Leigh's Question #1

• Hi,
  
  I just found your site and it looks great! I’m needing some direction. We just purchase a house that was renovated about 3 years ago and has a Tuscan feel to it because of fixtures, tile, wooden floors, and faux finish walls. But, in the kitchen (photos attached) I’m wondering what could be done to really give it that warm, Tuscan kitchen feel, even more than it is? Or is anything else really needed?
  
  
  Can you help me??
  
  THANK YOU!!!!

Leigh

Dear Leigh,

Let me start by saying that you have a beautiful home. I have broken up your questions, to answer them in different posts- this one is just for your kitchen. What a good question. You can look at your kitchen and see that is has beautiful cabinets, lovely granite counters, gorgeous wood floors, a beautiful travertine backsplash, and faux painted walls. And yet, even with all of that, you still don't look at it and say, "wow! that is a fabulous kitchen!" And so, you ask, "What am I missing?"

Contrast, Texture, and Scale. This is what we need to really make the room look amazing.

• Contrast. Your cabinets are a medium tone, your counters are a medium tone, your backsplash is a medium tone, your walls are a medium tone and your light fixtures are a medium tone. Your floors, thankfully, are dark. Let's add some contrast!! The wallpaper below is from Ronald Redding, Designer Backgrounds. (Did I mention thta I am in LOVE with this book?) A rich dark tone like this would make ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!! Get rid of the chair rail. It is too whimpy :)


• Texture. You have a nice texture in your backsplash, but your room could use some more. This could be done with furniture, like the table below from Padma's Plantation. Also- a nice big plant on the table adds a lot.

• Scale. Your wrought iron is too small for your wall when you don't have furniture against the wall. Your wall art should have a relationship with the wall size itself. The piece below is from House in the Country. It is available in a lot of different sizes. Even their largest won't be quite large enough for your wall- I would add a sconce to each side. A piece like this is also a nice choice because the wrapped canvas will CONTRAST with the dark wall. (A wrought iron or dark wood frame would not.) It has some of the cooler tones of your cabinets and backsplash, and some of the warmer tones of your granite.

Your kitchen is beautiful- but you can make it fabulous! Contrast, texture and scale!

Wallpaper Wednesday

OK- I am having a love affair with my new wallpaper books. My husband complained that I was more excited over these new books then I am about him lately. (He has a cold- I am keeping my distance for health reasons:) I received 10 new ones last week- I just can't get enough! I could look at them all day long!! I chose wallpaper books over "Wipe Out" last night! (Which is a very funny show- for those of you who think you are too sophisticated to watch such programs.) They are SOOOO fabulous!! (Back to wallpaper- not Wipe Out) My baby was slobbering on them yesterday, and I tried to teach him, "RESPECT THE PAPER!!" The one at the top of the post is my favorite for today. (My favorite changes every time I open the books). I love the subtlety of it- sometimes when wallpaper is too busy it makes it difficult to hang wall art. (Busy papers do have their place!) I just love this one- it is from Ronald Redding- Designer Backgrounds. I think I am in love!

For My Husband's Cousin's Wife

A few weeks ago, I went to a family reunion in Idaho, on my husband's side of the family. The reunion was at my husband's cousin's beautiful home. I got to talking to his wife about their basement, which she was wanting to make some changes to. I have been working on it this week. Today's post is my advice for her. She has a large open basement. It is used in part for her Pilates. (she has her own reformer- how cool is that!) The basement is also used for TV watching, children playing, and sometimes the entire area is used for large gatherings.

In a large area like your basement, it works well to visually break it up. One way to do this is with an area rug. Under the seating area, put an area rug (get a nice large 9 x 12). This is also a good place to start with a color pallet. Find an area rug that you love. The one pictured above is from Momeni's Odyssey collection. This is a great place to start. From here you have colors and a style to use in furnishings, wall color, wall art, everything else.

Hang the TV on the wall in between the two windows. (OH- yeah- first get a flat screen TV if you don't have one already.) Under the TV- put a media cabinet like the one above, from West Elm.

Find, or have made, some nice, simple drapery panels. Pull them to the outside of the windows, farthest from the TV- so the wall will go like this: drapery, window, TV, window, drapery. Use the SAME drapery to create a room divider, where your room separates. Get a drapery rod that is ceiling mounted, in an L- shape, like the floor plan that I drew for you. Here you can have the drapery pulled, to create a more intimate, spa atmosphere in the Pilates section, but easily pull it open along the wall when you want to open up the room, and use it as one. Make sure the drapes are to the floor- otherwise this look will be more like a shared hospital room, :) rather than a luxurious spa, and soft living area. You can also partially open it and draw it back on a hook for a great look on an everyday basis. I hope that was clear; let me know if it wasn't. Select a fabric that looks good from both sides, or have double sided drapes made. The photograph is of Restoration Hardware's textured Belgian Linen drapes. Frequently a linen material looks good from both sides, and would work well in a situation like this.

At the end of the room, where the wall angles, mimicking the shape of the bay window on the floor above, have a built-in bench made, to follow the line of the wall. Have it be chair height, with lift up storage for children's toys, blankets, etc. When you use the room for large gatherings, a bench can serve as a good amount of seating. In front of the bench, put two 36 inch tables, side by side, like the drawing. Use two tables instead of one big one for a few reasons:

1. It is a different, unexpected, a cool look.


2. One table can be pulled out and all four chairs put around it for a great card game.


3. When you need to clear the area of the tables for large gatherings, it will be less cumbersome, and easier to move.

This table (above) pictured is from West Elm. It also comes in chocolate.

At your two tables use this Legato Tub chair from Padma's Plantation. Isn't it great? When you walk down the stairs, and look across the room- this is what you are going to see- the back of these chairs. and your large piece of art- what a great view. (I would have them upholstered in a more practical fabric color.)

The far wall, above the built-in bench and two tables, will need a nice large piece or collection of art. This piece below is from Uttermost, (Landscape with Trees) and is a large 80 x 42. Something this size would be great.
Select a great sectional- the largest one you can comfortably fit. You want it to seat a lot of people, as well as fill the space. Check out the Bixby by Nathan Anthony. (I can send you fabrics if you want). Nathan Anthony is a great source for sectionals. They have a lot to choose from- and very cool styles. (as well as great prices)

For a "coffee table"- use two Congo drum end tables, from Padma's Plantation. Approx- 24 x 24 x 28 each. This will add texture and be a great height for your large sectional.

You have a long wall to your right, as you enter your large room. Long walls are just asking to be "broken up". One way to do this is by putting a console table on part of the wall. I am suggesting the portion of the wall in the "Pilates" area. (The one above is the Tanner Console table form Pottery Barn.) I liked how it had stools under it, giving you extra seating for your large groups. You then hang something (perhaps a mirror- the one below is Bahari- by Uttermost 39 x 43) above the console, and then treat the other part of the wall separately, perhaps with a grouping of family photos, like I talked about in this post. Notice that I have a single item above the console, and a grouping on the wall beside it. This can be reversed, with one large picture on the wall, (make sure it is large enough) and a grouping over the console- but don't have two groupings on the same wall.

In your Pilates area- you have a set of bookcase wall-units that you said were keepers, as they were built by a family member. Perhaps, however, you could have them painted, and update the hardware. (Wood guys cringe at this- is the family member still alive?) This would give the unit a more updated clean look, consistent of our "spa-Pilates" atmosphere that we have created. Decorate the wall unit with candles, pottery, well-chosen clean books, plants, and sculpture. Give it a very deliberate, beautiful spa type look. This is the type of thing I feel like I need to do for my clients. Maybe I need to come back to Idaho for a visit :) Also- add a comfortable chair and floor lamp, giving a more intimate area for reading or studying. Add some plants: a large one in the Pilates section, and two matching ones on the two tables in the other are. Add a floor lamp next to the sectional, and two sconces above the console table. Add directional eyeball lights: two above the wall unit, one above the art by the two tables, and one above the collection of photos. For the best look, replace your florescents with can lighting (on a dimmer- for best TV watching) Put an up-light by your large plant, have it on a timer, so it comes on and goes off every evening. Your lighting MAKES your atmosphere! Don't just have overhead lighting. Feel free to ask any questions, or call me. (since you're family and all :)

I Gave Unsolicited Advice

First of all- I want to mention that I have EXCELLENT oral hygiene. I floss everyday. How many of you can say that? Really! And I have a very expensive toothbrush- so that must mean it is good.

Anyway-- Yesterday I went to the dentist to have 5 cavities filled. It was horrible. I got new insurance, so I thought I would try a new dentist, as now I can go anywhere- not just to a specific list. (At my last office- I saw a different dentist every time I went there- I found that annoying- I wanted consistency). So- I chose the geographically closest dentist. (Not the best way to choose a dentist- but..)

Anyway- I showed up on-time to my appointment, after picking up my babysitter- ($7/ hour here- I only got $1 an hour when I was her age). After getting in my dentist chair, and having my mouth numbed on both upper sides- I waited. No problem- I had brought a book. I finished my book, and waited some more... and more..... and more... It was over an HOUR before the dentist returned to work on me. What's up with that? They clearly had overbooked the office. I hate it when my time is disregarded as so unimportant.

Then, they tell me that one of my teeth (#13) needs an onlay (where a previous cavity had failed)- but my insurance won't cover an onlay- only a crown. (Which my tooth doesn't need) SO- If I want an onlay (i.e., if I don't want an ugly unsightly crown) it will cost me $700. How stupid is that!! If the insurance is going to pay x dollars- why don't they just pay that toward an onlay!!!! I don't want a crown- AND I don't want to pay $700. I was annoyed. I told them to skip that tooth. I just didn't trust these people. (I saw on the news last week how dental offices were charging for unnecessary work- screwing people over- I started to wonder if it was happening to me. Did I mention that I have EXCELLENT oral hygiene! And 6 months ago I had NO cavities!)

So- he starts working on my mouth- and while he is, a girl comes in and lets the dentist know that the other patient he is working on (somehow at the same time- I guess she is waiting like I was) - is in a hurry- and needs to be somewhere by 4:30. SO - you know what he is doing now- right- he is stressed and he is hurrying on my mouth! These are my teeth. My teeth are the canvass - he is the artist. He should be striving to create a thing of beauty- perfection- but I know he is not- he is hurrying!!! He is rushing!!! He is hurting me!! Hey- I think the Novocaine has started to wear off- ( no doubt because of the HOUR wait!) He is forcing this thing in between my teeth and it is KILLLING me!!! He asks if I am OK- I lie- what is he going to do- give me more Novocaine, and make me wait another hour!!! Just the process of getting the shot hurts too! Why does a shot take 5 minutes!!! So- now, he is involved in 2 teeth, and has 2 more to do (I already told him to skip #13 for today... 13 hmmmm) So- then I tell him- just stop after the two he was working on. I can't saty- I have to be somewhere. (LIE- I had already missed Pilates- I had no plans. I just didn't trust him, and felt like he was stressed and hurrying on my mouth. I thought he would do a sloppy job.) I told him I would have the other ones done when I came back for #13. (LIE!! I had decided that I was never SETTING FOOT IN THERE AGAIN!). He told me that the lower cavities were very small (I know- I could not even SEE them on the x-ray!) He told me that he could do them in 5 minutes. (Are you kidding me!! These are my TEETH! My only set!!!! I don't want a 5 minute cavity filling!!!! ) No- I said, I'll do them when I come back. (LIE- NEVER COMING BACK!!!!)

So now, I am so mad at this place. I think they are awful!! I have decided that I am never ever ever returning, and I want to let them know how horrible they are. I want to tell them- your establishment SUCKS! You should not overbook!!! You should respect me, my time, my teeth!!! However- I am a very non-confrontational type of person. I never let anyone know how I feel when I am dissatisfied. My food is horrible in a restaurant- "Everything's great- thanks!" I say with a smile. Have bad service- serve me- I won't say anything (until later when I tell all of my friends). So- THIS time- I think- I am going to say something! And I did!!! I go to check out and I say to the lady at the front desk,

"Your art work in here is awful."

"Huh?"

"Ya- it is bad. You have these nice floors... "

(their floors were a real slate- they were OK- their art work was cheesy floral and house prints from thirty years ago with cheesy matting that was actually part of the picture- with cheesy oak frames)

"But your art work looks like it came from the 80's. And- it is to small for the wall space."

"Uhh-- ok", she looked at me strangely.

And so I did ! In my own interior designer sort of way, I told them what I thought of their place!!

And then I took my fat lips, and went next door and had my nails done. My French manicure looks VERY nice.

Sofa/ Sofa, Love/ Love but NOT Sofa/Love

Stop buying sofa/love seat combinations!! Why do furniture stores insist on carrying them still? (Notice that the nicer stores don't.) There is always a better design solution. If you want an L-shape, get a smart looking sectional. You need a lot of seating? Get two sofas. This is a great look! It is symmetrical, it has balance, it looks great. Get two love seats. It is quaint, it doesn't have that dreaded "middle" seat that no one wants to sit in, and so the cushion never wears at the same pace as its neighbor cushions. Get a sofa and two chairs, a love seat and two chairs, get four or five chairs, a sectional and a chair or two, a sofa with a chaise, and a chair. BUT DO NOT GET THE SOFA/LOVE! I can't tell you exactly why, I just don't like it, and so I have looked around, to see if I was alone, and of course, I am not. I have NEVER in my design publications, seen a photographed room with a sofa/love (that was not an advertisement). Go to a large bookstore, check for yourself, look at all of the design magazines. Let me know if you find one- (but I know you won't). The combination is lopsided, BORING, over-done- and as I said before, there is always a better solution. I am in a bit of a crabby mood today- I sure am using a lot of CAPS.

Have a good one!

- Christine

Photo- Southern Accents July/ Sugust 2008, Designer: Barbara Westbrook

White Wash

Interior Design, like fashion design, goes through cycles, where popular looks from the past come back again, but always with a twist. In the 80's- White washed oak was

ABC Wednesday Z is for Zebra Rug

When I was young and fresh out of college, I had a design client who was all about the safari prints. A zebra chair, giraffe print drapes, and a leopard rug. I call her a client, and yet, she was the designer. She simply told me what she wanted, and I went and found it for her. She would purchase anything she found that was a "skin" pattern of some kind.
Lady whose name I forgot- this post is for you. I just wanted to let you know, as I should have 10 years ago- that your place really does not look good. WAY over-the-top is not glamorous, it is just "over-the-top".

This photo is from my Decor magazine (summer 2008), San Francisco designer: Kendall Wilkinson. She does a wonderful job using this Zebra rug- and I am going to tell you why it works so well.

1. There is no "theme" going on here. I am not a fan of "theme" rooms. Maybe in a child's bedroom- sure-but nowhere else. A "theme: is not the same as a "style". (Styles should be consistent with architecture.) A room can have a "Global Ethnic" style to it- but that is different than a "safari" theme. A room can have a "Tuscan" style to it, which is different than a "wine" theme. Themes are for theme parks.
2. Notice that she didn't try to "match" the rug to anything. In fact, I don't even see another trace of black or white in the room. A piece like this is the same as wearing leopard shoes. You don't only wear them with brown and black dresses- you wear them with any color. They match nothing, and so they match everything.
3. There is no competition of pattern. With the use of pattern, as a general rule, a room can have one large, one medium, and one small. If it is a very large room, you can double up with two of each. This is a general rule, one that most good designers don't consciously consider, and yet naturally just do. If, in this room, there was another loud large bold pattern, safari or not, it would tend to "compete" with the zebra rug. Notice how she has the large rug pattern, some medium patterns in the pillows, and a small subtle tone on tone in her sisal carpet. Large, medium, small. They all add interest, and yet do not compete. (Stop- take a look at your living room- analyze your use of pattern. If something is not quite right, and this is out of check- that is a good place to start. ) Remember the use of way too many small prints with the "French Provincial" craze in the 90's. Balance.
   

Kendall says, "Every room should have a moment, a dramatic chair in the corner, or a really striking piece of photography- something that grabs your attention right away." Go- carefullly craft your "moment" in your favorite room.

Happy ABC Wednesday- for more "Z" pictures- go to Mrs. Nesbitt :)

Baby Lilian's Nursury

• 
  
  I just stumbled across your blog and love your thoughts! Thanks for sharing, and of course I have a room I need desperate help with. My daughter is 6 months old and we are currently renting, therefore her room is combined with the guest room, the walls cannot be painted, etc. It is now just a mish mash of small things I liked here and there crammed in the room with the guest bed. In a few months we are moving into a house where she will have her own room (finally!). I would like to use bright orange and pink but I don't want it to be obnoxious. I like the shabby chic style, but not sure that jives with hot pink and bright orange. The only thing I'm pretty sure I want to do is have a shelf all the way around the room at 3/4 height. Other than that, I'm not sure if I want to paint all the walls, one accent wall, just decorative paint or a mural...My main problem so far has been finding bedding. Crib bedding was impossible to find something I liked that incorporated the orange and pink but wasn't too "baby". So I ended up with the Lullaby Dreams set which is okay for now, but just that. I can sew and made her curtains in the current room. If I find great fabric, I can make a duvet cover for her twin bed, but I just can't find fabric or sheets that I love, let alone crib bedding.I do have a few items now that I wish to use in the new room (pink and orange suitcases, piggy bank, star tin, princess ballerina print, bow board) and will attach pictures of those. I would like to have all these things on the shelf at the 3/4 height as to keep away from the cluttered look. I love all things pink & orange, star shaped and paisley, and I I've just grabbed whatever matched any of those descriptions here and there and don't have a cohesive theme. I desperately want one though. I want it to look designer, but not "no touch". Her crib is cherry wood, sleigh style, with a changing table attached. As soon as she grows out of this it will be re-purposed in the guest room as the headboard and footboard (the only reason we chose cherry wood rather than white or cream), but for now it will be in her room along with the twin bed. The furniture for her new room is furniture my great-great-aunt purchased after her husband died. It will be painted, and given new pulls before being put in her room. My first thought is to paint it all hot pink, but I'm thinking a cream or white would be better. She currently has a plain white dresser and toy box that can either stay in her new room or go. Help please!!! As you can see, it's all just a mishmash of thoughts right now and not one cohesive theme. Pictures are located in an album here http://picasaweb.google.com/StaceyBrill/LilliansNewRoom?authkey=NXdJLQNDVFg.
  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Dear Stacey,
  
  
  
  I will try to break it down for you and answer your questions and concerns.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • You would like to use bright pink and orange, but don't want it to be obnoxious. No problem- just tone it down in other areas, and keep bright orange and pink off the walls (except in small doses) . Your pink and orange items that you have right now are cute, and your nursery is going to look great!
  
  
  
  
  
  • You want to put a shelf all the way around the room, at 3/4 height. I am tempted to photograph my girl's room for you, but I am a perfectionist, and I don't have my paneling up, so it just looks too unfinished. However, let me tell you what I am doing, as I think it would work great in your nursery. I had a mural painted all the way around the room , only the top 2 feet of the room. It is darling. My plan (this part is not done)- is to add paneling to the rest of the wall. This would work great for you for a couple of reasons. First of all- your colors are too bright for the main part of the wall. Use white (or a shade of white) on the main wall, and only have your bright colors on the upper part. This same look can be accomplished with a wallpaper, or wall applique kit again just hung on the top part of the room. It would also look cool to have an enlarged version of your drapery fabric painted around the top part of the room.
  
  
  
  
  
  • If you are going to have a shelf around the room- you have to have crown moulding. This will separate the ceiling color from the wall color also. I would put your ceiling back in a white (the same as your main wall color). Add a fun chandelier, with something decorative around it. In my girls' new room, I have put little polk-a-dots around the chandelier. In the room I posted on this blog, I had a simple decorative fleur-de-lis painted around the chandelier. On this use the bright pink and orange.
  
  
  
  
  • Do not have a shelf around the entire room, and then treat only one wall differently (say with an accent color or mural). If you want to do this, only put a shelf on one wall (as in the child's room pictured on this post. In this room, I had wallpaper on three walls, with a shelf and bead board on one wall. Combining a shelf around all the walls, with one wall in an accent, is combining two looks, creating a split focal point. It will not look cohesive.
    
  
  
  
  
  
  




• You have a lot of furniture going into the room. I don't know the dimensions of the room, but unless it is quite large- I would reconsider that. It is going to be a challenge to fit everything in there, and leave no room for a little chair or play area of any kind. I am a big fan of closet organizers, which (in my opinion) eliminate the need for any dressers at all, leaving room for more decorate items like cute rugs and chairs. The rug below is from Pottery Barn Teen.

• You are going to paint your furniture but are wondering what color. I think orange or pink or blue or green would be fun. Especially if the lower part of your walls is a shade of white- it would be a great contrast. A fun quilt like the one below would be great with a bright pink bed! (Pottery Barn Teen again). I like the idea of incorporating more colors than just pink and orange, which will make your pink and orange be a great contrast, rather than overpowering. I always custom design my crib bedding. But- then again, I am a designer, that's what I do. You could find a piece like the one below, purchase one for your twin, and and another to have made into crib bedding. Or the one you already found would work fine.



• 

Is your room "shabby chic"? Sorry- not really. Don't worry about labels- just go with what you like. Let me know if you have any other questions! Your room is going to be so cute! Congratulations on your baby; 6 months is such a cute age- they learn something new everyday!

-Christine

Malia's Jungle Nursury

Hi Christine,

First of all, I loved the nursery you did and want to thank you for the inspiration to finally DO something with our soon-to-be nursery.

Here is the picture of the tree your mom did for us today. The blue tape is where I want to put some wall shelves. The second shelf is just as long as the others, but isn't shown as such because of the paint.
We are going to be putting a rocking chair of some sort to the left (which we will probably need your help with as well!) and the toy chest will remain there.
I also attached a picture of our crib set. We have the hamper, diaper holder, and bedding. We also have the mobile and valance, but I don't know if I want to use them. What do you think?

My questions:
1. What do you think of the spacing and placement of the shelves? It currently is one foot apart with the shelves being 3 inches, leaving only nine inches of space to put things.
2. What should I put on the shelves?
3. I'm leary of introducing too many more colors because the dresser (bottom left) and crib is honey, while the toy chest and shelves are darker brown. What color frames should I look for?

Thank you so much for helping us!
I can't wait to hear your suggestions.

Malia

Dear Malia,

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to your question. I wanted to go over to a friend's house and take a picture of her wall shelves, but it is just taking me too long, and you are going to have your baby!! So- I will just tell you what I wanted to show you. First of all- your tree is awesome! I love how understated it is! Very cool!

1. Your shelves look great. If you haven't already hung them, you might consider putting them a little further from each other, but if they are already up- don't worry about it, it will look great. With that spacing, it is perfect for 4 x 6 and 3 x 5 photos.

2. What should you put on the shelves? This is what I wanted to show you. My friend Shelby did such a fabulous job on her wall shelves in her living room. She has TONS of pictures. All black and white if I remember correctly. So many pictures that you have to move them around to see them all. It is a great look. This is one idea. Another idea? Combine picture frames with stuffed animals, and books with book-ends. You can also find "jungle" type children's books, and set them on easels. Cute wooden toys with a jungle theme would also be nice. Keep it simple, consider adding a spotlight above the shelves/tree mural with a dimmer on it. That would make a nice night light.

3. For your frames- pull out your paints. Wouldn't this look cute- paint them the prints of the letters at the top of this post. (I found the letters on poshtots.com). Or - better yet- get your mother-in-law to paint them! You could intersperse these decorative frames with some painted a solid green, gray and yellow, (using the other colors in your bedding).

I would skip the valance- a little too cutesy in my opinion. The mobile? -- either way. My friend Marika just did a fabulous jungle room for her baby Isaac. Marika- will you send pictures please?

Congratulations on your baby coming! Send us a picture of the final look!

- Christine

Design on a Dime....

Christine,

I just stumbled onto your blog from PW. I love your posts and they are full of good ideas. My problems are brought about by hand-me-down furniture. I am not spending much money on decorating right now, but I want a room that is pulled together and comfortable. Is there hope for me without a shopping spree to Pottery Barn?

My main issues: Cohesion. It is a too cluttered feeling with all the different colors of wood.

Curtains. I have a door to the patio, a 9 foot window that I need to be able to cover, and a 3 foot window.

Accents. I love dark red and want to incorporate the color with an otherwise neutral color scheme.

Thanks for any help you can give me!



Alysun













Dear Alysun,



I wasn't kidding when I said in a previous post that "designing on a dime" is not my strong point. But I like a challenge :) Let me do my best!

• Rearrange your furniture. It is hard for me to see the whole situation, with only one picture, but here is where I'd start- move your sofa away from the wall. See if you can put the sofa facing the large window.






• I would have to say the recliner and coffee table have to go. There is no hope for them :)




• Go to a super inexpensive source, like Overstock.com. The chair that I found (at the top of this post) above was only $209, with $3 shipping. I would get a couple of chairs to put across from your sofa. The chair fabric will give you a color pallet to use on your furniture. Go to the paint store next- (I like Dunn Edwards and Sherwin Williams' colors) Find some paint colors that look great with the fabric. Stay away from bright- go to the muted neutral section. Find a red, find different shades of beige and green and gold- when you fan out the samples, they should look great together- some lighter, and some darker, but none of them overpwering the others. This is the most important part- selecting a great fabric, from which to select great colors.



• Go garage saleing, or steal from your grandma- find a large old cool trunk and put it under the window. Your room needs something like this for balance. Your sofa is visually heavy.



• Still garage saleing? (I look for large neighborhood sales in wealthy areas.) Find a set of square end tables that are a cool style, paint them one of your colors that you selected, and use the two end tables as a coffee table. I bet you could also find a deal on a sofa at a yard sale. In college I got a nice unstained off white comfortable sofa for $35 at a yard sale. Does your area have Craigslist? - another good place to look.



• Find a small round end table, decoupage it with pictures from a cool calender.



• Paint your armoire- a different color from your pallet.



• Paint your wood on your sofa- not brown color- use green or red or something other than a shade of beige or brown. Can you sew? Re-cover the cushions on your sofa. Your sofa could be a fun look with a fresh coat of red paint and new upholstry. Your room could also use more pattern. Find a large pattern fabric that coordinates with your chairs and add some throw pillows on the sofa.




• Pull the small child's rocker out into the room- it is cute. Paint it a color from your pallet as well. Then put a very small decorative pillow on it.



• Your collection of pictures on the wall is too small. Hang more pictures. Paint all the frames the same color (but a different color then everything else you've painted). I would move the small shelves to a smaller wall in your home. Fill the wall with lots of photos.




• Keep your eye out for good deals on drapes from JC Penny's closeout section- these are only $34! You can combine something like this with bamboo shades form Target or Lowes.
  
  




• I would also, of course, give your walls some color from your pallet, not too dark- consider the color Blond from Sherwin Williams.




• Paint your mouldings as well- (baseboards, window mouldings, doors, everything). Choose a great color like dark beige or khaki. Consider adding a very small piece of moulding about 5 inches above your base boards, and painting the entire area the darker color. It will look like you have 9 inch base boards- it would look fabulous!
  
  
  
• Your hardwood floors are great! Show them off by finding a new rug. I would suggest an 8 x 10- (don't go too small on your rug). The one in the photo below is from Overstock, an 8 x 10 for $249. For a hand made Durry, that is a great look and a great price. This would add a lot of color and style to your room.

Add a plant in the corner- a nice big one- in a cool large pot, with an uplight on the floor, on a timer. This will help you to have some "ambiance".

I hope I was helpful! Good luck with your project!

Have a great weekend!
- Christine