Diane's Wall Unit

Dear Christine

I've procrastinated enough ... I'm finally writing to you for some of your always "right on the mark" advice. I wasn't really procrastinating- I was just truly at a loss on what to do with this ginormous wall unit in my family room. 

We moved in about a year ago - I tried putting things in it that are meaningful to me - family photos, plates that my children made for me for Mother's Day. I looked thru many magazines and tried to copy the pros about stacking books sideways to add "height" to the shelves so the framed photos could rest of them. Still, this space does not do anything for me - doesn't go "wow! what a lovely collection of family memories." It definitely does not help me relax when I am watching TV in there. It just looks like I unpacked boxes directly onto each shelf without any thought or plan. I avoid spending time in this space, which is pretty hard since with a very open floor plan, you see this wall unit from every room on our main floor.

My specific questions are:

1. General rules for addressing the decoration of the wall unit. Should I mix up the height of the shelves? How do I achieve a "pretty space" but also use it as a display for my family's treasures? My style is contemporary - I usually stick to neutral colors but would love to add a splash of color like lime green.

2. I am remodeling the kitchen - and the cabinets currently have the same wood stain. I am thinking of going white in the kitchen with light granite. Is there a rule that these family room units should also match the kitchen cabinets since they are in one space (ie not separated by a wall)?

3. Just FYI - I am going to repaint also. I do not like the "gold" painted by the prior owners. I am probably going with a light tan or even the Sherwin Williams Ancient Marble that you mentioned in one of your prior blogs.

The lack of pizzaz in this space has made me realize how much the feel of a home affects my mood. So, please, for the sake of my kids, so that their mom is not grumpy when we are spending family time in there, I would appreciate any suggestions.  Thank you so much. 

Diane

Hi Diane,

I feel like teaching how to accessorize is one of the hardest things to teach.  It is just so intuitive, and there aren't hard rights and wrongs like there are with so many other aspects to interior design.  However, the principles are the same, and I appreciate the teaching challenge. Let me split it into steps.

Step 1-  The wall unit itself.  Should it match the kitchen?  No- that is not a reason to paint it.  However- the four white doors, (or are they speakers?), and the color pallet that you mention that you would like to go with, and the somewhat datedness of your current stain, makes me want to say, "Yes, paint it white."

To be a little more interesting than just that, I would do the opposite of the wall unit above.  Paint the unit white, EXCEPT add stained paneling to the back side.  Do you see the white paneling on the back of the unit above?  Same thing, except reversed.  Stain it with a grayed wash, maybe even add a white wax to it.  I would also put on a larger crown while I was giving the unit a bit of an overhaul.  I would also remove some shelves.  Remove one shelf from each bay.  Again, look at the unit above- notice how much larger the spaces are?  If it were a bookcase, your shelves would be appropriate, but as a display unit- the spaces are too small.  Now, with the center portion, I would move the back panel forward, only a few inches deep, so that I could hang a piece of art there instead of have more shelves.  This act will give you a MUCH stronger focal point.  It will also ground the room, having it feel less busy. 

Step 2- The mom in me loves the idea of using your children's gifts, momentos, etc.  Your room should make you happy, bring you joy and conjure up great memories.  To start with, take everything out.  You have a scale problem.  The size of all of your items are small.  There is nothing wrong with small items, but there is something very wrong with all of the items being small.  Does that mean I am saying not to use them, no, but we do need to add some larger items first.

I would add all white items.  I really like consistency in color in decorating wall units/display cabinets, etc.  This will also make the items from your children be the color, the highlight.  However, start by getting some large white items, like the set of glossy coral bowls above.  In decorating these shelves, you want balance and some symmetry.

(set of three shells on stands) The balance between being symmetrical and not, is what gives the arrangement visual balance.  Sometimes I like being symmetrical on just two shelves, perhaps the two top shelves, doing the exact same thing.  There  are MANY good ways to arrange your shelves, that is just one idea. 

Divide the accessories on each shelf into groupings. 

Let me tell you another way I like to do it.  Check out the photo below from Houzz:

See how on the left, starting at the top and going down, there are three groupings, one grouping, two groupings, then, look on the right, there is one grouping, two groupings, three groupings.  Balancing the look out in this way is an easy tool to use to create balance.  Combine your larger white items with your children's items to make your groupings.  To increase the scale of a grouping, add a tray vertically behind it.  Use baskets to hold items like paperback books or card games, that are not necessarily pretty, but that you might want to have handy.

Step 4- For your center area...  Now, (in my imagination, because you have moved the back panel forward) you have a place for artwork, a unifier, a nice strong focal point.  Because this area is architecturally determined in size, it will look much nicer if the shape of your art is super consistent with the shape of the space.  If you have a hard time finding a piece, you could always have something framed, and adjust the size that way.  Find a piece that you love.  This will change that "mood" you were referring to.  The piece above is from Z Gallerie. From my guessing, it looked like a good size for you and had a splash of the lime green you mentioned, and will be a unifier between your white that you added and your children's things. 

Step 5- Add greenery.  I realize that this is not a good "growing environment"  But when I do one of these for a client, I always add greenery (usually not living). One of my go-to items is this set of boxwoods.

You could get boxwoods that would go on the white pots at the top of the post.  That would be perfect.  (I know where to order them if you are interested)

Step 6- Now you want to add back in your meaningful items.  For example, in front of the lovely white coral bowls, add a picture frame.  Next to the boxwoods, add the vases your daughter made.  Will you fit EVERYTHING in?  No, but the new level of sophistication in the area will compliment the momentos.  I love using expensive frames on artwork that a child made.  I have a nice large hand painted box for swim team ribbons.  When you elevate the items like this, you honor your children.  When you maintain a good use of design principles, (i.e. scale, proportion, focal point, etc.) you bring a sense of serenity to a room.  We can do both. 

Good Luck!

XOXO

Christine

Bookcase Display

Today's post is a continuation of Cara's questions.  She also sent photos of these bookshelves and asked:

Do you like the arrangement of frames, books, and nicknacks on the media stand?  If not, what do you suggest?

Cara,

Let me say that I have seen much worse in display jobs.  I can tell that you did try to make it more of a display area rather than just a book storage- which I appreciate.  Let me try to explain to you where you can improve.

I would say that your biggest mistake here is that you have two things, something on the right, and something on the left, something on the right and something on the left on EVERY SHELF.  Yes- that is where you went wrong.

You only have three shelves on each side.  Make it so on one side you have two items, one item three items, and then do it differently on the other side, with, say, one item, three items, two items.  Remember that your shelves are most likely adjustable.  You don't have to have them all symmetrical. 

I also didn't notice a color theme in there.  Sometimes this is a good way to pull it together.  Notice the repetition of gold in the photo above?  It brings the look into the room decor in a stronger way.

See the plants in the look above?  I would have at least two plants in your area.  Plants make a display work on so many levels.  I love bringing in a natural element, and nothing has great texture like a plant.  They also bring life to an area.  Even if they are just a good, fake succulent.  Also notice the great variety above- I would say that you have too many photo frames.

A different way altogether to do it, that I think would be very easy for someone that doesn't consider themselves a great decorator, yet looks very professional- is to throw out everything I've said so far and just do a bunch a cream vases, like in the photo above.  I also love the idea of pulling them out to set a beautiful table from time to time.  The repetition with variation is a terrific look.  (With just a pop of color in this example.)

Same thing above-  Repetition with variation.  I can picture this with a bunch of green glassware, or wedgewood plates, or copper containers, or vintage gameboards, or gold pottery, or wood boxes.  repetition in theme, yet all different items. 

Displaying an area, whether it be a bookcase, curio, hutch, etc. can really be challenging if you don't have a natural sense of scale and balance.  If you put yourself in this category- invite a friend over who is a photographer, or or graphic designer, or someone that you think might have that natural sense.  I also like to draw out what I want on paper- and then look for things that fit into it- (sometimes requires shopping)  instead of having a bunch of items and trying to fit them all in... does that make sense?  (Or hire an interior designer for an hour or two!)

Good luck, and, like I said, I have seem much worse- check out some worse ones here.  ;-)

There is a lot you can learn from one good photo...

I told Kim a few weeks ago that she didn't have enough book storage to really pull off a cool design look using books.  (see this post)

I came across this photo today- (designer Jason Oliver Nixon) and thought- now here is an example where there is a large enough quantity to have the books look great.  I also love the incorporation of decorative elements sprinkled throughout.  Notice too the area above the bookcase.  This is sometimes an area where people tend to struggle.

I also liked the cluster of wall decor.  The variety is terrific- with common elements of sepia tones and red. 

The third thing I would like you to notice in the photo below is the wall color.  Dark brown works great here.  Dark brown, in my opinion rarely works great.  But I like it here.

Furnished is NOT the same as Cluttered.

For any new readers out there- when you see a second color- like today it is green- that is me- interrupting. ;)

Christine,
A friend of mine discovered your blog several months ago. After talking several times about my living room, we decided to see what advice you could give to us. I hope that is okay.
I have a fairly awkward front room that is half two story and half one story that I just don't know what to do with. We are hopefully looking to get new furniture for this room sometime soon (although I have a sentimental attachment to our 70s couch), I am not a big fan of the fabric- but the style has a retro charm in an Anthropologie kind of way. I could totally see re-upholstering it- but that would be if you want to commit to a fun retro look- which is inconsistent with your wall decor altogether- you decide. but I would really love some guidance on how to arrange it. I would like to get a sofa, love seat, and a chair or two so that if we ever move, I won't have an awkward furniture set. I am not going to support the sofa love seat option- check out this post for an explanation. I have wondered about getting some tables, too, but they scare me a little. I really like space, and I am afraid of cluttering it up. Trust me. If you have the room well designed- yes- it will include tables and more furniture- but that is a good thing... you will like it. It is not going to be cluttered up- it is going to be furnished. Big difference. Sometimes I think people get used to their homes being half furnished and they think that finishing the job is somehow going to make their house look smaller- or their kids will have no place to play- and it is all totally crazy. It will look better. And kids really should play outside anyway. There is nothing scary about tables. Black widows- snakes- they are scary. Tables- not scary. The room was originally designed to be a living/dining room, but I want it to be a living room that also has our piano in it. There is also a plant shelf that you can kind of see from the living room that is currently empty. I could really use some help!
The dimensions of the room are roughly 13'X21'. The wall with the large picture on it is about 7'. The space between the windows is about 6'.
Thank you for your help! Let me know if you have any questions.
Jen

I used your dimensions to draw out a couple of options. Option one is below- Four chairs with the sofa against the wall. This room, in addition to being a living room, is also apparently a hallway- so notice that room is left for passage- but not so much that it is too awkward. I put a large square ottoman in the center- and kept your piano with two chairs where they were.

Option #2 is actually my favorite. You have a large wall on the left. I always like to break up large walls with tall furniture. I would use a couple of large display bookcases. Keep in mind that we are facing all of the furniture to the space between the two windows. (Add some drapery panels to those windows while you are at it.) This little space is now your focal point. Get a cool piece of furniture, a TV, or maybe one of those fireplaces that you can just add to your room. The art that you have there currently is hung way too high, by the way. Relationship with the furniture it is above- just a few inches over- that is my rule.

Here are a couple of Anthropologie pieces. If you want to go with this fun look- find a cool fabric to re-upholster and then be consistent throughout the room- otherwise I suggest a new sofa.

I picture a cool bookcase like the one in this post. Those round circles with lines next to the bookcases in the floorplan I drew are sconces BTW- we need more sconces in this world.

Thanks for writing in! I hope I wasn't too harsh ;) But your friend is reminding me of my husband who thinks I clutter up the house with furniture. The attitude drives me a little crazy.

XOXO

Christine

Betsy in Maine Part II

Today's post is a continuation of yesterday's on Betsy from Maine's beautiful old home. Yesterday I went over furniture arrangement. Today I wanted to go over some specifics.

1. Ottoman. Add an ottoman in front of the sofa. This room – because of its shape makes it hard to have a conversational furniture arrangement. Essentially- the sofa is by itself- and the two chairs and desk area a separate element. The sofa with an ottoman is a more pleasing combination than the sofa with a coffee table- because it is by itself. Does that make any sense? The ottoman above is from Wisteria.
2. Drapes. I would say audios to all of your window treatments. Radiators are so annoying. If you just had a shorter one- you could do full length panels in the living room…. But- assuming that you don’t want the expense of changing that- I would put in woven wood roller shades and patterned Roman shades- layered. You could also reverse that and have a sheer roller shade underneath- with woven Roman shades on top… Or- you could have wood shutters- try to keep them consistent with the style of the home- not looking all vinyl. Use the same material to add drapes in the dining room. Have them drawn to the side, the one on the left to the left, and the one on the right to the right. Keep the roller shades in these windows.
3. Empty your display area. Then re-introduce items very deliberately. This is not a library- it is your living room. Notice that I referred to it as a display area- not a bookcase. Fly me to Maine and I will re-do it for you. My ancestors are from Maine- I would love to visit again.
4. If you leave the area in front of your radiator blank- it throws the room a little off balance. There is only about two feet that you can use without cutting off your traffic flow from the dining room. You also want to keep air flow around the radiator pretty open. I added a desk. (again from Wisteria) I would put a little stool under it- you could use it for many different things- from a lap top to letter writing- to game playing.
5. Your rug. I really like your rug- it is beautiful- and the current size looks good- what doesn’t work is having a rug that has a pattern that tells people where the center is. The focal point of the room is the fireplace. The visual center of the room should be the fireplace. Your fireplace, however, is not centered- so the center of the rug lines up with the right side of the fireplace. It makes the room feel off balance. Get a rug without a center pattern. This could be any rug with an overall pattern- or a rug void of a traditional pattern- like a sisal rug- shown in the pictures above.

I hope you can get an idea of the look I have in mind for your place. With such a pretty home to start with- I am sure it will turn out wonderfully. Especially if you do absolutely everything I told you. ;)

Thanks, XOXO

Christine

Room photos crom Country Living