Living Room - Finishing Touches
Hi,
I'm looking to get some advice on how I can finish off my living room. It’s a traditional Victorian flat/apartment so I’ve tried to keep it traditional without being too old fashioned. There’s not much of a colour scheme other than neutral colours. I think it’s looking close to how I would like it but just missing a few finishing touches:
the dining area is a little sparse. I’m not sure what to have on the centre of the table. I’m not really keen on fresh flowers and I don’t want something that gets in the way when the table is being used. I’m also thinking a rug would be nice under the table to separate the area from the seating but it’s an awkward shaped space so now sure what style or colour of rug to choose?
I have left the wood panels around the bay windows but the other wood work in the room is painted white. Does it work? Or would it be better painted white too?
The fireplace and surround are a little bland at the moment. I’m not massively sure about the mirror I currently have but as there’s no fire installed at the moment I think the hearth and surround should have some extra bits and bobs?
Theres a big bare wall behind the sofa and I have absolutely no idea what to put there. I Guess some large art or prints would work.
The only lighting in the room is the ceiling light. I’d like to add more but I’m not sure where to place floor lamps, especially when the sofa is floating away from the wall. I thought about an arched floor lamp for over the dining table to provide some light there
Those are the things I can think of but I’m sure there’s more ways to improve the room. Open to any suggestions. :)
Comments (35)
PROTiziana Meciani Interior Design
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoHi, what a lovely room! Here’s my advice: I would add an arch lamp to the dining area, like Twiggy, for example, in crimson. This will frame the dining table, pick the colour of the stained windows and add a vertical element to the composition. Then I would accessorise the table with either a large ceramic bowl or apothecary bottles in earthy tones. White window shutters would make the composition brighter and more elegant in my opinion , so although the current colour is nice, I would paint them white. I would then add a rug, maybe in green, to go with the foliage around. I would also replace the chandelier with something wider like Vertigo by Petite Friture. It will look amazing! Finally I would add artwork to the wall behind the sofa, maybe two square, large format photographs either b/w or with a fairly minimal palette. Pictures of Vertigo and a bay window with white panelling and green rug below.
M M thanked Tiziana Meciani Interior DesignRelated Discussions
Finishing touches for our new living room
Comments (17)Hi there, I'm wondering how you're getting on?!! How about a Bali pod by the sofa arm with the throw on? You could have a bespoke piece to add interest and colour ....and also allow you to sit comfortably in the sofa with a drink close by (rather than having to reach to the coffee table every time you want a sip!). This is the sort of thing I'm thinking.....our pods come in 7 shapes, 5 core fabrics and loads of colours ...or you can use your own fabric, so you can make quite a personalised statement!! I've attached a link to an example of a swatch which would go with your scheme...Good luck with all your plans! http://mellowduck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/SandringhamCamel600x600-138x138.jpg...See MoreFinishing touches-dining room
Comments (8)Hi. Your blinds look nice if you're after a glam look and I'm not sure curtains will hang properly with the radiator? I like this collection of bronze and silver mirrors from Notre monde to introduce a slightly darker accent on the wall. I can't make out what's next to the window but I think a cocktail table accessorised with some vintage and modern decanters and glasses would look fantastic. I'd add a rug under the table, something similar in tone to the floor perhaps with a slight pattern. It looks as if a rectangular rug may work better for the room. Faux flowers on top of the table, I like Oka but make sure to add some green foliage to the display too. Would be good to see other pics of the room to see what space there is though...See Moreliving room finishing touches
Comments (6)Hi - I would suggest you add a rug in the centre something to draw the eye into the centre of the room and add a somewhat focal point. The other thing you can do is to add a large picture on top of the fireplace to again draw the focal point to the centre. On the floor lamp - I agree to replace within something in keeping with your current style and sticking to the wood texture. I would also add some plants even if they are faux, it will add a bit more life and style to the room. I've picked up the accent colour from your cushions and used that to pick a similar coloured rug just to give you an idea: https://www.habitat.co.uk/grid-medium-grey-and-yellow-geometric-wool-rug-140-x-200cm-220229 comes in different colours as well https://www.habitat.co.uk/tripod-ash-wooden-tripod-floor-lamp-with-white-shade-252742...See MoreFinal touches of living room
Comments (9)I’m not sure if the sofa will fit there but you could try it? The room is looking nice. i also like the idea of a footstool particularly if you have kids so no bumped heads. I went for light linen cushions (they have a nice gold fringe but it doesn’t show very clearly here!) to lighten the sofa up and Linen will work nicely with the wood and stone . Art was for over the chair with the wood frame and table lamp next to the chair 😊 I think it could do with some plants or flowers. I’ve bought preserved eucalyptus before but quite recently discovered preserved flowers which last up to a year...See More
M M
4 years ago
PROMatchbox Interiors
4 years ago
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4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
KK1000
4 years agoI love your place, you have a bit mid century feel there, specially in the dining room and what you are missing is a large pendant light above the dining table . I would get a large round mirror with simple black frame for above the fireplace and use the gold one elsewhere maybe bedroom.
M M thanked KK1000KK1000
4 years ago
Leslie Tamani
4 years agoKK1000
4 years agoPS TV unit is a bit low you could add some mid century style cabinet legs to make it few inches taller, it’s easy and it would give your furniture new look and it’s reversible.
M M thanked KK1000
Huw Buckley
4 years ago
PRONassar
4 years agoHey M M
Wow love the vibe you have already created. That Eames chair looks so inviting :)
Are you into music?
What would look great in the Bay Area are perhaps a pair of Kef Reference 1’s (even 3’s or 5’s) in Rosewood gloss finish on stands.
You can always match some great equipment to really complement the KEFs and I think a combo of a Mcintosh MA7200, Cambridge CXN v2 network streamer and add a Mcintosh turntable if your into vinyl to complete the setup. The Mcintosh hardware will probably last you a life time.
For the table a single Tom Dixon melt pendant copper light will look amazing and really set the mood.
Good luck and keep the thread updated with the changes you make.https://www.tomdixon.net/catalog/product/view/id/253/s/melt-pendant-copper-mes01co-peum1/
https://uk.kef.com/products/reference-1-bookshelf-speaker
https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/integrated-amplifiers
https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/gbr/en/products/cx/cxn-v2
M M thanked NassarM M
4 years agoThanks!
@KK1000Those lights look great! I'm not really keen to install another ceiling light just incase I decide to re-arrange the room later and move the dining table to another space. I wonder if they'd work in place of the current ceiling light?
For above the dining table I'm thinking something like this might be easiest
I could place it inline with one of the window beams so it wouldn't be in the way too much. Haven't decided on a style/colour yet but think it could work.
Great idea to add hair pin legs to the TV unit! Thanks :)
@NASA thanks! I do like music but I'd never get the use out of such awesome speakers living in an apartment sadly. That pendant light is so cool!J C
4 years agoBeautiful room and already well curated! For me a gallery wall of a mix of personal photos, and intersting prints in various sizes would look great! Cowhide rug for underneath the dining room?.... just a thought but great shape and hardwearing too.
KK1000
4 years ago
Sam Potter
4 years agoHi Gabby, yep a pack of three plugs and one remote costs £15 at Wilkos. I plugged an extension cord with a further 4 sockets into a couple of the plugs, so I can switch on multiple lights on one side of the room from one button.
Anthony (Beano)
4 years agoAnthony (Beano)
4 years agoM M
4 years agoAnthony (Beano)
4 years agoE D
4 years agoE D
4 years ago
Resh
4 years agoI think that I probably like colour more than you do, from the difference in our living rooms, so I am not suggesting that you do the below. But these are from our house, and an example of how painted period features can look, and a coloured bay window can frame furniture
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#TheLondonHomeDesignAwards · More Infominnie101
4 years agoI remember your room, I love how it's turned out!
i can't photoshop but have added in your arc lamp which I really like. Is there space for a round rug under the table, ideally it would be big enough when the chairs are pulled out? I like the gabbeh suggestion or if not Beano's small, quite muted cowhide should work if it fits as rug rules don't apply! You could just add a decanter and a couple of glasses on the table, it doesn't feel in the way then :) I might also pull the chairs out an inch or so.
If the ceiling light is staying, I'm not sure what you think of a Serage Mouille replica behind the sofa from Swivel which would complement the ceiling one. They are plugs in though but obviously you can move the light when needed over the sofa. I've tried finding a couple of pics of actual ones next to art (not sure the Swivel ones are quite as long btw). i've tried expanding your photos to see your art and failing but i would take a look at Rockett St George, I think there will be a few pieces you like.
The mirror is lovely but I would "widen it" with accessories, maybe 3 mid century vases on the right?
M M thanked minnie101M M
4 years agoCatching up on this thread! Thanks for all the replies. Always really good advice.
@petersmummy thanks! Yeah I'm maybe overthinking what to put on the table haha. Feels like the consensus is to put a rug under the table.
@Resh Thanks! Different opinions are always welcome :) I think you are probably right. It is wood overload. I've went back and forth a few times on painting the windows and panels. I think I ultimately will paint it white to brighten the room, freshen the finish and match the skirting and door. It's just difficult to bring myself to paint over it. Complementing with a different colour could be tricky I think. I'm not so keen on painting the floor or the table. The floor is the same in all the other rooms so I think that keeps things cohesive. The top of the table needs refinished so I could choose a different wood stain. Your home looks amazing!! It's great! I do actually like colour I'm just not sure how to use it haha.
@minnie101 wow that was a while ago! But I got some great advice from you and others that I eventually got round to doing. Thanks for your help! :) I remember how it looked when I first went to view the place. I think its going in the right direction thanks to the help from you guys! (attached some photos)
Thanks for the photoshop pictures! They are really helpful to see how it might look.
Yeah I think there probably is room for a circular or oval rug.
The ceiling light I will likely replace with one of the suggestions above - a brass mobile/sputnik style chandelier. Those wall lamps are pretty awesome! They look great. Would have to be fitted fairly high so people can still use the space behind the sofa to walk to the dining area.
I don't have much in the way of art so far. I have a print of this on the left hand side of the fireplace. Even though it is a fair size it looks a little small on the wall to me next to the surround and large mirror. I'll check that site out thanks. Vases look awesome! I'll give that a go.
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