Too neutral?

7 years ago

Help, having serious doubts! Awaiting the arrival of 3 white leather sofas for my open plan living/kitchen.

Scared it's not going to work and look too clinical and cold. I've added in a few splashes of bold colour, have a natural wood looking floor and some large green plants! Also, I have white wooden blinds at the front but am south facing but don't know what to have at the back on the bi-Foulds!!!

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wrightyja65
Original Author

7 years ago

Unsure about blinds, any thoughts?

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Comments (34)

PRO
Casa Colori
7 years ago
Hi wrightyja65

Well done for open plan living/kitchen it looks gorgeous. If you think the white couches could make the place to clinical, and you can cancel the order, I would add some splash of colors using cushions or a through out to make the environment more vibrant as you did for the dining area. If budget permits I would buy a rug in a warm color to put it under the beautiful coffee table.

I hope it helps

Regards

Silvia
wrightyja65
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you for your kind words and comments! Yes i do plan to put a rug under the coffee table and bright cushions to warm it through! Ive come from an old house which i strangely found easier to renovate, the modern look is new to me, just want it to be welcoming! Would you put more colour at the bi fould doors or keep with warm neutral tones? Thanks.
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Daisy England
7 years ago
The wall art by the table and chairs is stunning. Really adds a splash of colour. I like the kitchen. I've seen red leather sofas alongside such colours as they've looked great.
wrightyja65
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi, yes I toyed with the idea of red but a friend has red and it seems to over power her room. Thanks.
Midcenturylass
7 years ago
I think it looks lovely, very smart. So far it all works nicely. I'm not sure about white sofas though, if only for keeping them clean with a kitchen and dining area so close! How about a mossy green sofa to go with the natural theme and colours in the picture. If you're keen on white and cream then go for it! But whatever colour, try a sofa with a lovely textured fabric like linen, and accessories with cushions to go with your picture.
Daisy England
7 years ago
Stick to leather so you can wipe the sofas down. Cooking smells and grease go everywhere in close proximity.
wrightyja65
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for comments. Very little major cooking goes on here and have a very good extractor. Appreciate your views.
PRO
Casa Colori
7 years ago
Hi Apologies for the late reply. Personally I like the bifold windows corner as it is. I like the tulips on the wall and the floowers on the table.

silvia
ianthy
7 years ago
what about creating a feature wall in the kitchen area - I would go for a warm grey or blue? it's only paint... Maybe around the window and back wall.
Pat Auld
7 years ago
I think it looks great. It will not look cold with white sofas just add some bright cushions. You've already got the idea with what you have done already. Once the sofas are in place you can then decide about windows. Maybe some voiles or textured linen
lynneamandahayes
7 years ago
It looks beautiful, I would pick out some of the colours of the picture for cushions. I would also change the blind to a Roman with maybe a subtle pattern in the same colours as cushions.
You could also get a large vase or platter in these colours, only a few tiny tweaks and it will look stunning. Well done
neetay
7 years ago
Like the paint colour on the walls.
What is it?
I think it all looks lovely. Well done.
Adding a few colourful cushions and a rug will really make it inviting
londoncottage
7 years ago
When you say 'clinical' is it perhaps a lack of 'cosiness' you are perceiving? If that is true I would look at adding some touches like throws, cushions, soft warm lighting (halogen lighting can be very harsh and the iplighter behind the plant casts some very jagged shadows on the wall...). Maybe even paint one of the walls a darker colour?

For open plan spaces - there was a good article a while back on how to separate them and give them their own feel. Worth trying to find to see what ideas it can give you on connecting, whilst toning down the 'clinical' feel in the seating area.
juliehanna59
7 years ago

Firstly, I love the look you've created and think white leather sofas will look great. For me, the look says "modern and sleek" - with that in mind the only negative I can see is the number of items on the worktops/window sill. For me it makes the place look a little too busy - which runs contrary to the sleek overall picture. I would remove all these and place a large (fish bowl type) bowl of flowers at the end of the peninsula unit (using one of the colours from the picture - my personal choice would be the sunny yellow) and put another one in the middle of the table - that way the flowers won't fight with or obscure the view of the picture. I would also remove the plant from the corner. Adding cushions to the sofas which mirror the colour of the tulips in the picture would tie everything in. For the doors/window I'd use roller blinds which can be raised and lowered as the weather permits - I've used them in my own kitchen/diner to great effect. I've hidden the blind mechanisms under a pelmet - mine is in hardboard and I've covered it in lining paper and painted it he same colour as the walls - I've positioned it at ceiling level and it stops at the top of the door recess - thus allowing the doors to be opened fully. The roller blinds can be pulled up and hidden behind the pelmet when you want the doors open. I've used a double blind look - two separate blinds layered on top of each other - the outermost blinds are fine white fabric which obscured the sun but don't block out the light (I have a South facing dining/kitchen) and the second is a darker fabric which makes the room look smart, I've duplicated the look at the kitchen window. To maintain proportions, I have used the same size blinds at both - 6 across the doorway and 3 across the window - that may it looks uniform. Love your overall design, hope this helps.
pete_claire_33
7 years ago
This is very similar to my kitchen extension with white gloss units and cream quartz worktop in a large U shape. You have done a fabulous job and it looks amazing. I chose to have a Roman blind at the window and one large eyelet curtain across my bi-fold doors in a neutral colour (Laura Ashley Pussy Willow in Natural) It helps to make a large room feel cosy and helps stop that echoey feeling, having a curtain you can pull across the large doors helps keep the cold out too. The white sofas though lovely will look grubby after some time, dye from jeans is a killer on my white bar stools. I think if you soften the look with a blind and curtain, cushions and a nice rug the room will be stunning.
Charnelle Els
7 years ago
Hi. I love what you've done with your space. If you're still unsure about the white sofas, how about tan in a modern design? Then potentially a white and beige rug for under the coffee table. Then dressed with bold coloured cushions to match your tulips. I'm not a professional but I love neutrals. Good luck, have fun.
wrightyja65
Original Author
7 years ago
Sofa due anytime now so hey ho, will dress with bright cushions, tweek the rest once they are in place, thanks for all your comments!
slinkyminky2
7 years ago
You've done a great job! Looks lovely. It's very similar to my open plan kitchen. I would keep it sleek and just maintain a very sleek and neutral look. Too much colour could look garish as you already have the lovely colourful artwork in the dining area. I love my white leather sofa but have softened the effect with a throw (from OKA). You will find it warmer, and it also stops dye transference from jeans to the white leather. Buy a white leather cleaning kit (I use one from the Furniture Clinic bought online) which you can spray on and wipe off with a stain remover and leather protection cream which I use twice a year. Keep cushions neutral as too much colour may compete with the artwork.
wrightyja65
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you for commenting. Yours looks really lovely! I am going to invest in throws and a cleaning kit as the jeans issue concerns me. Can't wait to tweek everything now, getting a bit disheartening waiting for deliveries!!
PRO
Atom Interior Styling
7 years ago
Lovely job. Colour wise i would go for all White. The you are free to add colours in the accessories

As for blinds i think these are a great idea.
Pat Auld
7 years ago
I have a white leather bedroom stool and find the ordinary leather wipes from the supermarket brilliant for removing dye from jeans.
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
Hello,

I am sure I am just agreeing with many other people but I would say that firstly you have a fantastic space with a great design so well done.

It's nothing you have done or your new sofas that are the problem. With all interior design it's about balance and the balance here is missing between soft and hard furnishings. You have lots of surfaces that appear clinical because that's what clinical areas are like - they want clean, wipeable and reflective surfaces where possible. In the home however we warm things up with soft furnishings. They absorb sound and reflected light, the softness hard lines and make an environment much more appealing and comfortable to live in.

You can still stick with your white, maybe white voiles with the blinds, and add some throws and cushions to soften your sofas then a rug to tie it all together and ground it.

I hope it helps but feel free to drop me a message if you need anything else or advise.

All the best
minnie101
7 years ago
Hi. I think the space looks great as will the sofas. I agree with slinkminky adding too much colour to the sofas etc could look a little garish. I think for white sofas if you were using the art colours just one throw or one cushion can work better. Personally I'd go for pattern and different textures in shades of off whites, greige etc. A rug will be great to zone the living area and add softness as will table lamps.I think you just need to add some different textures to the room, wooden chopping board/s on the worktop, herbs in textured concrete pots, hammered metal fruit bowl, marble pestle & mortar etc. Faux stems such as eucalyptus or pussy willow are also good in glass bottle vases (cox and cox have some great accessories to add texture). Perhaps a throw for one of the dining chairs? Books somewhere also add warmth even if it's just a couple on a coffee table. I wonder if a sculptural pendant light would work? Something along these lines

http://www.tomraffield.com/products/ceiling-lights/no-1-pendant.php
wrightyja65
Original Author
7 years ago
Sofas arrived, very happy with them, comfortable too. Trying to now decide on cushions to add some balance to room. I'm leaning towards natural earthy colours to blend with a rug to soften things. I'm considering faux fur throws too. I currently have these crocheted blankets on as my dog is a princess, fortunately she's non moulting. Any ideas welcome. Don't fancy bold colours despite the dining area canvas.
PRO
Atom Interior Styling
7 years ago
sofas look great, i don't think you actually need scatter cushions on them. If you do i feel you should just have two and rectangular shaped ones like these
wrightyja65
Original Author
7 years ago
How about these Atom?
PRO
Corinne Natel Art Ltd
7 years ago
Hi - I love what you have done, it's a great interior! I think some original abstract artwork would really give it the finishing wow factor it deserves. Some examples below that could work well. Visit my website for more examples and feel free to contact me: www.corinnenatel.co.uk
tavolla
7 years ago
Slightly off topic , but where your sofa is from,please?
wrightyja65
Original Author
7 years ago
The sofas were from a shop in Thurrock called The Furniture Gallery. I bought my previous brown leather ones from them 12 years ago, they were amazing so decided to return.
proctorlouise71
7 years ago
Could you kindly tell me the rough dimensions of this space? It looks very similar to what I am having built bit wondering if your's is bigger.
Thanks!
wrightyja65
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi it's approx 12m by 7m.....hope that helps
proctorlouise71
7 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to comment back.
Monica
7 years ago
wrightyja65 you have received wonderful advice and I love how the space is coming together. I have a question for Slinkyminky2, can you please tell me where did you purchase the fabulous backsplash in your wonderful kitchen?