Kelli's Living Room

Christine,

Living Room: Sofa and loveseat, a $6,000.00 mistake. They are huge and I hate them but hubby says they are staying. I know I need new lamps, end tables coffee table and console, but I hate to invest anymore into this room unless you think I can make it work. What do you think I should do with this room?

- Kelli

Hi Kelli,

Let me make a few suggestions:

1. Your small bench and small chair do not balance out your large love seat. Purchase a larger chair to put in their place. The chair below is called "the Wild West" chair and is available through Horchow. What do I like about it? First of all- it combines your brown from your sofas with your gray in your fireplace. Your fireplace isn't "fitting in" like it should- use the colors of the brick and make it look like it is part of your design rather than look like you bought a house that had a fireplace that didn't match your "things."
2. You were right about the lamps- they are too small a scale for the room.- and whereas your tables are not "bad" they are also not doing anything for you either. The visual weight is too light. The table with the table cloth is the wrong style for your furnishings. No matching sets allowed of lamps or tables. :) For example- the table below is not an "end table" - It is 36 inches in height and 42 in width. This is a good scale for your room, from what I can tell from your pictures. But- instead of a matching set- combine this green table from Decorize, with this box style from Z Gallerie. Then, as a coffee table- use an upholstered ottoman. I like using upholstered ottomans when the other upholstery is leather- it adds a lot.) For your lamps- combine a pharmacy lamp (this one from Restoration Hardware)with a more decorative lamp like the one below from Decorize.

   
   

3. You have a set of two pictures above your fireplace- and a set of two pictures above your sofa. One of the sets has to go. We need variety in not only medium, but in numbers as well as we decorate your room. For example- you could put this metal plaque to the left of your fireplace- and the set of five damask prints above the sofa OR
You could have this piece of art above the sofa- with the set of two metal plaques to the left of the fireplace. (This art is too small however- a little trick is that you could purchase a canvass that is the perfect size for over the sofa- paint it one of the colors in the art- and then hang the art on top of it.




4. I like the sconce to the left of the window. (I can't really see it- but I like the idea :) The armoire to the right of the window is not ideal- as it creates a balance issue that cannot be solved. I am assuming you have a TV in it?? I would get a flat screen and put it above your fireplace. This also solves your "2 and 2" problem. This will probably give you space for two matching chairs rather than just one. Then get a matching sconce for the right side of the windows. Also- adding a chandelier in the room will not only add light and style, but draw the eye to the height of the ceiling. (the one below is from Currey and Company)
   
5. There is not enough contrast in your flooring and wall. In an ideal world- I would put in hardwood floors :)- but of course- a can of paint is much less expensive. I am not suggesting taking the color seriously dark- but definitely darker. Look at the photo- there is very little difference in your wall and and floor colors.
   
6. You need a more definitive color scheme in here. If someone came over for a party- and were asked the next day- "What colors did Kelli decorate her living room in?" They would respond, "UUUUUHHHHH............. I think I saw some red... or brown?? " Your colors are disjointed. This can be helped a lot with a new rug- I also think your rug is too small for the room. (it looks like a good size for an entry way- maybe you can move it there.) Below are two very different ideas- both from homedecorator.com- I would get a large rug- at least and 8 x 10- maybe a 9 x 13. This will also give you some colors to pull from for your wall. Hey readers- which is your favorite? #1- or 2?
7. 

Can you see the direction I am headed- have a more definitive color scheme? Follow up with replacing your pillows to go with your new rug. A stronger color pallet will make a big difference in helping your room to be more "pulled together." For help in selecting a color pallet- check out this post. Thanks Kelli! Good luck with your project!
Christine

How to Choose your Kitchen Color

Hi,

I had a question about my kitchen walls. The flooring I have down is wide plank hand shaved dark wood and the cabinets are a darker oak color. I'm trying to go for a very country look. I thought about some bead board on the wall. But I have no clue what color I should go with. And I still need to paint the walls? Can you help me?

Thanks,
N.H

Dear N.H.

I feel like you just asked me to name your child! (Cole if it's a boy-Addison if it's a girl) Sure- I can tell you what color to do- I say- green. I like the color green a lot. But you should consider a few things in selecting your colors.

1. Your home should flow. What colors are in rooms that are nearby? - This is, of course especially an important consideration in a more open floorplan. You don't need to use the exact same colors- but the tones and shades should look good together- and there should be some overlap in color.
2. What colors do you love? Check out this post on selecting a color scheme for you home. Be deliberate about your colors. The more deliberate- the more happy you will be with the end result. (what I mean by that- is don't go purchase a sofa just because it is a good price- and be driven by whatever color it happens to be.)



3. You did not send a photo- but I am picturing dark cabinets and dark floors. I think you need to lighten things up. You might not want to hear this- but I would consider painting your cabinets. Painted cabinets are very much a "country" look- and a stronger contrast in cabinets and floors would be great. If you don't want to paint the whole thing- consider just the island- or just portions of your cabinets like the photo above.

4. Do you have window treatments? If not- select those first- a fabric will give you colors to work from- and it can be difficult some times to find the perfect fabric- AFTER you have selected the paint. Fabrics first- paint last. Remember that the options in paint are limitless.
5. What about your backslpash? This is another place to bring in color- and another place that should be firmed up prior to paint colors.

Thanks to Dream Kitchens Fall/ Winter 2008 for today's photos.

ABC Wednesday T is for Timeless

• Everyone, whether on purpose or not, chooses a color scheme in their home. When choosing your colors, it is so tempting to go with the current "trend." For one thing, that is what you find when you go shopping. All of the accessories at Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware, seem to tell you what colors to choose. When light blue is popular, that is what you see everywhere to purchase. This heavy marketing, also makes us "like" these colors. What's wrong with this? Nothing. Especially if you can afford to re-decorate every 5 to 7 years. However, I feel like the best Interior Design is timeless. When you look at a home, and cannot tell when it was decorated, that is good design. Was it last month, last year, or ten years ago? On the flip side, when you see a home with a country blue and peach thing going on- you know it's been around since the 80's. Jewel tones- the 90's. And in 10 years, we will look back and know that the multiple shades of blues and green depicts this time. How do you pull away from the marketing all around us, and select a truly "timeless" color scheme? Or, do you want to?
  Which personality are you?
• 
  • Stylish Susan You like to follow the trends and keep your home looking right out of the latest magazine. So go ahead, decorate with the current trend if you want to- but leave your big expensive items out of it. Get a fabulous, neutral sofa, with some timeless leather chairs, and add your color in your paint and accessories. Sure you'll be re-decorating every 5 years, or 1 year, or maybe even every season, but you love to shop, and like a fresh look in your home. (photo from Pottery Barn)
  
  • Traveling Tess You like to travel. Do you have a favorite place? Italy? The Virgin Islands (my favorite!), Paris? Use a city or location as color pallet. What do you picture when you picture the place? When thinking of Italy do you picture terra cotta colored roofs, white stucco, and blue water? That- is a great color pallet! Go with it! If you love it- it will never go out of style. (photo from Architectural Digest)

    

  
  
  • Collecting Chris You have a collection, (or two), that you love! Maybe it is Vintage Coke, Wedgwood plates, African art, traffic signs, whatever! Take you blue and white plates, add a little red and yellow if you like, and you have a fabulous, timeless, color combination.
  
  Art Fan Ann. Do you have a favorite artist or painting? If you don't already- go to some galleries, fall in love with a painting, and so doing, find your color scheme.

• Outdoor Olivia You love to hike, and bike ride. You are happiest outside. Your perfect vacation is backpacking in Yosemite, or cliff climbing in southern Utah. Take one of your favorite places, and translate the colors of the leaves and water into walls and furniture.

• Neutral Nancy- No one said you have to use color at all. A neutral pallet, whether warm or cool (like the photo at the very top), will always be a timeless choice. You like to keep it neutral and add your interest with textures and different shades.
  

Give it some thought. Choose your color scheme- don't let it choose you!

For more great T's go to Mrs Nesbitt's Place.