TheCaptain's Profile

I agree that it would be tough unless you've got a natural knack for decorating, however, I'm going to be the odd man out and say ABSOLUTELY GO FOR IT.

I've seen this trick done in BHG all the time. What they do, when they have two completely mismatched pieces of furniture, is to play upon the ACCESSORIES to tie them together. Example: You have a neutral, modern couch, and a neutral, shabby chic chair. Add a punch of color to both, such as pink throw pillows on both, or a pink throw pillow on the chair coupled with a nice pink throw on the back of the couch.

It absolutely can be done. You just have to tie two completely different pieces together with something similar. Good luck, and maybe AT will let you post pictures of the room when it's done!

@ brenjay: I've heard glowing reviews about Melaleuca products. In fact this blog listed them not too long ago, and the comments were very positive. Anyhow, I checked out their website and they have something called "No Work Daily Shower Cleaner." Link here: http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm?f=ps.productDetail&pid=124&pType=1&sCatId=1216

Well first off, I like what you've done so far - you have a good, solid base.

The main suggestion I would make is adding color to those windows. You've got a GREAT backsplash of window to work with; it isn't often you find a wall of windows that reach almost end to end in a room. Your rug is great - trendy, colorful...so take one of your favorite colors from it and dress up those windows! That will add a huge punch of color, and will help tie the room together by pulling from one of the carpet colors.

Another suggestion I would make is to ditch one of those couches. I can't really tell from the picture, but they look like they're both the same. I would sell (or move to another room) one of them, and replace it with a chair or two. Maybe to nice accent chairs, or one large, comfy chair with an ottoman.

The layout looks fine as-is. If you rid yourself of one of the couches, one layout I would do is this: Couch against the non-window wall, with coffee table in front of it. Then two chairs side by side in front of the window wall, with a nice table in between.

Still another thing you can do, is add a layer of color in accessories. You've already got a great rug. If you choose to outfit the windows, you'll have that. Then pull it all together with some punchy, colorful accent pillows. That pull both the rug and curtains together. Finish that up with a colorful vase, bowl, etc. and that room should look great!

Hmm...

One thing I would do is get some super bright, very "punchy" pillows for that rocker. You want to keep it, and it's a great, neutral color to work with. Since you like the orange, you could go with that for the pillows - one, maybe two of them but no more than that.

Actually, for a side table I was going to suggest something "un" matching. ;) How about a gold-toned table? You could easily pick up a cheap table at Goodwill or such in a shape that you like, and paint it in a greenish/gold shade or similar. Not only would it offset the wood on the rocker, but it would match with a coffee/mocha scheme if you're painting the walls. And about those walls...

Instead of painting one of them, maybe you could consider a very large painting in the shades you want. You'll kill two birds with one stone: one, you don't have to paint the wall back when you move out, and two, adding a large wall painting will give some added depth not only to the wall, but to the corner itself.

In fact, just this weekend I saw a budget conscious decorator on HGTV take a blank canvas and paint it himself. Nothing fancy, either - just some paint in the shades he wanted, darker paint on the bottom blending into lighter on the top. Very simple, very cheap, yet very effective.

Another thing you could do (sorry, not meaning to make this so long...) is keep a small table (I'm thinking round?) with one lamp on top, and then on the wall behind the chair (the right wall if you're facing the photo), add a very small bookshelf.

The possibilities are endless, and I hope you'll come back with a finished photo!

Edit to above:

Whoops, I looked at the picture again and saw the windowsills were white. So I'd say stay with white for the wood strips.

And, I thought of another possibility for you - you can reverse the wainscoting approach, too. Instead of leaving the green waist high, try some white bead board that goes the same length...then leave the entire upper half green. That's my favorite pick so far. Whatever you decide, hope you enjoy!