Where did I go wrong?! Decor for a formal living room w/ pics
18florence
5 years ago
I am so unhappy with how our space has come together, and I don't know where to start in doing what needs to be done to fix it.
To start with: I hate the color we selected for the walls (chose it at the suggestion of the professional painter). It is BM Greenmount Silk. Not a bad color in and of itself, but I do not like it in this space at all. I do not like the gold/blue effect.
Will change that, for sure, but feel like a few other adjustments have to be made, first. For example, I think I made a mistake in pairing my new couches with the new rug. The slate blue of the velvet couches is not quite right with the more denim blue of the rug. The couches were much pricier than the rug, so will have to keep them. In looking for a new rug (on-line, primarily), I’m totally overwhelmed by the variety of options! Is there a principle by which one should select a rug for a space such as a formal living room? Do I go with something subtle and subdued? Or should I get something that has some rich color or features an interesting pattern? Should the rug be darker or lighter than the couch? Am I trying to match the rug to some other element in the room?
I also think I made a mistake in insisting that whatever we select have to “go with” the custom drapes that are already in the room. I didn’t want to get rid of them, since they were done as a custom order (years ago) and would be very expensive to replace, but now I’m wishing I hadn’t been so rigid.
Also, I don’t like how the coffee and side tables that I bought as a set from wayfair look like I bought them as a set from wayfair, lol. Way too match-y
Is there an “order” in which a room should be decorated? Where should I start with a do-over? Keeping in mind that I have to keep the couches…I’m just so disappointed that after having put so much time and $ into this room (professional painting, plaster repair, furniture, rug, etc.), I’m so unhappy with it. First world problems, I know! ;) TIA for any advice anyone might offer!
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Comments (13)Thanks all! This is definitely going to be a "work in progress" and won't be done anytime soon, not only for the reason that I'll be back and forth from our home in FL, but also, I don't want to do it "all at once" I think it will be more fun, meaningful, and possibly cheaper to do it as I can and as I find the things that will fit in well and look good together. Craigslist will become my bestest friend! WORK, I honestly don't know exactly what the floor material is, but it looks like tile, even has the grout lines, has a silver and light gold tones in it, is 16x16, but it's not tile, probably some type of lineoleum. I was told the previous owners put this down to replace the brown carpet that was throughout the living, dining and hallways. I think it will work well with what I have in mind. Will have to change the wall colors I think. Anele, there's a FP in the den, I don't think we would put one in the lr, though I think a nice one could look beautiful. If we had guests over, I probably would guide them to the den, we're the type of people who like to be comfey in the den, the lr will be beautiful, but not a place we'll stay long in. Since we are moving, our circle or friends and family will be only coming to visit (hopefully) from time-to-time. CYN, the reason for a formal lr and den, other than I like them and grew up having one and currently have the same in my old home is because we love to just lounge and watch tv in the den, and I need someplace comfortable to go when I'm being banned from the kitchen when my OH starts cooking!!! Here's the picture of the bookcase /wall unit I mentioned, I thought something along this order may look nice on the left side of the room, but have it extend all the way up to the ceiling??? Does anyone know of a CAD design on line that's free and then lets you copy to a website like this one so I can do a floorplan?????...See MoreBlank Slate - Help me decorate my formal Living/Dining Room (pics
Comments (6)Now I understand where you are headed. My suggestions will not be matchy matchy and are pretty eclectic in nature. So, hopefully you will get some ideas you may not have thought about. Let's start with the DR. Drapes: I like dramatic so, if the rug has bronze that would be my first choice though there is nothing wrong with gold. I like plain simple drapes. I think drapes like blacksplashes should not be a focal point of a room when you have other beautiful things going. They should help frame the room like the color on the walls do. You may not need pinch pleated drapes. It would save you money not to have the pinch pleats. You need to decide if you want to run them from ceiling to floor or with a rod (I saw some beautiful rods at Calico Corner's. I think JCP carries Kirsch hardware also) above the window not from the ceiling. Dining table: I notice most people select wood to use with oriental rugs. I am working with a designer for my family room and breakfast nook and he just taught me a good lesson: Print rug-glass table, solid rug-wood table. He said you want to show off the beauty of the rug at all times from every direction. They do make some very large glass tables that you can use with 2 wooden pedestals for support or a great square base. If you are having a lot of guests for dinner like Christmas than you can add a folding table and use the same table cloth. This is just a suggestion. You can use wood but I always like to share new knowledge when I learn something. I still like crystal for chandeliers in dining rooms. In this case I would use crystal with some funky lamp shades to add a little fun into the room. You may find these at Home Goods or on line. I would try leopard for shades. It's hard to visualize if this will work without actually seeing it in person. Maybe someone will photoshop. Do you know the size of the table you want to use? I also think you may be able to find dining room chairs on ebay or a used furniture store that might be in decent condition or you can buy them new. Remember the chair wood does not need to match the wood of the table. There is more interest created when they don't. Here is another idea for chairs: you can used entirely different ones for the head of the table. Actually, I am pretty good at decorating eclectically. My friends are always looking for my eye. The designer I am working with always says to me "what do you need me for". Well, he is a great buffer between me and my BF whom I share my new home with. He has made my life so much more easier and is worth every penny. I am also learning alot about decorating from him....See MoreNeed help w/great room - decor + drapery PICS
Comments (15)Okay, that helps seeing the other angle. Now, remember that doing this on a monitor is kind of tricky, because perspective and proportion can be hard to judge. Here is what I would try. The first thing I would do is paint the small wall that the fireplace is on (just the little angled one) in a rich rusty fall red. Take the "H" and mount it above the tv, centered, and then add a wood curlique appliques on either side, painted black. Something like this, that will pick up on the shape of the arms of the couch and loveseat. You can get them at most home centers and some of the larger craft stores. Or, iron ones will work if you can find those. first ones on the page Take the couch and put it directly across from the fireplace, at the same angle. Put the loveseat to the left of the couch, at a right angle. Get a table between them to anchor the arrangement, with a lamp if you can. Once you do that, your little black chest may have to move. You could try it under the window, and add a colorful bench cushion on top. A fabric or leather ottoman, maybe round, would be a nice addition to work as a table and additional seating when you need it and would pick up on the curves of the furniture. I don't mind the clock being on that wall, and in fact I think you need some taller things there to balance the fireplace and the windows with the drapery when you get it. What I would do is once you move the furniture, take a look at that wall. You might add some floating shelving that is arranged in some kind of staggered fashion with the clock as a part of the grouping. That would be a place to add some touches of color with vases, art leaning on the shelves, etc. If there is room below that, you could add a console table and lamp there. As for your counter stools, I would do them in a brown-black, that would bring out the colors in the cabinetry but not be as strong as a solid black. Colorful cushions would be a nice addition if you like. Then bring in the drapery/window treatments in the dining area. Add a throw and a few pillows. Maybe a runner on the dining table with some red. If you are worried about the fall leaves feeling out of place year 'round, look for some berry stems in the reddish color, or some tall orchid stems in that color (oncidiums or cymbidiums would be nice). Mix in some grassy stems and a couple of larger green leaves, and it will work for you....See MoreLooking for decor advice: how to make a formal dining room casual?
Comments (110)You could use some of that eyelet fabric over the mirrors on the 2 center quadrants from top to bottom and let the far left and far right mirrors unveiled. They make something called ticky tack, that teachers use to hold posters and things on walls(no nails). I wonder if that wouldn't work on your favorite eyelet pattern?, and not damage the wood/fabric/mirrors? A friend took pieces of an old heirloom lace piece and did that in her miniature curio cabinet she inherited over the back mirror lined surface.. She now uses the cabinet to hold all of her essential oil(many mini bottles)collection. If you like the country style dishware, the eyelet in the tea color(or you can tea stain some yourself) might look very pretty inside the darkwood and contrast with your white dishes? And tone down the shiny of the mirror? There is this product, that might be perfect for such an application: https://www.amazon.com/Sticky-Reusable-Gallery-Quality-Adhesive/dp/B01GEGXP0K/ref=asc_df_B01GEGXP0K/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198062181806&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7000896296704938960&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027311&hvtargid=pla-323734168208&psc=1...See More
18florence
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
Nancy Ingram
5 years agoI think you did a good job actually. Yes, the paint is a little too yellow. But I wouldn’t consider repainting yet. What I would recommend is letting the drapes go for lots of reasons. My suggestions are:
1. Find panels that are like your chair color with a shimmer to them. For the bay window, I would do short versions like you have now but put them on large cafe rings. Try putting the rod so that the top of the curtain lines up with the window lock. See pic about how to hang the other panels. Try to have the rod be above the window molding and the edge of the drapes just touching the edge of the molding. Now you will get more light and the windows will feel larger and you will be able to see the awesome molding. You will want a large diameter curtain rod and again I would the curtains on rings.
2. You need larger table lamps. I did blue glass but with a gold shiney shade to tie in the finish on your table and it also helps to tie in the yellow wall paint.
3. I would move the oriental screen to above the chair and put the side table on the other side so that they are not directly across from one another. That will help with then not looking so matchy matchy.
4. Where the screen was I chose a wood element to help tie in the wood molding of the windows.
5. The bookcase needs to go. I would do a three-piece glass/gold piece similar to your tables.
6. Accessories and some plants and you should be good to go.
18florence thanked Nancy Ingram
J J
5 years ago18florence
5 years ago18florence
5 years ago
Does anyone have an opinion as to whether window treatments such as these (that were in a house we stayed in recently) would work in a room like mine? I loved how they dressed up the window while allowing lots of light in. Would anyone ever consider forgoing a window treatment altogether? Or would that be bizarre and unfinished looking?
lisaam
5 years agolisaam
5 years ago18florence
5 years ago
Apple JT
5 years agoKat M
5 years agolisaam
5 years ago18florence
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agok9arlene
5 years ago
Olychick
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoarcy_gw
5 years ago18florence
5 years ago18florence
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoThat's a great suggestion, Chris T! I pulled the lower portion of the window treatments down last night, and as as soon as I find something to stand on, hope to do the same to the valances. I also switched the positions of my loveseat and crazy gold chair, which has me liking my chair better than I did! Do you think shutters would be better than roman shades, another option I've been thinking about? A couple other small changes: brought in a different lamp, one with a sort of antique gold colored shade, moved the small table away from the longer couch to the bay, and added a plant.
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