What is the first decision to make when freshening up this living room
chocolatelover66
6 years ago
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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 MoreFreshen up this kitchen..
Comments (16)I agree with the others that your kitchen is just fine and attractive for now and quite nice as is. Your former kitchen is very pretty and jazzy. You can make this one reflect your style now even though you are planning a remodel in the future. For now, I would paint the walls and accessorize, keep the appliances if they work, perhaps freshen the cabinets with a coat of paint only if needed., select or make a window treatment. Changing hardware can be expensive although Target has some that I have used that have held up and look just as good as pricier choices if you choose something simple. I agree that putting a small inexpensive microwave in the corner is just right for the needs of teenage boys, so no microwave hood. They are big and pricey anyway. Why spend the money? I see your wanting to open the space by removing the uppers, but a consideration besides the need for storage is the ceiling. If your ceiling is textured, it may not be textured under the cabinets. So bottom line- keep tabs on how much money you are saving by not doing "unnecessary for now" changes and use for it for the real remodel. It may just buy you some extras or enable you to do the project sooner. It is so exciting to have a new space to create. Congratulations on your new home....See MoreHow do you make appliance decisions when there's so many bad reviews?
Comments (18)Thank you all so much for the really excellent advice. Each of these comments is extremely helpful to me. I can't tell you how much better of a mindset I have about the whole thing. A combination of people understanding how it can become overwhelming - if you let it - but also learning how to set some logical criteria for making a decision (such as features, price, warranties, using psychology & a pinch of salt with reviews, strongly considering the customer service of the company, deciding what your priorities are and keeping your sanity are some ) has helped me a LOT to get a grip on this endeavor. :D Finally to understand that nothing's perfect but narrowing the margins can give you a pretty good shot at succeeding. If you've found some place with pretty good customer service you've got that as a fall back. Getting that this is NOT an investment but an expense also changes my point of view and understanding about it. (Ugh, marketing ploys. It's always like they are doing you a favor and not just trying to get your money). There's a lot more that you've explained here but I just really wanted to thank you and say it's made a massive difference to my whole outlook and feelings about it. I was able to make a decision this morning that I feel good about and feel a bit like having a glass of wine and some cheesecake - that's how relaxed I feel about it! c: Quite a difference from the semi-hysterical exhausted fearful creature I was, haha. Cheers everyone. ^^...See MorePaint and other ideas to freshen up new condo?
Comments (18)MD4square, May I toss in a few more "freshen" suggestions, and then I'm out of your space! 1) If you like the floor sample of oak that you posted here, look closely at the wall paint color shown in the sample picture. Like that picture, consider painting the oak cabinets in the kitchen the same as the wall color, especially if the new flooring doesn't quite match the existing cabinets. 2) It looks to me like maybe your island counter doesn't really extend out from the base to allow people to sit on the stools to eat comfortably because there is no room for their knees. If that is so, think about finding a round pub or bistro table that is the same height as the counter, place it where the middle stool is (get rid of that, plus the chair near the TV against the wall), and then you have a truly comfortable place for a glass of wine or breakfast. But you need to measure to get very close to the same height. 3/Paint the railings the same color as the walls but maybe -- depending on where you are headed with this room -- you could use the railings like a blanket/throw rack and bring some boho-warmth to the room (while hiding the railings!). I would try lightweight Kantha throw blankets, which either come in bright fun patchwork colors or subdued textured neutralse. They are practical for that climate as cuddlers. They are not expensive so if you invest in a pair, you can use them on beds if you don't like them in the living room. (and you don't want boho if you decide to do a geometric on the wall. 4/I would move the sofa closest to the railings further away from the railing (and put a Kantha throw on that railing) and then put a floor lamp in that corner rather than a table lamp (table is fine, just think a floor lamp -- maybe an arching one or a paper or natural fiber column -- would be nicer) 5) when all is done, you probably want a new kitchen pendant. I think a square pendant might look nice. 6) If you like the idea of a color block on the wall behind the TV, it doesn't have to be a "pow" geometric. You can just paint a big half circle or diagonal to have a two-tone wall. If you hate all these ideas, that's good you have strong feelings and just ignore all of them!...See Moremiss lindsey (She/Her)
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