It's a Prize Post, it's a test, it's advice for Cara

Christine,

Good afternoon!  I was thrilled when I stumbled upon your blog.  My husband and I were married 3 months ago and recently moved into our first home.  Because we are in our early twenties, neither of us have much furniture to contribute to the house.  All that to say, we are trying to take it project by project and room by room until our dream house is complete!  :)

Here are a list of design questions I was hoping you could help me with (pictures are coming in separate emails because I had to use my iPhone...sorry!):

• There's a lot of empty space (wall space included) in our family room.  Ideas?
• I don't like the current light fixtures on our fireplace.  I'm not sure if I want to replace them with new fixtures or take advantage of the fact that electricity already runs behind our fireplace and do something altogether different with the light.
• Should I add a mantle to the fireplace?  If so, what do you suggest (height, depth, style, color, etc.)?
• I've seen pictures, online, of people putting candles different sizes and heights in their fireplace during the non-winter months.  Do you like that idea?
• We are planning on selling the current couch and coffee table, but I'm not sure what kind of furniture I want to buy next.  We have the issue of the fireplace and TV competing for the spotlight in the room.  What kind of furniture (placement included) would you suggest?
• Do you like the arrangement of frames, books, and nicknacks on the media stand?  If not, what do you suggest?

Thanks SO much for your ideas and time.  You're a lifesaver!

1.   First you need to start with your furniture arrangement.  This split focal point of the TV and fireplace is such a disease in homes these days. I would start by walking around the home and looking at every room with fresh eyes- can you move the TV to an entirely different room?   That would be my first suggestion.  An ideal arrangement would have no TV in there at all.   Now is when I am starting to feel like I have addressed this before- which I have- check out this post.  My advice for you is the same.

2.  I saw this photo on pintrist and thought of you.  I especially liked it because it showed the look with sconces.

Now to address the question- "Should I add a mantle to the fireplace?  If so, what do you suggest (height, depth, style, color, etc.)?"   

Let me list some considerations.

1.  Height- well- if you are going to use the area over the fireplace for a television- you are going to want to make sure you are not too high.  You also don't want it to be awkwardly low in an effort to give you a comfortable television height.  Determine what your comfortable height is, and decide if you should have one from there.

2.  Height if there is no television to consider.  I would then select my art work first, decide the optimum height to hang it, centering the sconces as best as I could, and that would determine your height.

3.  Depth.  Now- if you are hanging a television- keep your depth minimal.  If not- consider how you intend to decorate the mantle.  If your mantle is not deep enough, you won't be able to do a lot of layering with your accessories. It will be more simplistic.  I have seen many times people who have a shallow mantle, try to put a lot of accessories on it, but if it is too shallow- they end up in a little row, instead of nice layered arrangement. 

Long time readers of my blog have read my addressing this before- so instead of regurgitating, I thought I would give you all a little test.  I will post some different fireplace photos.  I want you to determine which are poor examples, and which are good examples.  See- I am turning you all into interior designers.  Don't be fooled- just because the photo is clearly from House Beautiful- doesn't mean it is a good example.  When you have learned all I have to share with you- you will be better designers than those being photographed in popular magazines. 

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So- I have fourteen photos- seven bad and seven good.  To study up- you can look at these posts for guidance.  Is this too much work?  Is anyone going to take my test?  Someone out there humor me and take the test!  Forget your plans for the day and spend it picking apart fireplace mantle arrangements.  Tell me that's not more fun than what you had planned!  For a little encouragement- I will send the winner the latest copy of Elegant Homes magazine.  It is full of fabulous examples of great design.  (FYI- the number of each photo is ABOVE the photo.)

Christi's Living Room

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Hi Christine:
Need your expertise.
Living Room is 19 x 21
Want it to be comfortable but have a WOW! factor is it's right of the foyer and my largest room for entertaining.
 
Questions:
1. Let me know what you think of current arrangement
2. Do you have recommendations on how to make it a bit more comfortable. Should I change out sofa's/seating?
3. How can I make the room look complete? Draperies? Rug? Suggestions? I can not wed to blue theme shown in pillows
4. Any way to create multiple conversation areas?
 - Christi

Christi- Let me start by saying that you have a beautiful home.  I love the lightness in the room. 

         Let's discuss 4 things:

1.  Furniture arrangement.  Move your coffee table to be square- not set on a diagonal.  It is possible that the table is too small for the area.  You have a very large room- consider more of an oversized, or set of two coffee tables.  In the meantime, set it straight and center it with your fireplace.  Your fireplace is your focal point.  Frame it as you would a painting, with your furnishings.  Your sofa and backless sofa are great- except- switch locations.  Having the backless sofa closer to the view optimizes the view.  Your windows are beautiful.  They are a secondary focal point.  Have the sofa with a back facing them.  Have the two pieces of furniture equidistant from the center of the fireplace.  Be more symmetrical in your arrangement.  I would do this by widening the furniture arrangement.  Put two chairs opposite the fireplace, where you currently have one.  You could use larger chairs in this space.  I still like your smaller chairs in the corners, where you have them. 

2.  Wall decor.  I have been staring at your mantle.  I like the topiaries.  I like the two candles.  I don't like the line-up using all of them.  Pick your favorite of the two- and find a new home for the others.  I would also add a piece of wall decor above the fireplace.  Make it even more of a focal point.  The metal trees below are from Uttermost, and are 32 x 53- I am just guessing your dimensions- but this is probably a good proportion for your space. 

 Don't worry about having a bit of overlap with your upper moldings.  Also- overlap the decor on your mantle (the topiaries or candles) with your wall decor, i.e.  don't keep those candles way out there on the end.  If you keep them, bring them in to overlap a bit. 

Your set of four botanicals are hung too high.  Bring the center of them to about 5'5" from the floor.  I love your other piece of art and it is hung at a great height.

3.  Your room needs a rug to feel more grounded and finished.  You don't seem to be terribly committed to your blue.  Perhaps you want to maintain the neutral nature of the room, allowing you to change it up with the season.  Keep that neutrality in your rug.  The rug below is from Room and Board.  A sisal rug would also work very well.  Get a nice large rug- like a 10 x 13 for your size of room.  It is always tempting to go smaller, for a smaller price- but it shrinks the room, and is a bad idea.   

4.  Drapery panels will help to finish off the space.  If you want some sun protection, or privacy, layer them with some roller or Roman shades.  I would look for unique textures, but keep the softness of the low contrast in the room, selecting a light neutral color like the drapes below.  This also keeps the eye on the prize- the view.  The drapes add texture and such a great finishing touch.

 Thanks for writing in, Christi, you are off to a great start.  In addition to what I mentioned above- add more greenery - some nice large floor plants with uplights. 

JoAnn's cabin

Christine,
I found your blog through my daughter and just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading it. Hopefully you can help me with my dilemma and lead me in the right direction.

My husband and I live on a small farm in a log cabin. I'm wanting to make some changes to our living room area, but I'm not sure where to start. I have always liked primitives and antiques, and still do, but I'm also mesmerized by the images of magazines such as Pottery Barn and have found myself leaning more towards that style of design. I'm just not sure how to incorporate some of what I have with newer things and make it all flow together. I'm hoping this is where you can help me!

I'm open to your advice, but I do want to tell you some of my likes and dislikes. First of all my likes: Antiques, PB style, a neutral palette, textured fabric......I especially love linen. I also like using family photos and pewter. Things I don't like or want to use: Anything modern or contemporary, leather, fake flowers or plants, log furniture, deer heads, log furniture, Indian artifacts or anything cowboy theme related. I don't want my house to look like a lodge.

I'm willing to make some changes, however there are some things that have to stay such as the structural elements - rock wall, fireplace, ceiling beams, etc. I'm also very fond of my sofa, the rug and hutch that holds my dishes. I'm stumped with the following:
-Furniture layout and arrangement Your sofa is too far back. You have made the traffic path straight through the room- bring your sofa up four feet- the traffic path will be behind the sofa. This will create a more cozy intimate area. It might take some getting used to- but trust me- that it is a much better arrangement.
-My chairs. Should I re-cover them? Get a different style? I know I said I liked a neutral palette, but I do still like the red too. The fabric is just starting to wear and fade. I thought about doing off white? What color would you suggest? You have a serious problem with contrast. You simply don't have enough of it anywhere. This is primarily due to your floors, walls and ceilings all being the same color- as well as the rock- still about the same tones. You need more contrast. The red is still pretty similar in intensity- so yes- re-upholster- cream would be great.
-Lighting? Yes- you need more light- check out this post- and follow the same direction that I gave Kim.
-Window treatments. I like something simple; no drapes or layers. I also like having the French doors without a treatment. Well- I will have to disagree with you here. I think that window treatments can be simple and still be layered. I also think your dark walls could use some softening and some lightening. I would add linen cream floor length drapes. I would also layer them with solar shades or roller shades or Roman shades.
- Do I need a larger table underlight? We don't use this area as an eating area. It's more like wasted space. I would either get more sitting furniture- and make more of that area- or get a table and chairs- the drop leaf folded up looks awkward- and doesn't fill the space.
-I really like the botanical prints. Do you think I need one more? Now that I've moved the sofa away from the wall- I would do a larger collection of botanicals. I included a photo at the end of this post with a collection of figure drawings- I would do the same type of collection- but with botanicals.
Thanks for taking the time to read my long request. I look forward to your reply.
JoAnn
Included in the need for contrast is the area above your mantle. This is supposed to be your focal point- but the lack of contrast is making it disappear. Look at the fourth photo from the top- your decor above the mantle almost disappears. You need something lighter and brighter. Check out the art work I selected for you below. (Uttermost) See the light frame- this is important- contrast! contras!t contrast!

Keep your rug- but add another rug on top of it. Look on those Pottery Barn catalogs of yours- they do it all the time. This will lighten it up- more contrast again. The rug below is from Homedecorators.com.

I included the photo below to show the lighter chairs. The wingback is a classic style- and a new, lighter fabric would be terrific.

Here is the photo that shows the collage I was suggesting. Botanicals are easy to come by- find some interesting frames- -and different sizes. You can create a beautiful collage.

I would then go around and take a look at the place- how about that TV? Can it go? I love how you decorated the hutch with the white dishes- well done. I also love the checkerboard and the red piece of furniture by the stairs. Great pieces. Add some softness- add some contrast. Lighten it up. Add more artificial lighting. Add some plants. Lighten and brighten- you will love the result!

If Your Fireplace had a Personality...

Hi Christine,
I stumbled across your website this afternoon and really like it.
I have a decorating dilemma on my hands and wondered if you were up for a challenge.
We have bought a new home and will be moving into it in the fall.
There is a red brick floor to ceiling fireplace in the front hall that is in need of a major overhaul.
I've sent a picture so that you can see what I am up against.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
What would you do?? I'm not against refacing it if I have to.
Thanks so much,
Sandra

Hi Sandra,
WOW! What a fireplace! If fireplaces have a personality- man- yours is downright schizophrenic. I say- take off that crazy mantle and start over. Check out this post on a re-do idea. Here are some more posts on fireplaces.

1. The Antique refinished
Think first of all of what your style is- and what your architecture style is. Remember that your fireplace is an extension of your architecture and I wouldn't stray too far in a re-do. Your fireplace is also an extension of you. It is the heart of your home. It is the focal point of your gathering room. Design a new fireplace that is an extension of both your architecture as well as yourself.

2. River Rock

So- which fireplace best matches your personality? You might need to check the other posts for more ideas- look through them- find your favorite.

3. Federal French Fusion

4. Classic Traditional

( I want to take that rug above and center it with the fireplace- and then get a much larger coffee table!!!)

5. Beautiful in Black and White

6. Rough Rock and Wood

7. Shabby Chic

What do you think? What fireplace personality is your favorite?

Photos Courtesy of Country Living

Sandra Part III

Today's post is a continuation of this post.

Sandra asked:

"One more thing - if I were to cover up the alcove with a big enough picture, it
would have to either rest on the mantle or be hung so the bottom is about 1.5"
above the mantle max considering the alcove goes almost to the ceiling. Would a
picture that size be too big proportionately for the fireplace? "

Hi Sandra,
I can say that I have definitely seen the look before- the look of a piece of art work about the size of an overmantle. The only pictures I could find on the spot were in rooms that are definitely more modern than yours. What I suggest is that you measure, and find out what the optimal size is to cover the area. Then go to Z Gallery - or some place where you know you can return it if you are unhappy- and get a picture that is the right size, even if it is not the perfect picture. Take it home, and put it up there- live with it a couple of days and see it you like it. If you like the look- then you can look for the perfect picture that is the perfect size. This might mean ordering it, or having it custom framed- something that is not so easily returnable- but you can do it with more confidence.

Above in this picture- although it is hard to see- the mantle has a large mirror over it- with a picture sitting in front of it. Is the mirror over your fireplace too large? If not- try it- and put your sunflower picture in front of it- like the photo above.

I know this room is a bit on the funky side- with the neon and everything- ;)- but the proportions are what I was looking for. The photo below is truly a mantle to nearly ceiling picture.

One more thing- go up to see your picture at the top of the post again. See your area rug? The way it is a few inches in from the left of the fireplace?? Your rug is too small. It is cutting up your would - be focal point. It is probably a 5 x8 or something close. You need an 8 x 10 or maybe even a 9 x 12. In the other pictures you sent- ( I couldn't post them because of the format)- I could see that the other chairs are not touching the rug. They feel a little left out. They are detached- separate elements. A larger rug will help to bring the furniture arrangement together. I would use the opportunity to bring in more of your paint color.

Thanks,
Christine