Beautiful home- very serene. I would keep bench only if it's functional (looks beautiful and perfect there), but otherise go w the console.

Love the combination with the bench and also think you have enough consoles.

We use the door to our garage rather than the front door, so both the bench and the console are more for looks than used. If I put the console back, I feel like I would need to relocate the console behind the sofa for fear I would look like I owned a console shop with having three so close together.

The sconces do look funny in the picture, but they are by the bench arms. I'll remove them if the console goes back, I like having a lamp on the table and the sconces are the rechargable led ones from Amazon, not hardwired, so they can be easily moved.

I do everything on a shoe string budget and get things from our local NC furniture outlets, so it's a matter of shifting things around until they work.

Please send along any other advice!

You've done a great job on your beautiful home, Lori. You should be congratulated!

I much prefer the bench. Why? Both look good, but the bench feels so much more inviting and relaxing.

Well, you didn't ask, but I would also prefer the console removed in the living area. It just feels cluttery to me. I have heard some people say one is needed, as it hides the back of the sofa. Why does the back of the sofa need to be hidden?

When you walk into the front hall, all I see is that console behind the sofa. I think the house would look much more welcoming and airy without that console behind the sofa.

Oh I truly appreciate any wisdom/advice. If you see anything else to improve from any of my pictures, let me know. I can relocate the console behind the sofa, it's only been moved there recently since my husband is trying his hand at built-ins and we (meaning he) did a bookcase in our upstairs hallway where it was previously.

Okay.....this is getting really picky, cause you've done such a great job. You can do this (if you want) when you get the chance.

Dining room:

Looks like chairs are too close to actually use? Can you spread them or do the trestles get in the way? Move 2 chairs to sides of art? Not enough room?

While I love the art, it is busy and so is the chandelier, so they fight with each other. If that art can be used somewhere else, I would and switch it out for less busy.

Framed art always looks so much more finished, higher quality than wrapped art.

Office:

Love the rug and all.

The shelving needs some work. Hard to give direct adice on this over a houzz discussion. These are something I play with until I get them right.

Family room:

Give people a reason to come in there. Maybe some interesting wooden games on the table.

Remove the small items....like the ones on the round end table

Round end table: feels like it is not servicing either sofa. Get a large square one.

2 sofas: better to have one sofa and 2 chairs, but not the end of the world. Does anyone use this room?

Coffee table vignette too tall to be practical for conversation. Yep, you see this in staged homes, but not best for reality. Move what you can (vase which I love), maybe candles to fireplace. Ideally a taller piece of art there, but love the art. Fireplace needs more.

Too many pillows on sofas. It is an exercise in "pillow moving" to sit there. A throw on the sofa would make the room feel more welcoming.

Do you want to bring the art color into this room?

Okay......just my initial thoughts. Stunning home!

IMO the bench is more functional and the spaces are all lovely from what I see and the mirror is reflecting something that looks like it is wort h seeing twice . I think a bench to sit on for guests is a nice touch.

I go back and forth with the dining chairs. If I put the side chairs on the outside of the trestles, then they look too far apart, but I agree they look too close on the inside. We have a big family, so we do use all of the chairs periodically and when I put them next to the buffet, then the room looks cluttered to me.

Picture over the fireplace is a frame tv, my one splurge. I love it and it's a compromise for that well used family room --but definitely is not ideal size for that wall space.

I like the ideas! I try the suggestions, and please feel free to let me know if you think of more.

Bench. Most folks in my circle of fiends appreciate a solid usable bench or seat to us when putting on putting on shoes. I don't require folks to remove their shoes but it seems to be the culture here. I like the bench I have in my foyer. It is a seat as well as a low table depending on who is needing it. Beautiful home btw.

I disagree about the mirrors not reflecting anything interesting. From the photos, they reflect the light and greenery from the windows quite nicely,

My vote is for the console. It looks lovely and seems like it complements the overhead light fixture. It is also nice to have a space for fresh flowers or greenery to welcome guests.

Hi Lori. Glad some of the ideas are helping you!

Here is a living space I designed with a tv over the fireplace. (not a Frame). I brought some decorative elements in that kept it simple, but still highlighted the fireplace. You don't have as much space on the mantle, but you could at least add a bread bowl or (if that is too casual for you, some other long, decorative element. It will take away some of the formality and a wood item would pull in the bamboo shades.

For the dining room, it looks like there are 8 chairs. Could I see more photos of the dining room? How often do 8 of you eat there? I am thinking moving leaving 6 chairs in the room on a regular basis. Could the other 2 chairs live in the office? Somewhere else for most of the time?

I'd place 2 on each side between the trestles and then the other 2 on the ends or beside the buffet, whatever works best.

Chicago Hinsdale Century Home · More Info

Hi Lori!

Stunning home!! I love the bench over the console, it just flows better.

This is off topic, but what is the light color on your walls?

Hi there! It's Benjamin Moore Wind's Breath OC-24. It's a favorite of mine, not too light and has just the right amount of contrast with the trim to make me happy.

Hi Lori, if you are in WNC and need someone to carry your bags while you furniture shop, hit me up! I'd love to learn from you, and moved here recently so I don't know any of the secrets yet.

Hi. I prefer the console table for your foyer with exactly what you have on top of it. Looks beautiful.