OMG! you have crushed it with your sculpture of a light fixture! You're not kidding when you say you need visual hahaha. The new table is really cute.

https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/mack-milo-neri-1-light-single-dome-pendant-w001043616.html?piid=1708662218%2C1708662214

You don't have enough room for a console table behind the sofa AND a coffee table. You need to choose one or the other. The console gives you a place for lamps, but I would choose the coffee table instead because you have no room for an end table due to your door and new plant stand, and it's important to have some where to set down drinks. You can use floor lamps.

I like the pendant but I don’t love the look of that track lighting, sorry!! Is that suggestion based on giving me a lot of light?
To be honest, I don’t have an issue with light in here. The sliding glass doors let in a ton during the day and in the evenings I’m usually out or the TV is on bc I use it for music/podcasts.
And also - this looks like an electrician job or at least for a person who knows what they’re doing. I can put in a light fixture if it’s not complicated (I look up assembly directions on anything before I buy), sooo...let’s say I’m not in the position to hire someone right now. What wld you recommend in that case?

I think I CAN manage to swag a pendant though, depending on the weight. I can manage drilling a hook/anchor into the concrete ceiling.

Ok, tried to write another post but I keep losing it.

CaliDesign - thanks! Will def keep your suggestion in mind! I’m working on a very set budget anyways (doing well staying within it!) so i’ll focus on a coffee table first in any case and IF I end up feeling like there is room, a sofa table is a maybe. The West Elm one I also

Some coffee table options I like right now: the CB2 rectangular one I love the look of even though I thought I really wanted an oval. and it’s a good price. The West Elm one combining the marble and wood is not what I expected to like...but my eyes keep coming back to it, it must be my style! But I have a personal vendetta again West Elm

so I won‘t be giving them my money, but keeping this design idea in mind. The Anthro is what I initially thought of for my space, leggy and airy. This is not special enough for that price though. I can find this look for less with some more patience.

Do ya’ll like any of these?

CB2 and West Elm tables I mentioned above

The pendant I showed is very light and very reasonably priced I went white and gold so it still has some flair. But maybe first you should decide what you want to hang on the wall behind the dining set. What if you tried that picture you had planned for over the sofa, behind the dining set it would go well with the chairs and is a good size.

It might be helpful also to first get the plant stand and get that situated so the space is more open and we can see what we have.

Ah, ok RL. Makes sense.
Except - the lamps I’m using in the living room, I do need in the bedroom. I’m like moving them from room to room, super annoying. And stupid.
What if I pulled the trigger on even one floor lamp, then I can make some progress like you mentioned and not feel so in flux

Sure I can see you picking a floor lamp no problem!

Cool! what do you think of this? I def am into the aesthetic, but someone had a point that it’s faced down so not really a good living room light? those are the things I struggle with..I can pick what I like Ie, what looks good to my eye, but I question if I know what works best for my space

This lamp

Also since I am so bad at this - I’ll brag again to make myself feel better (bear with me!)

The picture is my own photo from a recent trip to India, I had it framed but picked the frame, sizing, matting, etc myself and I’m sooo proud of it! It‘s a pic of tile work on a marble ceiling and hard to see online but the marbling really comes through in real life. Which is why I am so set on a marble coffee table. I fell in love with the look, feel and smell (yep, there is a smell) of real marble and since I don‘t see myself using it anywhere else in my home, I really want it for my coffee table. And *maybe* end tables but that’s less important to me

I’m planning to frame many more of my photographs, in various sizes.

The lamp above is a great light for reading, but it is a task light, not light for the room overall. You could use this one on one side of your sofa, and another lamp on the other side with better general light. Any of your coffee tables above will work if the sizes are right.

Well I say give it a go over the dining table.

I moved the dining table over and got rid of the cabinet. I think this will work for me in terms of traffic flow! Put my model light fixture up and quickly snapped a pic before it fell down (rainy and humid here today, nothing is sticking). So things are not perfectly aligned. But this might be ok?

Dining table

Yes, center the dining table under the fixture. RL's pendant lamp is only 10.5" wide; too small. Of the coffee tables you show above, the one from cb2 would look best, IMO, if it's large enough.

Let me see what dining pendant I can find that won't break the bank.

Love that Neri 1 light. Think your new table would look so cute centered under it. Just enough detail to be really classy. 3 different sizes though. I think I'd go larger, but it depends on size of table. Also, all three of the coffee tables are interesting. I favor the Leavenworth table since it picks up the gold from the Neri light. You are doing a great job!

Trent Austin Design Maconay 1-Light Single Dome Pendant & Reviews | Wayfair · More Info

https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/trent-austin-design-maconay-1-light-single-dome-pendant-trnt4333.html

Thanks guys! Now I have sooo many choice but I’m not going to obsess and I do really like RL’s Neri light - I’m thinking black instead of white though.

And based on measurements of everything, yea I need the 15 or 17 in pendant, I think both wld be ok

Pendant in black and gold

I like the white.

gotcha, thanks! I think either black or white will be nice...

but being so spatially challenged, I think I need to make another “model“ fixture. Even if it’s centered above the table and I like where the table is, I can’t see how I’m not going to be irritated by this large pendant based on how low it should be above the dining table.

or maybe I’m missing something. Hmm, please feel free to weigh while i scrounge up some materials for my model.

I'm not a pro, definitely spatially challenged, and can't figure out my own decorating style, but I know a good thing when I see it, so I just wanted to pop in and say your space looks great so far!

Has anyone suggested the possibility of two smaller, matched/complementary coffee tables? I wonder whether that might look nice along the length of your sofa while also offering some flow through the middle of the room.

Love the idea of wallpapering the dining room wall, especially if you can find something that will be a good background or matting for your fabulous photo!

Could the leaning mirror be altered and mounted horizontally behind the sofa?

Your place is coming along so well-- don't lose patience! :)

Greetings to your kitties from Skink (the tuxedo) and Luna (the tortie)!

Aw TB - thanks! Very nice of you to pop in to say that!

I thought about the double coffee tables but I didnt like the look, too cluttery or something . i can find a long enough coffee table, just a matter of round not fitting my space and that’s totally ok. I LIKE the CB2 one more and more .

I’m not sure I can alter the mirror and it’s really for utility as well as aesthetic! I like having a nice full length mirror here so when I get dressed I can back up and see how my bomb outfit looks! Haha! My bedroom doesn’t give me the same room to get as good of a view.

I had floor to ceiling mirrors on this dining room wall which was very 80’s and I finally got rid of them (myself!). I don’t miss the look but I’m spoiled in terms of awesome dressing mirrors! Maybe I will figure out a good option for the bedroom eventually but not dealing with that now! One project at a time

Here’s a view of the mirrored walls as I started demo. I wish I had a good before pic of the whole space but the whole thing sorta started rolling before I could think to take one

The model won’t stick to my ceiling folks. But I do want to show ya’ll what I mean, so I’ll try again tomorrow! I don’t think I’m going to do a pendant unless I swag it or move the junction box.

swag it.

This one is on Perigold and is on sale. I have it in copper hanging in my bay window.

Cyan Design Celia 1-Light Bell Pendant | Perigold · More Info

They have it in three styles.

It's marked way down by 80%

I never defy Grover (LOL) but I would not want my table in the center of the only walking path to and from the front door to the kitchen... we swag the light and do it with some style, you kind of have that mid-century thing going so swagging will fit right in..

Ha RL!
I do like the swag idea, I really truly do. I just need a “I can do this now and don’t have to pay more than the light fixture cost for it bc I‘m STILL unemployed” solution.

And I don’t generally do things half-way only to have to do it twice, you’ll just have to trust me on that. But I can’t not have a ceiling light here for much longer or I’ll lose the bit of sanity I’m clinging onto. So here‘s what I’m doing tomorrow:

I‘ll ask the saint of a maintenance man here in my bldg if he would drill a hole into the concrete ceiling for a hook. I don’t have the drill bit to do it myself (and to be honest, I’m scared). So if yes, even if he doesn’t have time right away, I’m going to model a pendant (really really like the Neri) swagged over the dining table when the table is in a spot that I can be happy to move around AND is still usable for people to sit. IE - I don‘t know why I thought I wanted to push it up against the wall as if it didn’t exist. Doesn’t make sense and it’s not necessary! Ok folks, I’m getting there! (And please pardon the dramatics, i know it’s just decor ).

And I can hear the next question - why did I get rid of the ceiling fan with lights then?? Well i’ll tell you why - I listed it to sell online thinking eventually, in a few weeks or something, i’ll get some interest. But I immediately got a buyer for that 1983 fan for $30! And he wanted it soonish. I didn’t want to lose the sale! Now that $30 will pay a good portion of a light fixture!

And I LOVE that the ceiling fan was able to be used!

Oh I got my (free! Yeay!) plant stand! Here’s how it’s looking...I have it up on a box to add about 4 inches bc it was a bit shorter than the seller, oops I mean GIFTER measured. I’ve never used furniture risers but I’m thinking I can get some of those or DIY something. It’s a stable, sturdy shelf so it’ll be easy to lift up a bit. And i’ll spray paint it black when it stops raining here in DC. Not gold right?! Ha! Maybe gold... haha!

But it’s a good improvement I think!! A few of the plants are taking air on the balcony, the ones that like the humidity. And so, no it’s not a final arrangement... I’m thinking I will put all the orchids on the stand. But if any of you are plant lovers, you’ll understand this tip I got from my mother - don’t spend too much time arranging plants *just so* or they’ll rebel. And I found it to be true! Some die and others grow like the plant from Little Shop of Horrors to show you who’s boss.

Don’t give up on me folks!! This has been so helpful and I really really appreciate all the input. It’s hard adulting by myself sometimes, so HUGGSS to you kind strangers

Sorry for all the posts, I keep thinking of things to help you help me, ha!

The wood bench I have takes up a lot of space, I know. I want to give you a good look at it bc i can feel you wondering why I don’t use something else less bulky. But this is something....

An ex made this. Not for me. He made it as a coffee table for himself and gifted it to me this summer when he moved across the country and cld not take it. It’s heavy and it’s special in its own imperfect way. I‘m keeping it. Because it’s unique and because he made it. BUT I don’t like it as a coffee table bc (1) with all the plants in here it’s just too much and (2) I can’t deal with having to explain where it came from EVERY.SINGLE.TIME someone sees my place. So I found this idea on insta and I think it’s lovely here. It’s got this huge cut out in the middle that my design friend has mentioned more than once that I should cover with glass or something to make it more I dunno...practical I guess . But it’s not my creation and I would not do that.

I sell it online for like 150$ and get yourself a new table....this one is just weird anyway, yah you could add glass but it won't change the back story. I think you should try the mirror over the sofa lengthwise, you can just lean it on the back of the sofa for a test spin.. then with a narrow console table, you still have room for a coffee table.

For the light get something with cord not chain, most of these style pendants aren't very heavy and that hook would rate for at least 25 lbs, we are talking like 7 pounds lol. the picture on the right is more about the pendant than the mirror.

The coffee table/bench is an interesting piece, but it is too short for your sofa, and since it makes you uncomfortable to talk about it, it means you should get rid of it. Sell it, and use the money to get the marble topped coffee table that will make you happy. That is what making a "home" is all about. I really like the suggestion above about using your mirror horizontally over the sofa. It will reflect light from the window, and be safer than a leaning mirror.

https://www.worldmarket.com/product/blush-pink-capiz-and-gold-floral-pendant-lamp.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=fn

https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/langley-street-tasha-1-light-single-dome-pendant-lgly5052.html?piid=

Not design advice, but just try rewriting your mental script about that table-- "it's handmade; isn't it unique?!" No relationship history, just let that go. You don't have to ditch the piece, just simplify your outlook and you might find there's no actual discomfort there-- it's just a table. If you like it and it works for you, keep it.

Keep the bench. It's a perfect plant stand and it has a history.

Ok - I haven’t even read all the responses yet and I will but Shut the Front Door RL!!

A capiz shell chandelier is literally something I wanted way back when I first started thinking of doing anything with my condo at all! Back when I had a big high paying job and I was ready to buy what I wanted from Anthropology...I LOVED the velvet chairs and the capiz chandelier!! Here’s a pic I have in my wish list album on my phone! but figured...”eh, my style is dumb, it’s all modern/sleek/etc now. Plus I can’t afford it anyways. Blah blah.” Screw that! Of course I can afford it, so many within my range. And now I actually know that yep, I LOVE IT and I want it in MY condo.

Ok too weird. Did I mention a capiz fixture?? No right? Oh wait, you can see my saved ideas I think, so Is that how you knew? Anyways... I LOVE LOVE IT. I’m a little floored actually, so I might need a second

My Maintenance saint came by to bring me a ladder and I asked about the ceiling. He explained how it’s tough bc you can’t just use a drill, need a hammer drill (I think that’s what it’s called?). But he will do it! So I’m going to find one that looks like it might work!
I’m going to try HomeDepot. Their return policy is just so amazing. They will take back a a fixture even if you’ve installed it. Not a refund but store credit which is pretty much cash considering you can buy literally anything there.

Ta-Da! I guess I should be sorry, but I never looked through your idea book lol. I just started thinking you kind of have dark over there, and if you put that batik prink with the navy chairs, pink would be a natural fit, and the shells soften it up ...........those were my thoughts, plus this light was really a good price for capiz as they are never cheap.

You go gUrl!

Cost Plus World Market has several.

So I was just about to post a new question here and was thinking about this thread and how so many of you wonderful humans took time out a few years ago (omg pre-pandemic!!) when I was redoing my one bedroom condo. I obvs have no idea if people continue to stay on this forum but I’m hoping at least a few people see this so I can say THANK YOU!!

Long story to go along with the long years we’ve all faced from early 2020 to now, but short version is soon after I did “refreshed” my place, I moved out of the h*** that was condo living in DC amid the pandemic to stay with my folks in NC. And quickly decided I never wanted to move back to DC! So I sold my place!! And no, I do not regret for a moment the work I put into it bc (1) it looked awesome and (2) it sold within days of being on the market, at a price a tad higher than other places in my own bldg which I attribute to a bit of emotional response bc my condo looked FIRE.

So thanks to everyone who made suggestions (even those I didn’t take!). I learned so much and have found so much more confidence in my ability to know what I like, how to ask for help, and most of all…not become overwhelmed with opinions!! I ask for them, but hey…people like different things, no biggie.

Anyways, in case anyone is still around, thought I’d share a few pics of how it all turned out in the end.

Happy spring everyone!