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shellyclint

help with living room decor

last year

I’ m very challenged when it comes to decorating. We just moved into a new home with an open concept. The photo shows the view from the front door. Dining area & kitchen to the right. The second photo is the sofa with kitchen in the background. Kitchen cabinet color is Behr Dark Truffle. Not ready to tackle that yet but eventually would like a different color.
I know what I like but am never sure if things look good together. We replaced the floors with Mohawk Rustic Oak laminate (we also have a large dog) and painted the walls Sherwin Williams Gosssmer Veil. We also replaced the dated fireplace tile. So pretty much what is in the picture is what we are working with. (Except curtains & white folding table.) I need help picking out an area rug, curtain color, and console. I found a console I like but am not sure the wood color is the best color for the space. We need one at least 72”. I have some art I would like over the fireplace but not sure if it will look good. We are just in the process of renovating so some items are in our currant home. Any advice would be appreciated! Of course, the rug would need to be pet friendly as far as color. Just would like cohesiveness. Thanks for your expertise in advance!

Comments (77)

  • last year

    Thanks! Red Ryder. I am trying to take advantage of Labor Day sales. I usually get blackout curtains. The heat has been brutal!

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Overstock is now BB&B. I would have thought a take-over would keep the original name.


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  • last year

    Beverly, where are the rugs from, particularly the last double pic with same rug?

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I continue to be amazed at folk who feel it is their responsibility to criticize others suggestions. It has happened to me several times by the same houzzer. Would you like to explain, @mytwo cents, why you feel the need?

  • last year

    Elcieg, I appreciate your suggestions. Everyone has different thoughts and I feel we can get good ideas out of all opinions. I should have taken your advice about the size rug.

    We originally thought we needed a 9 x12 & thought and 8x 10 would work. Got an 8 x10 at Home Depot and it didn’t work. Back to the drawing board. Definitely looking for one I can physically see. That is the challenge in that size.

    Has anyone had to return a rug that they bought online? What do they charge to ship back? I just don’t feel colors are true in photograph. BeverlyFLADenziner suggested smaller rugs to see colors that may be another route If I don’t see one I like in stores.

  • last year

    I am in the middle of rug shopping too and going nuts. Three of us (one of my friends is a designer and the other has great taste) agreed on an 8x10 rug and it was SO DIFFERENT from the photo. We re-rolled it, covered it in the (carefully removed) plastic covering and my husband drove me to FedEx where I promptly paid $56 to get it returned. It was a polypropylene rug and not very heavy. Now I’m gun shy.

    The first rug (8x10 wool) came from a different website and was just what I envisioned - and I love it. My open concept house requires 3 rugs to look good together and now the “new baby” is making the next purchase challenging. My designer friend suggested I try finding the next one at a store where I can drive it back to them. (Easier said than done.)

    I’ve bought other rugs online and had great success. My stunning living room 9x12 is from, of all places, Amazon. That was 8 years ago.

    When they don’t work out and you have to ship them back, it’s really not fun. But I have had good luck in the past, so it’s really a crap shoot. If you’re unsure of the colors, don’t buy it unless you consider the return shipping part of your overall budget.

  • last year

    I learned a business term a few years ago that has given me a good perspective on the bother and expense of returning items: Opportunity cost. It’s the price paid for trying something that doesn’t work out. It has helped me to not regret my decisions.

  • last year

    Have you found a rug you like?

  • last year

    Red Ryder! You must have ESP. I just ordered one today from Home Depot. Hopefully it will work but if not, I know I can bring it back there. 👏🏻

  • last year

    Red Ryder, this is the rug I ordered from from Home Depot & as you can see this is why we can’t have a light colored rug. It’s 9x12. I like the colors in it but now I need to think about the curtain color/ solid vs pattern. I know art over fireplace will add color and warmth, but thinking I might need a lighter warmer color for my console.

  • last year

    You mentioned that you had some art you’re considering for over the fireplace. If you post a picture of it, new ideas for drapes and a console may arise. Do you know yet if the TV will be mounted or sit on top of the console?

  • last year

    I like the rug. As does the four legged baby who is anointing it.

    I agree with @ffpalms that we need to see artwork you’re considering. Artwork over the fireplace is better, to me, than a tv. And your neck will appreciate the tv being lower, and to the left of the fp.

    For the drapes, would something with a subtle pattern be okay? I’ll show you some ideas (I have been looking at drapes recently…..😊)

    I

  • last year

    ffpalms, I have a festival poster which is very colorful but not framed yet. Also, my tree sculpture I posted but not really married to either. Keeping my tree art up in current house for when we show house to sell. But will put some piece of art. Open to suggestions.

    We want a console 72-80” and will probably place tv on console. Tv won’t be larger than a 60” tv.

  • last year

    Yes, Red Ryder, definitely would be open to a pattern.

  • last year

    For the console, I like the idea of a wall mounted console like BeverlyFLADeziner posted earlier. It would keep the floor space open. If you’d rather not mount it to the wall, here’s a free-standing one in white. I like the way it matches your trim. The art is a stand-in until we can see your own poster.



  • last year

    Thanks! I never thought about marching the trim.

  • last year

    Some ideas for slightly patterned drapes

  • last year

    More

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Is this the front door to your home? Is there any way you could move the sofa out of the entryway?

    You could face the sofa to the window - center it on the fireplace and window. It does not have to be perfectly centered in the room - and as much of it as possible should clear the door. So the sofa would be facing the fireplace, the window, and you have a view of the door. I think that placement would be much better than what you have going on now. You could get a tv lift cabinet and put it in front of the window.

    And your tree art is fine over the fireplace. If you like it, use it. Metal art or a mirror makes sense over a fireplace. Paper or canvas art is great - if you don’t care about the piece - ie it has no sentimental or monetary value.



    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ogIlWb24G_A





    ETA:

    As I mentioned,, you could purchase a tv lift cabinet. As another option, you could alternatively purchase the lift mechanism, and have a carpenter build a cabinet, or adapt an existing cabinet.



    https://www.amazon.com/VIVO-Compact-Motorized-Vertical-Television/dp/B09JYRQD7Q/ref=asc_df_B07GSCLQ4L/

  • last year

    I think the entryway photos on Houzz would help guide you. I think it sets a tone for safety & a practical functional, front door area that leads to the next functional area.
    I agree with you, that is a challenging space.

  • last year

    I liked an entryway with vertical slats( Like 15) the created a small, light separation of space

  • last year

    That’s actually the back door. I still have the foyer to do yet!

  • last year

    Love the idea of one rod across the whole wall - including the door with the drapes. The room will look larger.

  • last year

    I agree with one rod across the window and the door^^. We did that and there is no problem with access to the door.

  • 8 months ago

    Hi all! Wanted to check back in. Finally moved in & slowly getting things. Wish we would have put the rod across the whole back wall. Maybe later. Finally got a tv console. Had to order from furniture store. Color was different than I thought but goes with art over fireplace. Ordered the curtains you suggested red Ryder & really like them. Ordered a black bookcase. Iron with shelves for left side. Should I get another for other side or just a nice large plant. Afraid two would be too much stuff. Also, debating on painting fireplace mantel and columns a darker color. Not sure. Just wanted to share progress. Open to other suggestions. Have a great weekend!

  • 8 months ago

    Post a new, updated photo. I had suggested several different drapes, so I’d love to know which one is working. And we need to see the bookcase and iron shelves and prints.

  • 8 months ago

    Sorry! Forgot to do that!

  • 8 months ago
    last modified: 8 months ago

    The word is Stunning. ...

    I don't think you need to change a thing. I love the fireplace and I love the curtains. The white fp is a good anchor to the trim, the curtains are very elegant with the glass door.

    Only the one bookcase on the left...a small wall display of woven baskets on the right would be nice to continue the nature element.

    The plant goes to the right of the fireplace for the light. Move the table and lamp closer to the chair for reading.

    Thx for posting. I went back and re-read the suggestions and you did a great job of incorporating them and pulling this room together yourself. Bravo.

  • 8 months ago

    tracefloyd, THANK YOU!! I appreciate your kind words. Always doubting myself but have just started to embrace what I like. I do have a problem with scale sometimes. Love the display of woven baskets idea. Thanks again.

  • 8 months ago

    Tried to post this before. This is what I ordered for on the side of the console.

  • 8 months ago
    last modified: 8 months ago

    The ladder shelf is awesome. Wow, you like my baskets? Cool.

    The scale of the room is perfect and the placement of the angle of the sectional with the angled fp...and the side chair you pulled in at the opposing angle...brilliant.

    The room needed a rug. I love your colors. Yay!

    What about the back wall? Maybe three in a row of vintage travel posters or museum posters in your soft colors.

  • 8 months ago

    The whole room looks great! No need to paint the fireplace- the white works because your rug and chair add some lightness to the arrangement.

    I also love the iron shelf unit.

    You may want to move the sectional down a couple of inches when you have guests and someone is sitting in the chair. It looks a bit “far away” from this shot. If the front legs of the piece in the forefront are on the rug, you may be able to angle the chair more inward when you’re a bigger group.

    Looks very inviting. And I love the wood console you chose for the tv.

  • 7 months ago

    Traceflyod, you know my next project!! Behind the sofa on the wall needs help. I like the idea of 3 prints. Builder felt the need to put light switches in awkward spots. 🫣 I did vignettes of memorabilia from my grandfather, great grandfather and mother on the shelves. Still working on it and need different books. Also got a plant (had to get faux because of dog) and ordered a black metal stand to elevate plant near fireplace. RedRyder, yes, I agree on the sofa moving down a few inches. I can’t do much. I love the tv console. Glad I took a leap of faith and ordered! Next is dining and entry. I’ll post pics for an update and of course help. Thanks, all!!

  • 7 months ago

    Update

  • 7 months ago

    That looks really good. Although I do love ffpalms idea about treating the window and door as one. Just one suggestion is that you might try moving the tall metal shelf to the right of the door, so it's not right up against the console. Just a thought...

  • 7 months ago
    last modified: 7 months ago

    Okay but the plant still hasn't moved to the window and the table/lamp still aren't next to the chair.

    There is room as mentioned for the shelf to the right of the door. Worth trying as everything feels lined up on that wall now. And the shelf is too cluttered with small items scattered around. You wanna see some wall thru it...its style calls for that.

    The Dining room just needs a painting on the left and coordinating tabletop runner and vase. Bring in your blue tones.

    Please, sorry, but do not treat the window and door as one. That door is so cute like this and the windows have a nice slim height

  • 7 months ago

    Thinking about the back wall,near the door - where does the door go to? If it’s a patio you barbecue on, you may want a console there as a “landing place” for dishes and bbq paraphernalia.

  • 7 months ago

    Thanks all! I appreciate your help. RedRyder, the door leads to a very small patio (project down the line) and our backyard. I was also thinking of some small console table with some art above it. Tracefloyd, I didn’t think of a runner on the table for color. Great idea. I was wondering if I should do solid curtains to frame the window. It looks so bare, but it’s such a narrow space. Artwork is the hardest thing to pick out. Just for clarification- Are you talking about the vase with the flowers going to the right & candlesticks to the left? I moved the chair a little but it’s as close to the table as possible. It’s a swivel charge so I need some room to turn. I’ll move the lamp closer to the chair. I’m not thinking about the purpose! Lol Also, moving items around on shelves. Thanks all for your input!

  • 7 months ago
    last modified: 7 months ago

    I found this watercolor print for your dining room. You could order unframed and DIY. The blue has no aqua in it so goes with the birds and upholstery. Brings in your white and even black.

    2x3' could work

    greatbigcanvas.com



    For the shorter wall oppostie, a small vintage mirror hung from a decorative ribbon somewhere on that wall --and a Boston fern on a stand in the corner for the light.

    White linen sheers for the windows....keep the blinds tho.


    Everthing else is fine tuning at this point.

    For my vase comment, I thought of a larger vase or a blue vase could work for the dining table. --any fancy centerpiece would compete with the birds sculpture.


    For the shelf unit to feel more open and organized...

    • Place all the books and mags on one shelf....nothing else.
    • Fit all the knicknacks and frames on two shelves...maybe not all of the knicknacks
    • The birds centered on top
    • That leaves one shelf for a nice basket or box (not too big) and a little plant
  • 7 months ago

    Beautiful print, Tracefloyd. I received an email about your comment with the Matisse print on Etsy, but it is not showing in the thread. I don’t know if you still have it. It’s a little strange that it’s not showing up. I was kept in suspense!😃. It’s funny that you mentioned the vintage mirror. I have one that was my mother’s, but it does have some flaws & chips on it. Not too bad, but I wasn’t sure if that would go. It’s just been wrapped up under a bed. As far as the shelf, yes, that is a work in progress. I was only using the books to stack the smaller items. I really don’t have to have any books. That will be something that I will play with and take a picture each time I change it because I forget! I do want a basket. The flowers on the table were just because I went to the flower field and picked flowers. It wasn’t anything I was going to keep on the table. Still looking for that centerpiece. Thanks!

  • 7 months ago

    Picture of mirror. From 1950

  • 7 months ago
    last modified: 7 months ago

    I'm so pleased you like my ideas.

    That is interesting about the mirror. Vintage pieces, esp heirlooms, have so much meaning- and their story is told thru those chips and flaws. Every space needs at least one antique.

    I don't think the table needs a fancy centerpiece. I edited my other post to include that.

    Here is the art that I posted--- the Matisse print ---then I thought is it too many birds with the bird sculpture?. But I like the idea of more of a Pop art style.



    https://www.etsy.com/listing/1709614866/matisse-blue-bird-wall-art-watercolour?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=bird+watercolor&ref=sc_gallery-5-18&pro=1&frs=1&search_preloaded_img=1&plkey=5543830861a8330b36962648e559072f19a8ed30%3A1709614866&variation0=4464396548

  • 7 months ago
    last modified: 7 months ago

    Nice mirror. It will be fun finding a frame for it. 40x30 is big but will reflect a lot of light into the room.

    For the books comment, you have no coffee table, which is fine...we don't have one either. But that's why you need your coffee table books and mags on the shelf unit. Logical always works in good design. Grouping objects- like books- is also a basic design tool. And books always look great on a bookshelf.

    What I would do anyway.

  • 7 months ago

    You don’t need to rush to “fill the wall”. Browse the internet (greatbigcanvas.com and art.com are my faves) and go to art fairs this summer. Hanging art that you love is more important than “art that matches”.

    I like your blue and white curtains.

  • 7 months ago

    RedRyder, I know!! Patience isn’t my strong point. I do have a festival print that I love and is very colorful. I have to get it framed but didn’t want to spend the money in case it didn’t look right in our house. I’ll try to post it. I try to keep remembering, sometimes it’s about the journey and not the destination! And as far as the curtains, I love them too. You are the one that picked them out! 😀. Thanks all!! I really appreciate it!! Have a wonderful weekend!

  • 7 months ago

    Here’s the poster. I think it is 28 x 22 unframed.

  • 7 months ago

    I easily recognize impatience since I’m that way too.

    Can someone mock up the poster in a frame? It looks amazing but should it have a plain frame or a frame with some matting…….? I think it can be a great piece for that long wall.

  • 7 months ago
    last modified: 7 months ago

    Go thrift some old picture frames and restore or paint them. Sometimes the matte inside is even still useable. Or flip the old print and use the back of that.

    I've done a lot of my spaces on a shoestring budget, can you tell? My first Eames was free out on the sidewalk....before they were a thing.