Living room a complete mess and don’t know how to get it to work

6 years ago

I bought the paper without thinking because I liked it. Have painted the room ,I love the colour, and just put the paper up and now completely stuck on how to finish the room . Don’t want to paint over the wallpaper it if I can find a way to get the room to work. There is a second window opposite at the other end of the room. There is a second door ,same side, at the other end of the room. Curtains temporary until replaced thinking natural linen Roman blinds? Navy drum shade with gold lining.? Furniture stone grey staying, Appreciate help to choose new sofas ,mirror over fireplace, rug and cushions. Any advice help appreciated to rescue this room or do I have to start again?

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Jules Mc

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Some lovely aspects to this room. It may be the photos thst are making proportions skewed but the white above the picture rail appears to be making the ceiling lower. Can you paint above and paint the picture rail in the same colour too? The wallpaper wall could stay the same and wouldnt necessarily need to be taken the ceiling).

Unless you 'ground' the room with a large black and white rug (which is an option) I think the black fireplace is a little harsh against the delicate wallpaper and if you're not really committed to keeping it black, a darker taupe/mushroom tone for the fireplace would complement the tiles, wallpaper and painted parts of your furniture.

I would either go for blinds and a radiator cabinet or use the same blue for the radiator which is currently drawing the eye to it like it a feature. Can't see very clearly in the tv alcove but if poss I'd take the tv unit off an angle and place it against the wall with potentially one or two shelves above. The rest would be soft furnishings, artwork and lighting. Not sure about overhead light until fireplace colour decision is made. Best of luck. Lovely job so far.

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Comments (33)

Rose Williams
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I wonder how it would look with the picture rail painted in one darker colour all around the room, it would make that ceiling look even higher, and perhaps a box pelmet from the ceiling to the top of the window would complete the more period look and tidy it up at the same time. More structural idea there, I'll leave interior design colour pallets to the experts... but here is a very very crude representation of what I thought (colours not right, plonked on for representation)
Al Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you Rose, painting the picture rail is a great idea. Will definitely consider that. Not sure about the pelmet as there are two windows and they would have to be made to order so probably out of my price range. My husband and I worked really hard on the room and now just feel disappointed and frustrated as we don’t know how to fix it. Thanks for your help , it’s much appreciated.
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Marie, your room looks lovely. So nice to see a nice blend of new and old and interesting. I agree with the others to keep your fireplace. I am not a huge fan of grey but I see what you mean about the wall on either side of the chimney ... have you considered continuing the wallpaper across that whole back wall? The slightly darker background would also help the TV to blend into the background. You could also do something a little different and pick up one of the other colours ... a warm light green to suit the wallpaper would add some more life to the room (grey by definition is a 'flattening' colour re light etc. think if grey in nature ... heavy dead things ... mainly rocks/minerals ... good for grounding a room but not too much of it ... I'm not one for trends.) Grey and wood/brown are not great together so I would change the TV stand or paint it. I love the raspberry colour of your sofa, seems a shame to add more grey. Also a lively colourful rug and some original artwork on the walls will make it less matchy. It helps to add in some small flashes of random colours ... either in artwork, accessories or cushions ... a bit of pattern. With regards to 'lightness' also remember to balance the volume and age of things. The curtains look solid and quite heavy, the fireplace is solid as is the black furniture ... the chairs and table as they are off the floor as such, look lighter, the fire surround and light furniture covers also are lighter so it's a nice balance. When I bought new sofas I chose ones with legs rather than the type that went to the floor and it made the room look much bigger and lighter. You need both light and heavy / new and old ... antique/vintage/older furniture that's 'lived' tends to ground a room and new furniture lightens it so a balance of both works well. Have fun, and remember to post after pictures!
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Rose Williams
6 years ago
I was hoping the curtain idea would make it cheaper as would eliminate the idea of ceiling to floor curtains as the top would be hidden. We know that well fitting curtains have to be custom made, however 3 pairs of curtains, and use one curtain for the matching material on the top box/per end of the room which is just a timber frame with the material velcroed on. I appreciate not everyone is good with that sort of thing though. Maybe tieing in the room with the picture rail will do the trick though, and go from there, I was just wary of the lines above the window between the curtains... white top of wall, picture rail, and pole. Love the colours, and the fireplace.
Al Smith thanked Rose Williams
Emmanuelle
6 years ago
Hello! I don’t think your room needs “rescuing “!!! You have the background which you like, it’s a great start! you just need to do a few tweaks! I personally would paint the window frame white to start: it would make the room fresher! If you keep your grey furniture, I would do it a little rustic style : think linen blinds/ curtains, a big cream rug, a grey fabric sofa... I would rather use a light fitting instead of a shade. After that, you can think about the little details: lights, frames, mirror...
Here a few ideas.... In any case, don’t rush to buy it all in one go! Do it gradually, building on layers!
Emmanuelle
6 years ago
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Al Smith thanked Emmanuelle
Jules Mc
6 years ago
Ps also think Emanuelles pics are great inspiration and the suggestion to paint the window frame white would make a big difference !
Al Smith thanked Jules Mc
Juliet Docherty
6 years ago
It's not a mess. The teal is quite strong so I would now add things that are neutral and have a good texture. The warm grey of the furniture really complements the blue so I would continue this. Hang a new curtain pole (John Lewis do a nice iron one) and Habitat do some really simple pure unbleached linen curtains that can hang to the floor. Add an oversized wicker pendant (try ikea) and get slubby linen coloured sofas. Add a large cream rug and it will look great. I find white woodwork and door too much of a contrast with the teal. I would paint it a warm grey and the upper part of the walls a paler version of the same colour.
Al Smith thanked Juliet Docherty
Al Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you Rose, I see what you mean about the white above the picture rail. Was thinking of taking the colour up to the ceiling but I would have to wallpaper above as well. Didn’t know if it would look right? Thank you for liking the colour and fireplace. We put the fireplace in when we bought the house . Two of the bedrooms still have the original fireplaces. We replaced the tiles to match the colour in the wallpaper. Thanks for your help.
Al Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi Emmanuelle, thank you for your help today. I have thought about painting the windows white. They are stained at the moment as my husband and I work full time and it’s just quick and easy to maintain. They are hardwood windows and the colour is the natural wood colour. I may have to bite the bullet and just paint them.

I was thinking of getting rid of the curtains and replacing them with Roman blinds ,natural linen colour. They would also cover the top of the dark window frame,could that work? I was thinking navy or grey for sofas,thought navy would be too dark , so definitely go with the grey. Cream rug sounds good as well. The pictures are lovely ,thank you so much for your time. I will sort the window first, and then the sofas and rug. Then get the rest in layers as you have suggested, thanks so much, feeling so much better now .
Al Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi Jules mc thank you for your advice. The room is long and narrow and it’s got high ceilings. The fireplace is cast iron and original so I wouldn,t want to paint it. I agree it stands out, but the colour is more of a dark grey pewter colour ,it isn’t a deep black if you see what I mean. I thought some black framed pictures might help. I agree the radiator stands out, but I didn’t know whether to paint it or not , I didn’t think about a radiator cover so will look into that. Thank you for saying it’s a lovely job so far, makes me feel so much better. And yes Emmanuelles photos are lovely and just the look and feel I was after.
PRO
User
6 years ago
Turn the T.V so that it's flat in to the alcove. Take away the table that's next to it and move that to nearer the door with maybe a lamp on it, also take away the small table in front of the sofa.

The curtain pole is too short for the window and the curtains are too long. I'd also consider a blind behind the curtains to soften the look

The window could do with painting to match the furniture and bring the scheme together, change the curtains for a lighter mocha / beige to match the furniture and add a rug of a tonal colour.

Paint the walls either side of the fireplace the same colour as the rest of the walls, and cut down on the wallpaper, which should just be on the Chimney breast.
The sofa throw needs to go also. I don't know what sofa you have under there, but the throw could do with being beige in colour to match the furniture and the background of the wall paper.
Al Smith thanked User
Al Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you Colourhappy, it’s so brilliant to get some advice and a relief that it actually looks ok. I will definitely look at linen curtains or blinds and I like the idea of the iron curtain pole. Also the cream rug sounds good as Emmanuelle suggested also. I think I will probably go for grey sofas as I have a dog and two teenagers. I will have a think about the doors, as all the doors match and I quite like the blue and white together.
Al Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi man about the house, thanks for your ideas. The paint, wallpaper and furniture are staying, everything else is being replaced. The Tv is on a corner unit so it can’t be moved as it’s a long narrow room. Yes the table is going to the other corner of the room once the dog crate has been moved, and the little table would be with that table. Thank you for the photos I will have a look through them for inspiration. I did think about keeping the wallpaper to the chimney breast only ,but it’s very small in a long wall and I didn’t know if it would work , but I will have another think about that. Thanks for your help
Al Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you everyone for your advice today. I will look at linen curtains, iron curtain pole, and grey sofas and a cream rug. I think I will also look at painting the windows white and fitting a radiator cover or paint it. Then see what else needs changing. I was feeling really disappointed so thank you for helping me get back on track so I can love my living room again.
PRO
User
6 years ago
I really like the furniture........................I think the T.V is too large if it's going to stay in the corner.................we had to change one as it just dominated the room. Can it be recyclied to another room and replaced with a smaller one that doesn't fill the top of the cabinet and over shoot the window?
Al Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi , thank you ,the furniture is from the Cotswold Company. I agree about the TV but settled on 40 instead of 50 as argued by my husband and children.so can’t change it , you can’t win them all and have to abide by the family vote lol. The unit can be moved further back into the corner. I think I need to paint the radiator, I don’t think it will look so bad then.
PRO
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
)Ha ha, I know what you mean...............apparently in our house, it's what my wife wants! I tried painting the rad and didn't like it. How about a radiator cover sprayed the same colour as your furniture?? Match the curtains to a rug? radiator cover ( ebay )
bfrobson
6 years ago
I agree with a number of the suggestions given above. 1. Definitely paint the window frames a light colour. 2. Either fit a roman blind in a pale colour and get rid of the curtains, OR combine a roman blind with matching/coordinating curtains, OR change to pale curtains alone. If you do retain curtains I'd suggest that the curtain rail should be substantially longer so that when drawn back they expose the whole window - you'd be surprised at how much difference this makes to the light in the room and the feeling of increased width in the room. 3. Do go for a radiator cover. Painting it to match the grey furniture is a brilliant idea. This will also sit well with shorter curtains. Alternatively match the radiator cover to the wall colour. Personally, I wouldn't paint the picture rail or the wall above it until you have changed the window dressing, got a rug and installed the radiator cover. Then stand back and see if the proportions of the room still merit it. Good luck, I'd love to see the finished room.
Allison Cowie
6 years ago
Hi man about the house I would consider a radiator cover but I don't think it will fit next to the TV . I will paint it first and see how that looks. It will b on hold now until after Christmas as now have a massive Christmas tree to decorate , hence all the boxes in the front room. I've also chosen the sofas so will be ordering them in the New Year. Once I get the sofas and a rug in I will upload another photo .
Allison Cowie
6 years ago
Hello bfrobson, thanks for your comments. I am planning on painting the window white. The radiator the same as the walls. The curtain pole and curtains are temporary until I sort the blind. Everyone has advised a light blind so that looks like the way to go. I will upload another photo once I've got the sofas and blinds and rug. Thanks for your help.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I would go with silver/gray drape panels hanging them higher, not covering radiator, and may be painting the radiator the same colour as wall.

Another idea is radiator cover in the same colour as furniture and decor on the top. Roman shades is good idea too. No short curtains.
Al Smith thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Beige curtains would work too, just get wider rod, so curtains on a side of the window.
Allison Cowie
6 years ago
Thanks for your help Celerygirl. I prefer curtains, but thinking of getting blinds for practical reasons as when the heating is on you can't feel the heat as the curtains cover the radiator.
I am going to paint the radiator ,as a cover will not fit.
I do like the silver curtains and pole. If i moved the curtain pole higher would I have to paint above the picture rail?
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
Allison, you do not cover the radiator, just keep curtains on a side of window. You do not have to paint above the rail, but radiator.
PRO
User
6 years ago
I'd have to say stay away from silver as I think it will clash with both the floor and the furniture, which are neutral tones. A light oak curtain pole and pale neutral curtains with a natural material if you're going to go with the curtains.
These are a similar colour to the furniture, a shade or two lighter to lift the room, but should work well with the blue of the wall and the floor and the furniture. curtains 2 Go You could also have the curtains, just for show and couple them with Roman blinds in the blue, which I personally think would look amazing. Faux Silk Blinds
Al Smith thanked User
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Drapes do not have to go good with floor but with walls! :-))

Silver/gray ( just tone lighter than wall) and beige , as you can see, are both go well with wall and wall paper . It is just your preferences and what you like more.
Al Smith thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I was just looking at your furniture on line. It's actually far lighter and more grey than it appears in the pics you've got. I think you need a 'day time' pic to get a better feel for it. I notice that the handles are chrome also, therefore, as Celerygirl says, a chrome pole would look great. Your pics make the furniture look almost brown.
It's definitely a lot more grey than i thought initially, but I still think it's one of those grey / beige colours. It's very nice, whatever you call it.
kikiamack
6 years ago
I would definitely go down the natural linen and beige route as suggested by Colourhappy earlier. That wall paper is Lori Duck Egg Blue by Laura Ashley. I had the curtains in a bedroom and it looked perfect with Natural Hessian paint and a warm beige carpet. By coincidence my Dad has the Lundy Stone Grey furniture and it is a warm stone with mushroomy tones, definitely more stone than grey. In my opinion silvery greys will not work against the fabric or the furniture.
Allison Cowie
6 years ago
Hi Matt and celery girl. I have ordered a sample of the teal re the blind. Considering the curtains . The furniture is darker than the website, luckily I ordered a sample so it was not a shock when it was delivered. I would go for a chrome pole I think. I have a large pine mirror and thinking of painting it the same colour as the furniture . I've looked around for mirrors and haven't found anything I like or in my price range.
I will get the blinds sorted then decide on curtains.
PRO
User
6 years ago
Love the idea of the painted mirror. We're big on painted furniture round here. All our furniture is antique. Therefore, when we want a change, we just paint it all a different colour !! Just about to do it all again...........lucky me.
Allison Cowie
6 years ago
Thanks Kikiamack, yes you're right about the furniture and the wallpape. We used natural Hessian in our dining room. Thanks for your help with this
Al Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
I have ordered natural linen Roman blinds hopefully they will arrive before Christmas so I can get rid of the old poles and curtains. In the new year I will paint the window and radiator and the mirror. I am also looking for a cream/neutral rug. We are looking at mid grey wool mix sofas from next and m&s . Feel like the room if starting to come together finally and I’m starting to like it again. Thanks everyone for your input it’s much appreciated.