Designing Living Room & Dining Room. Dilema #1: The Fireplace Wall.
We've been in our cottage for 6 1/2 years. We did a quick update of the bathroom, changed the windows, exterior doors, siding, shingles, and have most of the landscaping finished.
As we move toward the cooler months, I'm starting to put together plans for updating the living room and dining room. Before creating the floor plans, I need the actual room dimensions.
My Dilema #1: The Fireplace Wall. Initially, since we didn't like the fireplace, and we had always liked the look of built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace, my husband changed the entire wall. Over time, I've found that looking at books makes me think about dusting (an unpleasant thought). And, regardless of the mantle's décor, the focal point continues to be the books.
So, here are pictures of the current Fireplace Wall AND the Options that I'm considering. What say ye, 'Houzzers'?
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Actual I. Changing the Fireplace Wall - 2006:
Actual II. Fireplace Wall Completed:
Actual III. Fireplace Wall Christmas 2011:
Actual IV. Fireplace Wall Christmas 2010 :
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Option 1: Stay With The Books. The mantle décor is the problem. Suggestions for Mantle???
Option 2a. Example: Remove the Books, And Restyle the Shelves.
Option 2b. Example: Remove the Books, And Restyle the Shelves.
Option 2c. Example: Remove the Books, And Restyle the Shelves.
Option 4. Example: Remove the High Shelves & Rebuild With Medium Height Shelves.
Option 5. Example: Completely Remove the Shelves & Cabinets to Open the Space.
Thank you!
Comments (1.2K)
lessismoore
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
drdeb1234
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Kitchen/living room/dining room floorplan design
Comments (9)I like both Rebunky's and MG's ideas. If you don't want a full banquette, you could still have a window seat and then a dining room table. We had a Craftsman home once and, in addition to dividers between dining and living similar to what MG shared, we had a window seat in the dining room plus wainscot in the dining area in Craftsman-style (not beadboard) with nice, wide moldings at the top to create the plate rail. That and your trim on your doors/windows should easily keep the Craftsman details you love. Of course, I realize that all Craftsman moldings probably aren't the same but we were able to recreate our moldings in a family room addition using various pieces of readily available moldings from HD. I would just add that, imho, if you end up having the w/d in the kitchen, I really don't see the problem with that. I wish I had a picture to share but I someone who has a w/d, side by side, not stacked, in their kitchen behind bookcase doors built on strong piano hinges. The door glide easily and she had some books and pretties displayed. Most of the pretties had museum gel to help hold them in place. She does laundry regularly so the clothes are loaded, washed, folded and put away without laundry piling up. Without a laundry room, you would need to do that in order to not create a mess area. If that's your style, it could work well for you....See MoreLiving Room Design Dilema
Comments (3)What you would like to see when you sitting on sofa? Probably outside not barn doors to the bathroom. I would just suggest moving sofa away from wall. Also you need to consider traffic patterns and make sure people don't need to jump over coffee table to get to bedroom....See MoreLiving Room Design Dilema
Comments (9)Yes, first find an area rug you love. Oriental or transitional Oriental rugs might be an option since they give a warm feeling and will go well with your floor. Remove the blinds and find curtains close to the color of the walls in a thicker fabric. Place the couch under the window and place each chair fairly close to the couch at right angles to it on either end. Find a rectangular metal and glass coffee table and some wooden end tables and beautiful lamps for each end of the couch. You don't want to have the same style or material for the coffee table and end tables. You now have a conversation group that will leave plenty of space along one end of the room to walk to the bedrooms without intruding into the conversation area. You can place a short bookcase on the now empty wall opposite to the window wall with a painting above it. With the couch having such high sides, which can seem closed-off and almost forbidding, I would use different chairs that have low arms in a lighter fabric than the couch. Consider a ligh tan/beige color to make this space seem friendlier and more welcoming. You could even consider yellow chairs for more impact, as long as they harmonize with the rug color. Look for pillows in colors taken from the rug, concentrating on light or warm colors. Your yellow pillows would work well on the couch if you choose yellow or gold chairs. I hope some of these ideas work for you....See Moreopen concept dining / living room dilema
Comments (3)Hi Pamela! I would check out CB2 for dining furniture. They have really stepped up their game lately, and I feel like their modern designs will compliment your living room. They are also super affordable! Another suggestion...you got to paint those walls! I'm sorry but that yellow does not want to live with your pretty living room furniture. And window treatments can totally soften the whole space too! Check out Jenny Komenda from Little Green Notebook. She makes Ikea drapes look like custom! Good luck. :)...See Morelessismoore
8 years ago
Linda
8 years ago
stryker
8 years ago
avery2pt0
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoavery2pt0
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agolessismoore
8 years agoLinda
8 years agodrdeb1234
8 years ago
indomom
8 years agoK 2
8 years agoK 2
8 years agoK 2
8 years agoK 2
8 years ago@Natalie, if you have the time and inclination, will you please consider a paint palette for the living room and dining room.
I need colours for (prefer Benjamin Moore) --+ Walls: Living room and above chair rail in dining room;
+ Trim: below chair rail in dining room, 10" baseboard both rooms, plus ceiling molding in both living room and dining room;
+ Ceiling: in living room and dining room.
If it's prudent to choose the sofa and curtains first, please advise.
Main influences for colour choice:+ area carpet and wall tapestry;
+ there is a pink tint in florals on both pieces.
8 - Bought for Living Room · More Info
The Living Tree 53" High Wall Tapestry · More InfoK 2
8 years ago
Natalie
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoK---
Here's some colors I think would work well with your furnishings and hardwoods. I recommend picking up 3-5 paint chips of each color and tape like colors together to determine which hue(s) look best in your spaces. Once you choose the colors, I can suggest a white for your trim and ceilings throughout. Hope this is helpful. :))
K 2 thanked Nataliestryker
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoK 2
8 years agoK 2
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoK 2
8 years agolessismoore
8 years ago
babophz
8 years agostryker
8 years agoNatalie
8 years ago
kaywestmaas
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agostryker
8 years agolessismoore
8 years agoHere is the sofa in the fabric you mentioned. I looks like it would "go" but if not, they have a huge selection of fabric ... if you like the style, you are not limited to this one!
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8 years agoUser
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agofelizlady
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8 years agobabophz
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8 years agobabophz
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8 years agoLinda
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8 years ago
PROMogul Interior
7 years agoYou could also add vintage furniture into your living room. [Traditional Hand Carved Wooden Storage Cabinet[(https://www.houzz.com/products/vintage-sideboard-traditional-hand-carved-wooden-storage-cabinate-prvw-vr~43426318)
sheilaskb
4 years ago
Bette P