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Design Dilemma Polls living room

Great room needs "greatness", pizzazz in new house

5 years ago

LR in new house has come out sort of boring. Needs color or something, eh?

What is shown below is cobbled together from our former place.

For an idea of scale the kilim is 9' x 12'.

Featured Answer

Jeanne Seefus

5 years ago

Oh My Goodness... such a gorgeous room.. Needs a sofa facing that lovely view

Comments (19)

tartanmeup
5 years ago
Your picture didn't come through. Try adding it in a comment. Sometimes the site is glitchy.
Jeff Smith thanked tartanmeup
Jeff Smith
Original Author
5 years ago
Pics not coming through, I'll try in comment, thanks tartanmeup.
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This great room/dining room needs some spice! Please help!
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Here are some pics from Houzz that might give you some ideas. I love the blinds in the first on that hide the upper windows, but it's a pretty contemporary look. The interest on the ceiling along with the chandelier brings it down a bit. [contemporary living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by new york interior designer David Landy ASID CID NY State This has a strong horizontal element with lighting that breaks up the height: [traditional living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by dc metro general contractor Moss Building and Design [ the last two use lots of wood/built-ins to add heft and interest [(https://www.houzz.com/photos/st-clements-great-room-traditional-family-room-toronto-phvw-vp~81556) [traditional family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by toronto design-build Schnarr Craftsmen Inc [traditional family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by atlanta interior designer Mary Trantow
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The window over the fireplace--how high off the floor is it? I'm wondering if you could change out the fireplace to a lower-profile unit and move it to be under one of the other windows. (No idea how expensive that would be.) Then you might be able to put the TV where the fireplace currently is. Placed on a TV stand, it might block the lower part of the window. If that bothers you, you could look into a TV stand that hides the TV and raises it to viewing height at the touch of a button. Or a wall mount that would let you raise and lower the TV--up when you are watching it and lower when you aren't. That would also allow you to adjust the viewing angle, if you wanted to watch it from the kitchen.
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The plan separates each living space with access from a central hall. It would work well for an office building but not so much for a house especially f you plan to entertain. I find that trying to make a good plan out of a bad one is usually a waste of time and effort. Its like renovating a house that hasn't been built yet. Decide what you think an entertainment space should look like and develop the house around it. But I would not design a house around an occasional use. The interrelationships of family members should be the dominant theme of a house. And I would never put a level change in a living space unless there was an alternate wheelchair route. If you plan to entertain, the front door should have wheelchair access too. An accessible half bath would be good too.
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Comments (6)
The fixture above in my post is what I would like to install. The below link is similar to my dining room chandelier now, except mine is bronze with cream glass. I couldn't get the picture to upload. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Progress-Lighting-Renovations-27-25-in-6-Light-Forged-bronze-Etched-Glass-Tiered-Chandelier/50131632 I cannot post a picture of my space, hence the drawing, as it is presently under construction with materials and debris everywhere. I hope this helps.
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Jeff Smith
Original Author
5 years ago
Another view of same room...
tartanmeup
5 years ago
What a fantastic looking space! I think the colours are fine. What's missing is furniture. Only one armchair? I'd consider a much larger rug, a sofa (or two) and an armchair (or two). I'm sure you have the space to set up a nice conversation grouping. Heck, a sectional might even work in this space. :) How about a piece of art on the wall next to that fantastic stone fireplace? If you post your room's measurements, people will be able to suggest some furniture layout options. In the meantime, I'll look for pics of layouts.
PN _Bos
5 years ago

Beautiful space!!!! I think your problem is that one chair looks oh so lonely. I’d put a big comfy L-shaped sectional in there.
Jeff Smith thanked PN _Bos
tartanmeup
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Here's one grouping idea. Taken from this site.

More seating ideas in rooms with great stone fireplaces (except for last one):

Hope this helps a bit.
Jeff Smith thanked tartanmeup
tartanmeup
5 years ago
Jeanne is right: the sofa needs to face the view! I could see a curved sofa on the right of the fireplace and two armchairs on the left of the sofa. Keep the ottomans for additional seating. So many focal points (and I don't use that concept), you can't go wrong.
Jeff Smith thanked tartanmeup
Jeff Smith
Original Author
5 years ago
Great ideas, I'm imagining a seating with sort of an L shape; one sofa facing fireplace & the other facing the view? The width of room from windows/doors to the kitchen island: 22'. Length from fireplace to dining room entry wall is 26'.
Molly
5 years ago
Great view! I love the coffee table. Are you going for a industrial look? Will there be a TV in this room or will it just be used for entertaining?
Jeff Smith
Original Author
5 years ago
That's a great idea with the lodge look picture (from Molly); having TWO seating arrangements. Why have just one area when you can have two, ha ha. Maybe an arrangement facing fireplace and then another next to it (towards DR) facing view...
Joe T.
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Awesome! Puts the 'great' in great room!

The room begs for art, both paintings and sculpture.

Oh, and skip the Eames and Barcelonas—I see way too many rooms with 'em.
Jeff Smith thanked Joe T.
PRO
Diane Kremer, ASID CID
5 years ago
This room needs a sofa, chair and smaller or more open coffee table. As presented, there is too much rug surrounding heavy and similiar sized furniture. A big sofa or sectional facing the great view would enhance the space.
Jeff Smith thanked Diane Kremer, ASID CID
Jeff Smith
Original Author
5 years ago
Joe T, what is " Eames and Barcelonas "?? New one for me.
J J
5 years ago
following
drdeb1234
5 years ago
Fab space! I agree that all the current furniture is too similar and too block-like
PRO
Color Zen
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
A larger, super bold black & white patterned rug, layered under your current rug would look amazing (could be indoor outdoor so it's thin). You don't need much but yes a little something is missing. Also need a rug under dining table... Gorgeous taste :)
PRO
Diane Kremer, ASID CID
5 years ago
toutguy5 - google Eames and Barcelonas. They are classics.
Deb Zilch
5 years ago
what about a light that's large enough -- huge round, or 3 total grouped together? in natural material....or at night would you need much more bulbs?
Jeff Smith thanked Deb Zilch

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