Cool New Find

I am looking for a lamp for a desk in my bedroom. I just found this new introduction from Uttermost. It is 28 inches in height- a nice big light. I love the style- but worry that it won't actually give me the lighting that I need at that desk... But it's so cool... Only 100W... But it is cooler than any desk lamp... If it doesn't work there- I could probably find another good home for it...

Finishing Up Sonia's Bedroom

Today I wanted to finish up with Sonia's bedroom- catch up here and here and here. I am going to interrupt her in red.

Hi Christine,

Attached are some pictures of my 15.5 x 16.5 master bedroom. I feel it's pretty blah right now so I wanted to hear your opinion as to what you think I need to do. Other than the furniture having to stay I am very open to all your suggestions. I also love the painting over the bed and I really don't want to move it if you think it's a good scale. (FYI: I AM trying to negotiate taking the elliptical out of here (wish me luck!) so you can just ignore it if you can. : ) try spilling a liquid on it...

1) We had thought about getting a new flat screen to mount on the wall above the dresser. However our budget is not going to allow that for a while so I was thinking about switching the armoire to the wall where the dresser is and hiding the TV in it. I think that the furniture is better the way it is now. If you came across a picture for you to hang over the dresser- you would not notice the TV so much. You wouldn't want to spend too much $- since it is not your long term plan- but you might find one that you can move to another location later. (The wall where the armoire is is just wide enough to fit the dresser, it would be almost at the edge of the trim on both sides but it would fit.) I just didn't know what to do on the spaces that would be left on either side of the armoire if I switch to the bigger wall, or do I even have to center it on the wall?. (see the alcove above- you should have twice as many shelves in there- fill the whole space.)

2) What to do with the empty wall spaces above the nightstands? armoire? dresser? and doors? I feel it looks odd to look at just wall but can you hang anything that high? Or do I do something to the wall itself? I would wallpaper the room- check out the damask I found for you below- It has a little bit of a grayish shade that I thought might go with your carpet- but at the same time bringing in the warmer tones of the art.
3) Window treatments - do you think long panels hung high? or any other ideas? see this post for window treatments.

4) I can easily fit something in front of the bed but what? bench? only if it is upholstered- you are working with too much wood there already- the chairs are a good idea. Check out this one from overstock. I would remove the recliner. I always get slack when I make such suggestions- but hey- I'm here to say what will look the best. chairs? rug? (Can I put area rug on top of carpet?) Yes- with your one color carpet- you can. Space is about 90 inches between the foot of the bed and the edge of the dresser.

5) The ceiling fan I hate (who doesn't?!?!) but not sure what style of fixture would be best. see this post.

6) I am trying to think of the variety you always talk about so I would like a mirror somewhere and a picture gallery. I like Pottery Barn, ZGallerie, Uttermost stuff a lot. I like neutral colors, and warm colors for accents. Thanks to your blog I am now open to patterns (which always scare me because I get tired of them easy...) I also love wood moldings. What would you do in this room to give it character?

Thank you!!!

Sonia

I would also switch your lamps- you can have different lamps with some looks- but not in your room- check out these swing arm lamps from lamps plus- they would open up more space on your night stand. The wiring costs a little- but the lamps run less than an appropriately sized table lamp- so the cost is really a wash.

The finishing touch will be your drapes and wallpaper. Those two things will go such a long way to having a finished and decorated room. The wallpaper below is from York.

Hey- good luck Sonia!

XOXO

Christine

I Love Beautiful Lamps

February- is "Things I Love" month. Today's thing that I love is beautiful lamps. The right lamp- I feel, is a piece of sculpture. When the lamp is pretty enough- you no longer have the need to further decorate the piece of furniture. It is simple, elegant look.

The lamps in this post are from Pagani Studio- available through Baker Furniture. What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

Lamps for Hannah

1. Yesterday Hannah's post centered on her drapes. I would like to see her further pull in the look of her white washed cabinets with some awesome lamps. These are form Decorize. Tell me, are they not fabulous? Have a favorite?
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5.

From Saudi Arabia!

Hi Christine :
How are you? Hope you are fine. I am from Saudi Arabia. I like what are you doing and I was searching for home decoration help online long time ago. Finally I found you. Attached are pictures from my new living room as I got married 2 months ago. I would like to get some new ideas:

1) On how to rearrange the room in a more fashionable ways,
2) How to decorate the middle table
3) Do I have to add more cushions with different color?
4) I still have an empty place in the as you see later in the over all
room picture attached so I don't know how to fill it
5) I have a lot of empty walls. Where should I add some wall decoration or
pictures?
Thanks a lot

Dear Hanadi,

I cannot tell you how cool it is to think that I am helping someone in Saudi Arabia decorate her home! Thanks for writing in! Congratulations on your marrige!

Let’s start with rearranging. Put your sofa parallel to the TV - and move the chaise where the sofa currently is, in front of the window. Spread your two wingback chairs apart so the walkway into the room is between them. Move your rug the other direction, to keep it parallel with the sofa in length.

Now to your coffee table. One of the missing elements in your room is greenery. This is a perfect place to add some. Picture the tulips at the top of the post in the center of your table. Add a couple of books, and a table clock, and you are set.

Should you add more cushions? I would replace the cushions on the wingback chairs with smaller bolster pillows. The color is good, but the size is too large.

Fill that space by moving your dining table out into the center of the room. It should be right below the ceiling fixture - then lower the fixture to about 36 inches above the table.

Let me give you some ideas on wall decor. A metal piece, like the one above, would be great in a set of two on the wall with the TV on it, but in the dining area.

This is an oversized mirror - about six feet in height. A large mirror like this would be great on the far wall in the dining area.

You need some nice art above your sofa. The set of three aviary panels above would be perfect.

Your walls in general need some pizazz- the paper above is from my newest book, Willow Woods, from York. This would be the finishing touch. Another option would be to wallpaper your ceiling instead.

Your lamps are not blending in. Move them to another room, and get some that are a softer feel for your décor.

There you go! All the way from California, I am decorating your house! All of today's items came from Uttermost. I wonder if they ship to Saudi Arabia?? I'd be happy to find out for you!

Thanks again,

Christine