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Design Dilemma Home Decorating living room

Please Help! I can't decide what to put above sofa

last year

last modified: last year

My home is close to Gulf Shores so I have a subtle coastal theme but it also has that modern farmhouse vibe. 10' ceilings, colors are SW Sea Salt, Naval, Alabaster walls. Currently, the lonely fish is on the wall but I have put some pictures of things that I like below. I'm leaning toward doing an abstract but I don't know if the darker abstract that has all my colors would be too bold. Do I need something softer???? Your opinion is welcome.

Featured Answer

Kelly Jones

last year

I like it a lot, especially since it's an original!

I'm not sure of the measurements of your wall, but here it is.

The only thing that really matters though, is if you and your family love it!

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Comments (21)

plf12652
last year
I like the third picture you posted…..yes it’s a no to the fish! Third picture is much softer and brings the color of your sofa up onto the wall. But first I think you need a rug ……the very gray flooring is not a good vibe with your sofa, etc. How about a beige/tan sisal so you ground the space and echo the wood tops of your tables? Sisal is also a coastal look.
Carol H thanked plf12652
lisaam
last year
I am getting bored with the matched-to-the-upholstery abstacts. I rather like your fish and was hoping that you had two. I was also expecting to see a horizontal option. From what is on offer here I prefer the beach photo—- I like the colors, especially if you keep the bunny pillow but recover the other two.
Carol H thanked lisaam
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littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
last year
last modified: last year
Agree with plf. The floor and the sofa are at odds with each other. A large light colored rug under the sofa would help mitigate that.

I think a much larger, lighter colored picture would be nice, similar to the third sample. Make sure its colors blend well with the sofa.

BTW that lamp is perfect.
Carol H thanked littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
Kendrah
last year
Your space might be coastal and modern farmhouse, but there is also a sophistication to the space that I really like and think you need to play up a bit on this wall. The fish might be a no go but I'd get two pieces that are the same size as the fish and hang them stacked vertically. Take some masking tape and tape off two squares positioned vertically that are the same size as the fish piece and see what you think. The fish frame also is a good color with your floors and the arm chairs.

The large pieces you have posted are too monolithic looking for that narrow of a wall and compete with your lovely veined backsplash. They also feel like somewhat random decor pieces that don't really say anything about you or your taste. Forget the decor for a moment, what kind of things interest you in the art world and beyond? Do you like maps, shells, are you a fan of abstact art, are there favorite places in the world you love, are there objects that have a meaning to you?

Answer some of those questions for us and we will find some pieces that really work for *your home* not just your sofa.
Carol H thanked Kendrah
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Sabrina Alfin Interiors
last year
Either one large piece of art or multiples stacked vertically. Examples:

Bruner Residence · More Info

POGGI DESIGN · More Info
Carol H thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
Select something larger.
Carol H thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Carol H
Original Author
last year
Kendrah, I really like soft abstract paintings. I like swamp lands or low country coastal. One of my favorite places to visit is Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile Al when the azelas are in bloom. It reminds me of the time spent in those gardens with my mama. I have a large azelas in my front yard. I love iris flowers, ponds etc.
Kendrah
last year
Do you have pics of the rest of the room? I'm a sucker for swamp lands too. Great to hear about and see you visiting the garden with your mom!
Carol H thanked Kendrah
Kendrah
last year
This is probably too literal and not abstract enough for you but I think this is a really beautiful map. If not here maybe you would want to hang it elsewhere in your home. My parents have a beautifully painted and framed pictoral map of the large city park near where I grew up. I love seeing it in their home. Everytime I walk by it I am flooded with memories.

Don't know if impressionism is abstract enough for you.

Morning on the Seine near Giverny · More Info

Water Lilies (Luxury Line) · More Info

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The Japanese Bridge, (The Water-Lily Pond, Water Irises) · More Info

Monet "Artist's Garden at Giverny" Oil Painting · More Info
Carol H thanked Kendrah
Lyn Nielson
last year
last modified: last year
a little more interest/dimension if you add a slim sofa console to bring the sofa off the wall.
Carol H thanked Lyn Nielson
Carol H
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
This is the painting at the foot of the stairs. A young lady in South Alabama painted it. My son helped me remove this old stair case (1800's) from a house that was going to be torn down in Tennessee. Each spindle was hand turned. My trim guy made it work.

The island is painted in SW Naval and so is the stair railings.
Maureen
last year
last modified: last year
I always wonder if I’m providing too much advice! Before adding anything on wall, if interested and possible: move sectional off wall and down a few inches and place side table next to the chair to allow this.

Now you can add a console table behind (with a lamp) and I think a watercolor would be a lovely choice; proportions are important so test a few ideas.

To create even more personality and warmth, a rug would ground the seating and cushions and a chunky cable throw to finish things off. I think the room will be so welcoming. Hope this helps.

https://www.potterybarn.com/m/products/capitola-tufted-rug-blue/?epik=dj0yJnU9MFVKZkZpaEVGV3ExZXltVHFaZUpUY2tQT19XSnlldWgmcD0wJm49MllYczFLUi14X183dGNwd2JMNjlmQSZ0PUFBQUFBR1BLNUJV
Carol H thanked Maureen
Carol H
Original Author
last year
Maureen, who sells the 3 pictures with the sailboat? The frame picks up my wood.
Maureen
last year
Lots on Etsy but the prints only. Easy enough to have framed.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/988019308/nautical-prints-sailing-vintage-art?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=nautical+wall+art&ref=sr_gallery-1-29&pro=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1&epik=dj0yJnU9aUpWWUwxcXh1RVA4SFM0N0h6MWxoMVZzS2VqNWc2ei0mcD0wJm49R3JMN1BiUDJMR3l4RXM5V1JRWG84QSZ0PUFBQUFBR1BLNnc4

If not large enough for wall, consider matts, but framing place could provide as well. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1094756585/completely-custom-matboards-where-you?click_key=6e3dcb577921e5f676f467546ed90e2715dc8936%3A1094756585&click_sum=e332c12c&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=matts&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&bes=1&sts=1
Carol H thanked Maureen
Kendrah
last year
@Carol H Love your staircase. Kudos to your son and trim guy.

The colors in this whole space are wonderful and I'd be quite considerate of them all and careful to not just get something that matches the sofa but that looks good with the railing color and the painting at the end of your stairs. Of course it doesn't have to match, just make it not clash.
Carol H thanked Kendrah
Kelly Jones
last year
Some inspiration:

This 1st one by Monet is much softer than shows on my screen as I've

seen it framed in person.
Kelly Jones
last year
last modified: last year
some more:
Carol H thanked Kelly Jones
Kelly Jones
last year
Have you found anything that 'speaks' to you yet?

One more... Couldn't resist ... your pic with your mama and the wonderful memories SO very much reminded me of this painting from John Singer Sargeant! And it looks like it could be a great place as an accent wall.
Carol H thanked Kelly Jones
Kelly Jones
last year
Carol H thanked Kelly Jones
Carol H
Original Author
last year

All of you have provided so much help. It is just a world of choices and I'm not sure. Hopefully, you'll continue to give me feed back. This orginal painting is sold at a store near me. it's 48' x 48" What do you thinK?

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