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Home Decorating Furniture Design Dilemma

Awkward Room in Entry

6 years ago

Hello!! We are moving into a new home at the end of the month. The downstairs is SUPER open, which I love. The kitchen flows into the dining which flows into the living room, and I love that, but decorating is going to prove difficult - especially for someone like myself with little decorating ability. I need some help / ideas for how I should decorate a somewhat awkward part of this big open space. The kitchen, dining, and living are basically all one big room, and then theres a room, sort of by the front door - could be the entry way? Current owners have it setup with a piano in it, which is perfect, but we don't have a piano, so thinking a sitting room? Any suggestions would be AWESOME! See pictures - its the room with the piano currently (last picture uploaded). All the stuff in these photos belongs to previous owners, so we are starting fresh.

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Patricia Colwell Consulting

6 years ago

Please do not put your T.V above the fireplace when you move in . I agree pics and a floor plan when you are in.

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Comments (10)

LittleDesigner16
6 years ago
Hi! Glad I am the first to comment :)) I am not a professional but I do have some opinions fore your house
LittleDesigner16
6 years ago
Your kitchen looks stunning to me, though a flower pot to draw the eye would work finely in that space
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As others said, I can't really tell what's going on in that space from those two pictures. But in general, it's good to put an entry table or piece of furniture in an entry way. It's also good to hang a mirror over it. A lamp is nice as well. And yes, you should extend the wood flooring if you can. But to me that table looks too short for that space.
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Yes, do what I did not do, pull the doors and then store them somewhere if you ever want to sell the house. IMHO, a round table, in front of the fireplace but moved out a bit so you can get around it, will look cozy and suit your daily needs. It's quite common in Victorian or European homes. You can expand when you have company. There's nothing wrong with people coming right into your house. You only open and close the door when they come and leave. The only thing to plan for is the dirt that will track in. With your hardwood floors, you're at an advantage compared to someone who had carpet. Here's a photo from the Pottery Barn web site. The table is even on sale now. They show it on the web page also matched with chairs similar to yours. Note: I don't have any affiliation with PB, it's just an example of what's out there. You could even get a little tea cart to put between the two chairs under the stairwell, and roll it to where it is needed for meals. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/tivoli-round-extending-pedestal-dining-table/?pkey=cround-tables&isx=0.0.4388
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I think to start with I'd place TV on the left and paint the door and frame to match the wall color. You may have bigger fish to fry once you move in (HVAC, plumbing, etc.) All kinds of issues can arise once you're in the home to eat into any leftover cash you have. Once you live with it for a while, you may find it isn't the issue you thought it would be. There may be more urgent items that need your attention and cash. Dream, plan, make ideabooks here, and take your time.
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Angel 18432
6 years ago
Congratulations. Look like a lovely home you are headed to. When you get moved in and your furniture is in place, post back with pictures. We can't do much at the moment til we see what you have, what you want to keep, what you can part with.
LittleDesigner16
6 years ago
Your living room looks like it has a bit too much going on.

Lighting - The lamp on the shelf in the back right is enclosed and tight. If you want a more open space, I suggest a floor lamp since a living room is not much of an individual space.

Curtains - I feel the curtains don't match the colour scheme, but if you like them, add in a yellow chair or flower pot here and there to keep the colours balanced.

Furniture - I think the bookshelf on the right should be repositioned, or gone. Your white chair matches the carpet, and would contrast really well with two matching couches of different colours, but the other two are different...
LittleDesigner16
6 years ago
Sry...I just read it again and you are starting fresh! This means something different
LittleDesigner16
6 years ago
Listen to Angel
rebeccamomof123
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Congrats, beatiful home! Be sure to check back with photos once seller's stuff is out and your stuff is in. I'd suggest living in the house for a few months to see what your needs are for that space. If you have children that could make a perfect little playroom, with sightlines from all areas to keep an eye on things. You could also easily wall it off with french doors and make it a home office. It all depends on what you need which you won't know until you live in it for awhile.
blfenton
6 years ago
It may originally have been the dining room.
arcy_gw
6 years ago
Or it is the FORMAL living room and the other space is the family room. I do not care for set up like that for a dining room. I think you will not have a sit up to counter on the island, and there appears to be plenty of room for all the dining space one needs but not room for a side board or china cabinet so blfenton is probably correct. The chandy sort of gives it away. We have friend who made theirs a pool table room. It is a tish open for an office or library I suppose.

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