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Help me with my open floor plan - pic

13 years ago

My kitchen, dining, living area and front entrance are all very open to one another.

I am ready for a change!! I am open to all suggestions.... repaint, new lighting, new drapery, rugs, etc. The table and chairs will stay other than that what would you do with this space. I could never figure out what to do with the wall behind the sofa and the corner where the Christmas tree is currently.

The gigantic TV in the entertainment center will be going soon! My DH loves that hideous thing and has finally given in to replacing it! Yeah!! I can address that whole issue at a later time (2 competing focal points, entertainment center and FP) The current wall color in all rooms is BM Henderson Buff. Our floors are stained concrete (Coca Cola color). Thanks!

Comments (12)

donnawb
13 years ago
I think it is very pretty the way it is.
msrose
13 years ago
You say you're ready for a change, so is there a certain feeling you want the room to have. I think it's pretty the way it is, but I also understand the need for something different. Do you want to keep the warm feeling you have or are you wanting something more light and airy. I know I was into warm colors in the past and I just painted my house a warm color, but I'm really starting to love some of the softer colors. If you're not sure, start out by looking through magazines and websites and try to find something that you're drawn too.

BTW, do you have a closer picture of your tree? I was just at a Christmas store this weekend and was wondering if anyone ever decorates their tree like the ones you see on display. It looks like you did and it's gorgeous.

Laurie
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I appreciate your thoughts palimpset on the style of this. I'd never heard of contemporary rustic and had to do some googling. Terricks- THX!. I tried to get the images to come up like that without success so I had to do it the other way. Think it's my mac. Ok on your questions. I haven't really thought about budget. I'd like it done nicely and not too pricey. This is our last home so might as well have it the way I want it now rather than later. I think the carpet and vinyl kitchen floor are ok in color, and would go with light gray, and wear so I plan on keeping them for a few years. I'm going to have that gold carpet tack down strip replaced with a silver one. I wish they'd done turn and tuck but I'm guessing you can't go back and do that after it's cut, right? Anyone know? I wanted a vinyl kitchen floor anyway, tile is too cold and breaks dishes. I was wondering about 3 pendant lights hanging over the island between it and the couches., maybe the ones from menards that the glass shades can be changed to different colors for different seasons, moods. I was thinking about some rope lights, perhaps in a color, for uplighting on top of those kitchen cabs too. Not sure about they countertop. I like laminate, most folks here don't. If I change it it might be to wilsonart high def aeon in a steel color. Any thoughts? Too dark? I was thinking about modern looking swivel stools at the bar area. The kind with the center post instead of 4 legs. White might be best. I don't see a cheap gray. I don't have any furniture yet. So direction would be nice. There are 5 of us- all adult sized, no toddlers. and 2 cats, no dogs. After looking at the contemp rustic furniture on google images I thought this furniturerow "madagascar table" with the giant sturdy legs and some parsons chairs would be nice. What do you think? It even stores it's leaves inside. I would put that where the current dining table is. I was thinking about gettting a giant ficus tree - 1- or MAYBE 3 AND putting it / them around the dining table, maybe with uplights or twinkle lights, +/or maybe a light that looks like outside lighting ( a lamp post maybe) to give the dining area a mood. If you google it, what do you think of this table? The right look? It might be too dark. The closest store is an hour away. - But I'm not really keen on med. oak anyway, and would hate to buy more of it to go with this house. I think those ceiling fans running down the vault line look stupid. Don't you agree? My Dad thinks they are to keep the heat down and keep people warmer in the winter, yes, WINTER, and I told him, I am too cold to have a breeze in the winter. We never turn our fans on in the winter here. ... but then we've never had a high ceiling. What do you think we should do about those fans? If they were gone I could get a light fixture off center in the middle of the seating area. Perhaps in line with the fireplace. I found out yesterday the ugly brass inset in the fireplace can be painted with a high temp BLACK paint, and the ugly gray vents above it ( they look like black boxes in the pic) I plan to paint these vents the color of the stonework. I'm not sure about that knee wall. It's probably a good thing. Maybe if I painted it gray also. I see they have planters for live plants that fit over a rail ( intended for patios) and was thinking some on the rail upstairs ( the loft) and some on the knee wall might warm the spaces. What do you think? I think that "foyer" pendant light looks like it should be centered in front of the closet door rather than the start of the stairs What do you think? It could be a different light too. The coffee table we get should be turned to go parallel to fireplace. So should an area rug beneath it. ..and finally, I hate to be so long winded. * Puff, puff!* I wonder if there should be something up high between those triangle windows, to pull the eye up and give it a place to rest, or if that would just be overkill. It is so cool to have a vertical decoration option. I'd like to take advantage of that! Maybe a sconce light... ok, fill me in on my ideas and yours....I'm so grateful for any help. :) here's a hug in advance. karen
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If you don't get replies here, try the Home Decorating forum. This forum is more about the technicals. Good luck!
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Consider a privacy film for the door-the curtains take away from the pretty doors. I agree that the curtains are too stark. They're also too short and not full enough. If the curtains are 84", try 96" instead. Try to find something closer to the wall color. The gray, white and navy are a bit blah. Is there a color you like that you can add in with different pillows and a throw as suggested? I also agree that the coffee table is not quite right. I'd consider a round ottoman, maybe in leather, that you can add a tray to for drinks and a bit of decor. What is the distance inside the U shape? You could add a pretty demilune shaped table next to the door to ground the artwork. Maybe something like this with just a small lamp and pretty bowl. https://www.hayneedle.com/product/belham-living-james-half-round-mid-century-modern-sofa-table.cfm
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DO NOT paint that metal white. If they offer it in a satin finish go that route, but who's to say the bronze will not work. Picking lighting before you can "see" the space if very hard! I would hold off until very close to the end of the project.
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kristinekr
13 years ago
I think it looks great as it is. I have a similar color scheme in my open floor plan--golds and reds-. However, I too am tired of it and we are replacing windows, hardwoods, paint, and furniture. I have decided to go a little more modern with browns and burnt orange.

Maybe if you just want to change things up a bit, change out the rug to something a bit more contemporary. It looks like your furniture can go either way. You could also change out your curtains if you went with a different color scheme in the rug.

For behind the couch, you could get some long art work that comes in 4 canvas panels.

With a different rug, curtains and artwork, you will have a nice change. However, if you are tired of the red in the couch, you could always go with a leather sectional--I am partial to leather, which is why I suggest that. but, the couch looks good and can work with many different style.

Good luck! I find that I am at a standstill until I see some inspiration pics.
Susan
13 years ago
i like it too. though i'd move the couch in front of the sliders, and have the dog beds in front of the couch, off to the side a bit.
of course that assumes you're not using the door much.
i have forest green chenille upholstery on three pieces, with fall and hoilday accessories for winter. in summer i add bright floral slipcovers to two pieces, along with complimentary accessories again. keeps the room fresh i think, and i don't get as tired of my stuff as easily.
hth.
To Bro
Original Author
13 years ago
Fallingwaters - Ha Ha! I was hoping no one would notice the doggy pillows! I do normally keep their beds in a different area, I was trying to get them out of the picture.
The doors are actually two functional wooden doors that we don't use too often, just when I need to get something really large in or out of the house. When you say move the couch, do you mean position it or turn it so that the back side is facing the doors? Or are you suggesting I move it forward?

Kristinekr - I totally agree with you in regards to the changing of the rug. I feel like I have let too much red in! LOL! I love the color red, but it seems to have taken over. I think if I got rid of the majority of the red in the drapes and the rug it would make a big difference in the room.
User
13 years ago
I love the look you have going on in the first picture, with the dark furniture against the wall color and the red drapes. I agree with you about too much red on the other side of the room, red couch, red rug, red drapes. I would change out the rug for sure and leave the rest. It look lovely.
To Bro
Original Author
13 years ago
Forgot to ask... what do you think about painting the ceiling above my dining table? I need to add crown moulding within the trey but I was wondering what it would like if I painted it the same color as the walls or a contrasting color or maybe having it faux finished. Would I paint just the ceiling section or the sides within the trey as well?
To Bro
Original Author
13 years ago
Can someone suggest a rug or even a good website?
To Bro
Original Author
13 years ago
I would like to change the drapes in my dining room and I am having a hard time choosing a color. I thought that someone could offer some help, I may be overthinking this b/c its driving me crazy! I also think the drapery rod could be hung at least 4" higher and a couple inches further out on each side. I was considering changing the rod to a decorative dark colored wooden rod. What do you think? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Toni
Rutendo Rukunda
13 years ago
Your rooms are just so beautiful as is! I have no decorating advice but wanted you know that your rooms are gorgeous!
redecor8
13 years ago
Your rooms are beautiful, but I agree it's time for a change. I'd keep the red couch and dark wood furniture, repaint the walls in a warm grey and hang longer, fuller red curtains. Kind of "reinterpret" this look for your room:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6RuB-MyU_O4/SdWT3Umye3I/AAAAAAAAEn0/Gcq_9ea3UzQ/s800/m+design+living+room+grey+sofa+couch+red+drapes+curtains+brown+tree+wall+sticker+decal+african+table.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful:
holleygarden Zone 8, East Texas
13 years ago
You have a very pretty room. But I've been changing things up, and know how refreshing it can feel.

Is that a grey on the ceiling? I was thinking grey satin drapes, grey patterned pillows, and a new rug - yes, grey with red accents. I could see a rug with a more modern twist, if you're open to that.

Oh! And if it were me, I would paint the very top of the trey ceiling black.

Have fun redoing your room! You've got great taste - whatever you eventually decide, be sure to share with us. It's bound to be beautiful.

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