nice home, we need to know how many will be using rooms on nightly basis. what all do you wish to do in thses rooms, what colors or styles do you like?

Thank you! There would usually only be two people in the living room and a cat if that makes any difference haha. We will have a tv room so we won't be needing to put a tv in the living room. In the living room we would mostly be using it for talking, entertaining visitors and reading some. My wife has mentioned she would like an upright piano in the living room as well. In terms of styles I would say we like traditional and modern. And about colors I wouldn't say we really have a specific color in mind, it mostly would depend on how the color goes with the surroundings.

Congratulations on your new home. Do you have anything that you are bringing to the space from your previous home?

I'd start with a big rug that you love to define your living space. And a coordinating one to define the dining space. A rug will give you a jumping off point for style and color for decorating the rest of the space.

Make sure your rug is generously sized so your furniture will fit on it.

Just one point, modern and traditional are not similar styles. It's my opinion that blending the two doesn't come off well, even when experienced designers do it.

Why don't you and your wife take a few decorating quizzes to narrow down your decorating style. Houzz has literally millions of photos for inspiration and can be overwhelming. Let us know what you like, it will be a big help.

Home decor quizzes

When you finish the quiz, come back and let us know so we can advise you.

Did you and your wife see any individual elements in the photos that you loved? A rug, art, an accessory? Sometimes it is easier to pick one thing as inspiration and build from it.

Will you share photos of the room that you liked from the quizzes? I think your house is very suited to cottage style decor.

Great feedback thank you to all! Here are a couple pictures that we both agreed had things we liked.

From the first picture I never would have thought about wooden furniture but it does look pretty. I wonder how comfortable they are hm

From the second one we don't like the zebra rug but everything else looks great

you appear to be pretty traditionist with lots of wood showing even if it the legs of your furnishings. here are a few rugs, let me know so i can get better and ditch if necessary.

7' x 9' Area Rugs | Joss & Main · More Info

Veronica Grey Area Rug & Reviews | Joss & Main · More Info

It looks like you favor neutral, natural patterns (except for the first rug and the geometric curtains). I also see warm woods and furniture with interesting, graceful legs.

I'd start with a neutral sofa.

Neutral rooms can look great but you just need to remember to add different textures or the room can look flat.

I love the wood furniture in your 1st inspiration photo with the aqua chair fabric. I have a similar look in an antique oak mission/craftsman convertible couch, an antique oak morris chair with 2 cushions, and another all wood chair with 2 cushions. With the 2 chairs it is so easy to have new zippered cushion covers made, and the couch will be easier to reupholster than a standard couch if the need arises. I've had the morris for decades as it is soooo comfortable. BTW Stickley offers well made furniture with that look.

Good luck!

I love the second rug, it's so unique vs ubiquitous.

i thought you were talking more danish modern. these all come in various colors.

Baxton Studio Velda Accent Chair | ATG Stores · More Info

got rid of all but the one you liked. certainly looks comfortable.

you said that you were a traditional, i think maybe not totally since you like the danish modern type chair. I will say that if you mix antiques with anything modern, mcm and especially danish modern has these wonderful nice straight liines that lets you combine anything with it. so do you prefer the turquoise in the second rug or the rich dark blue in the first rug?

Some really great advice here. First though, congrats on your charming home purchase. So much potential! I like traditional, but a more eclectic mix. I subscribe to Traditional Home Mag for inspiration. Take a look at their website too. You both may like it. Also, please use your existing furniture and buy what you both like a piece at a time. You don’t have to have it completely furnished right away, take your time and buy what you love Decide on colors for the walls, then rug colors. I like the rugs and couches previously posted, take time to find what style you both like. I tend to pick neutral furniture and accessorize with colorful pillows, artwork and accessories as those are easy to change if you want to switch things up.