| Author | Message | ||
     Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2913 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hello all! My living room is now just about empty, with the exception of dolls and toys that will soon make their way into the basement or will get donated to charity. It's basically a blank canvas. So help me decorate it! The walls are painted charcoal gray with off-white trim, and there will be a chair rail installed. There is some artwork I'd like to keep in the room, some built-in cabinetry and a newish ceiling fan. I have a few ideas, and I'm not in any rush. I'll be working on furnishing it, dealing with an awkward room layout (windows and archways in not necessarily the bast places). I will post photos so we can get started! | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 444 Registered: 10-2004  |
Hee hee, you know I have to do this, so sorry. Why not a gorgeous desk by the window? Lovely dark woods with a hint of whimsy to it.  | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 445 Registered: 10-2004 |
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| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2464 Registered: 9-2003 |
Jay - listen to me... CHANGING TABLE... look at all the handy dandy compartments for dipes & wipes & lotions & ointments! Just put one of those changing pads on the top and you're golden! sorry shh... now back to your living room... there are a couple of things displayed at the CDF Gallery that would look lovely on grey - not to mention little H's sketch! | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2918 Registered: 5-2001 |
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| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 461 Registered: 10-2004 |
Never a changing table, sorry SO. Did you see my thread on Shari, by the way? Thought you might be happy to hear she got a liver last weekend. (Guess no response response is 'NO', re: Desk in your livingroom, eh VIG? Tee hee)} | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2466 Registered: 9-2003 |
Jay - thanks for sharing that wonderful news.. a bright spot in an otherwise dark week. May she cherish and enjoy every moment she has been granted! We now return you to Shh's living room. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2921 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jay, actually, I moved a folding table with my kids' computer on it from the family room (which I'm trying to make more into a sitting room/library) into the living room, just temporarily anyway. Unfortunately, I only have one large expanse of wall, and I didn't want a desk there, lovely as yours is. | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 465 Registered: 10-2004 |
I know, I was just playing around with you. My nephew punked out on me yesterday, but it's going into the basement very soon. Feel free to use it as a running joke on the board, oh the times we have had..... | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2925 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jay, you make me WANT to find a spot for that desk. Unfortunately... Back to the LR. Here are some pictures. First is from the entry hall (which you've seen in my other reno. thread.) The archway on the right leads to the dining room and you see the family room in the distance.     The third pic. shows the windows that face the front of the house. My trouble spots are the archway to the dining room, because that would be a natural place to put furniture, but the room is not big enough to float a sofa (unless it's very small). The front windows are nice, but to use the fireplace as a focal point any seating will be off balance. The room is about 12 1/2 feet x 16 1/2 feet. The built in to the right of the fireplace is new and holds a tv on the bottom, just for when my kids want to watch a dvd. Eventually Mr. Shh (Mr. Virtual It Girl?) wants to get a flat screen for above the mantle, but I see no reason to make the tv a focal point. | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 466 Registered: 10-2004 |
Nice room, funny thing, I think it's the same color as my livingroom. Is it a mossy green? I guess it's a pretty popular color amoung those with good taste. Mr. VIG sounds like my kind of man, I want a flat screen over the mantlepiece as well (unfortunately, Mrs. Jay has other ideas). Is the room totally empty now? What is in it? What sort of pieces do you invision putting in there? | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2926 Registered: 5-2001 |
The room now is exactly as you see it. I took the pictures today! It used to have this beautiful (but oversized) sofa, chair and ottoman. The color is a dark gray, but has a sandy texture to it. The trim is off white and the ceiling is a light sand color. Not sure exactly how I want to use the space. Our family room (the red room to the back of the photos, off the dining room) has a nice sectional (is that an oxymoron?), leather ottoman and chaise and I moved this tibetan rug from the living room there. I also have my computer there (here) and the kids' computer, but I moved the kids into the living room for a little breathing room. I am working on a built-in desk area in the family room. The living room is almost like a bonus room for us. I move from room to room depending on the time of day (natural light). I think I'd like it to be a little more formal, a place we could sit with friends and have a drink or appetizers, but not too stuffy. It would be the perfect place for a piano if the girls take lessons. Maybe a few comfy club chairs and a loveseat, but I don't know. | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 469 Registered: 10-2004 |
(I think my desk....no, I'm not going there) It looks like it gets alot of sunlight, have you thought about some hanging or standing plants? Every think of putting a bar in there with stools? (To go with your entertaining idea) | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2928 Registered: 5-2001 |
It's a southern exposure, so it's nice in there in the afternoon. I do have a few small plants in there. I don't think a bar would work. We have a peninsula in the kitchen with stools, it would seem a little repetitive (not such a big house). | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 4921 Registered: 5-2001  |
I cannot stand the new fad of the plasma over the fireplace. IMHO, it screams "look what I bought"!. It's definitely a testosterone thing. Fireplaces are warm, inviting. An invitation to cuddle or sit and gaze at the flames, thinking deep thoughts. A TV is, well, not. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 1103 Registered: 8-2003  |
shh - contemplating piano lessons, are ya? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8900 Registered: 1-2003  |
I don't "get" your new name, shh. Whence? | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3930 Registered: 5-2001  |
I'd start with trying two big comfy "club" chairs flanking the fireplace. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7083 Registered: 4-1997  |
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| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3931 Registered: 5-2001 |
Perfect! And the fact they are like tilt-a-whirl is a bonus! Two more to make a foursome with a couple of side tables and the guests won't go home! | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2467 Registered: 9-2003 |
oooohhh I love these games! ... lets see... Dave changed the picture about the fireplace, took off the do-dads on the mantle, removed the vacuum and area rug, and added two chairs. What'd I miss? | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2929 Registered: 5-2001 |
Love the chairs Dave! I was thinking armless, but that's my color. Dislike the beige walls though, and I like the art I currently have over the fireplace! (But it's just leaning, it needs to be hung.) That's almost exactly what I was thinking, but not sure if 4 chairs would work for my family of 5. That's why I was thinking a loveseat opposite. Tom, the name change has to do with Me&theboys thread about "if you were not married." Remember, she picked YOU. Jay mentioned me  , Hank was jealous and somehow Pippi called me a virtual It Girl, so I changed my name. (Temporarily, til the next muse comes along!) | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2930 Registered: 5-2001 |
He also took out the ceiling fan. I know, I know, but it's new and works really well. The paint and ceiling fan are staying. Everything else is open to discussion! | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 304 Registered: 10-2003 |
VIG, Cynicaldaughter is working on ideas to decorate my flat. Maybe you could have her over for a consult? | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 470 Registered: 10-2004 |
Love your virtual living room, VIG. Only problem, those chairs look like they are floating. Nice work though, Dave. I want to back up two pictures and ask you, what is that a painting of? A monk? Pardon my ignorance, by the way. Keep VIG and those shoes, "Don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me...." | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2931 Registered: 5-2001 |
Las, I have a degree in Interior Design (whatever that means!). I just like working through my issues online. Jay, Dave did a good quickie photoshop job, that's why the chairs are floating! The large pic. is supposedly Nostradamus. I love it and hope to keep it. (Mostly cause it's so odd.) | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7084 Registered: 4-1997 |
My chairs float. That's why they cost more. The painting is an abstract work. (monk?) | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2932 Registered: 5-2001 |
No, this monk Dave.  Tried this but these chairs are too modern. The ones I saw at NM Last Call were PERFECT!  | ||
| something witty Citizen Username: Buckneja Post Number: 170 Registered: 1-2003  |
I think we have the very same ceiling fan! I love your floors, and the choice of red-family chairs looks nice. As for the 4-not-5 issue of the chairs, I was one of 6 kids and there was always someone who wanted the floor anyway. If you pick up some nicely covered BIG pillows they'd do a fine job as an impropmtu seating space. 'Specially if the tv is low to the floor (as it appears to be in the cabinet). THIS IS FUN! | ||
| doulamomma Citizen Username: Doulamomma Post Number: 524 Registered: 3-2002 |
What about these from MOMA design store? Pricey, but really comfortable & cool looking...  | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7086 Registered: 4-1997 |
"floris" by gunterbelzig, 1967 | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2933 Registered: 5-2001 |
DoulaM, definitely not. I like an eclectic mix but those would not go with any of my stuff. (As much as I like them.) SWitty, my husband is now saying a TV WILL go over the mantle, and I can take it down but he will put it up when he wants to watch. I am still totally against it, we'll see who wins this one. (I am guessing me because he's cheap and won't want to buy a decent flat screen until prices go way down.) Floor cushions are a cute idea, nice box cushions sitting in the corner, we'll see. Still not sure what exactly we want to do with the room, even though I kinda know how I want it to look. | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2468 Registered: 9-2003 |
shh - I've see flat screens above mantles, but in one instance the person cleverly conceled it with artwork mounted to sliding hardware. Seems it might be a good compromise - you can get a nice new piece of artwork while Mr. Shh gets his flatscreen. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7092 Registered: 4-1997 |
We have a copy of Emerson's blog (aka complete journals) on the mantle. A television or Tivo has yet to topple it as king of the hill. Totally choosing a volume and page at random: Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson 1820-1876, Vol IX, pp. 206-207. Hougton Mifflin Co., 1913.
What's on your mantle? So that we don't interrupt the blog, please head this way to the new "mantle" topic: /discus/messages/10210/86539.html?1123556317 | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2937 Registered: 5-2001 |
SOL, yes, that's what Mr. Shh suggested. I am not worrying about it too much yet, because as I said, it's not inexpensive and he tends to be frugal with stuff like that. Dave, I was thinking maybe a low bookcase all along the window wall for books and knick knacks, esp. if the chairs float. I can put my Limited Editions there. Of course, with the red club chairs I will need to find a perfect round ottoman or table. Something a little whimsical, not too heavy, large enough to be able to hold a tray of nibbles but not too precious to put your feet up. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1662 Registered: 9-2003  |
Ikea has some round coffee tables, and ottoman things. You wouldn't mind kids messing them up! | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2938 Registered: 5-2001 |
That's the thing. Do I buy something kinda junky now so I don't care if it gets messed up, or do I go for better quality and hope it lasts through their adolescence? I don't want to spend $1500 on a few chairs and have to toss them in a few years, but I certainly don't want to spend $4000 on chairs and have to toss them in a few years! | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3932 Registered: 5-2001 |
One more reason to nix the tv over the mantle...Mr shh will get a crink in his neck if he watches a tv that is above mantle height. just a thought. I think the tv ought to be closer to eye level (or just above) for ultimate viewing. jmo. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2939 Registered: 5-2001 |
Ffof, not if he's in a la-z-boy recliner...  | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2471 Registered: 9-2003 |
oh.. shh... say it isn't so! |
