Jill's Family Room Questions

Hi Christine

I have been reading your blog and it's a favorite of mine. You have a great talent and I thank you for sharing it. I have learned a lot. I am writing to ask for you advice on my Family Room.

My Questions are:

1. Paint color. We just bought this sectional and I love it, but everything in this room is the same color. The walls, floor, lampshade. So I bought these pillows for color and now I'm thinking I need to change the paint for some contrast. What color and where do I stop? One wall is green which is carried over from the kitchen. 2. Area rug and end tables. The floor in this room is a neutral tile. I would love to have a huge area rug to pull it all together and add warmth. I really like the rugs you showed in a previous post, but I don't think they would work with the pillows. The rug we have is too small and went with the other couch. I will need some end tables and I don't know what to do with the ottoman. It is square and leather. We had an L-shaped sectional before and now this one doesn't allow the same space. Hmmm.. 3. Window Treatments. When I moved here there were some scarves draped over the curtain rods you see pictured. I thought they were way too small scale for the size of the windows and room, but I haven't replaced them with anything still. There is also a window seat next to the piano (not pictured). I would like to re-cover with some great fabric when I know what to do for the window treatments. (Yes, that is fake ivy you see. I read your post on this and I will have to change it out:)) 4. Picture wall instead of metal screen? I have wanted to do a wall of family pictures in my house. Maybe over the couch instead of the metal screen? I hope this isn't too many questions. I am open to all suggestions you have.

Thank you so much!

Jill

Dear Jill,

Let's make question #2, #1. You should select the rug prior to selecting the paint. Paint options are infinite, rug options are more limiting.

I found this rug on homedecorators.com. Your pillows are pretty modern. If you find this rug style too modern for you, change your pillows- or go with a solid like a sisal, or shag. Don't mix a more traditional rug with the contemporary pillows. It won't look good- even if it matches. I made a little collage for you to see the rug with your pillows closer. Get a 9 x 13 and set the rug square below the sectional.

2. Your ottoman. If your ottoman doesn't fit inside the "U" of the sectional- sell it on craigslist, and purchase one that does. From your pictures it kind of looks like it would fit... :) But I don't like it "floating" out there- it just looks like the kid's messed it up. :)

3. Your end table. Use the need for a new piece of furniture as a way to increase your textural variety in the room. This will help to add interest. It is often just little things like texture that make the difference between the really fabulous, and the really regular. The nesting tables below are from "Blue Fish" and come in a dark chocolate color (which is what I am recommending).

On to your paint. Your room so far reminds me of Pottery Barn. I think a lot of times people will see rooms in a magazine, purchase the furniture, and still do not have the same look. I'll tell you why. All you have is drywall. :) Look at these Pottery Barn pictures:

What do they have that you do not? Interesting architecture. Don't feel bad- most everyone reading this has the same problem. The walls in the Pottery Barn ads are all white, but they are beautiful because they have great windows, built-ins, paneling, etc. You don't need more color, you need more interest. Paint your walls white and add paneling like the picture just above. Paneling too big a project? A dark chocolate brown grasscloth wold look amazing.

Let's assume here for a moment that money is no object- for all I know Jill can spend whatever she wants- right? Your wall that has the fireplace and built-ins - I would trim out that entire wall- beautiful wood - painted white, blending in with what is already there. Got it? Trim, and crown, the whole wall in white.

The wall with the wrought iron thing on it? Have windows going all across the wall- same height as your existing, so they are above your sofa- just add more. Trim and panel the wall- think interesting woodwork-cased windows. Give your room the kind of charm the home would have if it were built in the 1960's instead of- let me guess- 8 years ago. :)

The wall with the TV- same thing- your baseboard- make it 9 inches instead of 3 or 4- trim out the wall.

There- how's that for a paint selection- white. Or- if that is not your thing- or too daunting or expensive- go with the chocolate brown grass cloth.

A note for all of you. White is a great color when there is some interest in the architecture- it is generally pathetically dull when we have only orange peel finish dry wall. Check out some design magazines- I just grabbed one- June 2008 Coastal Living- here are a couple of shots:

White walls, great crown, simple paneling- (and a beautiful tin ceiling in this case). I feel like in Jill's room the woodwork was started but left unfinished. Give your room some style and charm.

So- now for your windows... Your size of room and furniture arrangement prohibits panels- so I would go with Roman Shades. (I am picturing them in white) See how it is hung on a rod. I would do that, and then hang it high- not far from your ceiling- giving the look of larger windows. If you do not do the grasscloth- consider a woven wood stagecoach blind or roller shade with the Roman shade over top. (the woven roller shade below is from Smith and Noble.)

OK- that's enough for today- I will finish your questions another day. My kids are hungry for breakfast :)