The Double Focal Point

Hi Christine: 

I am a Canadian with a holiday home in South Africa.  It is beautifully located at the mouth of a river, looking out to the Indian Ocean.  My husband and I spend three or four months here every year, and we hope to retire here soon.   We’ve done a big renovation and the house provides a beautiful canvas for decorating.  I’m very lucky, and, like many of your readers, I am afraid to mess it up!

 

My current decorating challenge is the TV room.  Plan and photos attached.  It’s such a large room that I am not sure how to furnish it.  There is only one logical wall for the TV, but it means the couch turns its back to the beautiful view (opposing focal points!).   I’m not sure what to do with that space behind the couch, in front of the sliding door.  My other issue is that I am trying to achieve a “modern beach” look (not too themed, and a bit quirky) and I’m not sure how to do that with my chocolate leather sofa.  It’s discouraging me a bit.  The floors are original glossy pine.  My colour palette through the house is green and blue, keyed on the backsplash tiles in the kitchen (and other utility rooms).  

 

I’d really appreciate your suggestions in terms of furniture layout, TV wall, rug style, lighting, and how to keep the room feeling light and breezy.

 

In terms of furniture, the chocolate sofa (and the TV) are the the only things I have to keep.  I love the wooden Morris chairs (re-upholstered both) but I can use them elsewhere.  I’ve attached a couple of other photos to show you where I’m at.  I am trying to use your advice to improve all my rooms, thanks for your great blog and also the webinars.

 

Thank you so much for your suggestions. 

All the best,

Monica

Hi Monica,

What a beautiful property you have!  I made a floorplan for you.  Admittedly, I did not have dimensions, but it looks pretty close to me. 

Let me tell you what I've done. 

1. Whenever you have a window like the window that Monica has, that is so high from the floor, (adjacent to the TV wall and the view wall)  it is saying to you, "Put a piece of furniture under me."  Frequently- I would make that a large piece, like a sofa.  I added a sofa table to give you more light sources, and help to fill the space.  The vertical space, that is the plant and lamp, that I put on the sofa table will come up high enough to overlap with the window, and make it look like it is in exactly the right spot.  Whereas now, it looks like it is awkwardly high and out of place.  Get a high enough table that this works.  I would try to find one as tall as the back of the sofa, no taller, no shorter, nice and long, like my floorplan.  
2. Notice the size of the console under the TV- remember that this piece should have a size relationship with the size of the wall that it is on.  I helped to fill the wall space, and add atmosphere, by adding two sconces to this wall. 
3. Whenever I have a focal point opposite another focal point, I immediately think, can I use two sofas opposite one another, or a balanced approach like this one, with the one sofa adjacent to the focal points, with two chairs balancing it out?  
4. Another thing I think of when I have two focal points opposite one another is, can I use a backless sofa, or ottomans that can be sat on in both directions?  I picture this piece being used to gaze at the beautiful scenery, or view the television.(Marloew Daybed by Crate and Barrel)
5. I put a desk at the top of the stairs.  Really any case piece or bench that would suit your needs would work.  
6. I used a 9 x 13 rug.  Make sure you don't go too small in such a large space.
7. While the rug is simple, you can go bold on a blue coffee table.
   
8. Just because the window is so high up, doesn't mean your drapery panels can't go to the floor.  I would add two drapery panels here, and a large collection to the left of the view window that is all stacked off, and yet still available.  This will add softness, pattern, texture, a vertical rhythm, and color to your space.  So don't go tell me that you have privacy and don't need them.  I don't care.  ;-) 
9. (drapery fabric by Waverly)
   
10. You  mentioned that you wanted a "modern beach" look.  The two things that invoke that atmosphere more than anything else are the seagrass rug, and adding grasscloth wallpaper.  The atmosphere is created in the floors and walls so much more than it ever can be in just accessories.  Trying to do it with accessories only is what makes things look "overly themed" rather than sophisticated.

Good-luck with your project in far away South Africa!

I am really excited about this week's webinar.  I am going to share the "tricks of the trade' that make all the difference from a room or space looking "disjointed" and chaotic compared to unified and beautiful.  I will give specific on everything from furnishings to the smallest accessories.  Especially if you feel like you need help accessorizing, this workshop is for you.  ;-) 

XOXO

Christine

The Cozy Factor

 Hi Christine,

I've been faithfully following your blog, and I've read every single post you have written.

I am a desperate woman, in dire need of your blunt help with my family room.

This is our main room for TV watching and entertaining, and I kind of hate it. It does not feel cozy or balanced to me.

We ripped up the carpet and put down the hardwoods to match the existing that was everywhere else in house.  I removed the 8 x 11 rug I had in there (this one), as I wanted something a bit bigger and not so brown. I like traditional Persian and oushak rugs; however I don't want a red-dominant one.  My very patient husband has driven me all over NY, NJ and CT the last few months to go rug shopping. I've not found any Persians I'm overly keen on, so I was considering a seagrass rug and then punching up the pattern by replacing the linen drapes with something graphic (something like this? , or maybe this? ). I know you like a minimum of 3 in a room.

 I thought you might tell me to put the TV on the fireplace. We tried that, and it was too high and hurting our eyes.

I plan on removing existing vertical blinds left by previous homeowner and installing Roman shades, probably in a woven. If you want me to keep the flax linen drapes, I will have them hemmed and weighted, and also get a longer rod to increase the stack off to the side of the windows.

The only thing I really like in this room are the Greek key pillows I had made.

I was planning on having the armchairs reupholstered in something very graphic. I am at a loss on what to do with the huge wall behind couch. I have a 6.5ft long mirror I was considering, but that still doesn't take up the length of the wall.

My house is a traditional New England colonial, and the rest of my house is done in greys, taupes and blues. Those, along with light green, are the colors I gravitate towards. I'm including some photos of our living room (the blue room, or where our furniture goes to die) in case you want to tell me to use any of this furniture in the family room. The living room is currently a TV/train table room for the kids until we finish the basement. It will be dealt with at a later time.

I am excellent at following directions, and I hope that you can help me. I promise to take pictures and show you what I've done.

Cheers, and thank you ever so much,
Laura

Hi Laura,

Your wood floors are beautiful!  Good move!

I want to address three things with you that will make all the difference in the room:

1.  Your TV

2.  Your big blank wall

3.  The Cozy Factor  (or lack of it)

Let's start with your television.  Yes, it's true that the first thing I would say is, put it above the fireplace or move it to a different room.  So- now that it is staying in this room, and not above the fireplace, I do have another plan for you.  What is really wrong with having it like it is, is your rhythm.  It is very poor rhythm the way it is.  To improve that, I added two large shelves, and set it on an angle on one of them.  The height of the shelves (from Dovetail), gives a different type of rhythm and balance to the wall.  Is it as perfect as no TV at all?  No- but it is a good solution that doesn't sacrifice your furniture arrangement and balance that I am trying to achieve in the space.  Number 2- that big wall.  You have two ways of dealing with the large empty wall.  First, you could have a large collection of wall decor.  One large mirror will not do the trick.  It would still be out of scale with the massive size of the wall.  Or, secondly, you could add furniture to the wall.  When you do this, you change the scale for the wall decor.  Instead of having a relationship with the wall it is on, the wall decor now has a relationship with the furniture that it is over. The piece below is 94 inches in length.  That is great.  With that said, your furniture should have a scale relationship with the wall.  I did this by using a very long buffet table, and then also adding two sconces on either side. 

Do you see how I took you from having to cover 240 inches of wall down to about 70 inches?  You're welcome. 

Now for the cozy factor.  Your room is not cozy because:

First of all, your furniture is too small.  Get larger, taller furniture.  I selected a couple of pieces for you from Bernhardt.  Nothing is cozier than a wing back.  It's like you're being hugged as you sit there.

I also selected for you a sofa that is a larger scale than your current one, and with a softer fabric, and a higher back and arm.  The larger size with be a better scale for the room, taking away the awkward "I'm too small" look that you have. 

I also added two large ottomans for the center.  They push right together to look like one.  An oversized ottoman, or oversized coffee table, could serve the same purpose.  However, you would pay quite a bit more generally for an oversized piece.  Using two is sometimes a cost saver. 

This is the Ulster ottoman from Bernhardt.

Secondly, the scale of the patterns in the room make a difference as well.  Larger patterns in darker colors brings a large room in.  I just went off your pillows and selected a rug and fabric for you.  This rug is from Uttermost:

Of course, sometimes a rug is like a piece of art, and you might want to stumble upon the one that is perfect for you.  Either way, you could get a jute or sisal rug,  (9 x 12) and then later layer a patterned rug on top of it in an 8 x 10.  When you are purchasing a very expensive rug, this can save you thousands of dollars.  It also increases your textural variety, and can buy you time if you want to take your time on the second rug. 

I would not use your soft fabric on the drapes.  The bolder option you had selected is alright.  I also found one from Lee Jofa for you. 

Again, the bolder print will make your large room come in closer. 

Texture is the third aspect that will make a room cozier.  Ramp up your texture in your rugs, woven wood Roman shades layered with a textured drapery fabric, soft upholstery fabrics and plants.  Wallpaper would also be a terrific addition.

A few more additions:

A bench for under your window.  This gives the room a good rhythm, as well as additional seating.  It can be pulled around to the front of the fireplace for a boxed seating arrangement with a larger gathering.

A blue lamp.  Repeat the blue a couple more times to make it really work great in the room. 

I added the blue lamp on a sofa table behind one of your sofas.  Remember that good lighting also makes a room feel cozy.

(table from Dovetail)

You will need a few more lamps in that large room.  I added some buffet lamps on the console, and a floor lamp.

(lamps are from Uttermost)

Here you go- see it all put together:

Anu's Greatroom

Hi Christine -

I recently came across your blog and I am truly enjoying going over all the entries and reading your suggestions. It definitely puts a great perspective on everything!  You definitely have great taste!

I desperately need your advice. I am kind of all over the place pouring through the internet and design books trying to figure out the best color combinations for our new home. We just purchased it and moved in it a month ago. We have been living in a one bedroom apartment so apart from our bedframe, I can't say we have any 'good' furniture that I would even like to keep -- haven't trashed it yet though. :) I am really looking to start off from a clean slate.

I am hoping you can help me with my living room/dining area. It is an open floor plan so I would like to divide the two spaces by using two different area rugs. I do enjoy pops of color. Also both spaces have dark hardwood flooring. Both spaces combined would be really a rectangular area about 22 feet by 14 feet. I am attaching some pictures of the house prior to when we bought it (so it has the previous owner's furniture). Basically I don't own anything in the pictures. :) I am not too enthusiastic about using a sectional because I feel it can get boring over time. I would like to have a three seater couch and then two armchairs on the side.

Let me know what you think. Any help is very much appreciated!

Thanks so much!

- Anu

Hi Anu, 

I made a floorplan for you.

Let's go over a few things.

1.  I don't think you have the size in your space to nicely pull off a three seater sofa with two chairs.  Go with a two seater.  It will fit much nicer.  I added a couple of little ottomans to act as additional seating, and round out the space.  There are some super charming loveseats out there.  Check out this one by Maine Cottage:

You can pair that with the Eloise Chair from Arhaus:

Add more pattern and softness with some Roman shades, like these from Pottery Barn:

Paired with some chevron pattern drapes like these from Etsy:

2.  Check out your focal point.  It's a TV wall with a staircase right next to it that is clearly designed to be a walkway.  (The whole thing makes me hyperventilate!)   It is far from ideal.  I actually hate it when the focal point is something like a staircase or a doorway.   And to add to that, having it be a traffic path!!!  UGHHH.  This is not what a focal point should be.  But unless you are willing to do some drywall work and an electrician moving all television cables, you are stuck with it.  I suggest you make efforts to have a more central focal point.  The center of the room can be the focal point with a beautiful center table. Perhaps a great centerpiece, and a hanging light can also draw good attention the center of the room. 

For example, a coffee table that says "look at me"- like the shadowbox coffee table above.  You can fill it with sand and shells from all of your exotic vacations, or family memorabilia.  It could even be something as simple and changing as the crafts your child brings home from preschool. 

The ottomans in my floorpan do two things.  The first of which is to act as seating, or leg lifting, of course.  Secondly, they help to create a central focal point by enclosing the coffee table in furniture all around it.  Can you see how that is a more effective central focal point?

By pulling the furniture away from the walls, we now have a large wall to fill with interesting wall decor.  Go antiquing, find some reclaimed stained glass and put a collection together.  It would make terrific wall decor.

I wanted to briefly touch on the dining room side.  What you need is a very narrow table.  The one above that I found for you is only 36 inches wide.  That is perfect. 

Throw in the unexpected with a mid-centrury chair like this one from Bellacor.

Add a couple of jute rugs or braided rugs.  You will most likely need custom sizes to pull off this room just right. 

There you go- all set.  Keep your white walls.  ;-)

The Everything Room

Hi Christine,

I found your blog through Decorology this morning and it couldn't have been a more timely discovery.  I am a live-in nanny for a wonderful family who built me a bedroom in their finished basement, but I have had a tough time getting the arrangement and functionality right and would love any suggestions you have.  The only permanent fixture that can be changed is the overhead light, which the lady of the house hates and would be willing to change out to an appropriate long-term option. (future guestroom, then boys playroom/crash pad)

My challenges:
-poor lighting, partially due to the aforementioned bad overhead fixture and an oddly situated lone window.
-large double doors to a frequently used room that limit arrangement options.
-a desk that never gets used in the current arrangement.
-no sitting area for when I have a guest over.
-I need to keep the bed, at least one of the nightstands (because of budget, even though I hate matching bed/nightstands), 8 x 12 rug, mirror, and chest of drawers.
-I have wondered about moving the bed to the window wall, but don't know whether to place it according to the window, ceiling fixture, or closet (which is in line with the current overhead light) and what to do about the headboard being higher than the windowsill and the scant clearance for open closet doors.
-I would love suggestions for how to finish my pine chest of drawers.
I can't figure out which technique or finish will look best with the room but will transition easily into my next space, which will probably not have any dark wood.


My goal is a comfortable and functional room that feels more like a little home and less like a guest room.

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Kind regards,
Juliet
Atlanta, GA

Hi Juliet,

Let me show you what your room would look like if you added a seating area and moved the bed to be under the window.

Now- I want you to do a little exercise.  Draw a mental line down the floorplan.  Do you see how way too much of the furnishings are on the left?

I re-arranged it - keeping the bed where you have it, but making a few changes.Notice the changes I made. 

1.  I removed one nightstand.  That will create a friendlier desk area. 

2.  I moved the dresser to the wall, and put a settee at the base of the bed. 

3.  I appreciate that you have a pair of French doors, but you really only need to use one door.  This way you can add the chair in front of the other door. (furniture from Overstock)

4.  I moved your light.  Having a light hanging right over your seating area will go a long way toward grounding that space and defining it.  Use an inexpensive paper lantern.  You can get them for less than ten dollars.  You could do a collection of smaller ones, or one larger one.  You can get a piece that fits into your light fixture box, but has outlets on it, to plug in the wires for the paper lights. Then just swag them over to where you want them.   Does that make sense?  It is all very inexpensive, but would really make a statement.

With the blue walls, and patterned settee, I would go with some crisp white bedding.  (West Elm)

Fold the duvet down, so the nice solid white is against the setee, and have a pretty patterned quilt under it.  There is nothing homier than a quilt.

I would paint the dresser white and add some cool hardware from Anthropologie.

I used a rug from Dash and Albert.  Not too expensive and always a great look.  Your e-mail implied that you had a rug, but I could not see one in any of your photos.

Add a great pillow (Z- Gallerie)and some solid blue sheets about the color of your walls. 

There you go- what do you think?

Karen's Family Room

I was at Karen's house today.  She wanted to decorate her family room and didn't know where to begin.   I am not a big fan of the little niche above the fireplace. (and hate the accent paint color)  I find most of those awkward and busy.  I suggested that she find a piece of artwork that would completely cover it, making it look as if it is not even there.  Her "hole" was 46 x 38.  With that said, that is a good place to start.  Whenever you have a lot of restrictions on an item, in this case, a very specific size, that is a good place to start.  If you had to add that, a minimum size, PLUS, it has to match things..., then it would get much harder to find something without paying to customize it in some way. 

And so, I started with the artwork over the fireplace. I found this piece, 48 w x 40 H.  Now we also have a color pallet to start working with.

When it came to her furniture placement, I thought, I recently saw a family room almost exactly like this one.  So- let's re-use the furniture advice from Hanna's family room.

First select a sectional.  Here is one from Macy's.

Then we need to find a couple of chairs as well.

In Hanna's Family Room I suggested a coffee table with two pouffs.  This same arrangement can be done in a lot of different combinations.  For Karen's family room, I am adding an ottoman instead of the coffee table, and two rattan footstools in place of the pouffs.  There is no right or wrong.  The idea is to have a variety of textures.  Avoid the matching set.  Karen has a matching end table and coffee table.  Keep the end table, and use it with these items. 

I loved the vibrant colors in this ottoman from Anthropologie.  Whereas the sectional and chairs were pretty conservative, this piece adds a big splash of fun and personality.  Something to make the room look unique.  Something memorable.

The Hana ottoman from Palaceck is full of textural variety.

Karen needs to replace her carpet.  One of my favorite sources, (the brand I have used in each of my personal three homes and loved) is Masland.  I really am a Masland commercial.  They should be paying me.  For Karen I selected Pariament, color River Thames.  Here is where I would find the paint color.  She definitely needs to paint.  For anyone considering painting a small portion of their room red, like this entertainment area, look at this and don't do it!  I think it looks horrible.  (Karen didn't do it by the way- it was the previous owner.  ;-)  I would suggest something light and neutral.  The room is going to look great with our great selections.  It doesn't need some bright paint color.  Consider something like Urban Putty by Sherwin Williams, 7532.  (You need sample quarts, I can't really select paint without the carpet and fabrics in my hot little hands.) Removing that accent wall, and having it all one color, will make the most wonderful difference!  What a great example of a disaster of an accent wall.

Add nice white moldings in Swiss Coffee.

Now look over at her table/eating area.  Her furniture is good.  The drapes are too short, and they break the cardinal rule by not hitting the floor.  I call them highwaters.

(not the cool- gay guy highwaters- the geeky kind)

Get some new drapery panels that are the 108" length, and hang them to land exactly on the floor, not half an inch above, but also not puddled. (drapes below from Pottery Barn)

Now look at her light fixture.  It is hung too high, it is too small, it is a bad color, and it is the wrong shape.  Other than that it is great.  ;-)

In an area like that, go with a rectangular shape, mimicking the shape of the table and the room, and hang it lower, about 36" over the table.  I found the fixture below from Shades of Light.

Then you just need to add a coordinating table runner, and a rectangular shaped centerpiece would be great.  You could find a long bowl for fruit, or a rectangular shaped green centerpiece of some kind.  Maybe take up growing wheat grass. 

Can you see how that repetition of shape looks so much nicer, and makes the room feel good?  OK- now picture the rectangular table with the round light, now the rectangle.  Can you see the difference in your mind?

 

Re-read the advice to Hanna on lighting the room, and don't forget a live plant in a corner.  Add throw pillows to bring in more personality and color. 

Thanks!

- Christine

 P.S.  Check out my Facebook page today- I have some terrific pictures of the Hand Chair by Pedro Freidberg.