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Updating 10 year old condo

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hey, I'm new to this website but really impressed with the content and the ideas the community comes up with. I recently bought a condo and would like to freshen it up a bit before moving in. I like a modern style and would like to repaint, replace the counter top and bedroom carpets but am having a hard time deciding on specifics beyond likely a white and black spec countertop (though thats up for recommendations too!).

Beyond that I'm having a hard time deciding on a layout for the living room furniture. The living room is 17 feet long and when placing the sectional on the back wall I'm left with a pretty far distance to the tv wall and basically half the space empty as shown in the rendering.

Real pictures and floor plan saved here:

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

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it'sALLart
6 years ago
The rendering is a little "off".... that island is (in reality) connected on one end (peninsula) and there are fixtures above it... is that all going to change? It's hard to get an idea of what is really going to happen here, so therefore hard to give any suggestions about furnishings.
Zay Riddleq
Original Author
6 years ago
To clarify, the rendering was just put together quickly to get some ideas spatially regarding furniture placement, I realize its missing finer details (and has 2 sinks!).

Again I'd appreciate any paint recommendations more so based off the actual pictures I linked. It seems like shades of white are the most modern these days...
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Your cabinets are quite beautiful. Overall, the existing kitchen has very nice finishes. The main thing that I see about your dream kitchen is light, light, and more light -- and more space. You could have the cabinets painted a white or pale color, a shade that compliments the counters, but I would be reluctant to cover that beautiful finish (and I have painted cabinets). I don't think knocking down the wall will really give you either, although a wider entry into the kitchen would be a plus. Also, I don't see what new appliances would do for your goal. I would at the least shorten the island to allow more movement in the main kitchen area. Perhaps it could be removed entirely and partly re-used to create a short peninsula at the breakfast nook end, which would save some storage. If you want more "flow" from the family room, even if you knock down the wall, you have a bottleneck with the island and narrow aisles -- if you are hoping to have guests in the kitchen, I think you will need to completely re-design the layout. We have had some talented amateurs here in the past who will help with innovative ideas, so you should consider starting a thread with your house plan. Be sure to look at the "read me first" topic. The floor is beautiful too but I think, with the cabs, adds to the "closed in" feeling. If you make any change to the island or wall, you will have to do some patching in of flooring -- so maybe just changing to something lighter would be a good move. Likewise, the counters are beautiful, but add to the almost monotone feeling. Keep them if you paint the cabs, change to a light/white if you don't. Can you enlarge the window? or add one?
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Maria Privat
6 years ago
Sorry, can't help here. When trying to look at your pictures, it's impossible not to notice the junk they are surrounded by. Nasty surprise.

Are you aware of the adultrous invitations one gets? If yes, you do not deserve my answer. If no, you will quickly just normally upload the photos in Houzz.
Zay Riddleq
Original Author
6 years ago

Sorry about the initial link.
Maria Privat
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thank you Zay, that helps. Nice place you've got.

I understand the problem you have with the living room area. Have you though of putting half a wall in between, to place your TV there? That can be a wall on four wheels though. And doesn't have to be higher than 4-5 feet. Like you created your very own media console. On the back side you can create your very own cabinets or side table. Opposite on the wall you have space for a small but wide bookcase. Of course you can also hang up some nice piece(s) of art. It might be fun to let that continue all the way to the wall where the dining table will be. Or you can have only art at the dining table area and still go for the bookcase...

Maybe you are into sports? Hang up sport materials as art. Or music? Hang up musical art. Of all the walls in your condo these walls are suited most (together with the long wall for the 'pocket office') for a contrasting color and/or material.

You can place the tailor made media console close to the door to the outside. In that case you do keep the space open, but your TV is not too far from your sectional on the back glass wall. With a nice big rug everything in the living area will look in place.

Are you keeping that mirror on the bar wall to the kitchen? Looks like half of a ballet class to me now...

If you like the open kitchen, than fine. If you however don't appreciate watching stuff pile up there, you could place a backsplash there, be it not even a foot high. you can still use the bar, if you provide a small extra counter top and high stools. Like this:

Hope that helps. Have fun decorating!

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