Some Guildance for Viki

Hi Christine,

I need help in the worst way.  I have been trying to figure out what to do with my family room and a friend suggested your website.   I have really enjoyed looking at your website.

Finally after 16 years I have convinced my husband to remove the wallpaper border from our kitchen.  That is where it all started.  We have an open floor plan -- the kitchen and breakfast room is open to our family room. I changed the curtains in the kitchen and want to coordinate the rooms.  So I changed the pillow.  We spent two years looking for the chairs -- he wanted recliners and I wanted oversize chairs with ottomans. 

We found recliners we both love.  But I can't figure out how to arrange my living room and now my walls look bare and boring.  I need advice because I have one shot at my husband to make changes.  He doesn't like to change things in the house - he is about function.
The table between the chairs is just until I find a table but can't seem to find anything.  And my room is long and has openings.  I am not sure how to arrange my furniture.

Can you help me?

Thank you
Viki

Hi Viki,

Let's start with your furniture arrangement.  Yeah- it is really bad.  I do like the wall you chose to put the TV on- I think that is probably the best wall unless you wanted to purchase a large wall unit.  I would also consider not having the TV in the room altogether.  If you had a single focal point- that is always ideal.  Or- the TV over the fireplace is another option.  I find the split focal point frustrating.  For now- my advice will include you leaving it where it is.

The sofa and love seat pushed up against opposite walls is definitely the worst part about your furniture arrangement.  Your room does not lend itself to a parallel grouping, and it is too wide to have the furniture against the walls.  Pull the furniture in, put the long sofa opposite the TV wall, add a console table to make it look good from the back.  Create a more intimate seating area by pulling the furniture away from the walls. 

Add a coffee table or two- not chocolate brown.  You have too much dark brown in your room already.    The addition of the coffee tables will help with your seriously horrible negative space.  Read about what I mean by negative space in these posts.

Your rug is disconnected with the brown furniture and the room in general.  Replace it with a rug that can act as more of a unifier.  The rug above is from Homedecorator.com

Your drapes at one end of the room are different from your drapes at the other end.  They should all be the same, even in a large open floorplan where the areas function as separate rooms.  The pattern above is from Waverly.  Your brown furniture is coming across more like you wanted a safe non-committal color.  You have brown furniture- so act like it is part of your color pallet in a stronger way. 

I would paint your walls a silver sage blue color.  Keep it light, keep it subdued. 

Remember scale, scale, scale on your wall decor.  Also, remember variety, variety, variety.  You have three pictures,  (you need variety)  and all of them are too small (you need better scale).  See my advice to Julie on scale.    You should have a variety of wall decor items, and also a variety of numbers.  See my advice to Becca on variety.  You also have a problem with relationships in your wall decor.  See this post on relationships.

Add a lighting plan and some greenery and your room will be fantastic!

A little imagination please!

This post is a follow-up to a question asked after this post.

One sort of long follow up question, Christine. Could I do larger either rectangular (hanging vertically) or square art on either side of the tv instead of a set of prints? I'm not sure I can find 8 that I like. Most sets of that qty./size seem to be either flowers, insects or dogs. I've only ever seen smaller sets that I like. (Like Repose and Field of Dreams or Historical View on Uttermost's site, or the set of 6 Tiverton Lake prints by Paragon that are $$ and are on bronsondesign.com)

Also, you can see the smaller art above the sofa. Should I move that or try to coordinate with whatever is on the tv wall? One reason I haven't done anything is that I simply have no idea what to do! Can you match canvas without a frame with an oil with a frame, should the pieces on the other side coordinate with whatever is on that wall or should that wall change to some sort of metal piece or sconce? See what I mean? I'm stuck with indecision! Also, I sent you another picture of this long wall that is at the foot of the stairs that I was thinking of doing a black and white picture wall on. If I do that, will that have to coordinate or tie in with whatever art is around the t.v.?

Thank you so much for any advice or insight you can offer!

- Tracey

Tracey,

Do you have to use a set of 8- no- I give specific examples rather than listing the long list of all possible wall decor arrangements.  However- your suggestion that all sets of 8 are flowers- is just so far from reality- I had to address it. 

1.  Go to House in the Country, as I suggested.  They have at least a hundred different options that can be purchased as sets, framed or wrapped canvass- it doesn't matter.

2.  Frame sea shells.

3.  Frame vintage napkins.

4.  Use old board games.

5.  Frame stamps

6.  Frame vintage buttons.

7.  Use your children's art work. 

8.  Wrap canvasses with cool fabrics-  or just frame fabrics.

9.  Frame wallpaper samples

10.  Frame sets of old magazine covers

11.  Use sets of familiy photos

12.  Frame old hand painted spanish tiles.  I can picture 4 x 4 tiles on the wall with larger 9 x 12 frames around them.

13.  Frame or canvass wrap pages of an atlas.

14.  Frame old past cards.

Do you see my point?  To be quite honest- I didn't even use my imagination- this was just off the top of my head.  I could go on all day- but I am taking my kids to the park.  Don't tell me you can only find bugs and flowers.  Does anyone else have ideas for Tracey?



Advice for Far Away The Maldives

Hi Christine,

First of all, I'm sorry my attachment is not in jpeg format, I know your computer hates all other formats!

Now, let me thank you for creating such a wonderful blog! It's super great! And so are u!

Ok, so now, about my dilemma!

I'm from Maldives (not sure you've heard of it), a tropical island nation in the Indian ocean. And we are such a small country, our dwellings are as small as the dots that mark 'Maldives' on the world map (if they do show it at all). Anyway, my husband I have this tiny apartment on the first floor, and btw, it's still under construction so that explains why i couldn't send u photos of the place and sent the floor plan (created by a local 'designer'). But the moment I saw the plan, i was like, 'Oh Dear God, Help me', cos i really couldn't feel comfortable with the place. In fact, I coudn't bring myself to visualize it!

So what i need is your help in determining where the eat-in kitchen should be in our open-floor plan and how to differentiate the living area from the kitchen area. And the furniture arrangement. (I'm trying to ignore the lack of available space to create a better apartment, and just make it cozy and beautiful with proper interior).

 We don't have a fire place ( Maldivians don't need one with the sun all year round, and just a couple weeks of rain when its not sunny). And so the TV should be the focal point and i have absolutely no idea which wall I could use for that!

Oh, and one more thing, the wall next to the entry door (right side) will have a medium sized window in the center.

P.S.: Dimensions are:

            - Living room + kitchen combo : 20ft x 13ft

           - Bedrm : 21ft x 11ft

And pls excuse my English if it wasn't ok (we speak 'dhivehi' an alien language to the rest of the world!)

'Oh Dear Christine, Help me'  :D

Aminath

Hi Aminath,

Your English is fabulous!  Thanks for writing in!  I wasn't able to pull up any pictures, but I could view your floorplan, so try to follow my verbal instruction.

In working with a space the size of yours- scale is everything.  You don't want to select items that are too large, and yet you want to maximize the space you have to work with.  Let's start with your dining area.  It will go in the corner, between the two doors, where the builder drew it.  I suggest a table like the one above from Overstock.com.  It is a small 30 x 30.  Even 36 x 36 is too large.  (6 inches makes a big difference.)   

 

For your chairs, do three things.

1.  Don't go with a matching set.  You don't have very many opportunities to bring in variety in a place as small as this.  Using different chairs gives you an opportunity to add a different color.

2.  I would keep the colors light.  Lighter colors take up less visual space.  I don't have photos showing your colors that you are working with, nor do I know what places you can order from in your country, but I will give you some examples that you can work with. 

3.  Don't get a chair that is too short.  You might be limited in your footprint, but you still have a standard height ceiling, We don't want the set to look small, we just want it to fit perfectly.  The chair I selected for you is from Bungalow 5.   

 All of your window treatments in the place will be the same draperies.  Adding drapes goes such a long way toward creating a "homey" comfortable atmosphere.  These drapes are form Anthropologie.

Your wall adjacent to the window, in the dining area, is a decent sized wall.  I would open up the area with a large, oversized mirror.  This mirror is 42 x 67.  (Uttermost)

 Even if you are just renting, consider replacing the hanging lighting.  It is not a huge expense, but can make a big difference, especially if the existing is not attractive.  The light below is from Crate and Barrel.

In your living area, arrange your furniture arrange your furniture like I told Martha to in this post.  (except you do not have space for the extra chair.  I would also get a longer entertainment unit.  Much longer.  You have a 20 foot long wall there.  Find one that is nice and long. Your TV will hang above it, and flank it on either side with 2 pieces or sets of coordinating art work.

Make sure your sofa is 36 inches deep or under.  Scale.  Scale.  Scale.

On your chairs, I would keep the size around 30 inches in width.

 To break up the long feel, use two round tables instead of a long coffee table.

To define the living space from the other areas- use an area rug.  Even if you have carpet- use an area rug.

 Thanks for writing in from so far away- it is really fun for me to get reqeusts from across the world.  ;)  BTW - I would add some pops of fresh green here and there...

Abby's Big Barrier of Boring Beige

I would like to start by saying that I have been having computer problems- they are really ticking me off- so after reading this post- I know I came across strong- and please don't cry or hate me- I am just mad at my computer- and taking it out on Abby's family room.

Abby sent me pictures of her home- but I was unable to find actual questions in her e-mails- so - I thought I'd just run with it.

First of all- the furniture is far from ideal for the space- you have two large sofas and a love seat all in a non-specific style, and a color that is hard to find a name for. It seems so non-committal to me. Like you either don't know what style you like, or you are too timid to go there- or perhaps you and your husband have such different styles that each of you moved to the middle - which ended up being the middle of nowhere. But the result is a room full of nothing. There is also such a large amount of furniture that it is forcing you to push everything against the wall. If you have fewer than nine children- you don't need that much seating. I see a zebra chair that tells me there is a stylish girl there peeking ever so timidly out behind a big barrier of boring beige. So- anyway- if replacing the furniture is in the budget- let me know- but I won't address that in this post. One more word about furniture arrangement- case pieces almost never look good on an angle. Find a wall that is the right scale and move your curio. In addition to the angle being a problem- itis also next to your TV stand. Case piece next to case piece is a rhythm killer.

Secondly, your paint colors are horrible. I know that might sound strong. But they don't look good with each other- or with your furniture. The red wall and red chair do not go well. This is not the right style of room for an "accent wall." As regular readers of my blog know- the use of the "accent wall" is much easier in a more contemporary setting rather than in such a traditional room. HGTV are doing it's watchers a great disservice with all of the "accent walls" they are using. I would go much lighter and more neutral in your paint color. Check out the paint color I suggested for Jen in this post- and see how it looks with your items. Put your new paint on all of your walls.

Third- create more variety in wall decor. Look around the room. If there is not a window, there is a "picture" on every wall. You need variety. Check out this post that I did for Rebbecca- it goes into wall decor variety in more detail. There are SO MANY more things you can put on your walls other than just pictures. Try to do something different on each wall. Think outside the box. Anyone have some unique suggestions for Abby's wall decor?

Fourth- add drapes. Your window treatments are not done without a fabric treatment. Use that as a way to solidify your color pallet for the room. I see red, I see beige, I see black and white, and a rug that I can't really tell what colors are in there. Your room is disconnected. I selected a fabric for you (at the top of the post) from Robert Allen. Invite more pattern. Use your window treatments to give yourself a color pallet. I can't really tell what type of blinds you currently have- but they remind me of your sofas. No color- no texture- no style. I would replace them with dark woven woods- the color of your coffee table.

Fifth- add a focal point. Of course the focal point is the fireplace- but your fireplace has some issues. The trim above it makes it impossible to hang anything there. I would remove it. This is your focal point. The furniture faces it, the rhythm of the room should be all directing and pointing to this great focal point. Your surround is too small- the mantle is too skinny.... Perhaps start with simply removing the trim- and hanging something great over it.

It's pretty dangerous responding to a question without being able to read the question... I hope I was more helpful than hurtful...

White- From Weak to Wonderful

Christine,

Found your website recently and jump up with total giddiness every time you post! Thanks so much for generously sharing your knowledge and mad design skills!

I just bought a house and am ready to start making decision decisions.

All the trim, wood work, and cabinets are a fantastic off white color. I love it. Very subtle and sophisticatedly classic.

Wall color is a warm-brownish taupe. I am considering painting, but am waiting to finalize furniture /accessories/curtain decisions....But I'm being drawn to the idea of a warm but pale shade of gray....

My problem, and what I am so desperately hoping to get your help with, is that I want clean, WHITE slipcovered furniture. I want something that I can wash and bleach when necessary. (I have 2 small kids and 2 small dogs. Enough said.)

I apparently get nervous mixing different shades of white. I see pictures all the time of this done successfully, but am having a hard time putting it into practice.

Are there any rules, suggestions, or resources you could give on mixing whites?

- Penny

Dear Penny-

I love making rules. Somehow it boosts my ego. ;) SO- today- I wrote some rules on working with whites. The rules are more general - and they might not all apply to your room.

1. There are warm whites and cool whites. If you have a traditional home- warm is probably the way you should go. Cool whites are perfect for a crisp modern interior.

2. If you try to combine the warm and cool whites- they start to not look good together. The warm white will look dirty. The cool white will look stark.

3. Variety is important. This goes with any monochromatic color pallet. Vary the shades, vary the textures. Don’t just use your two whites- use multiple whites. A room with just two different whites might look like they don’t match- but a room incorporating half a dozen shades of warm whites with or without other colors will look terrific. Variety is important. A variety of finishes; a variety of tones.

4. White walls. I especially like white walls when the walls are interesting from an architectural standpoint. Plain drywall with orange peal texture with ordinary windows is not perhaps the best room to keep white. Beautiful architecture, lovely wood trim- these items look terrific in white.

5. White is the perfect backdrop for contrast. Darker colors will stand out more when paired with white. This is great if you have some terrific artwork to display. You will find a lot of white walls in art museums. This is not so great if you have old dark gross carpet. Beautiful dark hardwood floors- perfect with white. See my point? Look at the photos in this post- the white helps the non-white to pop. Use contrast to your advantage when highlighting favorite items. If you have elements that you do not want to draw attention to- be careful of contrast.

Good luck with your room Penny. Incorporate more than just the two whites- and make sure you are not combining warm and cool whites. Be very deliberate in your selections. It will look fabulous!

Thanks for writing in!

- Christine

Photos from Elle Decor