At long, long last our new living room furniture arrived! A new leather couch and loveseat. I. Love. It. However, I am SO NOT a decorator and am struggling to pull it all together. Obviously there are certain things we can’t change 1) the marble around the fireplace – I don’t love it but it is WAY to ridiculous to change 2) the front the the gas fireplace (see point 1) 3) the size of the room.
So, keeping these things in mind, take a look at the pictures and tell me what is missing and what I should add. I would love to know your thoughts on a coffee table, rug, curtains, and where to hang our lovely photos by the very talented Beverley Daniels. Also, what kind of extra details (cushions, vases, tables, etc.) would you recommend and what colours?
Take a look:
Couch.
Photos and fireplace.
Loveseat (ignore the mess in the corner).
Couch at a slightly different angle.
Loveseat and lamp.
So, please, please HELP!
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I can’t decorate at ALL, but my sister-in-law has a similar looking living room to yours and she made it really visually interesting by bringing in different textures and things (like a metal scultpure on a wall, different textures in curtains and blankets and that sort of thing). I like the red pop of the rug – maybe you could have curtains that pick up on that?
love the new furniture! i suggest some throw cushions in luxurious fabrics like silk or velvet (new crate and barrel at yorkdale has good selection) in shades of orange, rust and red – warm and goes with carpet. for mantle, one large print or a large mirror would be great. love the photos – they would be great on a less busy wall – maybe going up a staircase or behind a dining table?
Love the couches – I would add a large plant off to the right of the couch to align with the cedars outside. A couple of people commented about painting the wood trim – I had wood trim everywhere in our last place and I wanted to paint it out in white to make the rooms feel lighter and larger. In the end we didn’t because it really adds to the character of the home.
i love love love those photos! beautiful!
you need to paint the walls a color. something that makes a statement. the couches are black..so maybe go with a burgundy? and then get a carpet to match? you can actually get some nice colorful ones at IKEA..even something like this? http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20119215
Oh yeah, and check it out: I nominated you for an award!
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I am so not a decorator either (I have to get my friend Lorraine to come to my house and advise me on furniture placement, LOL) but I might invest in a window covering. Just sorta stood out to me in the photos. Something that will help moderate the window’s dominance of the room without taking away from its beauty (ha! how’s that for fancy talking? Guess who watches HGTV?)
All the deco shows say to paint the wood white, but I could NOT bring myself to do it. What about a darker colour on the walls to reduce the contrast?
I don’t know. Likely the best advice I have is HIRE A DECORATOR. 😉
I had a similar fireplace surround and painted it a neutral beige. Just ask the guys at Upper Canada what to prime with and then get a small can of Manchester Tan. My sister just did the same to hers. Works like magic and costs about $20. You will not believe how great it will look.
This may not be well received but PAINT THE TRIM CLOUD WHITE. Come over for a glass of wine and see my before and afters.
I really like where you have the portraits now, on the fireplace mantle. I’m really not a decorator either, but a few things you might want to add:
-A couple of throw pillows on the couch and loveseat (something that ties in the red from the carpet).
-Consider larger prints for the two walls flanking the fireplace, or maybe wall sconces if you need lighting.
-A coffee table would be nice – maybe one that has some glass on top so it doesn’t make it look too heavy with the dark furniture.
-Some soft, neutral curtains might soften up that wall.
I love your furniture picks. Next time I buy furniture, it’s going to be leather!
All good points, Barb. Only one thing would be that we had the portraits done specifically for the living room so a) I want them there and b) I don’t have the $$ to get “real” art! But I do think colour is a must. The red rug helps…I think?!
Here’s my 2 cents about your living room.
Love the couch and loveseat. Have you thought about hanging the portraits on a wall going up the stairs? I was at a friend’s house on the weekend and that’s what she did. Looks amazing. That way you could have one really great art piece above the fireplace or a mirror which could be a focal point. Pick a bright strong colour (or maybe 2) to use as accent pieces with pillows/throws, vases etc.