I'll be the lone voice of "been there/done that"

I am not for making a situation far more depressing, either. Lose the hand me downs. Tata, especially the rocker. Fine for a month or two. After that? Shake a leg out of the pity party!

Get out of there, get a second job. YOU NEED 1200.00 BUCKS. Over six weeks? that's 200.00 a week. Can you find it? Bet you can.

This below from pic at top? that's 1200.00 all in. How?

Slip cover: 51.00 Wayfair

Pillows /all 90.00 Amazon

Coffee table: 95.00 Amazon

Rug: 99.00 ( 6 x 9 ) Amazon

Media Cab: 320.00 Wayfair

Floor Lamp : 127.00 Raymour

Fiddle leaf 249.00 West elm (they turn up in

the discount stores less)

Art (diy your own. ) !!!!!!!!!

Total 1031.00 plus tax and a trip to hobby lobby

pick your OWN palette : )

Oh! want an accent chair? Add 210.00

Now you're "home" and suit yourself any colors on a NEUTRAL base

Jan, I’m sure the OP will replace items as she sees fit, when she is ready. In the meantime, I don’t see anything wrong with her current decor, even if it is second-hand. I wouldn’t advise her to get a second job just to replace ”stuff”.

She is asking for help to make her current decor cozy. I think that can be done with a nice rug, throw for the rocker, and throw pillows for the sofa and chair. That can be done for a few hundred dollars.

I wouldn’t paint the rocker for all the reasons stated above. Once you place a throw and pilow on it, it will work just fine, IMHO.

“I'll be the lone voice of "been there/done that"

You aren’t the only one. My DH died after a years-long illness and I (and our child) lost everything.

Post whatever generic decor you want, but don’t assume no one but you has ”been there”. And don’t use the word ”pity” just because of well wishes here. The OP hasn’t shown she’s hosting a pity party whatsoever.

Her decor and everyone’s suggestions here are not depressing. I find waiting room decor-that-has-zero-personality depressing, but hey, it’s good to get a variety of ideas, I guess.

I believe I said "pick your own palette". "DIY some art"......The op stated

"I lost all my furniture and home in a domestic situation a while back".........

"I don't want to have friends in yet....."

" My friends have gorgeous" .....etc.

Nesting anew anywhere is to make it your own - and no need to feel obligated to the well meaning donations: )

well said, @Jilly

well meaning donations are sometimes desperately needed donations.

word of the day… EMPATHY

Suggest taking your time; step back and ask how do YOU want to feel in the room.

1. Look at inspiration rooms (based on what you have, maybe search rustic cape cod living rooms for instance). Although room‘s entire feel may not be possible, concentrate on the pieces and save pics….you’ll start to see a trend: colors, decor, lighter/darker tendency, layering - the rug style and size especially will set the tone. (Don’t suggest drapes given AC and baseboard heating.)

2.I love Marketplace, but you have to be patient and Homesense has nice accessories at decent prices.

3. Have a overall plan and one choice will lead to another! I’m sure you will end up closer to what makes you happy.

4. I’d place bookcase flush against the wall, bamboo blinds and better/low lighting will be cozier and layer couch. Just need a bit of your personality.

WOW!!!! I literally cannot believe the creativity and the willingness of all of you to help me! I had no idea that this forum would be like a little family!! So… I have not been out shopping yet.. these updates are just from what I had in my house, laying around in other rooms, pulling together all of your ideas and suggestions.. I guess the biggest thing I did was replace the rocker with the armchair.. what do you think? I tried to do the “layering” thing.. and mixing patterns.. And the tan fuzzball, that’s my best friend LJ. He is overseeing the project 😊

Just a few close ups

That A/C is ruining my life.🤣🤣

well done, @Jessica! Give LJ some scritches for me 😺

Wow--that was fast. Definitely looking much cozier! Love the plants on the windowsill and the replacement of the rocker with the chair. Also, the little fabric stool next to the chair looks good. Perhaps a little too much layering on the chair? I'd stick with one throw and one pillow. Now it's time for you to step back and start searching for things that "you" like -- pillows, rugs, curtains, lamps, etc., and when you see something (yard sales, discount stores, goodwill) try it out. If you like flowers or landscapes, maybe some inexpensive prints. Also, the air conditioner is an issue? Try googling -- there are grates and boxes and artwork to camoflouge -- even putting your bookcase in front of it (if it fits) so that it looks like the air-conditioner is sitting on a shelf. Continue having fun!

In the past, when $$ were in short supply but we had a sofa we didn’t like the fabric of, we bought an inexpensive quilt (or even a bedspread) and covered it up. Go with a neutral one and you can add some nice, inviting throw pillows. Good luck! (Looking homier already 😉.)

Lots of affordable options out there on Amazon. That chair doesn’t do anything visually for the atmosphere and cosiness in the room although I’m sure it’s more comfortable than a rocker. The throw in the first photograph would go well with that little round side stool/table thing that you have there.

Go for just one piece of fabric on chair, and pillow. rug is better on floor imo

A-zon and Etsy have some beautiful-looking Kantha quilts on sale, lots of choices. They’d make great throws.

You might try ”layering” the chair like this:

It feels much homier already. I would keep an eye out for a tiny little lamp that could fit on the shelf or somewhere else about waist height, so that you could have intimate cozy lighting when watching TV as an alternative to the floor lamp.

The small white lamp on top of the bookcase can provide what jenny is suggesting....

I am in absolute love with your sofa! I have not seen it up close, but I would love to have a sofa like that. Your place oozes charm, warmth and personality! You have done a wonderful job in making that space your own.

I have a cat that looks quite a lot like yours. Mine is a handful. You have to love them though!! 💕😸

I have two different pairs of curtains that I will never use (nor have they been used) and also some cute throw pillow covers that are new and are great neutrals. If you need anything like that, pm me and I will happily mail them to you with the Amy discount of $0.00 😉

Amy, I just want to say how much I adore you. ❤️

(Amy has excellent taste and beautiful things, Jessica!)

Thank you guys for the input! Hmmm.. putting the shelf in front of the Air Conditioner!! Interesting thought!! And then maybe some type of Artwork or material to cover it up?? Or just Something else to cover it… Definitely thought provoking. It really is bothering me..
Heard! About going a bit overboard on the chair-lol.. but no real mention of the switch between armchair and rocking chair? ( except for liasch..) hmmm. Amanda Smith, TY for the example of layering! Amykath.. you are sooo amazingly generous! Yes, my LJ also is a MAJOR handful.. this is one reason I think I am going to forego curtains.. and If I could stick that damn purple couch in the mail and trade them for your pillow covers I would in a second! I just can’t do the purple.. I know you all love it.. but I just can’t 😊😊

.....so.........NUKE the purple

I don’t think I would stick the shelf in front of the air conditioner. It’s going to bring the shelf out in the room and look really awkward no matter how you do it.

My favourite go to for corners that needed concealing always was folding screens. A screen behind your chair would work very well. A useful item, and then you can also store things behind it on the floor in stacked boxes if you’re short on storage. Let’s see if I can find one at a decent price. Also fits right into the BoHo look. I wish you lived closer. I could give you one of mine.🤪

There’s all different styles. The sort of thing that you could probably easily pick up secondhand on Marketplace or keep your eyes open for one in a secondhand place. If you’re a little clever, you could make one. You wouldn’t need a very big one to conceal the air conditioner, just two panels.

Jan Moyer.. I just read all of your comments.. I don’t know why I didn’t see them before.. Perhaps my brain just decided not to pay much attention to negativity.. but anyway.. I am in NO WAY having any sort of pity party.. and if you read my original post, I CLEARLY STATED that I had NO PROBLEM spending the $$ if needed, I just didn’t know where to start.. so telling me to get a job is extremely disrespectful and none of your concern as a matter of fact, my financial situation..
I appreciate your input, but not your negativity and condescending tone. Thank you

You can also get some thing like this….with fabric. This is actually on my local marketplace, but you might be able to find something similar.

I was looking at these couch covers today.. these colors..

OoohhhYES!!! The screens!!!😊💕💕💕

That one is fabulous!!

Jessica… good for you for standing up for yourself! Unfortunately, this person is well known on Houzz for a lack of sensitivity. 😑 it’s not just you.

Oh, phew.. Glad it’s not just me.. I was like what? Seriously?? Get a job? Oh hell no. 🤣🤣

I think the chair in the corner is a little more cozy than the rocker and I bet LJ will love to sit on top of it to look out the window. 😻 Lia's idea for the screen in the corner behind the chair is a great one and I was thinking the same thing. Easily moved when you use the A/C.

I too like your purple sofa but then purple and green are my favorite colors so go figure. Love the quilts Jilly posted and maybe consider something like that for the sofa? As long as LJ approves because that seems to be his place. 🤣

loving the screen idea and the Kantha quilts too! They’re beautiful. Another source for similar is Etsy. I have a patchwork Sari fabric runner purchased from there quite reasonably and there are tons of choices for pillow and pouf covers as well. I also kinda dig your purple couch 😊, but if it’s not your favorite ,the velvet covers you found are very pretty. I love the gold color especially. I’ve had a room painted deep rusty orange in the past, so I appreciate that one as well, lol. Kitty will for sure enjoy snuggling up on it. I have a leopard pillow that is my cat’s absolute favorite place to lounge 😂.
Seems like everything is coming together in a good cohesive plan. So many great creative minds here.
Was also thinking that when you’re looking for small accessories, pillows, etc HomeGoods always has a really nice selection at reasonable prices too.

I think maybe a nice idea, until you are maybe ready for a different sofa, would be to find a double or maybe queen size depending on your sofa size and lay it down the middle and then add some pillows to tie in all of the colors. Kind of like the pic below.

I haven't been on here for MONTHS, but I’m glad to see nothing has changed. The very first post I peek at. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Everyone is lovely and as helpful as ever, except for ONE. Good job Jessica and everyone who HELPED you 👍🏻. Au revoir, for another year or two.

Good to see you standing up for yourself, Jessica!

I wouldn’t fret over the air conditioner. I think once you have a colorful piece of art hanging over it, the eye will be distracted from it.

True… A really colourful piece of art on that wall or an attention getting poster, could completely distract from the air conditioner. You haven’t mentioned if you have an IKEA in your area but they sell really inexpensive large frames that are good for art reproductions and posters. I could see something filling the wall above the air conditioner.

Those prices are in Canadian dollars so I think they would be less in the USA.

I think the pumpkin colored couch cover would brighten up the room immensely! What a cheerful color!

If you get a screen, I would recommend the ones posted that have the fabric. I use one similar to the multi-paned divider and it has an office feel - the ones with fabric like @liasch posted seem cozier.

Rugs to go with the orange velvet.

Or these:

@Jessica Hamilton I love what you have done so far. I love a lot of the ideas posted. I think it's especially creative to hang three rag rugs on the wall behind the sofa for art. What a fun idea! Two things have been screaming at me through all the posts.

One is the color scheme, such an inexpensive thing. I saw your purple couch and the orange in the wood and I just ache to see green to complete my favorite triadic color scheme: purple, orange and green. A triadic color scheme is so cozy and warm. Please add green if you keep the purple and orange.

The other is the bare wall under the window. I know you love your tall metal shelves, but you also said that the reason you love them is because they store things. So, if you like the idea, could you keep an eye out for a low set of shelves to put your things on by the window and move the tall shelves somewhere else? Help me out ladies and go shopping on line for warm cozy console shelving that would look great under that window. It could even be a trio of smaller shelf units that could be very versatile. Or maybe a combination of matching drawers and shelves flanking. @Jessica Hamilton, what is the width of that space under the window? If you frame the window and shelving below with ceiling to floor draperies, it will add a very nice vertical feel and be a bit of a focal point. Maybe the small picture above the window would be less lost if it were moved to a smaller space.

Well, I also like the idea of a larger area rug. I think that's a general consensus. ☺️

And can I just say that when there's a family issue and you loose your home and furnishings, it has the advantage of not being haunted by the sometimes painful memories associated with those things. Instead, keep the memories associated with all the support you are getting from lovely strangers on HOUZZ.

To hide the air conditioner - put up curtains and have the rod go from wall to wall so that they cover the air conditioner as well. When you need to use the air conditioner - stack the curtain to the right and put inexpensive artwork above the air conditioner.

For warmer months:

For colder months:

agree on adding some green or teal, if you are drawn to those colors. My dark orange room had teal accents as a matter of fact. But I’m a green and teal lover 😊.
i like the idea of some shelving under window as well. Will look for some shelving options today and see what we come up with…
the curtains look nice in mock up, but did you mention kitty is a scratcher, @Jessica?

couple low shelf options i found for decent prices. I have the gold metal one in my living room, can vouch that it’s good quality. And an inspiration pic with colors you seem to be drawn to if it helps going forward with color scheme 😊

here are other 2…oops… disregard the bath mat. i was looking at that for my house and fat fingered it, lol

Juat popping back into say that having lights shine up near the ceiling can undermine whatever else you do to get ''çosy'' in the room. Lights that are at seat level invite sitting down and don't cast harsh shadows and hot spots. Worth keeping in mind as you proceed and prioritze purchases

Some cozy eye candy inspiration for you:

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/these-7-new-england-homes-are-a-lesson-in-sophisticated-coziness