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Home Repair Design Dilemma living room

Any suggestion for improvements?

2 years ago

Hi,

Looking for some advices on what to improve? This is my dinning room and loving room?

Thanks,

Kiril

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Comments (17)

jck910
2 years ago
What kind of improvements? Rooms look great to me. Just add rugs, furniture, window treatments & art
mvcanada
2 years ago
I think you need some paint colour. That will depend on the furniture you plan for both rooms. Also there seems to be some baseboard missing in places - do you plan to replace it?

You've got golden oak floors and greens tend to look really nice with those floors if you like it but here are some other suggestions as well.

If you like the monotone look that you've got now, you could choose the same paint colour for the wall as the trim. Flat on the wall and semi gloss on the trim.

My personal favourites in the picture below are the sage leaf or Stone.

green paint colours with honey oak - Google Search · More Info

green paint colours with honey oak - Google Search · More Info

In this set I like the green on the far right. And then depending on your furniture accents in some of those other colours - could be a navy blue throw on a couch or new blinds for the dining room windows in one of colours.
green paint colours with honey oak - Google Search · More Info

I'd be tempted to paint the window frame around the stained glass window and pick a colour from the glass - that would really bring attention to that lovely feature.
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After having reviewed the text, illustrations and the complete video I have come to one conclusion. At best this demonstrates why the codes only permit Master Plumbers, Journeymen Plumbers or Architects with a Plumbing Endorsement on their license to design DWV sytems. First off, because of variations in where the septic tank or municipal sewer line connection may be, in all cases the DWV layout MUST BE designed specific to the structure under construction at the location where it is to be constructed. It is physically impossible to create an out of the box DWV plan such as you propose. In fact, if we build 10 homes from the same floor plan it is doubtful if any two of those homes would have the same layout. In your text you state that all lines under 3" require a 1/8" per/ft pitch and lines over 3" require a 4" pitch when in fact, just the opposite is true. Under the IRC (International Residential Code) all lines equal to or less than 3" are required to have a 1/4" per foot pitch except lines 3" or larger may have a 1/8"per/ft pitch with the expressed written consent of the local inspector. Under the UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) the break point is 4". In the illustration on the closet flange I see a number of code violations, most notable is a horizontal vent line below the flood level rim of the fixture and improper boring through the joists. After having repeatedly viewed the video i can only say that while you have some great graphic work, nonetheless, the motion is far too jumpy to allow anyone to grasp the concepts, but then when one considers that not one vent line in the video would pass code, perhaps its a good thing no one can see it plain. In addition, while you discussed a 4" main drain, based upon the number and type of fixtures in the video you do not have a large enough DFU load to justify a 4" line, and while you made mention of a trap primer on the shower pan drain, in fact there is no trap primer in the entire video. The video shows illegal use of both Wye's and Tee's on the drain lines, the dishwasher connection is entirely illegal and the video makes absolutely no mention of the placement of required cleanouts. In my humble opinion you would do well to confine your activities to computer graphics and leave designing DWV systems to those who are both qualified and licensed to the task.
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Its a good looking home, but I like you I have a feeling that there is some untapped potential here. The plantings look nice, but commit the DIYers cardinal sin of marching all around the foundation with no breaks and no curves. This gives a 'moat' effect, not welcoming or natural at all. Needs some softness and more free forms [actually trimmed into little box shapes-- wow] to contrast and compliment the straight lines of the architecture. So before I removed anything, I'd let it grow out to more natural shapes. I'd also enlarge the planting zone itself so that it connects the house to the neighborhood rather than isolating it-- perhaps establishing a curved line that would contact the drive and possibly the street sidewalk. A garden hose can be great for laying out and adjusting these lines until you get to something that seems to fit. I can't really see the porch area well: is that the front door? And you approach it from the street by walking up the drive way, and making a 90 degree turn? In that case, I think adding stairs and a walk to the street side would do wonders to open the home to its environment. A tapered, arts and crafts style column on the corner of the porch would be nice, but the size of the window and placement of the door argues against a more elaborate treatment. I think it argues [a bit at least] against adding a peak to the roof. assuming the door and big window both open to the front room, I'd much rather the door was in the center of the space with a window on each side, but I'm addicted to symetry [symetriholic] and can't imagine why the architect would have stuck the door in the corner this way. I'd do some scale drawings. With graph paper, you don't need to be an artist or have any tools more elaborate than a pencil and ruler to get a very clear idea of how different approaches would work. PS: I love the way the corner windows on the front and rear speak to each other. Neither would work work on its own, together they are quite special.
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Comments (13)
Foyer issues have been covered -- I'm with everyone else, and I particularly liked the phrase "boogered up". Very Halloween. The master'll be very private, but I'm not sure you can get large furniture (like a headboard or a double dresser) down that twisty-turny hallway. Living room /dining room look fine. This is a "trap kitchen", meaning its island will trap people in the U, and the whole thing looks a bit cramped. With this much space, you could do a whole lot better. I'd also consider moving the freezer into the laundry room. You don't spend much time at all in a freezer, and it doesn't really "earn its keep" in the prime kitchen area. My first thought is to rearrange it something like this: Imagine the blue boxes as U-shaped cabinetry. This layout allows you to see the kids at the table and in the living room ... and you could make the peninsula wider for bar stools for them ... but they won't run through your work space. I'd place the refrigerator in the red area (perhaps with a beverage station right next to it), and then I'd make the rest of the red area into reach-in pantry. This would be MUCH more storage than the pantry shown on your plan. The laundry is close to ... nothing, which means MANY extra steps for you. At the very least, I'd open up the garage entry to the foyer so you'd have a straight shot into your bedroom corridor and the steps to the kids' rooms. I disagree with an above poster about making the laundry room window into a door: Back doors get used -- side doors are just left unlocked accidentally. Upstairs: You have four children ... but three bedrooms upstairs. You say you intend to build another bedroom in the basement in the future. I personally would arrange things differently: I'd make what is currently a family room (upstairs) into a fourth kids' bedroom. This'd keep all the kids corralled upstairs. And then in future years, build a family room in the basement. The kids won't want to hang out in a room apart from you for years anyway (well, mine never really did). This just seems "nicer' to have bedrooms all in one area. I wouldn't use a pocket door on the kids' bathroom. I think your chances of that door being broken are about 100%. I'd like to see some storage for the kids around the sink area -- with two sinks you have essentially none under the vanity. I don't like the bathroom being divided into three rooms, each with one item in it. Kids can share without undue trouble (I was one of five sharing a bathroom, and while I remember shortages in other areas of our lives, the bathroom was always a non-issue). With three boys, I might consider a urinal, but since I'm a girl-mom, I'll let other people discuss that. I don't share the above poster's concern about a closet sticking out into a room; I'd use it for something -- like a built-in desk or drawers. This would work better if you move the door just a bit farther down the wall ... in fact, I think if this were my bedroom, I'd rather have the door down the hall, nearer the bathroom.
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Comments (18)
You did a fantastic job of rebuilding your home from the pics you posted. No to shutters. I like the nice, clean look you have now. Landscaping is the next thing to do that will finish your look. Deco's idea is spot on. As to front door color: consider a deep eggplant or even a 'rusty' orange for your front door. Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have the ability to paint your front door virtually on their website when you upload your home. It's an effective way to narrow your choices, but you still have to do some sampling to get just the right color.
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cat_ky
2 years ago
The first thing, I see, is the color of the light bulbs in your chandelier. They are way to yellow, and distort the colors on the walls in the dining room. I would replace those with different more daylight type bulbs.

Since you are missing baseboards, you will need to paint all them anyway, I would paint them either white, or a contrasting color, rather than the same color as the walls.
K P
Original Author
2 years ago
looks like previous owner installed central heat/conditioning , so i am not sure what he did with the walls but some parts of the walls have baseborars , some parts dont, some have differnt types.. but from your response it looks that would be like the first thing to work on. I also like the idea of having different wall color.
ashtonchic
2 years ago
I would get a HVAC firm to come trace out where the ducts are. Then you can remove what you don't need and patch. Do you have furniture and/or rugs to put in rooms? I'd make a list of things you need/want for each room, make a floor plan with dimensions and see if there is a group of colors that speak to you. You can look at rooms here on Houzz to get ideas.

Baltimore Symphony Associates Decorators' Show House, 2015 -Dining Room · More Info
Liz H
2 years ago
Curtain rod should be pushed closer to the ceiling, if you plan on keeping curtains.
klem1
2 years ago
jck910 "What kind of improvements? Rooms look great to me. Just add rugs, furniture, window treatments & art"

My thoughts exactly. If something doesn't suit you,change it. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket and have a feeling you must DO SOMETHING,build a tiny house and let your imagination run wild. Before doing as suggested on houzz thinking it has to be the latest from Paris,think about this. There are dozens of posts responding with "Eeeew orangey,yellow golden oak"at the mere mention of clear coated natural oak wood. Which is the trendy and latest? And p-u-l-l-eez,remove part of the hvac system in the name of improvements???? I can't think of an explianatiion other than some of these people must be jokesters,pranksters or jesters. What ever happened to the personal touch and origionality?
ashtonchic
2 years ago
I wonder if Klem1 misunderstood what I was suggesting. I was recommending removing baseboard heating,etc. if it's no longer necessary, not removing the HVAC.
mvcanada
2 years ago
I wonder if Klem1 is feeling a bit like Scrooge. If comments are upsetting then just keep scrolling.
klem1
2 years ago
Ash,I did indeed think you were suggesting removal of central ducts. Everywhere baseboards are mentioned I interpited to mean trim board between wall and floor. Go's to show how important it is to not only read before speaking but comperhend what is read.
K P
Original Author
2 years ago
how about these colors?

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray

Manchester Tan (HC-81)

Benjamin Moore Pale Oak

Benjamin Moore Pleasant Valley
K P
Original Author
2 years ago
planning to add new baseboards..
K P
Original Author
2 years ago
As right now i am not putting furniture or rugs. Planning to rent the place out
User
2 years ago
honestly, I think that chandelier is way too elaborate for a rental. as a tenant, I would not like that.
K P
Original Author
2 years ago
I was also thinking of removing it. Any suggestion for a different chandelier? Something little more modern?
User
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
what demographic do you think your renters will be? if in doubt, a simple drum shade goes with just about anything.

if you're worried it might get ruined, this one is not too expensive. I think this Khaki one has just enough color and texture to hide minor scuffs or stains, while still looking nice and neutral.
K P
Original Author
2 years ago
Mostly families with young children

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