Oregon74's Profile

You are starting with a great shell. I agree with the earlier post suggesting you flip the living and dining room. It is hard to tell if it would work properly, since you didn't include photos of that room, but it could be fun to see if that would work.

Not long ago Apartment Therapy showed a coat closet where the doors were removed (I think) and hooks were placed inside for coats, a seat was built from wall to wall inside with a cushion for seating (to put on boots, etc.) and beneath it were baskets for mittens, scarves, etc. I loved the informality of it and how it had that nook/window seat vibe. It possibly could work here and would get rid of a set of doors. You would have to like a more casual look if you did something like that. You could then put IKEA shelving - the kind that is real thick without backs, that looks like bulky cubes - to use as a room divider across from the coat closet/nook. That way you would create a sort of entryway. You could put things on the book shelves that would look good from both sides, since you would be able to look through it. Then you could have the dining room off to the side. Pile the fireplace full of logs, with the cut side out. Pile it all the way to the top, put a giant painting done by one of your children over the fireplace and forget it. Everyone else won't be able to forget how fun, warm, and welcoming your house is.

Oh, and put a long curtain rod across the doorway to the present dining room and hang gorgeous curtains on each side of the doorway to soften it and reduce its size. You could hang different curtains on the other side (two sets, showing differing sides to each room) or line one in a print you would like to look at in the other room. Your house needs some soft elements and more color. I hung curtains on each side of the huge foyer opening into my living room and everyone loves it.

Please post your after photos. Good luck.

I've been rearranging my own living room and figured out it is SO much better without a large piece of furniture blocking the flow. I have to agree with those recommending returning the sofa to the other side of the room. However, I would pull it further away from the wall and place a long console table behind it. This wouldn't have to be expensive. It could be made from a plank or some reclaimed wood with some IKEA legs screwed to the bottom. You aren't really going to see the lower half anyway. You can then put lamps and other accessories on the console table. I would probably bring the console table out far enough so the items you place on it won't interfere with the shutters. Do you use the top shutters? If they are always open, I would remove the top ones and just keep the lower ones. Then I would play around with the wall space between the two windows. Maybe 2 paintings or photos, stacked one above the other would look nice there. Or, since the radiator already sticks out into the room, you could use something more 3 dimensional, like the doll figure you have to the right of the fireplace. I think it would look more important between the windows.

Instead of buying one large new rug, I would keep the one you have and buy one or two smaller ones that coordinate and layer them. It would add interest and take the room up a notch in terms of looking more hip and current.

I agree with those who feel the lamp between the chairs is too small and that the table is too low. I would increase the size of each and lose the large floor lamp.

The small chair doesn't bother me a lot. I like the idea of placing it with the small table in the corner and making it a usable, desk area.

I would get a larger coffee table and I personally would make it something rustic, to juxtapose with what you have and I would display some things on it that you love, so everyone who enters would know more about you.

Do you watch TV? Haven't seen all of your dining room, but maybe you want to flip it and turn the living room into a dining room and use the big floor lamp as a make-shift chandelier and move the living room furniture to the dining room. A friend of mine did this and it turned out amazing. Even if the dining room is smaller, it could be a really cozy TV room.

Some other ideas to consider. How about a cornice-like shelf above the doorway into the dining room with display space above and a rod beneath. I think it could look amazing to have curtains on either side of this doorway. It would soften it and the shelf would add some architectural interest. Even if you skip the shelf a drapery rod and drapes would up the excitement in the room.

I keep going back and forth and looking at your photos. I love the art you have above the fireplace, but I think it is too white. There is too much white in the room. The throw on the sofa is too bland, too. Amp up the colors and textures in the pillows, curtains, rugs, and the artwork.

If you want to keep the art on the fireplace then I would place a large mirror to the right of it and lean the painting against it. It needs another large item. Lose some of the tiny stuff on the mantle. The vase with the greenery in it looks like an afterthought and I really dislike the colors of the vases. They clash with your rug.

Looking at your photos again, what about adding one of the articulating wooden figures that painters use, to your mantle? I think you can buy them from Dick Blick. It would emphasize the figural theme in your painting. It would also provide a visual link to the doll figure. Anthropologie used to have a pillow with a nude on it. It would be perfect. Maybe add an antique jar with some artists paint brushes in it to your mantle?

You can get small painters easels to place art work on. You could use one on your console table...

You could put some large books on your coffee table and put a tray on it to corral some of the other things you like. Have fun with it. You have nice pieces. You just need to amp it up a little so you and everyone else who visits, won't ever want to leave!

Love the books. Your place has a great homey vibe. Have you thought about putting a slab of stone or tile on your milkcrate table? I think it would make it look more intentional. Thanks for sharing.

I wish I could stick to such a limited palette. Very calming and beautiful. Where did you get the cabinet with drawers that slips so beautifully beneath your desk?

WOW!!!!

Fabulous!

A home without books is not a home. I have reduced my home's load, by giving away most of those I will never open again. That means most of what's left are field guides, books on gardening and cooking, how-to books, childrens' books, and some of my dad's old books. I let a lot of it go, because it was just something to dust. Wasn't it Thoreau who wouldn't accept a rug as a gift, because he would have to shake it? He knew he wouldn't own the rug, he would be owned by the rug. He would be it's servant. I try to keep that in mind.

On January one, I started going through every drawer, box, closet, and shelf of my home. It took over a month. I took a carload of stuff to Goodwill and spent over $100 in postage mailing things away. I sent a waffle maker I never use to a god-daughter setting up her first place. I also sent her a beautiful Crate & Barrel condiment holder, which was a gift that I never used and was always in the way in my closet. And beautiful crocheted lace tablecloths that my grandmother passed on to me, which are totally not my style went to the daughters of a cousin. They now have heirlooms from their great-grandmother and I have more room in my linen closet and feel like a weight, although a lace one, has been lifted.

Once I read about a woman who inherited her grandmother's china. She gave it to her daughter. Her daughter had never seen it, because her mother had kept it in safe-keeping for her. The china held no memories of having eaten on it at holidays. She had never seen it before. I realized I had been doing the same thing - keeping things in boxes to give to my kids. My kids aren't going to want this stuff! That has helped me. If I don't want it, I don't stick it in a box fooling myself that someday my kids will. Out the door it goes. Thankfully a Goodwill just opened less than a mile from me. I keep a box in my closet and toss things in it that need to go. When it gets full I take it to drop off when I run my errands. Lightening up feels great and is worth the time and energy, because in the long run, it opens more time in your life and gives you more energy!

I love this project. But I need a new mattress soon and can't wait a year for the results! My husband and I are still sleeping on a waterbed. The heater no longer works on my side and I'm miserable. I have another bed-related question. Our bed is between two windows. It doesn't fit well, because it is king-size. My husband is against getting a queen. Would those out there with California Kings comment on if they are happy they bought that size? Is it too difficult to find bedding? Thanks.

love it! love the way you organized your artwork salon style.