I need help :) Living room just bringing me down...
Hi to all of you wonderful people out there! We are in an old Four Square style home that is close to 100 years old. We recently had to change out our sofa and end tables/sofa table as our very nice pieces were shot from years of kids and pets. We quickly ordered a sofa and chair and a half and went with this three piece coffee/end table set -the coffee table isn't substantial enough. COVID hit and we never were able to get a new rug or accessories (art, pillows, etc.). Current rug is nice but too tan with the furniture -super boring.
Over the years I have paid multiple professionals to help us coordinate with our adjacent dining room painted in BM Spanish Red (has custom curtains that I'm sure you all will not like ha ha). No one can figure this out. I have purchased two rugs (Ballard Designs Lewis too pink and one from Pottery Barn -took a loss on both) and am spending hours trying to figure out how to tie these spaces together (or to just figure out a new cost effective scheme -painting the rooms a neutral color -living room is dark as it is next to a large covered porch).
I would love any ideas on how to find a rug, paint color, add interest to the fireplace area (please see picture of close up of stained glass window -there are two of them). I love my chandelier in the dining room so that must stay :) This is not a contemporary space and can't be -I'm looking for traditional or transitional I suppose -tend to prefer lots of fun color.
I'm really not able to decorate. I have tried and am beyond disappointed in myself. With everything going on in the world, it would bring me peace to have our main living space together (this living room is the only one on this floor so it has to serve many purposes). Yes the entertainment center is not stunning and could use a new solution -it has to be in that corner with tv mounted there -agh. Pictures of surrounding dining/kitchen included - kitchen is BM Fernwood Green (I love this color), dining room BM Spanish Red (pretty dated I suppose but it looks elegant in person), living room currently SW Whole Wheat -I'm tired of it and it pulls too much green in this room due to the lighting. Pictures are out of order but it is too hard to fix at this point. :) I'm working and home schooling and am trying to figure out once and for all how to have a space that we enjoy and are proud of. I am a house person -spouse is not -the space affects me and is one thing I can control during these challenging times.
Thank you for reading all of this and for any thoughts you can provide. Have a great day!
Comments (67)
PROJudyG Designs
3 years agoLiving room: the furniture is just too big. Have you tried facing the sofa to the fireplace?
If the sofa works, I would cut my loss and get smaller chairs so that the book cases are not underwhelmed. Can the t v go over the fireplace?
(not suggesting the color scheme, just the furniture arrangement.)
daniela105 thanked JudyG DesignsRelated Discussions
My dad - I know he'll never change but he brings me down
Comments (9)Thank you all for your suggestions. azzalea, I do many of the repairs. I am more handy then most men and can do a lot of things except electical and appliance work. In the past month I've hung a new door on our coat closet then painted it and put in a new knob, which meant moving the striker and redrilling the striker hole in the jamb. I've also removed our handrail on the stairs going to 2nd floor because the original builder didnt' sink the screws into studs, just the lath and plaster, and after 50+ years the handrail was hanging by a thread. I patched the holes, sanded them down and painted, found the studs, moved the brackets & re-hung the handrail. I also patched the plaster in the downstairs bathroom ceiling when the upstair toilet overflowed & leaked through, then sealed and painted it. So construction type work doesn't scare me. I grew up in the 60's and 70's who while Dad was taking my brother to job sites with him, it would never have occurred to him to take me or teach me anything. What I know I've learned through "osmosis." I did replace the light switch in the bathroom but the problem isn't in the switch - and I am not qualifed to tear into the walls for the wiring or the service box. And the lamp is far, far away from any water. We have a 6' counter, with sink at one end, and the lamp is on the other end. And at 75, my dad can run rings around most 50 year olds. Through exercise, eating right & right living, he's never taken and Rx, never had a major illness, and is more physically fit than I am. He retired because he and his partner just finished a 15 acre development, and his partner ran for a state-level polical office and won. Dad decided rather than do it all himself on the next develoment since his partner would be tied up most of the time, he'd just end the partnership. I give it 6 months - he'll be buying more land and doing another development on his own. My dad can't sit still for 5 mintues. You are all right - my dad is who he is and I will never change that. He is not the way I want him to be and that will not change. I need to let it go - and let go of letting what he thinks of me bother me. What is hard is that I call every Thursday night and have for the past 25 years. My dad answers EVERY TIME (in his world, women don't answer the phone). Before I can talk to my mom, I have to hear him groan and moan about how awful the world is for about 15 minutes. He grew up dirt poor and has become wildly successful by any measure - wealth, status, friends, etc. Yet he still complains to me every week about how the world isn't a fit place for my sons to grow up in. I bite my tounge every week and every time they visit or I visit them (2x a month). I tell myself, it's only 24 visits a year and 52 phone calls a year. What bothers me the most is that if my brother, who also lives in my town, calls and wants Dad to do something on his house, my Dad drops everything to do it. He has helped my brother finish his basement, install sheetrock in his garage, build an arbor and porch swing, and finish the "bonus room" over hisgarage. He says it's because my brother's house is new (new build develoment house - about 10 years old) and it's easier to work on a newer house. My brother fits my dad's expectation of what a Man should be - he works in a factory, rides a motorcycle, is the "ruler of his household," etc and his wife is the traditional wife. They don't have kids....See MoreI know what I need to do, I just can't bring myself to say goodbye.
Comments (37)I'm so sorry. I was in your shoes this time last year. I knew our almost 13 year old German Shorthair Pointer was at the end of his life, and I was thinking I'd wait until after Christmas, but I realized that I needed to do it the right thing for him even though it was hard for me. We put him down on Dec. 17. :( I probably waited a bit too long, and I didn't realize how much stress I'd been under thinking about whether or not it was the right time until he was gone. There was almost a sense of relief. Missing him wasn't as difficult as wondering and worrying about whether or not I was doing the right thing. We all still miss him terribly, though. When the time comes, I highly recommend getting a vet to come to your house. It was so peaceful and less stressful than taking him to the office....See MoreHelp me decorate my living room - Desperate help needed!
Comments (51)Hello friends. I am afraid I need your help once again! We have finally settled on a new sofa, accent chairs and the place we are getting all of this from has agreed to also throw in a rug for us if I happen to like one from their suppliers. I fell in love with a rug they have as well as accent pillows I think will match well. We have also decided on the color of the accent chairs and the model of the sofa. My issue : I CANNOT decide on a sofa color!!! Everyone is telling me to do light grey but I am afraid it won't go with the rug I like. I am swayed towards a white sofa (it is more off white, I will post a picture of the swatch bellow) in order to flow with my chairs and everything else. I had spoken to the designer who did our plan and she said I can go with a white sofa no problem. Everyone is saying do light grey. I know I can pick another rug but I am SO In love with the one I have chosen and I think it will make the space... Can anyone advise me on what to do? I do like a light grey sofa but I also really like the colors in the rug...We have to order this week in order to make it in time for Christmas and I am very undecided. You have all been so helpful and if you aren't utterly sick of me, I would appreciate the advice! Here is the link to the sofa we have chosen: https://mikazahome.ca/product/sevan/ We will get the 89 inch modification sofa with a 9 inch arm on one side (you can see example in the photos) and a 5 inch on the other end. Legs will be like in the second photo on the side. Here is a swatch of the white that we had chosen (ignore the leather, it is the material swatch next to it). Photo of the accent chair: Photo of the rug: Accent pillows: We are also hesitating for the accent chairs - there is another chair we like but it is not as much of a good quality as the one above. I will insert a photo here - feel free to let me know which one would be better. In other words, which chairs? Which color sofa? Do I go with light gray sofa and change the rug or go with off white sofa? Thank you!...See MoreHelp me bring life into my living room!
Comments (15)Art! Add art to the walls. I agree with the comments above. (Except pulling the sofa away from the wall. I don’t think the room is big enough.). My first thought was how well the sofa fits in the space. Looks almost custom to the room. Do you have a small chair or ottoman you can put where the fan is next to the tv stand? Id pull the rug out to cover the whole floor unless you hate the idea of the rug under foot on a travel route. It’s fine where it is but would look better pulled out. Post pictures when youve made some of the changes. Nice use of a small space....See More
dianabythelocks
3 years ago
PROFlo Mangan
3 years agoAdded art on wall behind chair to add some red. Added lighter rug. Added a few lighter brighter pillows along with layered look on mantel.
daniela105 thanked Flo ManganRebekah Gibbs
3 years agoYou have very lovely furniture pieces throughout your home - to me the tv cabinet feels like the odd man out. Sort of basic in comparison to the grandness of everything else. Maybe try a piece with more detail? It might also help keep the cords in check https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/three-posts-tomball-corner-tv-stand-for-tvs-up-to-48-w002806538.html?piid=1414126077
Also I agree with everyone else about the colorful throw pillows and artwork over the fireplace as well as a less dated light fixture over the dining room table. Something like this feels more updated but still fits with the style of your house https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/merry-4-light-lantern-geometric-pendant-lfmf2107.html?piid=23347608
daniela105 thanked Rebekah Gibbsdaniela105
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago btydrvn
3 years agobtydrvn
3 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago - PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago - PRO
daniela105
3 years agodaniela105
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoGcubed
3 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years agoI had to try some ideas for you. Here is a mock up with antique multi panel mirror with aged gold trim, a old brass coffee table with glass top to open up views and visually open up room. Added the new, brighter rug. Just kinda dreaming with you. 😁
daniela105 thanked Flo Mangan daniela105
3 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago njmomma
3 years ago
Susan Davis
3 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago - PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago daniela105
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoSusan Davis
3 years agoI am saving up for the foyer bench and finished the last bedroom with pretty much 2nd Hand Me Down Rose and WalMart.
No more design till winter as our vacation house is busy! Utah opened up last week and our COVID deaths are very very low....we have been somewhat lucky, for which I am grateful.
- PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago daniela105
3 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
3 years ago Susan Davis
3 years agoSusan Davis
3 years agobonvoyage
3 years agodaniela105
3 years ago
freedomplace1
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoSofa with back to windows is not so ideal from Eastern Feng Shui standpoint, but better than having sofa with back to entry + blocking the room. So really, i would leave sofa and your wires and connections where they are.
If there is any space on wall area opposite sofa, I would suggest hanging a mirror or mirrors to reflect the windows. Mirror(s) don’t have to be very big, and they could be hung above eye level if you want them to be less intrusive in the space. This would bring in light and energy, and help sofa placement.
https://www.westelm.com/m/products/peruvian-wall-mirrors-white-gold-d6947/
daniela105 thanked freedomplace1btydrvn
3 years agodaniela105
3 years agodaniela105
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoSo....back again -yet another rug disaster -I ordered a 3x5 of the very colorful rug and the BIG one is on the way -it doesn't work. Contemplating going with this one that someone shared but another Houzz responder mentioned was old fashioned (and so did a friend of mine who has a more contemporary decor style). I really don't understand what that means...my house is an old home and I have it styled more traditionally almost vintage. This one does seem to brighten the room and allows to incorporate other colors. Thoughts? BTW I'm almost 50 so I'm close to vintage ha ha! I'm not a modern or contemporary decorator as it doesn't work with our existing pieces. Thanks again!
Flo Mangan