Need help with decor in our new lake house
schwietergirl
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
We just built this little house on a lake in Ohio. It has a completely open concept, which I love. However, I'm having a hard time with what to put on the long wall that runs through the family room area and dining area. Initially, I thought breaking the wall up into two different spaces would be a good idea but it wasn't (as seen in the photos.) Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (14)
honibaker
3 years agoHow about a long gallery wall like these
shelves? (maybe not as crowded as this one). Perfect for vacation pics, art you found while at the lake etc.schwietergirl thanked honibakerRelated Discussions
Help decorating our new home
Comments (5)Regarding accessories and artwork: I wouldn't be in too big a hurry to be "done" with those. For my home, my favorite artwork is either nicely framed photos from our vacations; professional photos of the family; or art pieces that somehow mean something to us. (e.g., a painting we bought at an art fair that DH and I both loved; another painting of a local garden that has been in books; an antique mirror we found at a fair; etc.) I feel the same way visiting other people's homes: I like looking at their family pictures and hearing about artwork that has some kind of history. (They bought it on their honeymoon; got it from Grandma; etc.) IMHO, when your artwork and accessories mean something to you and have a story to tell, they'll be so much more interesting than if you went out and purchased a bunch of pieces just because they all go together....See MoreNew home in central New Jersey- need help decorating
Comments (45)I read an article on this site not long ago (can't remember where now) that I thought gave some good advice. Buy a couple of high quality pieces. Really nice sofa and chair for example in a neutral color. Then accessorize and add color with less expensive pillows and smaller more original pieces from flea markets as others have suggested or even second hand stores. If you spend some time browsing photos on Houzz and start an idea book you will soon see the similarities in what you like or don't like. Even colors you gravitate towards. So you could get some nice pieces and ideas from Ethan Allen but don't buy everything from them. Fill in with less expensive and unique pieces. It will keep the room from looking like a showroom. Also once you pick fabrics or pillows you like paint stores (at least my local SW) is great about helping pick out paint colors. I think you could very well pull a room together based on an inspiration photo and help from furniture and paint stores. I am no whiz at decorating but I have learned a lot from reading these forums. Good luck and have some fun with it :)...See MoreNeed help with paint and decorating our new main floor!
Comments (7)The best way to find the right color of gray for your walls is to go to BM, SW, or Behr's paint websites since they all have virtual rooms you can paint and try out new colors. Once you find one or more that you like, I suggest buying samples of each paint color you like and painting a good sized section of each color on the wall of the room you will be using them in. Look at the color or colors for at least 2 or 3 days to determine if they will work, looking at them in both sunny and cloudy days along with the lamps and lighting you will use in the room at night. I do love the color of the dining room! BTW - I have 3 shades of gray now in my house! I only use Behr paints and my foyer and living room are painted with Classic Gray (medium gray); Dark Pewter for my bedroom (I wanted a darker bedroom); and Sterling for my hallway, which is a light silvery gray....See MoreNEED HELP decorating our new home!!
Comments (11)My Husband and I went back and forth on what to do with our mismatched home. Either change the grey paint throughout the house or change the warm colors in the kitchen. Although it's the more expensive choice, we opted to go with the latter since our furniture is modern and grey. So without spending an arm and a leg we are wondering what is the mininum we can do to make the kitchen more modern. The cabinetry is in really good condition so we are going to paint them white. We also purchased polished nickel cabinet hardware pulls and a polished nickel chandelier and pendants. We are thinking to change the backsplash matte white subway tile with grey grout to try to match the countertops. The countertops are very busy and have a ton of warm colors running through them, but they also have a nice amount of grey, black, and white. We're hoping the lighting and hardware will pull out the greys and whites and minimize the golds and browns. We are also debating onnif we should keep the built in custom appliances or get new appliances. The current appliances work and are in hood condition but are a bit dated since they've been there since about 2009. The big range hood also looks a bit dated with the little decorative ornament on the front. Any suggestions or ideas would be great!...See Morehonibaker
3 years agoUser
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agosorry, but "word art" is dated, and all the pieces are too random. (I like the clock but it should go somewhere else.)
I suggest a wide gallery wall but keep it simple. like a row of 5 medium frames that are all the same size and type. for a "theme" you could put together a series of favorite family lake photos? (if you can't blow them up that big, then go for really wide matting.) for a really cohesive look, have the photos reprinted into black and white.
schwietergirl thanked Userschwietergirl
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoschwietergirl
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoUser
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agothink of something you love and make it a theme. you said this is a lake house. are there any beautiful photos from around that area? lake, trees, clouds, birds, etc? quaint photos of old buildings in the nearby town or anything like that? (like maybe by a local artist or something.)
or like I said, you could choose some favorite family photos and have them reprinted to the right size, possibly in black and white. if the images are not clear enough to blow up, choose really wide matting. I love the look of a smaller pic with wide matting.
schwietergirl thanked Userschwietergirl
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoschwietergirl
3 years ago
Related Stories
DECORATING GUIDESDesign Dilemma: I Need Lake House Decor Ideas!
How to Update a Lake House With Wood, Views, and Just Enough Accessories
Full Story
HEALTHY HOMEDecorate With Intention: Let Your House Help You De-Stress
Break free of automatic TV time and learn how to really unwind and recharge with these easy ideas that don't cost a dime
Full Story
FUN HOUZZDecorated Houses Help Save a Detroit Neighborhood
Art's a start for an inner-city community working to stave off urban blight and kindle a renaissance
Full Story
DECORATING STYLESThe Comfy Lake House Rule Book
Bunk up and get the s'mores supplies ready for some old-school lake camp weekending
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESCould a Mission Statement Help Your House?
Identify your home’s purpose and style to make everything from choosing paint colors to buying a new home easier
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESDecorating for Children: How Your House Can Support Creative Play
When you encourage kids to use their imagination, you help them learn problem solving, relationship building and creativity
Full Story
COLORPick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette
Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems
Full Story
SELLING YOUR HOUSE10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House
As with the kitchen, the bathroom is always a high priority for home buyers. Here’s how to showcase your bathroom so it looks its best
Full Story
KITCHEN OF THE WEEKKitchen of the Week: Fresh Cabin Charm for a Minnesota Lake House
A designer helps a couple find compromises to suit her modern and his rustic tastes
Full Story
CONTEMPORARY HOMESHouzz Tour: Contemporary Canadian Lake House Warms and Welcomes
A northern Ontario home accommodates parties of 100 but is cozy enough for two
Full Story
Color Zen