I've noticed you haven't yet received any replies. You've said you're after "dreamy, abc meets beachy meets vintage ethnic bourgeois bohemian" and I wonder if many are having a little difficulty figuring out exactly what you like.

What is "abc"?

It would be helpful if you could include some inspiration photos. There thousands on Houzz. Maybe then others will pick up the challenge and help you out.

Thanks writersblock.

Well I am a bit overwhelmed because that's a lot of info..and variables. Some things-very important ones-like alcove benches and the build-in-are supposed to be in the room in the future, but they are not there yet.

I think it must be very overwhelming to figure out all the purchases when these elements are not in the room.

When they are planned to be installed?

If anything I'd try not to rush things. For example a rug. You should love it. It should call your name like crazy. I think. When you see a rug like that-then you buy it. And base the future decisions on it, to some extent.

I like your colors..)) I wouldn't worry about having only 3 colors. It s a very general guideline. 3 to 5 main colors in a space. It does help tremendously of course but every color has different shades too...it's never very strict otherwise it'd feel too flat...

Yes thank you @writersblock. Exactly, ABC is ABC Carpet & Home located in NYC. It is like Disney for the rich and for years they had a dreamy, pastel orientated/ethnic aesthetic which is exactly what I am looking for. I appreciate the suggestions @Linelle and @aprileneverends- I will post some more photos as I am also a bit apprehensive about the layout of the room.

You are right, @aprilneverends. The problem is with my little ones my floors are getting demolished! So I feel I need some rugs to save them in a sense.

For some reason, I'm getting this kind of vibe for you:

http://chicago.curbed.com/2016/4/4/11364538/fulton-river-district-apartment-house-calls-chicago

"Half of it has windows which look out onto the water."

sounds divine!

I'd move toward the beach house end of the spectrum; let the water be the star of your show.

best way to achieve arty/bohemian is, I think, to not "design" too precisely.

Don't overthink it, let your right brain off its leash, live with the space before you commit resources...

Since you're a designer by trade, in a field in which things must be fitted & matched to a very tiny scale, this may be where you both use your training...& turn your training on its head.

I my own self would look in antique stores, secondhand shops, craigslist, & estate sales, looking for things that can be adapted & re-purposed (there's a great thread called "Table. Talk Me Out Of It" that shows a wonderful, multi-possibilities table.)

You can get rugs that will stand up to kids & other heavy traffic at trade days & flea markets;

use them to protect the floors for now, & move them to other areas when you find the "right" rugs for the living spaces.

Pink, blue, & a splash of purple will be gorgeous, calm & soothing, in a beach-type setting, but with gray & white for background you could go with warm vibrant colors too, like green, orange, & yellow, for a more energetic mood.

Lots of big plants indoors always make a room fresh & happy, but it might not be practical with wood floors.

Have fun!

tie dye aqua rug by jaipurYes, in some ways chjjim.

Maybe I should ask a more direct question. I am love w this rug to your point @aprilneverends. Do you think a rug like this is a mistake/do you like it in the space? Feels very aquatic...

I am fine to wait for a rug and buy furniture as I find it. But I am also not ready to invest in a much more expensive rug because of my family and will not be for at least 5 years . THANK YOU!

or something like this instead

@sylviatexas1 thank you!

I think I am the type to need to cross stuff off and getting a few pieces for this space is on the to do list. As you see I definitely would like to give a partial beachy feel. I agree about about the rugs. I am going frugal now and down the line I may replace them. But I want to get furniture I won't want to replace so quickly like the chairs for the round table and chair and a half if I go that route. I am having trouble picking colors as I do want a tight color scheme with a bohemian vibe. Funny but exactly like the jewelry I design.

The layout itself is presenting challenges as i see a streamline pattern through the center but do not think it has the width.

Thanks!!!

I like the chairs you posted and I like the aqua rug a lot but I'm not sure about them together also the aqua rug shows much differently in the link vs the picture you just posted and I prefer the look it has in the link, richer color it seems. The room layout has me confused also and I'm not sure if 5x8 is large enough?

Disclaimer: in no way I am an expert in rugs. The ones that call my name-don't add "And I'll come free of charge to you")) So they continue to call while I'm still rug-less))

I also get it's a big purchase..from all standpoints. These always give me cold feet.

It's hard for me to say whether the measurements gonna work (even though I looked the dimensions up-it's a pretty big rug). It's hard for me to say what I think about the upkeep-will it be easy to clean, will it not?..Will you need the rug pad to keep it into place? Will you need to protect it more than you'd like?

The only thing I can say-when you madly love something it usually turns to be n o t a mistake. When you have to settle for something, for functionality etc.-then yes, it can turn out great-or not that great.

I like both rugs, the second one is probably more up my alley-but it shouldn't influence you. It's your home. The first rug does have extremely happy vibe about it. It will also work with an array of colors: pinks, lilacs, all shades of blue, greens, fresh and sunny yellows. And of course white-which you'll have in abundance, as soon as your shelves are installed.

Have you ever looked at Amber Interiors blog? Or portfolio? DD2 loves her style and recently remodeled her MBR. She bought bed, dresser and floor mirror at West Elm. Pillows on etsy. Bedding from Parachute.

@mommyjoy you are right. I will be ordering an 8 x 10 which I found online for the same price as the 5 x 8! I don't want the rug to cover all of the floors but create "an area". So you do not love the aqua rug and the blush chairs together? To me that feels like a bohemian combo…which is what I am going for! I actually also found nice "louis style" chairs on RHteen! They seem to be the same size and the pricing is better as are the colors for my room! I still do like the beachy feel of the World Market link chairs. I just don't want the room to end up feeling like a mish bash. I want a very tightly put together look color wise without being too classic or stuffy.

I also need to make a decision on whether I keep that CB2 compass table. I have 1 week left! I cannot decide if it is too big for the space. A smaller tulip table could be an option but like @sylviatexas1 said perhaps I should look for a vintage round table.

LOL @aprilneverends I totally agree with you!! I think that is where the nerves come in because I am on a budget but still do want to put some pieces in the room. I'd buy a 10,000 rug if those were the ones that screamed at me. Who knows when I will have that kind of money to drop on a rug and I'd rather save it to build the wall unit/fireplace and benches in the alcove(which will be built when we save the money).

@allison0704 no I have not seen Amber Interiors blog or Portfolio but I will surely take a look.

Hopefully I will make progress soon.

Thanks!

I think I figured out what was bothering me about that rug(other than the 5x8 size since you found a larger one) you have gone pretty far towards the pink/purple vintage glam? side of things to this point and the aqua rug needs some more beachy or blue items mixed in to balance it. I think even just a few accessories being changed could make a big difference, like the small table and flowers here, if it was possibly white and/or beachy with an aqua something on it could change the whole look of this area. Not great pictures I made of course just trying to show my thoughts. Also I am nothing even close to a designer of anything, just trying to give others an extra opinion when it's wanted, I'm sure your space will turn out beautifully.

I think if you love the blue and white rug then you should go for it. I think it can all blend in just fine. As said just add a few bits of that same or similar blue here and there. Your room is already lovely. Can't wait to see the final product!

Thank you for doing those images @mommyjoy!!! They are so lovely looking and I agree once some of the larger elements(rugs, furniture) are in place I will use accessories to tie it together. @aktillery9 I do love the rug but it may turn out to not work so great.

I have a round rug if you can see in the wide angle image that is grey and purple with a vintage feel. When I think about the rugs together it makes no sense but when I see them next to one another I think they do work. Hopefully it does work as @mommyjoy said there is a vintage theme going on too.

Next up is my floor plan! In looking at the room do any of you have ideas for how it should flow and how the placement should go? As I wrote it is a bit of a challenge, large room but not huge, not super narrow but not wide with walls of windows looking at the water and that alcove. I can take more photos if that would help any of you help me!

Thanks!

How would it look/work if you moved the couch so it is facing the tv and makes a sort of two areas in the room?

@aktillery9

We tried that but to the left of the tv is the kitchen and because the room isn't super wide the traffic flow doesn't work and it also looks a bit funny because of the opening to the kitchen. It's a tough room for me but I know it could be beautiful!!!! I keep going back and forth on whether to seek a designer but it's not really in my budget!

thank you!

It is already beautiful room..no worries. It's easy to spot the room with potential))

Did they bring you that TV? Can you take a pic of the wall where the TV is, when you have time?

Also, can you take more pics, just going around the room, or even draw a scheme..very schematic..so we're able to see the space as a whole?

Also-which items definitely stay, which-are not, which-you're not sure about?..

Thanks @aprilneverends!

Yes I have the TV. Here are some more images. Perhaps this helps. I can also draw something up as well.

The white table is a maybe I need a table there but not sure if it is that table. The grayish cabinet under the TV will go to the back of the room where the whitefish chinese style cabinet is. The whitefish cabinet will be gone. The blue stools will be reupholstered or replaced and perhaps put somewhere else in the room. Everything else stays.

Thank you!

Thanks! Things start clearing up

The white table-who uses it mostly, you, the kids, all of you?...