Need ideas to update arched alcove shelving for lil living room

last year

I’m remodeling my parents home and would like to update their arched alcoves. We’re doing a coastal theme with neutral colors and light wood/ driftwood accents throughout the home.

Comments (17)

Lyn Nielson
last year
How many alcoves??? ...are the walls already this green color?

A photo of the entiire room would help with suggestions.
kandrewspa
last year
How deep are these alcoves?
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Okay, let me see.......where did I file those pics of the pics.....duhhhh. Yaya, I will put my peabrain into gear and see what I can find. I did upload an album for the HouseMA, which means Massachusetts, which I'll link to below, but there are tons of IN PROCESS photos of the various rooms. But of the small parlor/living room, with that row of pics....which I love, BTW, for the subject matter as well as the frames.... I'll look for the best one and insert it HERE. Look for the albums about the Massachusetts Cape @ Webshots. I took the pictures with my digital camera the day we went to Mystic Seaport CT. It was in December, and the place was almost deserted, so there were no folks in the shots. As a boat captain, I knew of Mystic Seaport for many years, and I was in hog heaven being there. So the pictures meant a lot to me. The second image from the right is a bow shot of the whaling ship Charles W. Morgan, before it went on the ways/weighs to be restored/rebuilt. Fantastic and beautiful, a work of art. Then I saw the end of every bowsprit (pointy end of the ship) had a star carved into it and usually painted gold or sometimes blue. This is a tradition with old sailing vessels, a good luck sign, which meant "follow your lucky star," and I'd always, on every boat I worked on, painted a blue star (5 point) on the bow of the boat. It is a sailor tradition. I just love the traditions of the sea. Seeing one from the "old days" was awesome. That is why I love the last picture to the right. And, of course, I took some figurehead shots. You know of course the ancient mariners would strap a live virgin to the bow, as a sacrifice to the sea gods for their safe return. Eventually, they carved and painted wooden figureheads, not all female, as figureheads. I guess they ran out of virgins? If you have a chance to visit the Mystic Seaport, it is a real treat. Here is a link that might be useful: Moccasin's Webshots albums
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George, I like your idea of working floating shelves into the alcove. I had forgotten that we would have sides to anchor them, also. By the size of our TV, we should be able to put in 2 24" shelves on each side. That *might* be enough room for my items. Going to give it some thought. Disfromage, I did see that system from Ikea. I thought about staining the wood something closer to teak/walnut... Calidesign, I think my pictures make the room look MUCH bigger than it is! The windows really help with that! Our couch is only a love seat! Also, I am trying to get rid of these 80's Oak cabinets all over the house. I painted them in the kitchen and bathrooms, and just want to remove them here. Good idea to change out the ceiling fan, though! We moved the Credenza into the house as we start demolition. I think it is going to be very pretty in the space!
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The problem in this room is that it is all neutral. An all neutral room is very difficult to achieve well, since there's not much contrast, and if the neutrals are from different color families, they clash. I would suggest using more saturated colors in something--rug, pillows, wall color, accessories--to focus the eye away from the clashing neutrals. You can also add organic items like green plants to liven up the space. Or add some architectural interest like paneling or beams. Here are some neutral rooms done beautifully: Before I went to design school I learned to study a room that I liked and figure out just why I liked it. What elements in the room appealed to me? Why? How were they arranged? What colors and patterns were evident? How could I achieve that look? You needn't spend an inordinate amount of money, you just have to select and spend wisely. Use a sample board--get small samples of materials before you purchase and see how everything looks together. Put the samples in the room with the lighting and squint to get the feel (I am not kidding about squinting!) So instead of ordering an 8 x 10 rug, get the 2 x 3 sample first and see if it works with what you have. If it does, great. If not, either try another rug or change what you have. Or go to the rug store with all your samples. Never go shopping without all your samples in hand. Putting together a room that you love to be in is not easy--it takes time, money, and talent. That's why people hire decorators and designers ;)
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I would remove the wall to wall carpeting and put in a hardwood floor. I would also consider enlarging the opening of the fireplace or reducing the amount of stone above it. The size of the opening and the amount of stone above it seem out of proportion, unless it is the angle of your photograph. I also don't care for the semicircular hearth. Also there is something strange about the woodwork above the fireplace. Your three photos don't match. The third photo has a wood column to the right of the painting that seems to serve no purpose. There are also two wooden pilasters on either side of the painting that seem to stop in the middle of nowhere that really do not suit at all, and I would remove them. Architectural ornamentation is like jewelry- you have to know when it is too much. Whatever you do, don't do anything piecemeal. I highly suggest you get the very best designer you can afford and put together a cohesive design for the whole room that incorporates everything, lighting, fireplace, furniture, architectural ornamentation, window treatments, etc. Then do what you can as you can afford it. By developing a cohesive plan now, you ensure that your home won't look like a crazy quilt, which is often what happens when no all-encompassing plan is developed, and or when there is no knowledgable experienced expert at the helm.
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Sammie J
last year
And while you are answering questions...where are the alcoves located? Photos of entire walls would be good!
D 75
Original Author
last year
I’m painting the entire living room Greek villa-white. I just took down the old glass shelves so it’s a blank slate. The alcoves are 12 inches deep. There is one (the one pictured) on the side living room wall. Another smaller one with same depth on a wall in the entryway. I’ll try to update with a full room picture once I get some furniture moved. We’re remodeling so it’s a mess.
kandrewspa
last year
What didn't you like about the glass shelves?
D 75
Original Author
last year
Just dated and cluttered.
elcieg
last year
I'd paint a backdrop and hang coastal art. You have a light, which is great!
er612
last year
last modified: last year
If you like the shelves, I would install 2 solid shelves in each alcove. Then just edit with a mix of items (books and mementos along with pics).
PRO
Beth H. :
last year
lets see some perspective! where are they in relation to the room? back up
remodeling1840
last year
How do your parents feel about clearing away the family photos? One way we reduced the number of personal photos is by using a digital picture frame. Ours holds lots of pictures so we can have the funny, meaningful, non-professional pictures scrolling. It brings a smile to my face to glance at the screen and see the grandparents’ Weekend in St Augustine, the hike in Yosemite, Christmases past, first steps, and graduation. We actually have three of these. As far as filling the existing shelves, I prefer to display objects that carry meaning for us. I never just purchase something to fill a space. What things do your parents love? Shelves should reflect the personalities of the people who use the spaces.
D 75
Original Author
last year
That’s a wonderful idea! They live on the gulf coast so they want it to reflect their love of the gulf. It’s a ranch home just a block from the beach.
er612
last year
Depending on the size, you might be able to fit a 3rd shelf in the space. Obviously tailor the decor to what suits them and the surroundings.
arcy_gw
last year
What do your parents have they have collected over the years that tells the story of their life? I think that makes more sense then purchasing something themey to go with your 'costal' vibe. Solid shelves cut off the light to the bottom shelf...a lovely vase collected in their travels would be nice. The space seems to call for taller, more substantial items.
D 75
Original Author
last year
Love it! I definitely want to update the lighting in there too. I found this online and I’m thinking of something similar to this with only 3 shelves.
katrina_ellen
last year
I like the idea of the alcove painted with art. Simple but a nice accent.
D 75
Original Author
last year
I was tempted to try wallpaper or maybe shiplap for the background of the alcove but I don’t know- I don’t want it to look busy or cluttered.
rrah
last year
No to shiplap! It's a dated look already. Paint and wood shelves like your photo above.

Need ideas to update arched alcove shelving for lil living room

Comments (17)

Lyn Nielson

kandrewspa

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Need ideas to update arched alcove shelving for lil living room

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