Downsized in real life. Update on my 1939 living room.
There are pros and cons to downsizing. After my husband died, I sold our 4,000 sf house. The expenses of running my half-size 1939 house are 1/3 of the cost, but the furniture given away, only to buy "right-sized" furniture has been a big lump to swallow.
I used what I could (furniture, art, etc) and purchased usable, livable items where needed. I donated more items last week, but I have still more items in one bedroom waiting a decision. I tried to consign many of these items, but the consignment stores didn't want antiques.
Anyway...I received a lot of help here, so this is an update.
The skinny (12x21) living room is divided into three areas.
1) Conversation area. I gave away the big screen TV after cutting my cable, so now my love seat is against the wall. Two chairs and a coffee table finish off the conversation area in the middle of the room. 8x10 rug. I'm still searching for the right piece for the mantel, so the too-small botanical is just to warm up the blank space. Those are original sculptures on each side of the botanical, so those are important to me.
2) Back wall -- library/secretary. My grandfather's antique pie safe serves as a bookcase, as it has done for me since I was a child. An old rush bench bridges over the necessary floor intake. The new secretary that I love to use -- closes up to cover my pieces of paper. A leather swivel stool is easy to keep out of the way.
3) Front wall -- this was a dilemma that wore me out until last winter when a friend was posting her jigsaw puzzles on FaceBook. I loved solving puzzles with my mother, so I dragged my antique English pub table down from storage and added two rattan chairs. I love this space! I use it for puzzles, dining, after tea, using my notebook computer, drawing with my granddaughter, and making jewelry.
The living room is quirky. The floors aren't level. There are heat vents in the walls. The paneling is solid wood, but too dead to refinish, so it was primed and painted SW Glass of Milk. The ceiling is SW Tidewater.
Original oil paintings on the front wall are landscapes, and "heavy" green, so I grouped those around the table, adding an original pottery piece (had for many years) on an antique pedestal that I've had for 20 years.
There are original water colors on the back wall -- one small one over each piece. Botanicals from the 1700s are on the wall beside the secretary. A newer mixed media piece is over the sofa.
I had tried small tables with the chairs, but it was too much "small stuff" but the coffee table is usable from all the upholstered pieces.
Windows are now covered with custom wood plantation shutters. That was done in April.
View from the front vestibule:
View from front of room to the back:
From the back of the room to the front:
View from sunroom door to front of house:
Mantel with original sculptures but needing artwork (there are many art walks coming up in November and I plan to hunt for something). The pottery pieces on the coffee table are also original, so those will remain.
It's taken 1.5 years too get to this point -- mixing up old with new. It's comfortable for me and my guests. Even without a TV, it is used a lot because my visitors and I don't watch TV together...that's in the kitchen lounge where my grandkids watch cartoon movies while I make Sunday pancakes for them.
Thanks for all the help over the years!
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Should I open up the wall between my living room and family room?
Comments (33)Ok I am back..... Wow, I just read thro' all the responses and you guys rock !!! I love this forum :))) So far the consensus seems to be to open it up. To answer some of your questions.... oakleyok: The rooms are small. LR is 13 x 18 and FR is 11 x 18. So if we open it up, it will prob. be around 24 x 18 which I think is a nice size....Not too big nor small... bumbledoodle & jan in wisconsin: Thanks for sharing :) I am glad you love the openess....Its very affirming. We currently have a full set of furniture in the LR(Sofa, loveseat, 2 chairs, coffee & end tables). In the FR, we have a loveseat, 3 accent chairs and the TV which is currently on a console. One wall in the FR is dominated by a brick fireplace, similar to the inspiration photo that I linked. So I guess we will have two separate seating areas, even if we open up the rooms. Prob. one will be near the fireplace and another TV watching area.... lynninnewmex, nanny2a & bronwynsmom: Yes, I def. plan to check with an architect if its a load bearing wall or not. I've read (in cote de texas's blog) that if you put in a doorway, it wouldn't cause an issue to the structure as opposed to removing the entire wall. Is this right?? palimpset & pps7: Thanks for letting me know that traditional homes have open architecture...I never knew that. I didn't grow up in this country, so a lot of it is new to me......Now I feel better that I won't be really messing up with the integrity of the house :) Scanmike: Thanks for sharing your pics. You have a beautiful home. I really love your sunroom..I wish I had one and also some new kittens :) susanilz: I think we'll be here for atleast the next 5 yrs...Maybe 10 yrs...I don't have the energy to move anytime soon...So I guess, it makes sense to make it into something functional for us.... vampiressrn: We don't entertain a lot...But def. a few times a year, we have large gatherings for 30+ ppl....Maybe we'll be more prone to entertaining with an open area...I am feeling really pressurized cos we're having a formal gathering of nearly 50 ppl...Its a prayer meeting, so everyone will be sitting together in the same space unlike a party where ppl can move around... Initially, I was considering putting in only a regular doorway (with a french door or pocket door). But after committing to hosting such a large gathering, I am really at a loss on how we're going to accomodate everyone. This was the trigger to everything..... jamaraz: Thanks for sharing your experience...I am scared about the unknowns...Sometimes I think I am opening up a can of worms :) monablair: I am not sure it would work for us. Like I said, the FR has a fireplace and has a very cozy vibe..Maybe I could place some seating around it and have some bookshelves against the adjacent wall to create like a reading/library room (similar to the little reading nook in Somethings gotta give)....I love my books :))) awm: Thats exactly the look I wanted initially. But somehow DH is against the idea of french doors or pocket doors. He wants a more open feel I don't know if I should really listen to him. He doesn't hang out obsessively in design forums like I do, KWIM :)) He's pretty clueless when it comes to design..... How wide do you think that opening is in the pic?? I initially did want doors. But I am not sure how wide the opening would be if we put in doors(like I said, we're trying to accomodate nearly 50 in one space) Also, with french doors, I am thinking if it will hamper the space/furniture placement when we open the door. tomorrowisanotherday: Yes, I really don't want to lose real estate value...I will have to somehow figure this out and make it work.... dlm: Thanks for sharing your pics :) Your french doors are so gorgeous...I don't have any in my home and I really love the look of one :( teaforwendy: We do have a door connecting the FR to the breakfast nook & kitchen. Its not as open as I would like it to be but I don't mind it too much for now...Maybe it could be a project for the future...... kjmama: Yes, we did talk before :) Infact, I searched and pulled up your thread yday to get more ideas. How's the doorway working for you?? Are you done with decorating? Any pics to share :) Please keep the ideas coming...Right now, I am def. leaning twds putting in a doorway...Our "handyman" is coming to take a look tomorrow...But I need to check with an architect about the load bearing aspect of it before we start on anything....Will keep you all updated and will also, try to figure out how to post pics meanwhile..... Thanks once again :)...See MoreLife update
Comments (27)Beverly, I send my deepest sympathy to you and your DH. I can relate as I lost my loving step-mother last Thanksgiving time after seeing her condition deteriorate. The loss is to we who live on as sometimes it is a blessing for those who are released from suffering. God Bless. Fondly Jayne...See MoreHow do I update these basement stairs that are right in my living room
Comments (12)We are going to be replacing the carpet since it looks HORRIBLE in real life. I’ve thought about different banisters or the glass look but worry about the dogs and kids. Paint is a good thought! I just feel like the current rails are bulky. I’ve also thought about closing it off completely with drywall but wasn’t sure how that would look. Thanks everyone!...See MoreGetting Started...Inspiration
Comments (16)I think your notion of investing in excellent foundational pieces for furnishing your new house is spot on. Naturally, over the years you and your family will evolve and want to incorporate new things and new ideas into your decor, a house grows with its inhabitants. But the basics need not change. Paint colors can change, art is added, cushions are swapped out, porcelain and ceramics can be added (or subtracted,) but the sofa, rug, dining table and chairs and bookcases need not change to my way of thinking. Pay attention to what you like in a house. See what you are consistently attracted to in your friends' interiors and in the work of designers you see in shelter magazines or books (I think there is too much uniformity/fashion in Houzz pictures for them to offer a reliable means of discerning what you like that has some permanence versus what you like that is current.) Speaking of current and fashionable, there is nothing wrong with incorporating some fashionable or trendy items in your decor. You must be judicious and thrifty with those kinds of buys since they are here today and gone tomorrow (and that cycle churns faster and faster theses days.) If I were starting out I would find the big basic pieces I liked best, paying close attention to what was available second hand so as to have as much money leftover for things I could not buy used (dining sets for example are abundant on CL and brown furniture is on the verge of coming back in from the cold.) Remember there is no need to stick to one style in your furnishings. Mixing high and low as well as old and new make a lively mix. Then I would look at beautiful fabrics and find one to serve as an inspiration for a color palette. From this fabric you can consider curtains and cushions. Oh, and I would look for a nice Persian rug (these need not match anything, they are a neutral background in traditional and transitional decor. They might work in modern settings as well depending on the pattern and color scheme.) This is such an exciting time for you. Do not feel rushed. Trust yourself and have a great time. PS When I mention dining sets on CL, I do not mean for you to buy a set of matching dining furniture. You can offer to buy the table or the chairs or the sideboard. As mentioned upthread, sets of furniture are somewhat of a no-no....See More
beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
6 years agoDYH thanked beckysharp Reinstate SW UnconditionallyDYH
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoIndigoRose -- the sunroom? vestibule? The sunroom is 8.5 x 18.5'. The vestibule is 9'10" x 5'6".
Linelle - here's the fireplace. It was red brick that someone painted black (not well) and had an old insert with not-code approved gas logs. I upgraded by using tile and black slate to cover the painted brick and pulled out the old insert and bought new logs. I have to open the flue to use the gas logs. There's no switch on the wall like new builds.
BTW -- The bronze frogs are by Tim Cotterill. Two of those (Social Climber and Show Off) were purchased on two different trips to California many years ago. The third (Jitterbug)was purchased at auction last year. The metal bird (now under a glass cloche) is Mullanium by Jim & Tori. I love their sculptures.
Here's the master bedroom, but I've removed (but, replaced only one) of those buffet lamps now. They were from our home library bookshelves in a Craftsman style house built in 2003. The nightstand on the left side is an antique oak washstand that my mother purchased when I was a kid. The nightstand on the other side, I purchased for the garden room at my previous home. The linen sheers are Pottery Barn. The roller woven shades from Country Curtains. The overhead fixture from Pottery Barn. The pillows are a mix collected over the years, some used at previous homes, some new. The duvet cover and shams are Woodland from Crate and Barrel. I think they still carry that -- I used this bedding at my previous home. The antique mezzotint on the wall, I purchased over 20 years ago from a local antique store. The shag rug is for my poodle to have something to jump onto. The chest of drawers is again part of the same bedroom set I purchased over 20 years ago. The bed is from Restoration Hardware and new to this house. That's a sleep number bed, purchase years ago, but my late husband and I didn't have a bed to dress it up.
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
6 years agoDYH thanked melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/DYH
6 years agoDYH
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoI FINALLY found the right rectangular lamp for my game table -- front of living room. This one is a better scale for my table. Taller/wider.
I needed rectangular to sit at the back -- because I use the table for coffee, puzzles, occasional meals, etc.
It's the Robert Abbey 'Duncan' lamp from Crate & Barrel. Expensive, but I caved in! It's brass with a cream shade. I like the open base since it's in front of a window.
DYH
6 years agobeckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
6 years agoDYH thanked beckysharp Reinstate SW UnconditionallyDYH
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real