Help, love / hate my new settee

6 years ago

I just purchased a grey couch and a chartreuse settee.
My walls are greyish. It’s for formal living which leads into dining and starts pretty much from a small foyer.
Am finding hard to figure what curtains or accent chairs will go with it. And also feel that my sofa is blending into the walls.
The room is north facing so less light.
I feel navy walls will look elegant but decrease light and dining has light grey blue walls so flow may be an issue.
If I do navy chairs , then what curtains.
Also- don’t like my new carpet too.
Help needed.

Featured Answer

User

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Well, personally, I would commit to the color. I can totally see the drama of full, tailored chartreuse drapes...also they would make a great backdrop to the sofa if you keep it on the window wall...

Don't move the painting yet...I think it works here...

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Comments (70)

njmomma
6 years ago
Not a Pro.

Like the sofa facing the fireplace.

A square or larger cocktail table may work better.
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Me too !!
I am going g to try and delete one thread. Anybody knows how I can do that ?
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Denita
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
^Love the drapes in penny's insp pic above. Go for it. You have all the right elements. Notice the simple, large round mirror above the FP? It is stunning IMO. The drapes would be perfect in your room.
User
6 years ago
If your table is going away...I wonder if there's a way to remove the top and replace it with a nice oval beveled piece of glass...I love the legs on it..
njmomma
6 years ago
Not a Pro.

I love the legs on that table too!
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
I like the drapes too. Just do much chartreuse is scaring me a bit.
Chairs are very dark chocolate leather. They can easily go. I’d like some modern fabric chairs , either navy or chartreuse / grey striped but wondering if they will clash with settee.
How about navy curtains and chairs. Or blue curtains and chairs.
Egg plant - prob not.
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
I’ll just move Table to family room as it’s new so don’t want to refurb it yet )
User
6 years ago
Don't be scared!

Not so sure that replacing the chairs is necessary...I like the simplicity and style of the ones you have...
Denita
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Although I really like the base of your current table, I think you should go with something very simple in glass and metal for a coffee table. You have striking materials and other decor, no need to draw attention to the coffee table. It should be a supporting piece IMO. Something like this 32 inch square below. It comes in various metals. I happen to like the matte gold in this table.

32 inch sq glass and metal coffee table from Wayfair
Denita
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I also like a very simple round glass mirror for above the mantel. I have no idea of the size available, but something large enough to fill at least 2/3'rds of the space. I like this one but you might prefer something with a little thicker frame. This way you could still have a very few of the other pieces on the mantel.

34 inch round mirror with frame
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
I’ll look into both. Was thinking gold metallic as my fire place has a gold edge. And looks more transitional than modern.
What else can I do on FP wall besides mirror. As I have two walls with blue barn like doors also to put things on.
njmomma
6 years ago
Not a Pro.

I'm wondering if you just need the sofa facing the fireplace (moved closer to the fireplace) and the Settee facing the sofa on an angle in front of the fireplace with a large table between them. Mirror over fireplace, Art, drapes. Removing the two chairs and not replacing them.

Just a thought.
User
6 years ago
What about something like this for your chairs? I like the openness and it brings in the blue that you want. I would find a fabulous print for the seat.

You can then bring in a few Chinoiserie accessories for your table and mantel...
User
6 years ago
Convex mirror for above fireplace...
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Penny - like both.
Where did u see them ?
Kendrah
6 years ago
The problem for me is the room has an identity crisis between bold/daring and relaxing/soothing. What do you want this room to be? Most things in your room are on the dreamy relaxing side except for the settee, leather chairs (which it sounds like you are replacing), and some stuff above the fireplace.

I can see why people want you to amp up the room, but I personally think it would look great if you softened it. Yes, you need much more substantial curtains to become a focal point so your eyes doesn't just go to the settee. I would find a fabric that has both chartreuse and celery colors in it to blend the subtle and shocking.

A brass and glass coffee table and other brass accents would related well to the chartreuse.

Curtains on far right side of this picture. Might not be the right print but combines a subtle green with a punchy green and serene blues:

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decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
I'd remove a couple of chairs from the dining table so I could use it there. Does the table expand for more guests?
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
SG that one is from Wisteria: http://www.wisteria.com/Chinese-Chippendale-Chair/productinfo/W4169?quantity=1&color=72

but they can be found all over, even your local Craigslist, if you choose to do a little spray painting...just google Chinoiserie side chair or Chinese Chippendale.
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Kendra - you hit the nail!
I prob want it to be both, like me :)
Yes - drapes def. debating between blue tones , or chartreuse blend with grey or plain chartreuse.
If navy - I am bringing another color , but I can put a pillow on sofa to draw it out
User
6 years ago
I might do a couple of Bergere chairs if they appeal more. They pair very well (imho) with a contemporary coffee table...
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
?
Greenthumz
6 years ago
There's so much I like in this room: the settee, the rug, the sofa, the colors. Things I don't like: coffee table, wall art. I too would do a glass/metal table. I would do more modern art to replace the big picture. The 2 long metal pieces do not add anything. I'm not sure what I would put there, but when you find it, it will feel better. I'm not a lover of leather furniture but if you like them it doesn't hurt the room. A few suggestions on the curtains were excellent. Do whichever you prefer. I don't think you are way off on this room, just needs tweaking.
C Renee
6 years ago
I think starting with switching the sofa and settee is great advise from a post above. Also agree with a larger coffee table. I love the green!
C Renee
6 years ago
Oops you already switched them. Looks better.
C Renee
6 years ago
How about two long mirrors flanking the opening of the entrance to the foyer? Maybe antiqued gold frames arched at the top and a glass coffee table with gold.
Denita
6 years ago
^Love the last coffee table posted :)
chispa
6 years ago
Wisteria has a mirror similar to the one above for a very good price. I got one when they had a sale.
loobab
6 years ago
This thread is a big reminder for me.

No matter how much you think you know a color, you don't know a color.

Even though we have smart phones now that take photos, so much is dependent on the lighting. and what is next to something.

We need to ask for fabric swatches and take them home before we buy something, or only buy things that are returnable.
Kendrah
6 years ago
SG - Of the coffee tables you posted, I like #1 and #3. I think #2 is too funky. I think you should focus on your funky playfulness coming from your colors and have the coffee table be a bit more streamlined.

I think jk910 is on to something good with that third stripe fabric they posted.
Kendrah
6 years ago
Playing around with various drapery ideas. Don't know if any of them work, but they might jog ideas for different colors to incorporate.

1. Like this for drapes, though the green might clash with your settee green.

Carnaby Jacquard Woven Upholstery Fabric, Wheatgrass · More Info

2. I'm a sucker for toile, especially when used out of context

Ort Toile Fabric, Chartreuse · More Info

3. Over the top tacky fun. Leopard was made to look pretty elegant on a[houzz tour [(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/velvet-covered-doors-lead-to-a-ladies-lounge-stsetivw-vs~102940667)today.

M9818 Kiwi Merrimac Barrow Fabric, by the Continuous Yard · More Info

4. This reminds me of the relaxing vibe of the painting on your wall

Sandy Woven Texture Upholstery Fabric, Wheatgrass · More Info

5. I love the movement of this and the colors. Don't know if they would clash or compliment with your settee.

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veggiegardnr
6 years ago
Not a pro, but, fwiw, I love your room and your furniture. The only thing I'd change is the drapes and I'd probably put a throw over the back of the sofa so my cats could sleep on it...but that would also solve any blending into the wall of the sofa that might be going on).

Also fwiw, I showed my husband your photos and he also likes your furniture. He now wants our living room to have a chartruse setee. :)
jck910
6 years ago
too much to read but I like the sofa facing FP. Center settee between windows, no table beside it, turn coffee table, I would not add navy chairs you have enough colors with the 2 grays on wall, gray sofa & chartreuse settee. Use those colors for large pieces & maybe the navy in an accessory
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Jck- I see your point.
I was thinking drapes and chairs navy to Bri g a third color and some richness.
Or grey/ chartreuse pattern chairs as I had suggested. But then - don’t want to put chartreuse drapes as am not sure of that much chartreuse
Ideas?
hollybar
6 years ago
IF new chairs are happening,do that next. That will inform the rest. I'd then finalize drapes and paint,together. I understand your fear of chartreuse drapes and there are other options. What about a linen drape to match your walls,with the leading edge trimmed out? (I may be doing just that with some "metallic" glazed Robert Allen linen https://www.etsy.com/listing/572677666/custom-robert-allen-metallic-linen?ref=hp_rf) There are also many softly shaded prints that could work. But the chair fabric is key. After you have it, you can decide on the weight you wish to assign to each colour.
Kendrah
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I think one problem is your colors in this room are in big visual blocks - chunks of color. It is what is making the pretty chartreuse look a bit like a sore thumb. Nothing feels integrated. I know you don't want too much chartreuse but I think you already have too much by having it stand alone. Once you add some more dashes of it here and there it will balance things out.

Instead of doing things in stages, I think you need to coordinate drape, chair, coffee tabes, colors and fabrics at the same time or else you are going to end up where you are now with features are not quite right together. Think mood board.

What kinds of fabrics/patters are you drawn to either for chair upholstery or drapes? Do you like geometrics, key patterns, florals, classic, contemporary?
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
I am drawn to geometrical , or solids,contemporary vibe.
Will do glass table and side table with gold legs.
If I do navy chairs, then am thinking of navy curtains to pull together. And it can be kinda 1/3 rd.
If chartreuse / grey combo chairs, then only chartreuse drapes may work.
I can get the room painted a slightly darker more pronounced grey but if I can avoid, that may be it’s easier.
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Have done linen in past so don’t want to do it again. Am drawn to velvet or faux silk. For both chair and drapes. Either can go in either place.
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Poll- chairs color for this room
If any body has seen grey chartreuse combo - please forward , greatly appreciated. I couldn’t find any.
Bette P
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Don't rush to replace those two chairs, work on your layout first. Remove the pair of chairs and your coffee table to figure this out. Centre the sofa and the area rug between the windows on the long wall. Maybe the settee could sit on an angle on the corner by the lovely large painting. Or sell the settee and a pair of chairs would work. Replace the coffee table top with an oval glass or quartz/stone top. One art piece over your mantel. Higher wider rods above the windows and drapes off the glass. You could match your wall colour for drapes and add a trim or do roman blinds. Remove the vases with sticks from both rooms. If you are adding more photos, stand in the centre of the wall behind you so we have a better perspective. Adding photos of your adjoining dining room might help too. What colors are in your china?
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S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Can’t sell settee.
Glass table coming soon.
Drapes dependant on chairs
Mirror for FP wall coming / ordered as on the other two walls- may place artwork or ?
Didn’t want to put art on all the walls.
Still debating between art and mirror for FP. I can always return the mirror.
Didn’t find any art work yet to incorporate the colors.
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Would love to find chairs similar to your picture
Bette P
6 years ago
Appears to be chartreuse in your large painting, hold up your pillow to it and you should see it. I would take down the scroll art pair flanking the doorway.
Kendrah
6 years ago
SG, Here are some links to nice fabrics with hints of chartreuse in them.

Osburne and Little - Can filter searches on the site by color, likely pricey fabric

Navy Sawsan - Navy and deep chartreuse pattern, a steal $6.99/yard a Joanne

Richloom Skyview Meadow - Looks the same as Navy Sawsan, just brighter? Note the complimentary Shibori fabric on the side.
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Any stores or sites anybody can recommend for ready made drapes, not too expensive ?
Kim KP
6 years ago
Try halfpricedrapes.com. You can order free swatches and the quality and prices are great. They have frequent sales so watch for those. I just ordered all new drapes for my house from them and they’re gorgeous!
Kendrah
6 years ago
SG, When you pick your curtains, I would be certain of your sofa arrangement first. Will these curtains be right up against the green settee or will you be returning the grey sofa to the window wall? Unlike others, I liked the grey sofa best on the window wall. I would just play with centering it and pulling it about 8" off of the wall. I think with grey a long the window wall, you can go for more color and pattern in your curtains. With the green settee against the window all, you'd need to pick very carefully what curtains are right up against it. With the settee in it's original position, I think you get to spread accent colors throughout out the room: Your painting on one wall, settee floating, curtains on the long wall. I like that.

Also, your grey sofa is gorgeous. I feel like it gets too covered up by the big pillows. I think your sofa is too pretty to cover with any accent pillows. Let your sofa go naked!
kaye1951
6 years ago
Following
oliviag55
6 years ago
have to admit, I skipped through a couple pages of posts.
if you love the setee, make it work with many suggested drapes and pillows.
the more modern, colder leather chairs are the issue if you love the settee, want to keep it, and have no other home for it .
sofa and rug are neutral, and lovely. .
pick a plan...imo
S G
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for all the input.
I think I’ll have to move sofa against the windows As it’s a broader wall
Chairs will go. I just can’t find patterned chairs in grey/ chartreuse.
Table awaited.
Mirror on FP wall may become an issue with sconces. Unless I take them out or replace them with something with simple gold lines to take on the table.