formal living room dilemma
Jz Fan
last year
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Help convert family room to formal living room!
Comments (5)Well -- start by clearing the room completely -- that move alone can really help you see the whole space in a new light or form! Also: what items do you currently have to furnish it? What do you need? How about painting the room? I like the rug -- and the shelves. Clear the shelves -- and simply add some books -- and modern clean-lined glass or silver/plate items -- like bowls. For a modern touch -- add a gallery of black-and-white photos -- mat alike and frame alike too. If you plan to keep the TV in the room -- then consider angling the unit into the corner at the left-hand side of the far window. Then step back and really look at the space -- would a sofa work against the wall where the computer desk now sits? Then add a couple of armchairs and an ottoman/long coffee table. Lots of lamps too. Maybe roman blinds at the windows....See Morenarrow great room (family room and formal living room/library music ro
Comments (4)Is the soffit which divides the two spaces painted a different color or is that just the lighting? The built ins are beautiful. I love the paint color! Can you tell us what your style is? Do you like straight lines? Do you like color? Of the top of my head I would say rich color rugs, curtains and lots of lamps. Those are the things I always want in my home. Not to mention art. The rest falls into place. I guess to suggest we need to know what you like and the feeling you want in the space....See MoreDecorating Dilemma: Formal Dining Room Lighting
Comments (27)Hi Gabriel G- Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Real life sometimes interferes with social media participation. I don't know whether or not you have already ordered your light fixtures rendering my comments moot, but here goes. From what I can see of your dining room. you have great taste yourself already, that is contemporary, fresh, and hip. If I had to guess, you probably dress that way too. (When you aren't constrained by on-the-job dress-codes.) So think of how you pick out your clothing and accessories. You look at women who have a look you like and then you deconstruct it as to what you like about it, what are the pieces they are wearing that you like, and what do you like about them, and would they look good on you? Or do they need to be tweaked? Longer, shorter, a different color, a different fabric,, a different belt because of your waist or height. You also look at magazines. Maybe you look at award shows to see the gowns and the jewelry. Maybe you look around in church at the outfits and the hats. And here's a great thing to do if you haven't done it- Go to the best high-end store and see what they are showing and how the things are accessorized. Try on what you like and feel the material and read the labels. Look at how the seams are constructed, where the darts are and how they are made. Look at everything and how you look in it. Then go to a store you can afford and buy something that most approximates the quality you found in the high end store. Okay, so why am I talking about clothing in a thread about lighting? We've already established that you have an eye. Trust yourself to use it with your chandeliers, too. Scour through the design magazines like Architectural Digest and look at the chandeliers, especially the ones for the rooms you want to buy for. Do web searches for dining room makeovers. Foyer furnishings and re-dos. They will have new fixtures, too. Do web searches for lighting awards, lighting designer awards. Look at the credits for the manufacturers, then go to those manufacturers websites to see their full lines of fixtures. Look up on line high end lighting manufactures and high end lighting stores Yes that's a lot of work, but you know, you will look at those fixture every single day until you sell that house. And before you jump in to say, but those fixtures will cost a fortune, yes they will. You don't need to buy from the Needless-Markup of lighting fixtures unless you want to and can afford it. What you are going to do is get an idea of what is out there and what you like. Do you like round fixtures, do you like fixtures that have folds, exposed bulbs shaped liked torches, rounded globes that are big, rounded globes that are small, do you like a little bling? A lot of bling? Do you like things that are branched? You need to educate yourself to even know what is available. Because with clothing you have been doing that your whole life. You've never done that with light fixtures, and this is a huge purchase that you can't just wear once and throw out if it doesn't make you happy. you and your family and friends will see it every day for as long as you have that house. And then you go around to different places to see what looks most like your dream fixture at a price point you can afford. Just like you do for your clothing. And do go to good lighting places in your area. They have sales and sometimes they will customize a piece to your liking, and even install it for you. Not just the Home Depot, Lowes type places. Your money isn't burning a hole in your pocket. Wait and take your time and buy something you love, love, love. You should look up at it and say this is gorgeous, it really enhances the room, it is art. Because it is. That's why I can't tell you what to pick, because like art it is so individual. For example, lots of people think Dale Chihuly fixtures are just wonderful but I think they either look like Medusa's hair (crazy snakes) or millions of sperm attempting to penetrate the egg. You couldn't pay me enough to have one! You can do this. Trust yourself and your taste. You know you have it....See MoreTurn a dining room into a formal living room
Comments (3)Here are some ideas for an elegant sitting room: This is called a reading alcove! I found this a very elegant idea due to the curved sofa, wall color, and other decor....See MoreJz Fan
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