How do I inject some personality into my living space?
smurfette36
5 years ago
I'm probably going to replace the sofa and recliner with the Ikea Ektorp sofa and chair in the light beige color because I like the idea of washable slipcovers. My space looks a bit flat. What should I do to inject some color and life? I'm open to all suggestions. Thank you!
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How do I change the personality of this kitchen?
Comments (16)There will be lots of GW Kitchen forum readers who dislike this kitchen and lots who don't. When you chose this forum instead of the Decorating one, you got into a crowd who often pull out hammers and checkbooks and head to a constractor when they see a problem, not head for Joann's and start using sewing machines. It's like the old saying that to a guy with a hammer in his hand, everything looks like a nail. What do YOU want from this kitchen that it isn't giving you? You don't tell us about your tastes--do you at all LIKE these cupboards, floor pattern, green countertop, layout, etc? What are your dishes and cooking tools like? Do you cook? How will you use the room? What are your furniture and style faves--ultra modern? Am colonial? Something else? The vagueness makes the challenge hard to respond to. Personally, just so you know, this airiness and the wood are similar what I have just installed into my kitchen so I guess I like floating in air. [curmudgeon mode on] This is a super kitchen in so many ways, at least in this photo, although there's a lot of distortion by the camera that's fooling me. I can imagine cooking here. Plenty of room between counters. Good amount of "plunk space" to work at. And what an inviting place to sit down to eat! I suggest choosing a startling contrasting color to change the flavor of the room and make it yours--red-brown? baby blue? screaming chartreuse? whatever. I'd use it in heavy doses using simple, temporary things that are "you"--paint, tablecloth, new light fixture, rugs, dishes, maybe window treatment. Spend $300-500 or so making it a nest, add your own stuff, and then live in it for a while. But don't wait too long to make changes if you don't like it. Although you're retiring into someone else's house, you will find that if you're like many of us, there isn't so much money in the pocketbook that you can splurge a lot, unless you get the house on the cheap. In my case, DH and I retired at 59, dithered a year, and finally got around to doing the too-long delayed maintenance and aggravations our 1954 tract house--esp. new windows and insulation and roof that should have been done long ago, plus a revision to the front of house so it's not claustrophobic and added large kitchen addition (large for us). Oh, and a geothermal system. Although this is all actually modest in many ways, adding it up, this is an expensive and very ambitious project and will probably top out at $90,000 before we're done. I don't think the current part of the project will be done for another year--that's a half year of active planning and two years of construction during our early retirement when we should be doing other things. And then, if we get around to the rest of our hoped-for changes, I'll be pushing 70. My point? I've found how easily I can get caught up in the wrong things when I get going; it's essential to keep my eyes on the prize and the scope of the change within bounds. If the house is a good, sound, energy efficient house and will work well for you and your budget, keep that in mind. There's nothing wrong with these countertops, I suspect, except what peer pressure tells you. If the floor is comfortable and decent, you might live with that also. On the other hand, if you're able to afford some changes, you've had some good advice here. If you can afford anything you want and you have the wherewithal and the desire to have it, hey, then dream away. [curmudgeon mode off]...See MoreI find our living room awkward. How can I maximise the space?
Comments (20)I think I would also move the TV to the 9'3" wall as Barnes Custom Builders suggested. I would then move your couch to the 5'11" wall (pulling it away from the wall so the vent can function). Then, I would flank the chunky chair to the left side of the couch. I would purchase a TV credenza and mount TV above. I would then fill the previous TV location with a credenza with a lamp and a mirror. I would also get a single large piece of artwork for the 11'9" wall. I would get rid of the bent wood chair as you suggested. Here's an option for a rug, credenza, media console, lamp and mirror... Moroccan Tribal Cross Section Rug Geome Sideboard Seno Media Cabinet Ripple Ceramic Table Lamp Wall Mirror Brass Hope this helps or inspires!...See MoreHow do I transform the negative space above my cabinets?
Comments (20)Great kitchen. Please don't let anyone talk you into painting those cabinets. You're fortunate to have the extra ceiling height and it does NOT look like a warehouse. I'd probably want the base -- kick wall -- of the peninsula/bar to be wood paneled or painted a darker color less likely to show shoe smudges but, as long as that's not a problem for you -- "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies. If you want to minimize the visual impact of the space above your cabinets, consider painting that wall the same color as the ceiling. If you want to utilize the space for storage (and not necessarily for kitchen items), take some measurements and see if you can find wooden boxes or foot lockers to set in a row above your cabinets; or not wood -- perhaps boxes made of a lighter material and painted to add your favorite color to your kitchen. If the blank space is truly irritating to you, then adding interesting knobs to the cabinet doors could help draw attention away from the blank wall above the cabinets. and/or You may have room for a small rolling cart or wheeled table (round or square) painted in your favorite bright color to create a different visual focal point -- preferably a table or cart you could roll outside on a porch or deck or patio when entertaining outside. Alternately, consider maximizing the impact of that open space -- it's just two short walls. Are there any local artists you would trust to paint a mural -- even just paint a blue sky, perhaps with a bit of puffy white clouds and/or even a rainbow there -- over which you could add a row of small "windows"?...See MoreHow do I add some dramatic lighting to my home?
Comments (8)Still not done, but getting there. I definitely like the idea of some floor lamps. Definitely needs some accent lighting that I’ll have to find. I have two outlets symmetrically placed on the black wall and I’ll probably do something with those. p.s. It’s an odd layout/space for sure, but really just trying to find ways to add some drama to it....See More
PROE.L. Designs
5 years agoAgreed with Khymm B, curtains add a layer of softness to a room - Bed Bath and Beyond has some good basic and inexpensive options, but I love the linen curtain panels from Pottery Barn, they have a great weave to them and come in some nice colors - if you like blues, there here are some options that might add some personality into your space:
smurfette36 thanked E.L. Designs
PROSeldens Furniture
5 years agoI agree with you that adding some color would help liven up the living room. I also agree with beesneeds in regards to replacing the ceiling fixture. A small first step could be replacing your two table lamps for lamps in an accent color of your choice. Good luck!
Robert Abbey Audrey Table Lamp, Baby Blue · More Infosmurfette36 thanked Seldens Furniture
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agosmurfette36 thanked ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
Susan Davis
5 years ago
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