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Design Dilemma living room Home Decorating

Layout help needed for a unique Victorian living room

last year

last modified: last year

We recently bought an amazing home, built in 1865 and restored about 15 years ago. It's a gem, but I am *struggling* with the layout for the long, Victorian-style living room. We have a separate den where we hang out and watch TV, so we want this room to be focused on entertaining. We have large gatherings (15-40 people) several times a year, and I'd love to have a space where everyone can mingle comfortably. My challenge is how to keep it feeling pulled together with the doorways, curved wall, fireplace, and bay window competing with one another.

Based on what I've read about long narrow rooms like this, I separated it into 2 smaller conversation areas for now. But then when we have the big groups over, we end up pulling chairs around so everyone can talk together and feel included.

As far as furnishings go, I'm open to replacing any of it to get a better flow except the Eames chair; that stays. My style is generally modern eclectic, although I love pulling in interesting shapes and styles from other eras to help keep things more timeless. I've dreamt of getting an angled couch, but I'm not sure that would work here?

Any thoughts??

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Comments (2)

elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
Unfortunately, the home wasn't restored; it was renovated. Victorian homes didn't have long living rooms and now you are faced with making two rooms, made into one, work for you.

Start by putting the Eames chair into the bay with the floor plant. Now see if you can arrange the furniture that you have to work.
einportlandor
last year
I recently visited a friend with a design background. She moved into a beautiful old home with a long rectangular living room that has a fireplace at each end. Rather than placing one of her sofas across the middle of the space, she has a sofa against each long wall, except on opposite sides -- one on an interior wall and the other under a window (does that make sense)? She added chairs and coffee tables to both areas, creating two distinct social areas, but didn't box either space in. Each is still open to the other so people and conversation easily flows. It's hard to explain but I'll bet a Pro can do a better job.

My friend mixes old, new and interesting furniture pieces and artwork to great advantage. but then, she has the eye and the talent to pull it off. I have a feeling you do too. Have fun nesting in your new home.
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Ok..so with the TV staying above the fireplace and the need for more seating…instead of a 3-seat sofa, I’d suggest getting the largest sectional that will fit properly in the space (hopefully 4 seats along the back wall, 2 adjacent seats on dining room end, and a chaise on the end near the front door. In the meanwhile though, the current furniture could be rearranged to work with the current seating or new seating, once it arrives. Remove the wooden bench, firewood hoop, and telephone seat, and rectangular end table. Move the entry console to the left of the fireplace and the smaller console to the right of the fireplace. Move the current sofa to the right a bit so its end aligns with the end of the wall. Then place the round end table on the left side of the sofa and place the chair right next to it. Then move another chair next to it…just to get an idea of the footprint of the sectional I described…then assess and see how that feels. If it’s too tight, then maybe just another chaise end on that end too. (Hopefully one of the Pro’s will post a to-scale furniture layout.) I’m glad you said you will be redoing (or restoring?) the fireplace…the gray stacked stone does not belong there. Medium toned paint color for the walls…to be determined after all furnishings are in place.
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