I think the chairs do go with your chosen style. I like the apparent depth and can’t see much of it, but that black pillow appears to be a good choice. On sale and attractive—- yay!

Imported means made in China. Shown In, Ashby Oatmeal ; Material Detail, 72% Polyester, 18% Precrypton, 10% Cotton ; Fairly priced if the fabric holds up.

These do not look too coastal in your space. They seem to work well with your quasi-Asian inspired look. Get a nice Nguchi like coffee table to go with them. What are your thoughts for seating across from them?

I like them in your room and they look great with your rug. I would keep everything in that color scheme and it will be stunning.

@Kendrah I have to get out there and look now that I have these chairs and it looks like they are being used in the living room. I have plenty of seating with the built-in window seat and the fireplace bench so I may just look for two upholstered chairs that take up space instead of a curved sofa which I had been focusing on.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

In the other direction I was planning on getting rid of this massive console and vintage lamps. Both are huge... the console is 8'2" x 37" and the lamps are 40" high. It looks good in photos now I notice, but it definitely fills that 12 foot wide wall.

What is the distance from the fireplace seating to the easy chair in the corner? Are they close enough for conversation?

The front of the FP bench is 12 feet from the foot rest. I was going to sell this chair along with the console to change it up. The little table can be moved as well.

Even though they might be expensive chairs I don't get any sort of luxury vibe from them.

When I sit in them they feel solid, well made and expensive. I absolutely could picture them in a living room of an ocean front Malibu home but it would be a coastal casual luxury which is nice but I'm trying to pull them up to see if they could used in a place like the Bulgari Hotel in Tokyo.

I bought them for outside so it's just a thought.

I love that console & the lamps on it. The metallic finish adds the lux you’re wanting - IMO. And, the clean, simple / straight lines of it are very nice with the same lines on the chairs. I do like the chairs, especially the mortise & tenon joints. That feature leans into Arts & Crafts - my style & Arts & Crafts blends very well with Asian styles. So, for me, the chairs are a nice win. The console too - love it!

@jt7abcz Fun mock up... thank you. I wanted to get that massive console out of there because I thought it made the room look smaller than it is but maybe there is something to that placement afterall.

I like your aesthetic, Paul. Chairs are lovely, and if they are comfy….better yet. Hold off on decisions re: the entry console & lamps. I think they are lovely,and you may find that they may play nicely with your other decisions. Find yourself along this journey…..you have a great start!

You mentioned Bulgari Hotel as inspiration- one thing great hotels do masterfully is to incorporate large scale elements which bring drama. I love the console, it fits the wall beautifully and can work with the vibe you want for the space whether using vibrant color or a monochromatic, quiet palette.

The chairs are lovely, great score! Given that you are trending towards Asian, no problem at all. I also love the console and it brings in the luxury look that you are wanting. Nice mock up! Shows there is lots of potential to get the look you want going forward.

I like what you have combined, but there are maybe too many slightly different shades of wood. I love the rug, which IMO should be centered on the fireplace. I'm not crazy about it with the wood elements on either side of the fireplace which lean gold.

The floors look great & then the wood finish changes again at the stairs.

I might consider matching the color of the stone on your hearth & using that on the back wall behind the sideboard,.......or maybe even a bit darker so the sideboard has a great backdrop.

@BeverlyFLADeziner thanks for the feedback! There’s also a strip of that wood under the window seat as well. It is zebra wood and I noticed it definitely is throwing things off now… I thought the orangey varnish might vibe with the doors a little bit. It came to mind a few weeks ago about potentially painting them out. My carpenter can certainly put different wood doors on… and I wonder if a light sanding in place with maybe a new finish that has a little bit of metallic dust to it would work without a huge huge mess? I did my best trying to match the existing stairs to the engineered floor, but it is not perfect.

I think investigating a finish that can be applied overtop sounds reasonable.

The chairs certainly work in your scheme. One of the hardwoods used in making furniture in Japan is Paulownia wood, sometimes referred to as Kiri wood. It is in the same tone as the chairs. Look around for a piece...maybe a tansu. This piece can be separated and made into two chests. Most tansus are easily separated to make other pieces.

What I am not loving is the sculptures flanking the fireplace. Try the black branches you have in the hall and see how they look with the light behind them.

Suggestion: When you decide on a coffee table, show off the Foo dogs (always facing out, not at each other).

@elcieg Here are the twigs in the light alcoves. What do you think? The store I bought the chairs from let me try these two upholstered clearance pieces. They are great quality, 50" square and the back bolsters can be move around or removed... seemed like lots of style for $300 a piece. They each seat two comfortably.

It would be amazing if it works and unbelievable that I just furnished my living room for $1600!

Paul, Love the look of the twigs in the light alcoves - really a wow & pulls the attention to those alcoves & then the art! Great idea from @elcieg The upholstered clearance pieces - just can’t decide. My knees work great but I’m thinking about some of my guests standing up - or, trying to after a glass or two. 😉 But, I do like the one in the corner by FP. It seems perfect there with hearth to set my glass or book on as well as something to help push up against to stand & the wall there to lean back on with that bolster pillow for support. It just looks comfy & inviting in the corner & the lines of it fit with the chairs. The color is good in the room too. The other piece sitting in the open I’m not too excited about sitting on because there’s no support around it. Do you want 2 sets of 2 matched seating? is keeping just one an option for you? Your kitty seems very interested in the Foo dogs - pretty cute!

ETA Just noticed the pull out ’table/ shelf’ in the window seat. & that there’s one on each side. What a nice & great detail! Love the view out that window to the courtyard.

Yeah, the cat was interested in the twigs being moved or upset that they stick out of the alcove at the top and the others don't. He sat there for 15 minutes looking up. Haha If he had hands I'm not sure what he would have done.

As for the furniture... I started out this thread saying I worried that finding deals and compromising the design to use pieces because they were on sale. I didn't think these would work so I didn't consider them but when they were offered for $300 each down from $1000 I get lured into trying them. They are quite different than anything I've ever had. I'm totally open to keeping just one. If I do keep just one. What goes on the other side?

To be clear, they are not just a big cushion and not that crazy low, they are just 2 or 3 inches lower than the chair height. They are upholstered on a supportive wooden frame with feet so there is support. Although it looks like the whole thing is on the floor it is hovering about 1.5 inches up and the fabric flap disguise that. It would be easy to add taller feet to bring it up further but I'm not sure I like that look. One benefit of bringing it up to the height of the fireplace bench is then the roomba could fit underneath it . The backrest bolster has a rubber underside so you can lean against it hard without it slipping. I sat in them last night and you immediately want to pull your feet up or sit Indian style in them.

I've always admired the mid century design Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sectional Sofas but never could picture using one myself because they are mostly crazy colors... and those are only cushions that you sink into so you have to kind of roll out of them.

Feet added below

Omg! Brilliant! I want your living room… I have used floor cushions and there’s lots of advantages to them…but those look especially fabulous because of the height. You have it set up wonderfully and floor cushions are extremely comfortable if you have a way to support your back, which conveniently works out for you in this case. Moving the twigs into the alcove definitely works although it looks to me like you have an ornamental cat there that’s itching to get its paws up into the alcove…lol. Anyway, congratulations. I think you have solved your problems. I don’t think there’s anything I would do to this room at this point. You’ve hit the sweet spot 🥰.

@liasch Thank you! Glad you like. It is so ironic that I started out determined to use smaller scale furniture and end up with this, haha. I do need some overlapping round nesting coffee tables arranged in way to be helpful all around.

My cat is still sulking about the moved sticks, staring forlornly at their old spot. He's probably hatching a plan to make me regret it.

Sometimes they don’t like changes. Or it’s possible that he used to chew on the twigs where they were before? Although I think you would’ve noticed that. They are creatures of habit and also like to be the boss.🤪

I think he used to rub his face on the pointy lower branches. I'll get him a replacement of some sort. I told him the change was @elcieg's idea and out of my hands. :P

Awww… yes my cat really likes to do that too…probably his scent is all over the lower branches. The branches look good there in the lighted areas but they looked good in the other location as well. You could always shift them back until you can find a replacement or take part of one of the branches and put it in his rubbing spot along with something else… I’m a total sook when it comes to cats. 😉

@liasch My friend runs CatCon every year at the Pasadena convention center. Thousands coming to see famous cat influencers, buying cat merchandise and adopting kittens.

Anymore opinions on these gray seats? I need to return today if they aren't working. I like them but I may be blinded by the cheap price!

I have a lot of thoughts on your room, but will just comment on the gray seats since you need to make a decision. Return them. Why? They take up too much room for what they give back. One way to look at it is: If you had to pay full price would you buy them? It's not like you can't find anything else that would work better at a price you can afford. A few other reasons.

1. Too big, but too small to fit two people (I know you said two could fit comfortably on one, but only to perch since the back cushions are smaller than the seat.

2. Too low, even a few inches make a difference in sitting down and getting up.

3. It's getting pretty boxy in there. Too many rectangle shapes, Pillows and deco help, as would a round coffee table

4. It doesn't look like you have room for a coffee table which you really don't necessarily need since you have surfaces next to seating, If you want a coffee table, which I would, find different seating.

5. I love those wood chairs, but be prepared to use them outside.

I think you need an overall plan rather than piecemealing with furniture you found bargain priced.

Measure out the space then figure out seating needed. I don't mind "chairs only" rooms but only for rooms other than the main living space.

You have done a great job rebuilding your home after the fire. I would love to see the kitchen again. Can't remember if you ever finished it.

I think the acid test here is how comfortable are they? Can you get some friends to test them out? Do you find them very comfortable? And then the last question is… Do you love them? I am a big fan of furnishing your house in a way that is entirely personal and suits YOU. However sometimes we are tempted to buy things on sale that only half fit our lifestyle. So the real question is your personal take on these, as opposed to somebody else’s outside opinion.

“Do they spark joy?” is the famous question.

Hi Paul,

Absolutely, with the right colors, designs, and art, these chairs can transcend their coastal origins and exude a luxurious feel. Their solid comfort and unique design can be complemented with rich textures and deep colors like emerald green or sapphire blue to achieve the Asian-inspired vibe you're aiming for.

Consider selecting artwork that complements their style and enhances the room's ambiance. I'd be glad to assist in selecting art that ties everything together seamlessly. Reach out to me on my Houzz profile if you would like professional design help.

Thanks for the feedback! The gray seats do spark joy. I have had the chance to use them a few times for drinks and conversation. I'm a big person and being able to draw my feet up or sit cross legged on furniture is new to me... well not since I was younger that is. I may try to put on taller wooden feet that match the chairs but I think that will make them really look too big.

If I had a big gathering of a lot of people, just being able to take that backs off and have them provide seating to 2-3 people each, all facing different directions is interesting. You know, for $600 total I think I'll live with them for a while and if when they need replacing I'll do a custom sofa for likely 10x the cost. That is what I was thinking I'd need to do in this room. In the meantime, I'm going to keep an eye out for coffee tables.

I have 90 pieces of art in storage. I'm going to be breaking into that stash pretty soon. The kitchen is going to be installed soon as well. I'll post pics!

I think that’s an excellent idea. For the price what have you got to lose by hanging onto them. Their flexibility is also a big bonus. I agree I wouldn’t raise them up any higher. I’ll be following along to see the artwork! How is your cat doing…😉