Negative Space

Hi Christine,

 

Great blog...LOVE IT!  Since I discovered it, it has been like a great book that I can't put down...the house falls apart around me, the kids run wild, and who needs dinner or clean clothes...psh! I previously sent this email but didn't get the attachments attached correctly, so disregard the first.

 

Our living room is one of our home's top problem areas. The room feels disjointed and without any feel or focus. It is also what you see when you walk in the front door. With an upcoming addition of a nice big family room in the basement, our living room can now get some much needed TLC.

 

I have included 2 photos of the room from opposite angles.  The room is 13'x17' including a 2' strip of tile by the front door and an additional 3'x4' area by the stairs.

 

Challenges are:

-no entryway, front door opens directly into living room (guests enter through front door, however we enter through the garage)

-LOTS of traffic area

-lack of seating for our family of mom, dad and 5 rascally boys

-large window above stairs needs something but it is hard to access, the blinds are boring but easy to open and close from the top of the stairs

-the fireplace (wood pellet stove) is more about function than looks

 

My "makeover" goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere as you walk in the door with a feel that can continue throughout the house. Once we finish the family room we will move out everything except the piano (probably including the deer mount, who made his home on the wall while I was out of town!). So I will have a clean slate! I have considered a small sectional for the corner by the stairs...what do you think? Is leather or upholstery more resilient to kiddos?  Eventually we want to install hardwood flooring throughout but that is probably a year or two off.  As far as a color pallet goes...your post "Jackie's Rug" on April 23, 2009...I love the colors in the Dumain Rug. 

 

While I wouldn't say it is my dream house, I do love our little home and am anxious to make the most of it. I would LOVE to hear back from you! Thanks!

 

Melody

Hi Melody,

1.  Just because it is a heavily trafficked area, does not mean that you need to create a straight as an arrow line from the front door to the kitchen, or from the front door to the bedrooms.  YOU decide how the traffic will flow, not the laziest person in the house who doesn't want to take an extra step or two to go around a coffee table.

2.  I don't know that you'll fit seven grown adults in this room.  However, as long as your boys are small, they can fit.  You simply have too many architectural limitations. 

3.  I would move the piano.  Either that, or move the TV, but this room is too small for both of them. 

4.  I like the idea of the sectional in the corner. 

The rug you liked, I can't find anymore.  I found one very similar:

It is called "Botanicals" available from homedecorators.com.

Since your large window goes down the stairs, Use a Roman shade in lieu of drapes.  You can double up these treatments with a woven wood roller shade beneath them for more variations in opacity as well as increased texture.

The shade below is from Pottery Barn

Add some grasscloth wallpaper.  This will give you instant atmosphere!

 (photo from made me drool)

Keep your moldings a crisp white.  Put in a larger baseboard and case your windows.  Here is a new floorplan I drew for you:

I would get an actual sectional, not a sofa with a chaise, which will be easier to find in the right size- so don't be tempted.  The chaise doesn't look good pushed up against the wall.  You might need to order one to get the right size in.  The Ashford sectional, below, by Bernhardt, like many, are available in many different combinations of sizes.  Don't get leather.  With the brown in your rug, it would lack contrast and put me to sleep.  I'm getting a little tired of everyone having brown leather.  There are some very durable upholstry fabrics out there. 

Notice that you have a chair in the corner by the closet, and so do I.  However, mine is pulled out quite a bit more into the room.  This does two things:

1.  More interesting negative space.

2.  Better conversation orientation. 

The chair I selected for you is the Scarsdale chair by Bernhardt.

Do not skip the coffee table.  Notice that I left ample walk space, without treating the room like a hallway.  The coffee table below is from Bernhardt.

I want to talk a little more about negative space.  If you were to draw a shape on your floorplan of the blank area, this is your "negative space."  If your shape looks like a large rectangle or kidney bean, that is a bad thing.  I sketched in your current floorplan to show you how bad your negative space is: 

On the other hand, if you find that your negative space shape looks more like below: that is a good thing.  This is considered more interesting negative space. 

So that it all sinks in, everywhere you go, start looking at the negative space.  How is the negative space in your best friend's house?  How about your childrens' bedrooms?  What about the patio?  For a textbook explanation of negative space- check out this post.  For some super bad negative space- check out this post.

One last thing.  Notice those plants I drew in?  Those are actually super important.  Go get yourself some of those. 

Oh yes, and the deer head isn't working in this space.  (I said it really nicely huh?)  If he could put that up while you were out of town, you can do all of this while he's out of town.  Especially the wallpaper.  Husbands always say "no" to wallpaper.   Next hunting trip is now called, "Wallpaper Weekend!"

Kathy's Dining Room

Hi Christine,

First of all, I just discovered your site and I LOVE it- I think I am becoming an addict!  You definitely tell it like it is and give great advice.  I enjoy trying to guess your answers before I read them- and sometimes I even get it right :)

I'm hoping you can help me with my "too big" dining room which used to be our living room (floor plan attached)  We have a big family and can sometimes host up to 46 for holidays so it comes in handy a few times a year- the rest of the time it's just a big space that we rarely use.  Our style is uncluttered with traditional/coastal/cottage. We like texture and contrast and both neutral and saturated colors- but nothing muddy or dark.  We live in the midwest though so need the space to feel warm during our cold overcast winters.  

Here's what it has looked like up until recently...

We just added a screen porch off the fireplace wall and small living room on the other side of the stairs. I am trying to define the room and make it less random looking- cozy but also more sophisticated.  We've added new chair rail and picture frame molding and plan to paint that white.  We're trying to decide about a paint color or punchy wallpaper above the chair rail.  Would love to have a combo library/dining room and have also considered using two round/square tables since we're big card players and host our card group often but we thought this might look strange.

Problem #1 Can't buy a new rug until we decide how to lay out the room.  My husband would love a comfy chair by the fireplace but we can't block the south French door.  Do we have to center the dining room table on the bay? Does a round table just leave me with more space to fill on the other end of the room?   Also, the round kitchen table is visible from the dining room. Our table is rectangular ( 7'6"x3'8" ) and seats 6 with current chairs (8 if we got new narrower upholstered chairs) but we would consider replacing it if another size/shape is better.  A big square table?  How do we fill the west end of the room?  The piano and pine hutch can move to another room if needed.

Problem #2

What to do with the bay?  We've had it previously as a window seat with a cushion but I'm not sure if this works.

Problem #3

Window Treatments?  We have no window coverings on our first floor yet and need an anchor point.  We need to cover the bay windows with something since we feel like we're in a fishbowl , and we need something complementary on the French doors (and then maybe we'll use the room more).   We've had nonfunctional sheer Roman shades and fixed side panels around the bay.  The bay window trim is not deep enough for wood blinds unless we have the trim redone.  We considered plantation shutters at full or half-height throughout the first floor (would require some carpentry work on the window trim also) but don't want to darken the room too much and we're nervous to commit to this without some expert input.

This is what the house looks like more recently:

Problem #4

Light Fixture?  I know I need to replace the dated brass chandelier.  I prefer a round vintage-style chandelier but I think you're going to tell me to use something rectangular.

Problem #5

Last but not least.  The area around the fireplace mantel is painted panelling.  Should we try to change this, ignore this or somehow highlight it?  Accent wall?

Thank you so so much.  I feel that this could be my favorite room in my house with the right decorating so I appreciate any help you can give.

With much appreciation,

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

1.  I have seen the two tables used instead of one before.  I would hesitate to use it in your room.  I think it works well in very large rooms.  The size and shape of your room lends itself more to simpy using a much larger table than you currently have. 

The table above is a full 110 inches in length.  (You could even go larger)  You would add to that about 2-3 feet of length in your area rug.  (On both ends)  You will want an area rug that is approximately 15 feet in length.  That gives you a little over three feet not covered by rug on either end, which is a very comfortable amount. 

2.  Do not try to break this room into two separate areas.  (Sitting and eating)  It will work so much better to use it just as a dining room, with appropriately scaled furniture in it. You can use large wingback style chairs at the ends of the table.  They could easily be moved for a quiet moment by the fireplace, but then returned.  Of course, be careful of seat height.  You don't want to sit too low.  A pillow in the back would also be helpful to turn a non-dining chair into a dining chair.  You also need to be careful with the softness of the cushion.  You want it to be extra firm, so you don't look like that king on Shrek when you sit down.  I would just take it to my workroom and they can make that cushion sit you up perfectly.

3.  Do not use a round; do not use a square.  Do not use any table except a rectangle or oval.  When you fight the shape, it looks awkward.  I had a client once with a perfectly square dining area, and she wanted to use a rectangular table.  No, no, no.  Work with your architecture, not against it. If you don't do that- do not e-mail me back and tell me about your round table.  I will get so frustrated I will want to stop blogging. 

4.  Yes, add a built-in window seat.  It's asking for it.

5.  Your dining room, like most, has so many hard surfaces.  Use soft treatments on your windows.  Layer drapes with Roman shades.  Add a roller shade or similar underneath if you want to keep your sheer Roman shades but add privacy. 

6.  Remember the focal point in a dining room is the center of the table.  This includes your light fixture.  You are exactly right that I would not ever put a single round chandelier over a 110 inch table.  It is not a good idea from a lighting standpoint.  It is not a good idea from a visual design perspective either.  You don't have to use a long fixture, if you don't want to.  You could use a series of three round or square fixtures.   I think three of the lanterns below would be perfect!  Every 36 inches of table surface would have a 20 inch lantern above it.  That would be great.  7.  Remove the curio from the corner.  Remove all other furniture.  Add a longer sideboard.  Get one that is just about as large as you can find. 

The sideboard above is 87 inches in length.  It has a nice large scale feel to it.  Center it between the doorway and the corner. 

8.  Then, above it, you need some larger scale wall decor to be in proportion.   This piece comes in a variety of sizes, or you can order complementary pieces to have a set of nine or twelve.  You can also frame them to adjust the size.  I love it when I really have control over the scale of a project.  You can draw the wall elevation out on graph paper and determine the ideal size of the decor. 

9.  I would add a couple of sconces on the wall space to the right and left of the sideboard.  Not too small.  I would find some pretty big ones...  Like the ones below are 15 x 15.  That size would work well.

 10.  Now for your chairs.  Scale, scale scale.  Don't go small on your chairs.  Stay away from small.  No shopping at IKEA and World Market.  ;-) 

This chair's dimmensions: 

• H: 41
• W: 25
• D: 26 

Compare those dimensions to anything you consider.  (Or just get this one, like I am suggesting, as it is totally awesome!) 

Can you see the room coming together?  I can.  I want to move in. 

11.  Now for your window treatments.  Add a punch of color.  You already are going to get my favorite teal chairs.  (e-mail me- I will order them for you...)  So pull out the teal in your drapes. 

I am really loving this raspberry color lately.  If I love it, it means that is a hot color.  A red that leans pink.  I love to do my own predicting of trends.  Like I did in this post in 2008.   My prediction for today is that reds are going to head pinker.  Raspberry is the new red.  Notice how this fabric also has a little white in it? That touch of white will help the white wood work to blend seamlessly into the room.  Use the raspberry and turquoise blue in your display area by your fireplace. 

12.  You are most likely going to need a custom rug for your room.  (Since most rugs max out at 12 feet in length)  This rug is from Kravet, and availble in custom sizes.  You can also find a lot of sisal rugs in custom sizes as well.  Make sure it looks like a rug though- not a piece  of carpet with binding on it. 

13.  Last but not least- your walls.  I would put a lovely fairly neutral grasscloth on them.  It will be subtle, but add texture and warmth.

There we are.  I especially like this room.  You should really do exactly what I said.  It will look great.  If you need any specifics for purchasing let me know.  Keep all of your built-ins and wood work white.  Finish your room off with a nice large plant with uplight in the corner where the curio is currently, and also add greenery and a table runner to the top of the table.

XOXO

Christine

Abby's Living Room

Today's post is a continuation of yesterday's. Abby sent me pictures of her living room as well. I wanted to address four things to work on in here.

1. Focal Point. Can anyone find a focal point? Anyone? Without a fireplace or terrific view- it is up to you to create a focal point. In this room, I would have the focal point be the wall that currently has the one picture on it over the sofa. To begin with though- we need to move the furniture.

Pull the sofa that is on the window wall away from the wall about 18 inches or so- and put the other sofa opposite it. Then put the two chairs on angles at the end of the seating area by the entry. You could have them square or on an angle- try both ways and see which you prefer. Now we have positioned the furniture to frame the focal point. Now- go buy the focal point. On a large wall like that- I would get a large piece of display furniture- like the one below.

2. You need a larger rug. A much larger rug. At least an 8 x 10- even larger perhaps.
The one below is from Martha Stewart's new line.

3. Add some drapes. They don't need to be anything with a pattern- but definitely add texture- like the cream velvet drapes from Pottery Barn below.

4. Finish off the space with a beautiful grasscloth like the one at the top of the post. BTW- I love the large mirror- not crazy about the torchier lamps. ;) Also- I would do a series of prints going up the stairway- or a cool patterned wallpaper. One more thing- I introduced a little terracotta in the rug- repeat that somehwere- perhaps even just in a small throw pillow- or a tape on the drapes.

I want to also add a comment about your trim. In your entry- stair area- it looks nice. I have no doubt that it is the same size as the moulding over your fireplace that I said yesterday was way too small. Whereas I still think it would all look better with larger molding- the fact that you have little to no contrast in your paint color really works to your advantage. With it all being an off white- you don't have the contrast that draws attention to the size of the moulding. Your fireplace itself- which I also think is on the small side- would look MUCH better in a color pallet like you have in your entry. That dark red next to the white MAKES it look small. Lower contrast is your friend. In previous posts I have mentiond to people to paint their ceilings a different color than their crown moulding. All of this is the same idea. When it is great- and you want to show it off- have contrast- when the size is small- go with less contrast- it will look nicer to NOT draw attention to it.

I was much nicer than yesterday- huh?

XOXO

- Christine

Wallpaper Wednesday: Aqua

For today's Wallpaper Wednesday post I have some beautiful papers with aqua in them. This is such a beautiful shade of blue

There are so many beautiful colors to pull out of this paper--reds, greens, browns, and of course- the color of the day: aqua.

This bathroom would certainly be a few steps closer to boring without this sea coral paper.

Imagine this room with just paint. The paper makes this room. It sets the mood. It invites atmosphere. It is instant rhythm. It balances pattern. It is a unifier.

For a more contemporary look- with a touch of glamour- the gold and aqua is a pretty combination.

This kitchen paper is my favorite in the post. It is so common to find two tone damasks- but harder to come by a more colorful piece like this one. I like the larger number of colors in the papers- it makes it easier to blend more fabrics and colors into the room.

Blue with grasscloth- but not blue grasscloth.

Here is a close up view- beautiful background color.

What do you think? Do you like the aqua? Have a favorite picture in today's post?

Papers form Thibaut.

The Acupuncture Clinic Part III

Today's post is a continuation of this one and this one- on Julia's acupuncture clinic. Today I wanted to go over the wall decor in the waiting room. I was thinking about something like my rough sketch below. I would add some dimension to the wall by building out a 30 inch band around- having it extend from the front door to the door to the hall- along all three walls.

I would wrap the band in a grasscloth or burlap. Then I would hang on it some photography. (You would have to build a support underneath the burlap to hang pictures on.) I like Kurt Schaffer- whose pictures I have below. I liked the idea of having white flowers primarily- but a mixture would be needed to fill the area.

I would get the photographs printed on canvas and wrapped. I would order them in all different sizes- starting with the large 36 x 48- but then going smaller. Use a nice mix of different sizes.

Can you picture it? The art that you had selected was nice, but not enough for a large area like you have. There needs to be more interest in a waiting room type situation.

Peonies are my favorite... At then end of your hall- that is the perfect place for a wall fountain.

For the furniture- my first instinct went to items that would far surpass your budget- but then I found this vinyl chair at Scandinavian Design. I like the crisp white, and dark wood. I would use your dark wood reception desk.

On your walls I would use this Mica Chip wallcovering. I also liked it in a light blue. This would be your element of the unexpected. It brings in nature, but also has a contemporary edge to it.

For your flooring, I would do a fusion bamboo- like this one from Green Wood. The high contrast in your room, dark colors mixed with the white will be a sharp modern feel.

I liked your idea of the darker walls in the treatment rooms. I would add the large bamboo wall decor at the top of the post in the rooms. It is from Padma's Plantation.

If you have any money left when you are done with this... I would add a large rectangular concrete or metal planter to the center of the waiting room and plant some zebra bamboo...

Good luck with your new location!

Thank you,

Christine