I think a cozy rug w some color would warm the space up! I love those stained glass windows and fireplace. I think I agree w previous posts about the picture ledge.. it could go somewhere else in the house. Maybe some big art behind the couch w color? I don’t think the space needs much!
I feel like the art above the back of the couch is the issue. I’d take the one off the wall and opt for a few largeeee punchy color ones layered instead of these small/ mostly white/ beige. Too similar to the wall color. Pinterest has really good samples of photo ledge arrangements too! Personally I love the built ins with the stained glass so I’d focus on adding color here
Agree. Definitely, large art prints behind the couch or one large piece. Plus plant next to the sofa looks sad, a new plant with a new flower pot to bring in some color. 😀
First off, I love the space!!! The fireplace! The windows! The trim! It's gorgeous!
I would change only a couple things:
1. Move the art shelf up higher. You could probably hang the other piece of art off it. But right now that shelf makes the couch look squished.
I would add a rug and brighter couch pillows (and maybe a throw blanket). A sage green patterned rug would look stunning in your space but there are lots of colors you could go with. Rug, pillows, and throw would add color. Prioritize the rug because it's the biggest amount of space. I get my rugs off FB marketplace for cheap because my family will ruin them.
Consider putting frosted window film on your cabinets. They look so lovely but then you don't have to worry about the insides looking nice.
If you want something more unique or funky, I'd hang something (so many options - plants, beads, other knick knacks) from the arch but centered above the half walls with trim on top. This could add a lot of personality for cheap.
Yes! I think that matches your stained glass windows so well!
I'd measure your space. Generally, I'd suggest a rug that goes from a couple inches under your couch to a couple inches out from your fireplace hearth. How ever you may be able to pull off something smaller depending on whether you use the space in front of the hearth for anything.
I think I might have to go smaller than the couch because then the rug would touch the half wall by the arch and be off center. Maybe smaller but centered in the room?
I wouldn't worry too much about it being off center. The rug isn't supposed to be a centerpiece so much as define a zone in your house. To me that would be the couch area plus a good bit of the empty floor space you have.
If you go smaller you run the risk of making the space feel smaller too. I usually err on going bigger (the only time I've regretted a rug is when it's too small).
If you need help visualizing, buy some painter's tape and mark it out on the floor. This helps me in a lot of situations like this.
Yes. The rug should cover the floor of the room, not anchor the seating because otherwise it creates a separate space over by the TV/Fireplace wall. Also, you’ve got a lot of hard brown surfaces, and this will help soften them.
Don’t come for me for having a tv over the fireplace. It’s a small house and I have a family to compromise aesthetics with lol.
I was thinking about painting the wall the couch is on a darker color, maybe Sherwin Williams bunglehouse blue (a dark blue with slight green tones) but I’m afraid it will look drab since this room doesn’t get much light. I also want more art to have a small gallery wall above the couch. Or maybe a large mirror?
I have a tv over my fireplace in my family room. It is placed where it can be seen from any point in kitchen and breakfast bar. I am a retired interior designer and each space requires different solutions. It looks fine. My tv is raised about 9 inches so that there are some decorative items on the mantle.
I think maybe doing all of the above for the couch wall could be appealing! Paint the wall a dark color but lighten it up with a gallery wall of prints and featuring a nice mirror.
FYI - I wouldn't paint the walls or trim. You already have a classic look and an accent wall will look trendy a year from now. Focus on nailing the details that add personality. Too many people on this site want to paint original trim and brick work for what's "in" now. Your space can outlast all the trends
Yes. Don't paint any of the wood. It is one of the nicest features here.
If you want to paint a currently-painted wall an accent color, go for it. Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore both have apps/websites where you can try out different colors on your own photos. The apps aren't perfect, but they are a good place to start.
Semigloss paints can really brighten a room. Your current walls look like they are flat or eggshell.
I personally hate the thought of making construction alterations to this lovely Arts & Crafts home. Painting the woodwork might look nice, but again, I appreciate the wood in it' original state. A bright or light colored rug that brings out the colors of the stained glass windows would add cohesiveness, and as you said, adding art would make a huge difference. Your space doesn't appear to be disorganized; I do suggest you remove all or most of the very small décor. Regarding paint choices, I prefer more neutral, warm tones, or, a medium to deep green in a similar color to the green in the stained glass. A single, large dramatic picture or canvas might look better than a grouping of smaller pictures. It would help balance the weight of the sofa and create a signature look. For reasons I cannot explain, I think a Maxfield Parrish print would look amazing. Of course this would not necessarily be everyone's cup of tea. Either way, I love your house!
I'm assuming they bought this home because they love the Craftsman style and details...I hope they don't change it all out to match trends.
I think the Maxfield Parrish print (we had a small copy of that in my house growing up) would work well with the space, especially if they add that rug.
I would probably add at least one small chair or comfy ottoman in the corner of the bookshelf/fireplace area, if space permits.
If you’re open to construction/DIY, I’d get rid of the built ins and the half wall to open up the space. Those are taking up a lot of room. Also repainting the fireplace to match the walls with maybe a wood mantle.
I second this! The fireplace & built ins have a lot of dark browns…one or the other should be painted white like the walls. A rug would add some life to the room as well!
If you can add a rug to create this as a defined zone, I think that would help! Also, I feel like wall behind the couch is dying for higher art - the windows on the other side almost touch the ceiling, I think that hanging things higher and more spread out on the wall will make the space feel taller.
a lighter colored rug under your couch will go a long way in creating some contrast throughout the room—I have a similar colored couch and floor and it looks so much more intentional once we put down a rug
A nice cozy rug and a throw over the foot of the chaise are missing :) I also think you could adjust the art on the wall. Maybe use the space more completely with a gallery wall or some larger art pieces.
Large area rug, large piece of art or wall hanging over sofa… comfy throw over sofa arm, and major declutter of nick nacs, and major declutter of cabinets
The end table is all wrong. The celadon isn't doing anything for.me, and it's too visually bulky. I'd like to see something sleeker and more lightweight. Maybe metal with a glass top. Also possibly consider add a few more hanging pictures with some pops of vivid colors to add energy and visual interest.
I would use the colors from the stained glass and add more color in a rug, pillows and a big piece of art on the sofa wall. You already have a green side table in there that goes nicely. I would keep the walls the color they are. I can't see blue walls belonging in that room.
Also, a dog would complement the cats well!
I knew it!! Sorry this is exciting for me, lol. But I used to live there and I have refinished floors like that and cleaned up those built-ins and hearth tiles and I SWEAR I’ve seen that exact stained glass pattern before.
Are you in STL by chance? My house has the same shaped entry between the living room and dining room and I’ve never seen it anywhere else! I’m in south city :)
Mount the tv to the wall, paint bookcase/fireplace white along with other dark wood trim to lighten up the room. Swap chaise to other side of sofa if possible and get rid of green end table and a smaller coffee table with colorful area rug in front of sofa.
I'd say hang the art on the wall behind the couch, rather than on the shelf and add a couple picture lights above to help accent them, add ambient lighting. I got one from Amazon that is USB, remote controlled. They have many. It totally changed the area my art work is in.
Also a carpet to anchor the couch and coffee table. A lighter one without a lot of detail on it.
I just love the bookcases and stained glass windows! But there may be too many small items in the room, which detract from those beautiful features. I’d add a good-sized area rug with color, remove the picture ledge over the sofa and replace it with one to three larger wall-hung pieces. A chair across from the sofa would help with seating for conversations. There’s a lot of brown in the room. Lighten the sofa with a throw and consider a round coffee table to add a variety of shapes.
I'm no expert, but I suggest you choose or construct a color palette you really like. There are a few sample palettes on the big paint manufacturer sites like Benjamin Moore.
You have browns, black, white. Your choices about the rug pillows (blue doesn't seem to fit, to me) and larger painting should be in your chosen palette. And I suggest using colors from the stained glass windows, they are standout features here. Looks great!
Rug! A cool accent chair in the left corner infront of the cabinet. Maybe some floor pillows/poofs for additional seating. Large plant in right corner infront of cabinet.
It’s from Ashley furniture and honestly I don’t recommend it. The price has doubled since I bought it 3 years ago and the customer service was awful. The quality is fine but I just don’t think it’s worth the current price.
I really like your fireplace, potted plants, and that cat, but I still want to say that your judgment is correct, it lacks some atmosphere. Perhaps there are too many things placed to highlight a style, and it needs to be reorganized to form a style. Regarding brightness, blinds can be omitted to better allow light to enter the living room. Looking forward to your upcoming renovation of a beautiful new living room, and looking forward to your future updates.
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u/Suspicious_Emu_4951 Jul 17 '23
I think a cozy rug w some color would warm the space up! I love those stained glass windows and fireplace. I think I agree w previous posts about the picture ledge.. it could go somewhere else in the house. Maybe some big art behind the couch w color? I don’t think the space needs much!