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Design Dilemma Home Decorating living room

what should I do with this sitting room?

3 years ago

Please excuse the poor lighting... I just moved into this house and I want to give this sitting room a
more comfortable modern vibe. The walls are light grey and we plan on staining the floor a darker color. Does anyone have any ideas on furniture/ furniture placement? Color? Style? Art work? I’m a complete novice when it comes to home decorating so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! :)

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Comments (12)

ShadyWillowFarm
3 years ago
Uncover the windows so it’s lighter and take more pictures from multiple angles. If you can provide measurements and possibly a floor plan, you’ll get more help. How do you envision using it? Do you need a tv, or would you prefer no tv? Will you have guests for coffee, or use it to read books?
laila M
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you!
I will post more photos here in a few. I’m thinking of using it as an extra sitting room that could be used for either coffee or reading.
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I agree with all of you: they're definitely Hollywood Regency. And I should recharacterize my own style, which is probably better said to be "*in* transition" rather than transitional. (: I do like clean-lined pieces, and our DR set is very Mission; the adjacent LR combines Mission and Art Deco; and our bedroom, where these chairs would go, is your basic Recovering Graduate Student/Random Wedding Present room. So funky/eclectic would fit in just fine there. And there's just something about these chairs... The room is a long rectangle. The half without windows is for the bed (not a bed per se, but rather mattresses on a metal frame) and the dressers, which are mismatched yard sale finds. On the other side of the room, I'd like to create a sitting/reading area next to the windows, with a gorgeous view of the mountains (by far the nicest thing about the room!). We got a red and tan handloomed Peruvian folk-art rug for our wedding, and that's what we'll use to set off the seating area. Also on that side of the room, framing one window, are some slender dark walnut modern-styled bookcases. And then the part I'd like to replace: a heinously ugly loveseat that a friend gave us, also on that side of the room. I'd much rather find some reading chairs and an ottoman than a loveseat anyway; the room's not that big, and the loveseat makes it a pain to open and close the curtains and shades. I agree these chairs don't look too comfortable, so they're probably not my ideal reading chairs. But they'd be good for draping the bathrobe or pulling into the LR for extra seating. I love the idea of velvet, and maybe even the box-pleated skirt -- hadn't thought of that, cool idea, thank you! I agree that they're great in a pattern, but I don't want lots of patterns clashing in my bedroom, I don't think. What would you think of a tan velvet on the back and the bottom of the seat, and then the top, round seat cushion in something like this: Here is a link that might be useful: I'd use this pillow cover to reupholster the seat...
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Is your master bedroom on the first floor or second floor? What style is your home? If it is on the second floor, I would make it more elaborate. If it's on the first floor with easy proxemity to the kitchen, I would keep it simple. Vague answer...I know, but that is where I would start.
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In addition to accessories, the first thing I would consider if you canÃ¢ÂÂt/donÃ¢ÂÂt want to paint the ceiling to bring in more teal, and you are going to hate me for this, is to change the banding on the drapes to teal, or at least add a couple inch band of teal between the red and the print. That will also help the teal pop out of the drapery fabric. I would NOT paint the panels above the fireplace in the teal. What I would do is get a thicker piece for the mantel shelf, and drop it down so that the bottom of it starts at the top line of the tile, and paint it the same color as the rest of the panels (white?) I would then look for three platters or six smaller plates to hang in the panels with teal as the primary color. Or, use two of these on each of the outside panels, hung one over the other, and then a teal vase in the center with some branches and greenery to give some height. teal seashell plates Maybe this vase from Pier1: Teal reactive vase Pier1 will have all the faux and dried grasses, twigs and small floral accents to pull in the colors you want into the vase. If you donÃ¢ÂÂt like the plates, look at the seashell and starfish/coral wall art pieces on the Pier 1 site - they would work instead of the plates on the two side panels. Please also take a little time to paint all the vents teal to disappear on the wall. They are not decorative items. :-) A taller more vertical mirror over the sideboard, and either one bigger lamp on one side, or a pair of lamps on either side. Consider finding something if you do a single larger lamp, that has a ceramic base. I know this is expensive, but I think it would be stunning there against the teal wall, and picks up the coral pattern in the drapery: coral porcelain temple jar lamp
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I wouldn't do anything with the wall the TV is on. It's fine to be there on it's own. I would, however, center the console on that wall and remove the lamp next to the TV, that has absolutely no business being there. And I would get a different area rug. That blue rug is too bright and distracting and matches nothing in that space. Get something with more subtle, neutral colors.
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laila M
Original Author
3 years ago
Angle from adjacent dining room
laila M
Original Author
3 years ago
Angle from foyer entrance
laila M
Original Author
3 years ago
Angle from front of fire place
petula67
3 years ago
Is your heart set on the modern vibe? The wide, painted crown and baseboard trim, tall windows, and the fireplace are sending out more of a vintage vibe to me. They all look quite pretty, at least in the photo, as does the current floor color. I can picture comfortable, upholstered furniture, a subtle floral rug, and a few antique/vintage pieces thrown in, but that's no help to you if you like modern. BTW, I'm practically salivating over that room!
Nicole R
3 years ago
Do you have pets or kids? For me that affects color and fabric choices for upholstery and rugs.
laila M
Original Author
3 years ago
Yeah I’m still trying to go for a modern look, but open to trying a mix of things. Maybe some photo references would help. I also don’t have any kids, but I do have pets. I think I’m going to have that area in the house closed off from them though.
ShadyWillowFarm
3 years ago
WhAt a wonderful room! I would arrange a sitting area in front of the fireplace, maybe a loveseat and pair of chairs. Put a small buffet, chest or bookcase in the corner near the doors. The fireplace is a bit generic, are you open to changes?
laila M
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes, what would you suggest doing?
ShadyWillowFarm
3 years ago
New tile around the fireplace to start.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
What colr are you planning for all the floors in the house since IMO they all need to be the same.BTW you can have all those vintage parts ans still have a modern home.This was 1905 house we actually put back the trim and redid the ceilings to match what had been removed. But I had no intention of living in a 1905 style.I would leave the FP for now and just do the floors then find the furniture you like for the space . That front door needs to be changed for sure if modern is what you want I love the doors going into the space

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