Two Balloons Blue's Profile

A few ideas, some of which have also been stated in previous comments:

(1) Move the curtains to the bedroom and get some tie backs so all you see from the living room are the top swags. I would also suggest a lighter color for the curtains, so as to blend in with the walls.
(2) Move the tall bookcase (cool!) to the diagonal corner (facing the door entrance) from where it is now. As it's currently located, it's taking up a prime corner for furniture placement.
(3) Big art makes small spaces look bigger (trust me!) -- consider grouping your art to make a big statement in one place, rather than scattering it about.
(4) Move the two chairs to either side of the now-curtained doorway and angle them in.
(5) Consider mounting a row of coat hooks on the back of the door instead of the free-standing coat rack. It takes up space!

Good luck!

Lisa Hunter has it right. A nice apple green would really stand out. Normally, I'd advocate for yellow, but with your style of house, bright yellow wouldn't be the best. If you went mustard yellow, that would fit in better with the house's overall aesthetic. I still stand by apple green though!

It's so nice to see an Akron home-tour! I know the Highland Square area well. I think "eclectic" is a good description of your style. Your home seems comfortable and well-loved but also put-together in a thoughtful sort of way.

Truly a fantastic house. I love that the furniture is a mix of mid-century (look) and modern. I would love to own a pair of the H.W. Chairs. Reproductions/knock-offs of these classic chairs are available at White On White. On that site, they're considerably cheaper (by thousands of dollars) than the ones at Room and Board, but still out of my price range.

Fantastic and affordable re-do. I have one in yellow and have seen them retail at vintage shops for $50. Great find and good work!

I agree with Stinkypants. First, start with a blank slate. It's much easier once everything else is out!

Here are a couple of options once everything is out of the room...

(1) IDEA 1 [contemporary] Start with a pattern. It can be a rug, curtains, a pillow or the like that at least features the red of the sofa, the brown of the chairs, or, if you're lucky, both. If I were you, I'd steer away from traditional, because much more traditional combined with the antique sofa is going to look a bit too history museum for my taste. Here is one that I found that I think would do the trick. http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/RugsPillowsWindows/RugsPillowsWindows/tabid/514/CategoryID/145/List/0/catpagesize/25/Level/a/ProductID/6832/ProductName/Retro-Floral-Tuft-Rug/Default.aspx

Then, based on the colors in the pattern, choose a color for the wall(s). I'd stick with something lighter since it's a rental. Also, the furniture is dark, so a lighter wall color might open up the space.

Get a new coffee table that complements and contrasts with the style of the furniture. Basically, it has to be of the same general weight, but not too ornate. I'd go with a simple oval style for the coffee table. Match the wood on the coffee table to the wood on the sofa carefully, or paint.

Accessorize with matching lamps, artwork, etc.

(2) IDEA 2 [dramatic] I can't tell from the furniture you have in your living room what your style is, but judging from the awesome sofa you just purchased, you might have a bit of the flair for the dramatic. If so, I'd love, love, love to see THIS happen. First, I'd paint the wood on the sofa a shiny enamel black. I'd either use the new chairs in a different part of the house or reupholster them in a different pattern, but that's pretty expensive, so for now, forget about the chairs.

I'd get a very large geometric printed black and white rug to cover up the beige carpet. Maybe a zig zag pattern (http://www.westelm.com/products/r656/?pkey=crugs-flooring)? Then I'd get heavy, round, black pedestal side tables and top them with large lamps with shiny black bases and round drum shades in white. I'd also get a lucite (check out CB2) or shiny, modern white coffee table. I'd finish with thick floor to ceiling drapes and two modern side chairs, maybe in a white or B&W pattern again. I'd finish it off with a mix of modern and ornate accessories, chief among them, a really big and heavy mirror.

(3) IDEA 3 [Anthropologie-chic] For this look, I'd say use Anthropologie as your inspiration, but because of it's high cost, not your actual source. First I'd start with the right area rug. I'd go with a natural-fibered rug. Depending on your style, I'd go bright (check out the Jute Henri Floral Rug from World Market) or with an Oriental-style rug.

Then with your sofa, I'd accessorize with mismatching but coordinating pillows (look to the colors in the rug) in a variety of prints, shapes, colors and textures. I'd check out Pier 1 and World Market for such things. I'd then invest in two coordinated upholstered side-chairs in a bright hue found in the rug. I'd also like to see a stack of suitcases somewhere as a side table!

Hello AT friends,

I thank you so much for your lovely comments! I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can!

Monpetitchevre: The shower curtain is from Home Goods. Because the bathroom is so small, we only used one patterned shower curtain and left the rest the see-through liner. That way you don't feel too claustrophobic while showering!

Suziwest7: I totally agree with your ideas for places to look for inspiration in the Short North. The price point is generally a little too high for my limited budget at any of those places, but one can dream!

Heatherdazy: The curtains are Ikea (white/black) and Burlington Coat Factory (yellow). I had to modify the yellow sheers to have the same general look as the Ikea curtains I already had...

Jennaelliot: Throw pillows in the bedroom are Target and my own DIY. Throw pillows in the living room (orange and white) are really inexpensive pillow covers from Target ($5-ish). I like pillow covers because they tend to be less expensive and easier to clean.

Veslabeachgirl: I too love the "Fancy Seeing You Here" print. It's actually letterpress (doesn't really register), which makes it extra special, and is available from Sycamore Street Press on Etsy...

Thanks again!

hi all! thanks for all your kind comments!

itsmikethomas -- actually the shelves are from ikea. i like the cb2 ones too, but ikea was a little cheaper.

nytams -- the yellow mirror is a thrift store find. it's just spraypainted. over the years it's been green, gold, red and now yellow!

nico_forgot -- i agree. columbus is an underrated town!

Janean