Less is more. Don't do a tablescape.

Remove the little lamp from the piano and put it where the ceramic lamp is now. A person should be able to operate a lamp while seated in the chair and the ceramic one is too high. The little one would work better. You still need a lower table between the chairs. How about keeping the higher table that is already against the wall there and adding a low wood table between the chairs for setting a book or drink? I know it sounds crazy to have a table in front of a table, but it can work in certain decor. It would give a 'tiered' table look and be functional. Stores actually sell tiered, nesting tables where they all match but finding something similar to the one you have against the wall and putting it in front of it would give that same look but with an eclectic quirkiness that the room already embraces.

I love how you added the subtle touch of soft blue to the room with the little ceramic figurine and in the paintings. They make the blue in the rug work. It's the "ten percent" in the 60/30/10 equation.

I like the small table used as a coffee table. I don't think you would want anything big in there to make it crowded and cluttered.

Are you going to hang the paintings on the wall or keep them set on the piano? If they are going to be left on the piano the wall needs a couple of other decor items.

All in all the room looks great. Really great.
johnatemp
15 years ago
Noranew, Your room looks great!! You have gotten great suggestions already. Please post pics when you change the tables. The painters drops cloths look great as slipcovers - what a great idea. I used linen drapes that I found on sale for slipcovers.

I like your Karastan rug in there. Yes, I could see the seagrass but unless it is wildly inexpensive I would save the $$ & use what you have.

I can't wait to see the needlepoint pillow covers on the chairs - bet they will look fab.

Smiles:)
norasnews
Original Author
15 years ago
Okay! I made the following changes:

o removed small piano lamp, and put in taller (ignore cord)
o switched tall table and round table (still need bottom table skirt, and wonder what you think of color of table topper)
o switched lamps
o switched plant to left corner of piano

Also: I took out the sisal.. and just left the Karastan (Oh, I had to water the plant, it is in the sink!!)

I will hang the pictures above the piano.. someone suggested the small one above the big one.. sounds good to me.
awm03
15 years ago
Painter's cloth for slip covers -- that is genius. I believe you've started a trend.

I'd like to see the smoky blue in the rug used for pillows or in some art work on the wall. It would add just a touch of color punch. Can the art work be rematted using some of the rug's blue? They look washed out in the general scheme, and adding a dark color matte would add a subtle accent.
User
15 years ago
I think I liked the round table better when it was in the corner. It seems too big there now and seems to take away from the beautiful chairs. I love your room!!!
squirrelheaven
15 years ago
I like the small table and large, green lamp between the chairs better, also. I think it looks great that way, actually.

I am dreaming of your luscious paint color, lol -- which one is it???
k9arlene
15 years ago
I'd put the round table back where it was. I'd use the current coffee table in between the 2 chairs with no lamp (the height is right for the chairs and for somebody to put a glass down on it). I'd put the matching lamp back on the round table and put the green lamp on the right side of the piano (that wall needs something substantial against it). I would then put the large picture over the piano, but not center it. Place it so that it is the same distance from the left end of the piano as the lamp is from the right end of the piano. This is what I have done in my home with my upright and it looks great and a tiny bit unexpected. I'd put the plant in the corner to the right of the piano -- probably directly on the floor. Find another place for the tall table that was originally in between the chairs. Recover the piano bench with the same fabric as the round table covering. Whewwwwww.
norasnews
Original Author
15 years ago
Wow.. I can't wait to try the changes.. I will post updated pics later. Thanks for ALL the comments.

Squirrel: The paint is circa 1996 honestly, a subtle wash and quite frankly I can't remember which of two options I went with.. I had two choices:

o Base Color Lighthouse Landing (1044)/ Wash: Sandy Brown (1046)
or
o Base Color: Navajo White with a wash of Blanched Almond.

But, I think Washes are out!!!! SO go figure.. it is so subtle you can hardly notice it.... and it goes well with my foyer of Deer Path (1047)
squirrelheaven
15 years ago
Ha! I didn't even notice it was a wash. Funny, it looks so obvious now. Maybe it was the nighttime viewing. Still looks very pretty and fresh. Thanks for the info : )
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
15 years ago
I do think the matching lamps need to flank the couch and not be separated. Will the plant get enough light in the corner? How about trying it on the large table by the window before you decide to move the table back to where it was? Putting the current coffee table between the two chairs with the ceramic lamp might also be a good idea. You're going to need a lamp there if someone wants to read. In order to give the room a kick I'd choose a modern coffee table, preferably with a glass top (you have enough wood in the room) and chrome or brass legs, but definitely an angular silhouette (rectangular still my preference)to give some eclecticism to the room. You can try Craig's List or E-bay to stay within budget. I really like the idea of keeping the two small wood tables flanking the couches, by the way. Can't wait to see more pictures.

Ingrid
susieq07
15 years ago
I do hope you plan to hang the pics. sitting on the piano? and the light is cute but way to tiny for there. slipcovers look wonderful!
stinkytufted
15 years ago
looks wonderful! is that a karastan sarouk design or real hand knotted?
dilly_dally
15 years ago
That table is too big for between the chairs and matching lamps should not be separated in a room. Maybe you can do with out it in the room. I was going to suggest like Ingrid did, a modern metal and glass coffee table, but you mentioned being on a really tight budget so I skipped the suggestion. But the current wood coffee table would look better in between the chairs than the big table and that give you an excuse to go thrift shopping for a coffee table when budget allows. No need to rush it.

Now that I see the whole plant in it's pot in the new photo I see that it needs a much bigger pot. The pot it is in, is way too tiny for such a large plant. It would look good to the right of the piano and set on the floor to fill in the space.
marisany
15 years ago
I am amazed at what you have done with this room! It's absolutely beautiful. I think the dropcloth slipcovers are the best idea I've seen in a while. I have only two suggestions. I like the palm plant in its original location near the entrance to the room, but I agree that that corner between the sofa and the piano needs a plant. Could you put a ficus tree there? Is there enough light?

My other suggestion is for a coffee table. Ingrid suggested a modern coffee table. I have the one in the link, and I love it. It was suggested to me for the same reason - my furniture is traditional, and I have Oriental rugs. This is the only modern piece I have.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pottery Barn Chloe coffee table
Kathleen McGuire
15 years ago
I agree with dilly. The round table seems to large and is not right between the two chairs. Can you use it in a different room? Matching lamps on either side of sofa. Small table in between chairs. Will the small print fit in between the windows. It might be a good place for it and would serve a purpose over the small table. Plant on right side of piano. And yes to a rectangular glass coffee table! Beautiful room!
robin_DC
15 years ago
Beautiful room! Could you find a second rectangular pillow like the one you have on the couch? If so, that shape would look better on the two armchairs, and then you could put the needlepoint covers on pillows for the sofa.

The other table looks better between the two chairs than the skirted table.

If budget allows, I'd actually remove the skirted table from the room, put the round table you're using as a coffee table there instead, put the table with two drawers (which is between the chairs on your 1st picture) on the piano-side of the sofa, and then get a small oval or rectangular coffee table to go in front of the sofa.
Valerie Noronha
15 years ago
You have a lovely room and I echo many of the above posters statements.

What does the round table look like without the tablecloth? It would be interesting to look into have it shortened so it could be used as a coffee table and then put the table you have there now between the two armchairs.

I love your sofa--both with and without with slipcovers, though with is nice as it's washable.

I also love the Karastan without the smaller rug on top, though your idea of a seagrass rug will give it a nice serene quality. Yours drapes are beautiful as well.

The lamps seem a tad tall, though--more like buffet lamps. Is there anyway to shorten them?
norasnews
Original Author
15 years ago
You all are great! Thanks so much for sharing your ideas.

The round table is a plywood round. so no go there.

I wonder if the side tables are too high, and maybe if that is throwing things off.. cause they were actually bedside tables, but I thought they were so pretty!

The rug reads: red sarouk, and def. does not look hand knotted.. I bought it at an estate sale years ago, (for sound absorption in the empty room) and thought it was a good deal.. for a wool rug.

I love the idea of a coffee table, and love the PB one posted, but I fear the space would get too crowded.. it is not a big space, and the furniture is very diminutive

Now I understand why magazines look so good.. I think some things are forgiven in a photograph! (Like my ugly fake plant in the corner.. )

I will hang the one watercolor above the piano, and the smaller one between the windows. They are pretty muted, and may look washed out as someone said.. and I will try the ceramic lamp on the piano too for kicks!
I will post more pics tonight.
Thanks
k9arlene
15 years ago
I personally don't think you need a coffee table either. It would definitely crowd the room too much. A room actually can be complete even without a coffee table.
norasnews
Original Author
15 years ago
Okay: Here are some more pics..

Former coffee table between 2 chairs, ceramic lamp on Piano

Ceramic lamp back between chairs.. and trying new lamp on piano.. not crazy about it..but I think I prefer lamp between chairs.

Small print hung way too high, having lamp helps but I didn't grab shot of that.. the fabric on chairs is the dining room chair material..... and the reason I was thinking of removing the karastan, cause I don't like them together....
User
15 years ago
Wow, very pretty room! My only suggestion is that I love that Karastan sarouk rug, and I would not that other rug on top of it - it looks kind of off to me.
k9arlene
15 years ago
Love the first new arrangement! I would move the ceramic lamp a little more to the left (it's too close to the edge) and move the picture a little to the left also. I'd take the plant off of the stand and just set it directly on the floor -- you don't need to see the whole thing. Again, I would suggest you get a lighter color fabric on the piano bench so it blends in more with the lighter color scheme. I'm inclined to go with the sea grass rug as I agree that your current rug doesn't fit with the dining room fabric. All in all, I think the room is coming along beautifully!
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
15 years ago
I like the first picture but without the small rug. To me the Oriental carpet with the white slipcovers looks chic and dramatic, something you'd see more in a magazine than in someone's room. It's fresh and beautiful, but of course you have to be happy with the final outcome.
marisany
15 years ago
I think the ceramic lamp is too big to be on top of the piano. I like it between the two chairs, but the shade looks too big to me. I'd prefer a smaller, flared shade. I love the large, dark rug in the room. It sets off the white furniture beautifully. Although I like the small rug, I don't like it on top of the other one. But I seem to remember that you were only trying to get an idea of how the similar rug you have backordered would look in the room? I vote for keeping the Oriental and cancelling the lighter rug.

I think the smaller lamp on the piano is too tall. Aren't piano lamps shorter, with long hoods to focus light on the music? I am looking for one myself at the moment.

You're right that my coffee table (the one I linked above, from Pottery Barn) is too large for your furniture. I'd forgotten how massive it is when I suggested it.

I can't see the DR chair fabric well enough to tell whether it clashes with the rug. But isn't the DR at some distance from the LR? The chairs would not be on the rug.
robin_DC
15 years ago
You've made a a great room even better! It looks much more open without anything in front of the sofa (I know I suggested a coffee table earlier but it's really not necessary especially if space is tight).

The ceramic lamp is attractive, but honestly seems too bulky for the room; I'd use it somewhere else in the house or return it. The thin lamp seems impractical for a piano. Something like this in a gold finish, or something similar with more of an arch to it, would be practical (if anyone ever uses the piano) and also should coordinate better with the other lamps.

Pottery barn:

{{!gwi}}

Lamps Plus (could replace the glass shade with something more neutral)
{{!gwi}}

Lamps Plus
{{!gwi}}{{!gwi}}
reno_fan
15 years ago
Honestly?

I think what you have to work with is absolutely stunning.

There's something about the room, however, that is uninviting, and I believe it's the furniture arrangement. The seating areas are too far apart.

I would love to see:

-The piano on the wall where the sofa is

-The chairs facing toward toward the former piano wall

-The sofa where the piano used to be

It's a variation on "floating" the furniture within the room. It could mean the difference between having a room with a beautiful elements, or having a beautiful room that beckons you to come in and sit down with a magazine or a friend.
reno_fan
15 years ago
Edited to add...... I meant that I'd like to see the sofa on the same side of the room as where the piano is, but moved in the room toward the chairs to create a conversation nook.

Did anyone save a picture of Zuzuspetals living room? It had a similar vibe, with chairs floating in the center of the room.

Zuzu???? Anyone??
reno_fan
15 years ago
This is not Zuzuspetals room, but it has the arrangement I'm referring to.

See how the cozy conversation area is smaller and inviting? I think you could have the exact feel in your lovely room. You certainly have all of the elements already there! (Oh how I *wish* any of my relatives would give me such great furniture!)
Kathleen McGuire
15 years ago
Reno has something there! I think the room would have more impact if, as reno suggests, the sofa and the beautiful arrangement above it, (which I love!) was the focal point! Right now, looking into the room, it is the piano. Yes, yes, yes, to switching the sofa and piano! I like the print between the two windows. Just lower it a little as your instinct already told you. :)
caminnc
15 years ago
nora, my living room is the same as yours. I have my sofa on the back wall. I don't have a piano but I have a large curio cabinet on the left where your sofa is now. I consider the back wall the focal wall, so the most important piece of furniture should be on that wall because it's the first thing you see. I would at least try it. Beautiful room. I like the first arragment the best so far.
careyjc
15 years ago
The most recent picture you posted was the best arrangment. Beautiful room!!!! The thing i would change would be to find some remnant fabric with the same colors as your rugs to cover your light colored pillows and two small rectangular "back" pillows for your side chairs in a color from your carpet would really pop some color into the room. The room is beautiful no matter if you do that or not.
dilly_dally
15 years ago
I like your original arrangement that highlights the piano.

This is not your primary living room is it? You say it was empty for twelve years so I am assuming your family already has a room for lounging around with the TV and causal hanging out stuff.

You just want a nice room that can be used occasionally as a getaway room in the house, right? You are on an extreme budget using what you have.

I liked the quirkiness the room had in the very first photo. It looked relaxing. Sure, maybe after living with it a while, you would want to tweak it a bit. (I think one of the lamps had to go.) But now you are getting all sorts of conflicting advice about room rearrangement and shopping tips to buy new stuff.

The room is turning blah. That little table in front of the couch looked fine as a tea table. It did not take up much space and had cute, curvy lines to it. Now in the new photos, it is scrunched between the chairs, and with the Early American look it has, being placed next to the traditional form that the chairs have, it makes the grouping look rather 'old lady-ish'.

The tall lamps on the piano now, do not look right at all. Pianos should not be "decorated" ever. If there must be a lamp on the piano for light while reading music, go back to the small one you had in the original photo if you cannot get ahold of a real piano lamp.

You've gotten some nice tips like putting a light print fabric on the piano bench and other tidbits.

I would take a deep breath and live the the room as you originally did it, for a while, before going and pushing the furniture around the room and rehanging all the wall art. You obviously have a great knack for putting things together and new ideas will come to you. Maybe you know of some pieces from other rooms that you could switch out in this room.
norasnews
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all the advice and opinions.. The piano was the only thing in there for 12 years, which is why we must have given it such a position of importance! And it really does get played!! There is NO WAY I can move that sucker anytime soon.. Maybe after the holidays I will give it a go!

I will not be buying anything else.. with the holidays and all.. PLUS I will be decorating for Christmas, doesn't that always make a room look prettier?

Hopefully I can still access this thread when I am ready to switch it around again!

And, I still haven't canceled the Ballard rug.. in my eye, a lighter sea grass will make it a little less grannyish and more funky...

Thanks for the help, and I will be posting foyer updates and DR soon!!
teacats
15 years ago
LOVE the green lamp (but with a smaller shade) between the chairs -- and the smaller table looks great there too!

Just put a book under the lamp on the skirted table -- and it will match the other one in visual height!

And the smaller artwork looks nice between the windows!

Well done!
mom2lilenj
15 years ago
I'm not good at this stuff, so I like to lurk here to gain some insight into how to make things work. In anycase I think the piano should remain the focus of the room if it gets played. To me it looks like a music/sitting room and with the piano being the focus it encourages it to be played more.
annzgw
15 years ago
Glad to hear you're keeping the Ballard rug. When I saw the pic where you removed the lighter rug from the room, IMO, the feel of the room just kinda went 'dead'.

Since your room doesn't have any other exits for flow, I think the piano makes a great focal point in its current location.

To find your post in the future, click on 'clippings' to the right of your post and then select 'save it to your clippings'. Or, just start a new thread titled Update to Evolution of a Room'.
roguevalley
15 years ago
I have to agree with annz, that the lighter rug just does something wonderful to your room - it looks so happy. I know nothing about the proper size rug for a room - but I sure do like the lighter over the darker.
lizzie_grow
15 years ago
Nora,
I am such a big fan of using what you have & occasionally moving or tweaking things. I actually loved the room in your original photo. I am going to try & copy your slipcover idea on a chair we have in our bedroom...SO clever & attractive.

Trust yourself, because we all have different ideas, and I think this room as it originally was shows you have great instincts!
roguevalley
15 years ago
Rereading my post, I have to clarify that I like the lighter rug instead of the darker. Not on top of it. :) I have to comment on those slipcovers - they are incredible! I'm looking around to see if I have anything I can slipcover with painter's dropcloths.
k9arlene
15 years ago
Did you just go to a paint store to get the drop cloths?
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
15 years ago
I like the piano where it is. It's the visual weight of the piece that grounds the room. The white pieces flanking the piano line the walls and bring you in. I like the light on the piano also.
I found the two rugs very interesting, (the addition of pattern in particular) however, I could see perhaps someone tripping over them. You've done a beautiful job with everything- just keep going with your gut!
marisany
15 years ago
I have been advocating for the dark Oriental rug and against the light rug, but after reading annz' latest post, I took a look at the two photos in the second set in the thread, and saw that, indeed, removing the lighter rug did make the room "go dead." Somehow the light rug on the floor lifts the room, the dark rug alone makes it sink. So I am changing my vote to using the Ballard rug. That is a larger rug than the one you tried above, right?

I am also wondering about the drop-cloth slipcovers. Those are dropcloths from the paint store? If so, this absolutely has to be the cheapest source of fabric ever! I think this idea deserves its own thread.