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Home Decorating Furniture Design Dilemma

living room and dining room (modern coastal/boho) design needed

last year

I just moved into a new home, near the beach, and need to update the living room and dining room. We plan to paint the kitchen cabinets (likely white) and replace the granite with white quartz later this year.

With that in mind, I would like the space to feel very light. Even with the white walls it just feels SO dark. Since we have some fun art pieces I feel like a bright boho style might work better than coastal. I love the dark blue and green velvet sofas BUT we have a white dog that lays on the sofa so I am leaning towards a more neutral sofa color (maybe a linen or light gray). I also dislike the floor color but we replaced the bedrooms to match as we were making some decisions before moving to the house. It's a regret as I wish we had replaced the entire house with a different color so now we have to live with them. I have seen some very light (white, cream, blue) rugs that make the floors look more tolerable.

The tv stand was recently purchased and I have a few art pieces in mind. We have a local wood map that is sitting on the tv stand which I plan to hang. Currently considering some baskets to hang with it but not sure. I also plan to put a surfboard on the other side with a tide clock to add height. We plan to keep the recliner and end table as they are relatively new.

Another thing is we'd like to update the mantel as well to something that feels lighter and more modern and also add more height to that space. The ceiling fan will be replaced with a white fan and considering a coastal pendant light for the dining room.

I have considered restaining the current table a lighter color for the dining room and adding modern chairs. OR replacing the table with a (white) tulip table with modern chairs or two chairs and a bench as an option.

Would appreciate any ideas or suggestions as I feel like I know what I want but can't quite put it together. We are in an area where everything is very coastal/farmhouse which I don't love so it's all these white slipcovered sofas that you find in stores.

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Comments (4)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
last modified: last year
Lighting is what makes spaces fell brighter since daylight only lasts so long. I see all yellow hued lighting with the lights you have so start by changing the bulbs to LED 4000K . I would never trade real stone for fake plastic but I aslo cannot see your spaces since none of the pics allow them to be enlarged .Please no bench at a tulip table ever . Post your pics again in jpeg in a commnet on this post do not start another . I would like to see the kitchen for sure .
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Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
last year
There are a few tricks to use to bring make more light (appear) in the room. Lighting is crucial, so don't treat it as an afterthought. Before you do or get anything, have a plan. Measure twice, buy once. In the living room, put the ceiling light on a dimmer. A ceiling light in the living room does not make for an intimate living room experience. I prefer no ceiling light there, and instead - a tale lamp or wall sconce at chest height. I love a well lit room, so I go a bit nuts with the lighting! Other things you can do: put a mirror on the wall - only if there is a nice reflection. Put glass or mirror table tops - only if that goes along with your decor. Other places you can put mirrors are on lamp bases. Don't overdo it, but you are on the right track with bright colors. I have a dark living room also, and I have a lot of color in my oversized wall art (go big or go home!) I can't tell from the pictures, but some of them look like the walls are a cool color and some look warm. Be very careful if you plan on repainting the walls. It makes a lot of difference. I really like Nick Lewis on youtube on that topic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KDnuPfuro0&t=61s Please no gray couch. How about a medium brown? Gray is a cool color and has been overdone in the past five years.
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aktillery9 Thanks for the color inspiration! I love the idea of adding in a fresh color (after all, my entire house can't be white, cream, and blue!), and green is an unexpected yet beautiful choice. (And thanks for including a picture-- it's such a great example of how dark, traditional furniture can be paired with the right items/colors to produce a fresh look! I'd definitely like to do something similar in my space!) suzyq53 Thanks for the feedback. Your comment made me realize that my plea for help might not have been clear-- I definitely don't want a casual beach bungalow look. Ultimately the rooms will be formal spaces, and I'm happy with a more formal, traditional-leaning look... but I do want it to have subtle coastal references, through texture, color, etc. I continue to hope that there's a way to bring "coastal" and "traditional" together in a unique, beautiful way. ARBA Studios I'm mulling over the idea of adding shiplap or something similar to the wall around the fireplace. You're right-- it's not a huge area, so I don't think that it would be a costly change, and it might be a nice way to pull the room from traditional to coastal. Thanks for the inspiration pic! ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9 I agree! BIG rugs are definitely the way to go. I think that once rugs are added, the room will feel much more inviting. And I agree, everything that's currently on/above the mantle needs to be changed, and the dining table is screaming for something beautiful in the center. celerygirl I'm on the hunt for a wicker tray similar to the one in your picture. I think that the texture will be a nice touch, and with the right decor pieces placed on top, I think that it will go a long way to pulling the room together. Please keep the feedback coming, everyone! And if you have specific ideas for items that would look great in my space, that would be much appreciated!
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I think your design is a great starting point. Love all the plants you have going on. That ottoman doesn't fit the style very well, but I think a different ottoman could. Something more like the one in hollybar's first pic. An ikat patterned fabric would be great. Also, you'll notice that every inspo pic has bright white walls. Yours are very neutral, so they'll likely work, but your room might feel a bit different because of the color. I would avoid using lots of different colors, since boho tends to be very neutral. The pop of color on the ottoman is all you need. Try to keep the art fairly subdued, or very natural feeling. Love the white frames and mats in your design. Botanical prints could work well. Or maybe use more structural art pieces instead of prints. Look through all those inspo pics for ideas. Texture is super important to make boho work, especially since there's not a lot of color. The interest comes from the texture. Wood, leather, metal, knit are all great textures to introduce. Subtle patterns are good too. Get a very textural rug as a good base. Maybe sisal or more shaggy.
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Hello Hillari Lube , You have a lot going on in a tiny space! AND you say the word, 'wonky,' like I do - you from New York by any chance? Anyway - the big piece that neither of us seem thrilled with - would that fit rotated to the wall immediately to it's right? It would make it less of a focal point and with a nice desk, small shelf and a painting above where it is now - you have a much more functional space & hopefully something that takes the eye away from the big piece... From there it seems console table or small bookcase the L side of the couch would set up something that defines a small circular table for a dining area. Hope that helps. We give every project a free 15 min. strategy session. Hit us up! Thanks, -frank
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@decoenthusiaste OMG! the first one speaks to me! I love the contrats and choice of color! Do you think a cream colored 3 seater is a good option, or a grey-ish color? I am torn between making sure everything matches in a harmonious way, but I also want to add a hint of brightness or color to the room. What do you think?
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Lyn Nielson
last year
I think you are stressing too much. Looks like a great place, you just need to put your own spin on it.

Light area rugs for sure. ruggable.com and wayfair.com offer affordable options.

Artwork that reflects your insterests not just to fill a space. GreatBigCanvas.com

Light fixtures in a style you love will make all the difference.

Sheer or linen drapery panels hung high on a rod, either grommet or traverse rod to soften, shades added where necessary for privacy.

sometimes a white paint with just a hint of blue or aqua will lighten a space, maybe paint a wall or two to add dimension to a room. a glass top table will help lighten things. Paint the chairs for a boho look? Have fun!
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PRO
Annette Jaffe Interiors
8 months ago
Have you looked at updating your lighting and bulbs within your current pendants and chandeliers? Please consider these images for more help with decorating your space and adding light.
Fire Island Fresh · More Info

Manhattan Color and Light · More Info

Hampton Boathouses · More Info
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