| Author | Message | ||
     ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3936 Registered: 5-2001  |
okay - more ammo - wide-screen televisions (and lazboys) are for the family room/den, not the living room. Consider that itis the living room that guests see first when they walk in. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2942 Registered: 5-2001 |
Trust me, I was joking about the la-z-boy. I would NEVER allow such a thing. Since our family room is TV less because it's pretty open to the dining room, I don't mind a tv in there if it's hidden. But truth of the matter is, when my family comes over I do not want people watching tv anywhere on the first floor, it's just not big enough and the tv noise kills any ambiance. (Esp. because my dad is hard of hearing and he puts the volume so high.) That's why we keep the tv in the basement family room. (Which needs revamping as well after 6 years of abuse.) We also have a tv in the sitting room section of our bedroom and that's where we generally watch movies or anything together. | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3938 Registered: 5-2001 |
phew! Now there'll be room for some floating red chairs! | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2955 Registered: 5-2001 |
Well, I worked out a floor plan. 4 small scale floating red chairs will work just fine! I was thinking perhaps a small loveseat, but chairs will work much better. I think tha's a great solution for this room. A low bookcase along the window wall would work well too, maybe even really low, for overflow seating. Then he catches me! At the table with my graph paper, tape measure and little paper cutouts! His eyes look at me...what has she been up to, this wife of mine? My husband proceeds to inform me he thinks the living room should be the ballroom, where we dance. No need for seating, he likes it empty. Also, since our front hall is kind of small and narrow, it's good to keep it open. Ok, I do love the open feeling, and if it could serve as a front parlor, well I think that's grand. But empty? A ballroom? I will get chairs by Christmas! Ballroom be damned! | ||
| Barbara Citizen Username: Blh Post Number: 532 Registered: 5-2001  |
OOO, but have that ball before you put furniture in. What fun. I love to waltz! | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2956 Registered: 5-2001 |
Well in that case Barbara, maybe the next F2F will be a dance at my house! | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 499 Registered: 10-2004  |
Is your dance card filled, m'lady? Maybe you can make it into a place for duck pin bowling after your through? | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2960 Registered: 5-2001 |
Wha? I'm a skeeball girl. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 1115 Registered: 8-2003  |
hey - if you have the F2F at your place, I'll help out. I'd do it, but with that open room, you got more space than we do! also, right now, we have unknown bugs  | ||
| jem Citizen Username: Jem Post Number: 1367 Registered: 5-2001 |
I posted something about your living room in the renovation highlights thread, silly me. Saw some chairs..... | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2963 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks Jem. I saw that and posted too. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 1117 Registered: 8-2003 |
jem - who could blame you? who would expect one person to have TWO renovation blogs??!!  | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2967 Registered: 5-2001 |
I know, I know...I just thought the living room deserved it's own space. | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 321 Registered: 10-2003 |
VIG, may I seek your expertise re a sofa? (am I allowed to post here?) | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2976 Registered: 5-2001 |
Of course! | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 322 Registered: 10-2003 |
I've never posted photos before, so here goes:  This is a similar sofa to the one I purchased for my flat (from Crate and Barrel). I chose it because (i) I like the airiness of the legs off the ground; (ii) I thought the wooden frame might be a deterrent to cat scratching. I love the way it looks, but it is just not snugglable (low arms). So...  I just ordered this chair and ottoman (also Crate & Barrel) in a rich red with fine orange/gold/green striped slipcover. It should be here in about six years. The sofa has to go, but I just don't know what to get in it's place. Do you need to know anything about the room? Or do you magically have a vision and will post a photo of my future sofa? Many thanks, Dear! L. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 1118 Registered: 8-2003 |
las - I love the chair! six years isn't that long...  | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2977 Registered: 5-2001 |
Without seeing the scale of the room, windows, etc, it's difficult to comprehend. Can I come over one day and see? (I'll be on vaca. this coming week, but perhaps one evening the following week? My older girls are in cheerleading so I can leave the youngest home with my husband for an hour or so.) I would love to try and help, just for fun of course. (And for the end result of a lovely room.) Do you already have that sofa? What are you going to do with it? | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 323 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bring the little one - she can chase the cats around and play the piano. I do have the sofa (slightly different than the photo). Don't know what I'll do with it (do you want? It really is lovely, just not right for me at this time. Actually, does anyone want the sofa?). Practically brand new, sat in maybe twice. I'll try to wait the week until our 'consult', but you know what it's like when you set your mind on something (gotta have it NOW!). Also, VIG, you should know, I only like natural fiber stuffings and fabrics and I'm not a big fan of slipcovers that skirt the ground ('tho my chair will have a skirt - it was just so comfy I couldn't care less!) I also don't have a table or chairs. Or a desk. But I do have a style of some sort, so you might be able to take a hint from the few pieces I have. Maybe we can barter babysitting for decorating?... | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 2233 Registered: 6-2001  |
Careful when you say desk around here...jay may be lurking  | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 324 Registered: 10-2003 |
I almost put in a remark about that, but he's GOT to be over it by now... | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2979 Registered: 5-2001 |
Las, what color is the sofa you do not want? Do you know how big it is? I think it will be fun. I like limits, so all those likes/dislikes will help us narrow down what will work. I will email you the week of the 20th to discuss. P.S. Graph paper and tape measure are crucial! I will never buy a large piece of furniture without them again! | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 1119 Registered: 8-2003 |
can I come over and watch? Also, I always have 2 cents to offer, if you need them.  | ||
| redY67 Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 2905 Registered: 2-2003  |
VIG sounds ideal with the red chairs. Any ideas where you can find ones you like? | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2980 Registered: 5-2001 |
I don't think it will be tough to find them. If I want to go cheap, Overstock.com has them (the ones in my photoshop job, plus another one) or I can try NM Last call for the expensive ones I loved, or check out any of the North Carolina direct places. I've never purchased leather furniture though. Might even decide against leather and go for an ultrasuede or velvet kind of fabric. TBD... | ||
| redY67 Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 2909 Registered: 2-2003 |
I have the ultrasuede in red we got from Huffman Koos awhile back. Unfortunately with 2 kids, it doesn't stay all that clean. We have had it cleaned twice already (the stains come out). | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 325 Registered: 10-2003 |
The current sofa is approx. 80 inches. It is cotton, a muslin color with a nutmeg pinstripe. The cushions are down-wrapped cotton. It has three cushions. It would be perfect for a sun parlor. I'll make a cut out of the chair/ottoman-to-be for placement purposes (unless, Pippi, do you want to play the role of the chair?)...  | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 1120 Registered: 8-2003 |
I usually make a better doormat, but I could try chair for a change...  | ||
| redY67 Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 2910 Registered: 2-2003 |
 | ||
| Mrs T Citizen Username: Netjack Post Number: 204 Registered: 12-2004 |
Just a note for all: the Macy's on Rt22 is having a rug clearance tent sale, 75% off!! Looked like nice rugs. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2981 Registered: 5-2001 |
Las, Pippi, sounds like a (soon TBD) date! | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 1121 Registered: 8-2003 |
can I bring mojitos?? | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 327 Registered: 10-2003 |
No need - I've got the cat trained to turn on the blender when he hears the door bell. (Sadly, without opposable thumbs he has some difficulty filling the glasses, but we are working on that.) Have fun at the rug sale, Mrs. T! | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 3140 Registered: 5-2001 |
Now that I have ordered my family room desk I can think about my living room. Have I told you about my desk? Oh... It began life as 5 unfinished wood components, a 3 foot wide double door cabinet, a 4 foot desk, and filing cabinet with 3 drawers. These 3 units will form the approx. 8 foot wide base and have a common desktop. On top, on either side of a window, will be hutches that extend from the desktop to the crown moulding. All will be painted black and have brushed nickel bin pulls and knobs. I should be able to store most of my books and supplies, and eventually get organized. I decided on black because I am going for a warm, cozy library feel. The walls are red so I didn't want to do a dark stain on the wood. The black is very me. I am excited! For the living room I had been thinking of red leather armless chairs. I think I am not going to do the red leather, but off-white washable slipcovers or Sunbrella fabric. I think it will be cozier and more comfy than the leather, and keep the room looking bright. I am still thinking of a big leather ottoman in the center though, and possibly a small antiquey looking settee for a little eclecticism and extra seating. First though, I am researching the chairs. My online search has found the usual suspects (PB, C&B, etc.) but what looks the most promising is carolinachair.com. I had a beautiful custom sectional built by them a few years ago and they have lots of options, including slipcovers and washable, durable family friendly fabrics. I sent them an email to see what they felt would work well as floating chairs, which have to look good from all angles. We shall see... | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 828 Registered: 10-2004 |
Did somebody say they needed a desk ????? | ||
| Jim Murphy Citizen Username: Jimmurphy Post Number: 236 Registered: 5-2001 |
OK VIG, I promised photos of my built-in desk from Kraftmaid cabinets a while back, but had technical difficulties. I finally figured out how to resize my photos to get them to upload. I know you already ordered the desk but I thought I should follow through. Maybe the desktop will give you some ideas. Color's a little funky on the last one. Sorry it took me so long. -Jim    | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 3186 Registered: 5-2001 |
really beautiful. Thanks for sharing. What was that archway originally for? The tile looks great too. Are the cabinets on the right also the Kraftmaid? I think you really managed to give it a real Craftsman feel. Thanks again for posting. | ||
| Jim Murphy Citizen Username: Jimmurphy Post Number: 239 Registered: 5-2001 |
The archway was an entrance at some point. The cabinets to the right were my first foray into custom cabinetry - built 'em myself. Thanks for the compliments. Sorry I didn't get the pics posted back when I promised. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 3189 Registered: 5-2001 |
Was the brick and the window there when it was an entry? It's ok, I am happy with my choice because it will fit almost like a built-in but we won't have to cut out mouldings and stuff. It's nice to see what other people have done along the same lines. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 3193 Registered: 5-2001 |
So, I have been hard at work selecting chairs for the living room. Though I thought I might go cheap, I decided I would feel better spending a little more on higher quality chairs. I am going to customize armless chairs from Carolinachair.com. They will look something like this.  Fabric is TBD, but I know I am going to use a Sunbrella washable fabric in a cream/off-white color. I will get 4 of those chairs and a big round ottoman instead of a cocktail table. The chairs will be able to be pushed together if we are having extra guests and need to use two loveseats instead of 4 chairs. Ahh, I love flexibility! I decided on the cream instead of the red leather because I want the room to feel more open and bright. Our family room has deep red walls and darker furnishings and I wanted to contrast that. Plus I was concerned about the leather scratching and being less comfy than fabric. |
