As the living room is probably our ‘most done’ room in the house, what’s left to do? I thought I’d do a little list of things that I’m thinking about and maybe get some feedback from you folks to find out what you think I should prioritise, what you think of my choices or if I’m missing anything because I’ll be honest, I’m a little at a stand still where I’m not entirely sure which direction to go on a few of the items.
So, as you probably recall, here’s what my living room currently looks like…
I just added this lovely vintage glass lamp which will replace the current one I’ve had for years and years that’s sat on the wallpapered chest of drawers. I’ve combined it with the black lampshade for – what I’m hoping – is an elegant look. This pic is from the eBay listing but once the area is styled up, I’ll share it!
I still need curtains – I’d been considering something patterned but now I’m starting to lean towards something that will stand the test of time, however I’m still not sure. Almost two years of living in this house and I still have nothing on my curtain rods because I can’t make a decision!
As the sofa is something I’m intending to keep for a very long time, I thought a soft olive green colour might work, perhaps in a shimmery Silk Dupioni as shown in the image below… Not enamoured by the froo-froo gathering but I do like the colour and the drape of these.
But perhaps closer in style to these from Pottery Barn (we do not have Pottery Barn in the UK so I don’t even know where to buy them) but not dragging on the floor because that does my head in. I’m not 100% sure about it yet though and I’m not entirely sure where I would get them that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg.
Despite this entirely practical line of thought of having something to ‘go’ with the sofa that I can use for a long time, I can’t help but be enamoured by something with a bit of pattern…
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But with the patterned wallpaper, I fear it might be too much… Decisions, decisions. I just don’t know what I prefer so welcome your opinion if you want to share!
I also need some artwork for the wallpapered wall and I’d like something else for the wall where the radiator is. Not sure whether to go with something like a colourful painting…
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Or a strong monochromatic statement piece…
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Or something completely different.
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I think a ceiling rose would look nice in here too (and if I do get a ceiling rose, then I may want to paint the ceiling as well although not this dark as gorgeous as it is)…
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As promised to W for compromising with the coffee table, a small stool… I’m thinking one of these chinese garden stools I see around the blogosphere:
or maybe this one from An Angel At My Table…
I quite like this owl one from Graham and Greene as well.
However, what I would really love is an X-bench or two. Problem? No idea where I would get these from for a reasonable price as I can’t seem to find them in the UK. If anyone knows where I can get a couple for not stupid amounts of money, please feel free to leave a comment or email me!
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Additional seating is required as well but this would mean getting rid of the swivel chair which I’ve contemplated for a while but W still needs convincing… I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with that thing… it’s so big and unwieldy and it takes up a lot of space but EVERYONE seems to love it when they come around. I don’t even think I like it. What do you think? (You won’t hurt my feelings, I promise.)
I would like to get an additional 2 chairs, smaller, perhaps tufted, maybe nail heads… The room at the moment seats 4 at a push (3 on the sofa and 1 in the swivel chair) and I need to rectify that. So if I bring in an additional 2 chairs you are looking at seating 5 which isn’t too bad. And if I get the X-benches then that can always be utilised for extra seating and suddenly you have seating for 6-7 which would be ideal.
I’m dreaming of something like these…
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Or maybe something all tufted, delicate and pretty…
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Or even maybe something a bit crazy and edgy (and DIY?!) like classic Louis style with updated fabric…
And of course, I would absolutely LOVE to reinstate the fireplace… and if I’m totally dreaming, something with fantastic architectural details would be amazing…
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So those are all the things mulling around in my brain! What do you think of my ideas? What do you think I should prioritise?
I need to create some kind of mood board but I’m pretty shit at those if I’m honest because I don’t have MAD SKILLZ INNIT on Photoshop and it always turns out a bit crap looking… (If anyone wants to share their own mad skillz and do that for me, I wouldn’t refuse ;)). So yeah, I’m all kinds of up in the air with where to take the living room next but there ya go.
Hope you enjoyed the wander through my brain today and if you could assist in unravelling in the mess, that would be cool too.
The room is so beautiful…look so fresh and clean..like it.<br /> <a href="http://www.worldclassco.com" rel="nofollow">Roman shades concord, ca</a>
the garden stools and painted ceiling grabbed my attention. these won't break the bank but they are bound to make a big impression with color. i am the last person to ask about window treatments. i have no confidence in that area.<br /><br />i think your living room looks incredible in its now state and am thinking tuesday i'd like to post some swoonworthy. sound ok?<br /><br />love to
I'd say go for curtains first, as they will make a big and instant impression. I'd sway towards olive and plain rather than patterned, as that will give you more room to play with colours and patterns on artwork. If you can't find what you want at a reasonable price why not make your own, it is just straight lines and if I can do it anyone can.<br />2 tufted chairs would be lovely in
Patterned curtains all the way – you know you want to :-) I'd go with a complementary colour to yellow or olive (red? to match the cushions? or grey?) plus white. I wouldn't worry about them not being timeless, the things we love are always timeless and you can easily turn them into cushions or something if you do get bored of them. No clue where you'd buy geometric patterned fabric
Oooh I will have to check out Leon's!! Thanks for the tip! xxx
Oooh, I'm also crap with photoshop etc etc but have just found this site.. http://www.olioboard.com which seems to be mood boards for dummies, having said that I haven't actually completed one. I think you can just add all your things then export as a jpeg. Also am a big fan of chinese stools – I greedily have FOUR with no outdoor space. Now they are dotted around – two matching either side of a
I think they need an olioboard for dummies because I don't quite get it! lol I want to import my own pics but it seems that on the free version they only allow you to use the products they have on there… hmm. Will further investigate ;) x
Okay, here are my thoughts on the living room. You know I'll be honest! I think you should ditch the old coffee table under the window and put two x-stools (or a bench) in that spot. I know you kept the old coffee table in there for W, but it's not doing you any good and you need more seating, right? While the swivel chair looks fun, and I usually like balancing modern with classic, I
Thank you my darlin!! Have emailed you ;) xxx
Oh my gosh, you've got my head spinning with all your ideas,… you remind me of me! I don't love the garden stools, but they can look cool in a room, i don't know, just to much a fad for me… Not sure about a canvas on the wallpapered wall, maybe a mirror, or the mirror over the fireplace, then the canvas over the fireplace… God, it would be so much fun to come play with that
Nevermind, i think a big ole canvas might look good on the sofa wall… it would have to be the "just right thing" though… hmmmmmmmm… you've got my brain going… it would have to be something simple… but powerful…<br /><br />Cindy
Nice designs. If you need a matching table lamp do check my blog.
Why is it always easier to know what someone else should do with their space?<br />First, paint the ceiling a soft, pale blue, like the sky. Then get the green floral garden seat to tie it to the dining room and put it on the hearth instead of the candlesticks. The owl seat is too trendy. <br />On the drapes I love dupioni silk in green. Very full but not dragging the ground. You can usually find