How would you style?

Caroline O'Brien

last year

See pics below. tv above the fireplace is not an option. help help!

Featured Answer

Denise Marchand

last year

This room needs to have several functions and the focus should not be around the fireplace.

The fireplace is unique but gets lost in the room. Color block around the fireplace by painting a "stone" color (darker than the existing stone) 6" from the largest width and ceiling to floor. Hang a unique very large mirror over the fireplace so that you create balance with the entrance on center.

In the floor plan below, note the position of the tv is on the wall to the left of the entrance. A large plush sofa to the left of the fireplace with a console behind the sofa, large art over the console, and a lounge chair and ottoman.

On the right of the fireplace, consider a game table with large art centered above the table. a loveseat and your two wing chairs near the recessed bookcase.

The rugs should be the same, again, so that balance is created with the two seating areas. I indicated round rugs, which will add whimsy and something unexpected. (Maybe huge rag rugs)

Window treatments should be ceiling to floor and consider a beautiful printed linen in Pierre Frey fabric.

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Comments (19)

Denise Marchand
last year
Pierre Frey Printed Linen Curtains - ceiling to floor
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Looking at your ideabook, I would say your style is more transitional. You need to take into consideration that there are some black finishes in the space. If you want to change all of that out, fine. But you can't ignore it. The focal point is the fireplace. I recommend a semi-flush mount for your hallway, a rug. You can keep the fan in the living room. YOu mentioned you want a light fixture. That is possible, if you want one, but it is also going to be a semi-flush mount. You really don't want it hanging in front of the artwork or competing with the hallway lighting. Be careful about any art along the hallway. It need to be low in contrast or mirrors. You cannot view it from a distance as you can the fireplace art.
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Flo Mangan
last year
In a long room with center entry and tiny fireplace, you will need two “zones” of seating. One as you show with TV the focal point but the other needs a bit more interest and diversity. Keep your “lines of sight” in mind. So Denise’s floor plan does all this. You could implement this layout relatively easily. I would suggest a alternative and less expensive beefing up of the fireplace by using trim and substantial art. On the other two walls facing entry a gallery approach. Now, if you want to get more excitement, you could do a asymmetrical gallery that works around fireplace and extends over seating arrangement and then on other side large mirrors. Just depends on your style preferences and budget.
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
If you are inclined, setting up the one end without TV as a music room would be wonderful. A baby grand piano and seating to create a warm, inviting setting with interesting art and on both sides pretty lighting.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
If this was my space I would remove the FP it creates too many issues My LR is almost the same size but the FP is in amore useable spot. I love the size of mine we have 2 seating areas but we do not have a TV in the space we have amedia room in our walkout.
PRO
Home Interiors with Ease
last year
What are your needs? Do you need two seating areas? Is fireplace in working condition?
Caroline Obrien
last year
Thanks everyone. Really good ideas. My needs are that it needs to be functional as it’s our only family room/ living room at the moment. I’m Aso wondering about the size of furniture. I feel that my couch is way too big for the room but my husband is tall and needs a bigger couch. Any recommendations on the max size of a sofa or sectional for this size room?

The fireplace is functional and we very much enjoy the fires in the winter
decoenthusiaste
last year
I suggest the two upholstered chairs sit at the fireplace as these do. Whether you want to enhance the fireplace or not, that is a good location for enjoying a cozy fire. I would move TV to the 10' wall directly opposite its present location. That way it won't be the first thing guests see when entering the room. Where Denise shows a chaise sofa, I would use a smaller sofa with a coffee table and a properly scaled rocker/swivel/glider for your husband angled at the longer run of windows with a side table and lamp. At the other end of the space, I would put another sofa on the 10' wall and add a game/puzzle/snack table and four chairs in the corner where the windows "L" if you'd enjoy table games. A few strategically placed floor lamps should cozy up the space considerably.

Kitchen Sitting Area · More Info
everdebz
last year
last modified: last year
Why do away with what he likes. He did the test drive of sitting and lounging on it.
decoenthusiaste
last year
I didn't see the part where anyone test drove any furniture.
Denise Marchand
last year
Everyone likes to lounge together watching tv, and since you mentioned your partner is tall, consider a sofa with a chaise as large as possible from the left of the fireplace to the windows. The room size can handle it, and with a narrow console behind, as indicated in the floor plan, it will give the size of the sofa some breathing space.

I can see your thought pattern abut enjoying the fireplace, remember a cozy fireplace fills the room, no matter where you sit. It always takes some tweeking to finalize the position of all the furniture. You have a wonderful room to begin with, it's just a matter of designating functions.

We all agree that the tv should be on the common wall to the entrance.

Here's some pics
Denise Marchand
last year
It feels like I'm sitting in your room discussing the layout and details!

Here's a fireplace detail that reminded me of yours. This one is a bad version, but I feel yours should be detailed. Just framing out a box beyond the actual recessed stone, adding a mantle and a mirror or niche would enhance the beautiful stone work.
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Home Interiors with Ease
last year
I would embrace this large space and add a large L shape sectional in front of the fireplace with a long sofa table behind it…looking in the room through the arch would be so pretty to see an accessorized sofa table and the fireplace as the focal point…add a nice large round coffee table…add tv over fireplace…
everdebz
last year
deco. and all -- I likely misinterpreted Caroline's comment when she said, "I feel that my couch is way too big for the room but my husband is tall and needs a bigger couch." -

I thought that the current couch was satisfactorily big enough... he has already tested it out to see how comfy it is.... is it comfy for him?
Caroline Obrien
last year
He loves it but I feel like the couch is too bulky. Would you switch the couch or keep it?
everdebz
last year
last modified: last year
The 'love' and the 'feel' is important! Idk what "switching" implies -- donating it?

I see tan couch has much depth - would you tell its measurements? The room is large and would seem to 'absorb' a large piece somehow.
Denise Marchand
last year
For now, keep your existing sofa and focus on the rest of the room layout and accessories. Purchasing a new sofa can always be done down the road. Freshen it up with new throw pillows.
Caroline Obrien
last year
The dimensions of the sofa are: 88"Wx43"Dx32"H

As for “switching” I mean putting in our basement for future use and getting something more size appropriate yet comfortable if you all agree it’s too big.
Caroline Obrien
last year
Andrew-my style is more traditional or transitional. My budget has some restraints but ultimately I want this room to flow, be comfortable. I don’t feel like my current decor flows.