Fireplace - Don’t know where and if to start
last year
I have just been blessed enough to buy a gorgeous Edwardian coastal house. It has come with many original features from 1910 like tiled flooring, exposed wooden hard floor. It also comes with this rather chunky fireplace. I think it is soothing valuable with solid wood and detailing. But at the same time I find it overbearing in the room, and a bit too chunky. What would you do with this? Help! I have never owned a period property or a property with fireplace. I don’t even know what to think of it!
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My very first apartment - and I don't know what to do with it!
Comments (11)Congratulations on getting such a beautiful first apartment. I'd definitely start with a sofa and 2 chairs, and NOT a loveseat! A lot of us houzzers are anti-loveseat. Two chairs offer so much more flexibility than a loveseat. I'd place the sofa on the wall opposite the fireplace. The two chairs would go in the window with a small table between them. You said you wanted a "big old sofa". I hope that was just a figure of speech as what I think you'd be far better off with is a sofa that is of a nice size, but not too big. I'd look for one with skinny arms so that you have more seating space which is what a sofa is for, after all! A sofa that is 84" long will fit in most homes nicely. Watch the depth of the sofa too as lots of them have gotten far too deep. I'd go 39" deep max. Remember that this is your first apartment, but not your last so stick with pieces that aren't too big. Pay attention to the size of the chairs also. I'd stay under 35" wide, and again with narrow arms. My recommendation would be solid fabrics for both the sofa and the chairs. You can have fun with pattern when you get around to a rug and pillows. You'll also need a coffee table, plus a table to go between the two chairs. I adore the faceted mirror table from West Elm below and would make it a must have. The coffee table below with the marble top is lovely as long as you don't spill red wine on it! Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID...See MoreHelp me do up my bedroom. I don't erm...exactly know what I'm doing :-
Comments (44)HiTino Felly, Marie Here. Your off to a great start - but you've made a common mistake in that you've found your inspiration for your colour palette, but your not committing to it. You need to bring the greens and blues up onto the walls and onto the floor - commit to it. You could: - add a great throw rug underneath the bed, - add big table lamp beside the bed - or better yet, a wall sconce, - drapery isn't really the best choice for this bedding - I would have brought in a bold graphic print here, in either the blue or the green - artwork can stay neutral - even do a collection of mixed metals in chrome, gold, and have fun with that - if you add too much in the blue and green it becomes boring and un-special. Choose your accessories carefully, I'd change out your drapery - go with something bolder, I'd also get a larger night stand so you could put a proper table lamp there. Good Luck!...See MoreLovely bedroom, but don´t know what to do with it. Please help.
Comments (23)HI MARINA, I love your bedroom- great high ceilings. Your furniture is also nice. I would follow the lead from the furniture keeping all furniture white. I love tropical coastal style. I would put up a white ceiling fan and ikea sell some white nets that let in loads of light and give privacy. I would decorate the walls in an off white with a hint of pink in it for warmth and to bring out the tones in your beautiful floor. I would collect local art for the walls. I would go to town on the bedding and cushions for the bed. I would mix your favourite colours- turquoise, teal, with green and coral. Making the room have a tropical coastal beach hotel vibe. I would feel like I was on holiday every day and never want to leave. Once you've surrounded yourself with personal things like photo frames of loved ones, plants/ flowers etc, you will feel right at home and settled. I've loved decorating for years, and tried lots of colours on walls but recently I've returned to off whites as they are so flexible and you can change the look with coloured accessories regular. "2 good books to read are Greg Natale - 'A tailored interior'- He's great, and tells you trade secrets to give your home the wow factor an be your own interior designer. Also anything by Barclay Butera - he's the best for coastal/beach styles. Wishing you lots of fun....See MoreVery small , awkward living room - I don't know where to place things!
Comments (11)Curtains look neutral as does the carpet. Personally I would keep these to start with and paint the walls a mid grey which might sound bold when originally you wanted white but it will be broken up a lot by the windows and kitchen. If it is possible to get rid of the peninsular the kitchen will feel less imposing. Since the kitchen is open to the living room I would be trying to find a cupboard elsewhere to house this although you can get washers with a timer which you can set when you go to bed and they finish as you get up in the morning. Rectangular dining tables work when you have a straight wall perhaps a circular table would be better here. I would use masking tape on the floor to help visualise furniture placement. Try putting a sofa in the middle of the room, with the side to the front door and it facing the opposite corner to the kitchen....See More
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Juliet Docherty