Amanda at Serenity Now is hosting another party! And I love parties! This party is a Decorating Dilemma Party and my living room needs some serious help!
Back in March I had my living room, dining room and kitchen painted a heavenly shade, SW Grecian Ivory, it is a subtle tanny-beige and we painted the fireplace.....dark brown, I can't remember the color and I'm too lazy to go look at the paint can! Anyway after we painted and got the new entertainment center I couldn't decide what to hang on the walls, so I did nothing. And 2 months later I still have nothing. Take a tour of my living room!
This is the view from the dining room. I have never had any kind of window treatments up but I think I might want some??? I hate the blinds being down or curtains being closed and I want something that is kid friendly that they can't pull down or mess up. I want to hang something in between the windows and in between the window and door, but I am stuck. I thought about a clock and a few picture frames, but I don't know. *I have a weird thing about putting nail holes in the wall because I'm afraid I will hate it and then have to spackle and paint...lazy I know!*
This is the view from the kitchen, pretty much the same as above. See the toy corner? These are all the toys that seem to get played with a lot and I got tired of having to drag back and forth so I just left them there :)
This is the view from the front door. I am thinking about putting a vinyl saying above the mirror, but can't decide what I want it to say. Also I need to put something in the cut outs beside the fireplace to keep my kids from using it as a stage....the drywall hates it! I thought about fake trees but they are sooo expensive!
Close up of the fireplace looking into the dining room and kitchen. And see the hideous coffee table? I bought this about 7 years ago and loved it at the time but I have out grown it and it takes up so much room in the living room and someone is always running into and getting hurt because the girls won't leave the rubber stuff around the edges alone, they keep peeling it off. But my husband insists on having a coffee table :(
TV wall. Do I need to put something on the walls on each side of the entertainment center? Or maybe above? The stuff on top of the entertainment center was shopped from the rest of the house, like it, but it could go.
Entry way wall and the hideous fish tank! This is my husband's and he loves it, but all the fish died a couple of weeks ago, so I am crossing my fingers that it will end up in the garage. I have a huge print that used to hang above the fish tank of the Singing Butler
but I don't know if it fits anymore. But I do love this print!
Anyway I need some serious help! So I am begging, give me your input PLEASE! I will forever be indebted to you!
26 comments:
Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for your kind comment about the dining set. I love all the natural light you've got in here...looks amazing! And I love the architectural elements like the arches around the fireplace...so interesting. Nice to meet you! -shaunna :)
Hi Kenzie! What a nice living room! I love the arches around your fireplace. What about making a couple of large, tall topiaries to fill them. Then at Christmas you could either decorate them or swap them out for a couple of those tall, skinny trees.
HI! Stopping by from the Decorating Dilemma Party. I think if you love that print you should put it up! It will make you happy when you walk in the front door, and the colors don't clash.
-Mama E
Drop cloth curtains would be an easy and inexpensive way to dress your windows. I think curtains would definitely warm up this space.
I love your print! You should hang it up and enjoy it!
Hey there~
Start with curtains for sure!!! that will add so much right away. Also I would totally hang that amazing pic. you have of the dancing butler.. and base your color scheme off of it. Fake Topiary trees would look great in that awesome cut out wall feature. Can you maybe find some at DI/Good will, or make your own. I also think a vinyl saying would look great above the mirror. I love scrolly metal pieces too. They look great above windows, or a large round one on a big wall. Good luck! Great space. Jenn
Great bones in that living room. I'd start with moving the recliner to the other side of the couch, at an angle to the fireplace, so that your furniture isn't all on one side of the room - more balanced. A seagrass or jute area rug would define that seating area, and I'd definitely do curtains - but on the outside of the windows, not covering them - that will make the windows look huge and impressive.
In your cutout areas, you could do urns with curly willow or twigs while you save for those great spiral topiary trees. I'd look on craigs list or garage sale/thrift store for a coffee table you can paint, or find a big ottoman for a coffee table that won't have hard edges. Have fun! I like the neutral background you have!
You have a beautiful room! I would definitely hang up that painting.. and base your room around it. Maybe get some red and black accents going... candles/pedestals/vases, etc. How about adding a mantle onto your fireplace to dress it up a bit? You could also make your own trees to put in the cutouts or check out some garage sales. Also, I agree about moving the recliner. And as for the toy "collection" in the corner.. Possibly invest in some nice lidded baskets or a big trunk to keep them in?
Thanks for stopping by and helping me out with my dilemma. I just fell in love with your house. What great architectural detail! I would do curtains - but just gather gather them up and hang them on a short rod or hook on either side of the window. Go for a washable version of a classy fabric. I wouldn't put anything between the windows though or by the entertainment center.
I would buy two storage benches/ottoman style to replace the coffee table. Then you can hide the toys inside - that's what we do!
I love that print. But I would be worried about it being too big above the table. Maybe you could move the table to behind the sofa and put up the print with more painted empty frames on the wall to fill the space and balance it a little.
Depending on the size of the cut-out you can have fun with it. Don't do vinyl above the mirror, it will draw the eyes too far up. So remember the sides don't have to be symmetrical, just balanced. Would it be possible to put a small table on one side and the fish tank on it, with a tall plant on the table? Then balance that with some a big plant on the other side. Or, put some large potted plants on the bottom and hang something from the ceiling like this: http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=585&f=2447.
Good luck! Make sure not to go overboard, simple can be good.
I am having the same issue at my house! We just recently repainted and I didn't hang much of our decorations back where they were. So now I have big empty walls to fill! I think a clock and maybe some decorative plates would look good between the windows. The cut outs are hard to figure out! Plants are just about the only thing I could think to put there. I just bought two real plants for my living room because they were so much cheaper than the fake ones...lets just hope they live long enough to be worth the cost:)
I think that starting with your windows and adding drop cloth curtains is the perfect place to start! They are SO easy and cheap, and you don't have to sew if you don't want to. Let me know if you want to see the link to mine. Setting your curtain rods (black, maybe?) up high will look good too.
I wonder if it would be possible to add some shelves to the inside of those cutouts?? You sort of have that structure there anyways taking up the space...why not make the most use of it?? You could place a few vignettes/books/photos there without being cluttery.
I think for the entry you should totally go for that painting if you love. Maybe add a thrift store bench or trunk for storage, or some hooks/storage for bookbags, coats, etc.
To fill your wall space...take your girls barefoot into the backyard, snap away with your camera and blow the photos up in black and white. Frame them and decorate with the people you love. :)
Thank you so much for linking up to my party! I hope you have a fun time visiting around. :)
PS. By shelves, I meant having DH (or a carpenter) do built-ins...not like a bookshelf from Target or something in there. ;)
I really like your livingroom! I just think it needs some pops of color. That wall that the fireplace is on would of been my first spot, but since you've already painted you can add color in other areas. Valances for the windows in a color like deep red or a gold/yellow would look great. They hang high enough that kids can't bother them and light still comes in. I'd add pillows on the couch to accent the color of the curtains. I like your coffee table! But, if you want a change, you could either make a fabric cover for it that drapes down or you could make a new wooden surface for it with plywood or an old door cut down to size. The legs of the table are great and left exposed with a new top would give it a lift you might like. I love those arches by the fireplace. I'd have to hang something from those arches, like either hanging plants (faux ones) or maybe install pot lights in them to shine down on either a piece of art or homemade topiaries like someone else suggested!
-Karen
Hey girl! I agree with hanging up curtains. I have a weird thing about hating to hang up curtains but I love when they are up. My living room windows look the same as yours. The first though I had also beside the fireplace was large topiaries. I found my parents a nice ottoman that has store inside for blankets/toys/etc. that might be nice instead of the coffee table? I just love your fireplace and the cut outs!! Adds such a cute touch to the house! I might need to participate in this party! :) Take care!
Stopping by from the Decorating Dilemmas party...
I was going to suggesting shelves in those cut-outs, too! It would give you tons of space for decorating and even storage (if you use baskets or pretty boxes).
You could also think about glass shelves - though that might be trickier.
I totally know how you feel about holes in the wall... I've had a spackled spot in our living room for about 6 months now! Oops! But you could always use a paper template & tape to get used to the idea, or those 3m command hooks!
For your windows, if you're worried about long drapes being pulled on you could go for a window topped, something square maybe, or a faux roman if that's more your taste.
Good luck!
Oh my gracious girl! We must be distantly related! I am the same way about nail holes in the wall. I hang nothing until I have everything I want on the wall. I don't like to redo and I hate to spackle! My living room was empty for almost two years.
Sorry, but the cutouts would made a GREAT stage! How do you feel about putting shelves in there? Where you could see through them but still display stuff?
As far as on top of the entertainment center, I think you need to either hang something on the wall itself (vinyl, a long metal scroll piece like at Kirkland's or a painting) or put more stuff on top for filler.
Last but not least, I LOOOVE Jack Vettriano. Back Where You Belong is my favorite, but The Singing Butler is great too! I would definitely try to work it in.
Thanks so much for comimg by:)
1. Move the chair to the left side of the TV (I'm sure your hubby will be SAD).
2. Shop craigslist...thrift stores and garage sales for a foyer table, bench or a chest/dresser for your entry space and hang that favorite print of yours there. Move the tank (maybe to the hallway).
3. Hang some curtain panels on your windows...hang them up high and to the side...so you can keep them open. Burlap fabric is very cheap and looks great...I made some for my kitchen. Line them with cheap white sheets.
4. For the cut out area over by the fireplace...install glass shelves and if you can...install a can light at the top. Don't put a lot of little things on the shelves...think large scale items and don't be to matchy.
5. Yes...you do need something on each side of your TV area...maybe some large frames with small black and white prints of your children. Above the TV...large wooden bowl...large baskets...or maybe a "COOL" iron piece. Only a couple of things...they do need to be big...so they will make a statement.
I hope I was helpful...as you can see...I LOVE to decorate! I have done several decorating jobs here at the beach and it's always soooo much FUN! Please let me know how your room turns out!
Blessings,
Linda
This is a GREAT DIY project...Ceiling medallions on the wall :) Very chic, versatile and affordable!
http://www.casasugar.com/DIY-Ceiling-Medallions-Wall-Art-2186681
There's so much you could do! I love the color of the walls BTW! I would put some curtains up. Maybe a stripe. And that blank wall would be so fun to decorate. Maybe a cool PB-style collage wall. I can't wait to see what you do!
XOOX
Jen
I'm no decor expert AT ALL, but here were my thoughts... (by the way you have a really fun space to work with!). I think a cheaper alternative to fake trees on either side of your fireplace would be those very tall floor vases with bamboo reeds in them or something. And I agree that the windows need a little something to soften them up. Maybe a valence? I wish I was more decor-savvy but that's about all I got :)
Great comments already! Love the drop cloth curtain idea! Maybe some kind of basket with a top or trunks in those cutouts for some storage. Then you could do the urn thing on top of that.
I love your color scheme...so peaceful.
You are SO not related to me or Grandma. Our hammers just itch to pound nails in the walls!! LOL!
Those cut-outs are begging for shelf inserts, a very easy home projec. No fake trees! No fake anything!
Would the print fit over the mantle? The mirror isn't doing any good feng shui favors because it is reflecting nothing and "cutting" heads from bodies. Put the mirror where the fish were :-) Treat that wall as a huge collage area.
Ditto the drop cloth curtain idea.
Another vote for curtains. And I like Amandas idea of adding shelves to those cutouts. Maybe back them with beadboard?
If you're looking for fake trees. Sign up for emails from Michaels and every month you'll get a coupon for 40% off one item! Great Idea! This week it's actually 50% off!
I would maybe think about getting some really tall twig bundles and sticking them in some extra large black or white vases.
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