Living Room Suggestions

5 years ago

We recently purchased our first home, a two bedroom apartment in Manhattan. We moved in with essentially no furniture of our own and began accumulating pieces. In retrospect, I wonder if a lighter, neutral colored rug might have been a better choice than this blue Arabesque. I would welcome any feedback and suggestions for what else I can do with this space, changes in configuration, etc. I should mention that the ceiling in the living room is concrete, so recessed and pendant/chandelier lighting is not an option given the high cost and poor ROI at least for pendants and chandeliers. Thank you!

Featured Answer

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written

5 years ago

Don't be afraid of color - your rug looks great and I love how you've tied in together with the wall art! Ceiling lights are actually no good in the living room, so you are fine there. Much better lighting in the living room is a table lamp or wall sconce in each corner at chest height. Good job! I would go with larger wall decor over the couch and even more blue!

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Comments (14)

maddielee
5 years ago
I love your room and the rug! It's inviting, non cluttered and bright. A nice change from many Manhattan apartments. Good job.
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Molli Young Design Consultant
5 years ago
I would add a rug with more neutral colors in it. Also add something with texture or deminsion.
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laurahahe
5 years ago
I love your rug, I think it's fantastic! I also like your couch. The colours of the couch and the rug do not work together, decide which one you like better and replace the other. The rug is a "clean" blue, it will look better with a couch that is greyer and less greige, or a white couch, or cognac leather etc. If you keep the couch the rug will need muddier colors in it.
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oaktonmom
5 years ago
Love the room; however, I agree about replacing the rug with something lighter.
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Ana Kinra
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you very much for all of the comments and suggestions! It’s so helpful to have a second pair of eyes look at a space and help you see it in a new light.
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Ana Kinra
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I have the ideal rug in our master bedroom already, although it has higher pile than the blue rug so I think going with a brand new rug would be best. Once I do decide on a new rug for the living room, I’ll have to figure out what to do with this blue Arabesque rug since there’s no where else to put it in our place. It was quite expensive, I may end up giving it away to friends or family.
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User
5 years ago
I don't understand why you want to replace that pretty blue rug. It provides a needed touch of color to this space, and plays beautifully with your artwork.
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
5 years ago
Light rug is fore sure brings more light .
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User
5 years ago
Congrats on your new home! Love the big windows! Looks like you have plenty of natural light. IMO, the blue rug is lovely and brings in just the right amount of color. A lighter rug would blend in w/ the walls.
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katrina_ellen
5 years ago
Its a pretty room, I think the rug adds color and contrast. Its very simple but that looks like your style with the clean lined furniture. I love your chair, I would like one like that.
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imacamper
5 years ago
I wouldn't change a thing. Its a great room!
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Ana Kinra
Original Author
5 years ago
I truly appreciate all of the comments, suggestions, and the rendering. This kind of feedback is invaluable and helps me think of the space in new ways. I am leaning towards replacing the blue rug with a lighter, neutral colored rug (although I’d still have to figure out what to do with the blue rug - give it away or sell it). However, being married and designing a new home with one’s spouse also means my wife has a veto on any changes and she’s made it clear she wants the blue rug to stay (my handle is a play on a medication used in rheumatology). That being said, the feedback I’ve gotten here gives me a strong case to make to her. Thank you all again!
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Ana Kinra
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
katrina_ellen - Thank you for the compliment. That chair is one of my favorite pieces. It's the Theo chair from West Elm. Unfortunately it was discontinued recently for reasons which escape me, although its discontinuation might simply be part of an "artificial scarcity" marketing tactic.

If you're still in the market for a unique mid-century modern piece, I'd recommend the Contour chair also by West Elm. This chair is more comfortable than the Theo and its unique design will be sure to garner compliments. The reason I kept it out of the living room is that I wanted all living room furniture to be as short as possible to maximize the natural light we get.
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