I love this photo, the mix of the fabrics, colors, materials–it makes my house look so cozy. But here’s the cold, hard truth…
I’ve got this wall in our family room that I’m not crazy about. Actually, I have two walls out of 4 in this room that I’m not crazy about. It feels obvious that I had to find something to try to fill the space. People do actually sit in those chairs from time to time so that part is nice but they seem crammed together. Part of the problem is what is on the wall it’s not balanced. And one of the culprits is that light switch next to that blue shelf on the right. See it? Why, WHY? It’s a switch that we use too.
When I have a place in my house {usually many} that doesn’t quite feel right here’s what I do:
- stare at it a lot
- think about how we need to use it
- ask myself why it’s not working
- think about what we have that could possibly work there
- move stuff around until it feels right
- put it on the blog and ask you for ideas
By the way, lots of you have asked about painting those shelves. They are the Southern Living at Home things that I could never afford when everyone had them years ago, but then last year over the course of a month I found 3 {$1 each} at yard sales. I just painted them with my armiore paint.
Anyway, back to my walls. I’m not looking for perfection, otherwise I’d have to burn everything I own and start over, but sometimes, I just get the feeling that there is a better way, use, idea for a certain area. A way that I will love, will serve our family, and that will actually feel right. I really love this wall in my sister’s house. Lucky her, she doesn’t have a ding a ling light switch. She gets everything.
UPDATED::
Here are the chairs straightened and junk down from the walls–I need an intervention with the red plates, I put them everywhere. Somebody stop me.
Is this better? Is there too much space between the top of the chairs and the bottom of the frames?
Here goes, what would you do? Please don’t tell me to burn everything and start over.
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I would never tell you to burn everything and start over. I am not even remotely good at this stuff, but I say just take those shelves down, maybe even the red plate. Less is more? The chairs with the photos above and the lamp between seems like it would be nice and simple and cozy to me!
With all the color and texture already going on there, maybe I’d like to see a large piece of art to bring some height beyond the height of the armoir. Don’t you have a window with curtains hung high on the other side of that cabinet? (is that stalkerish that I know that?)
Is that little corner lost over there down low? Maybe that would bring it up a little? I don’t know, I’d have to see the whole wall because I may be mixed up over what is in that room.
You are right…adding more photos
Yes, that red plate? Why did I put that there…something about filling up empty space. I just took it down. Thank you.
I agree. Less could be more. Take everything down but the three framed photos and live with it for a while. I’m thinking even the lamp could go. Do you need the light there? Could you use a smaller lamp? It seems big for the table. Love your blog. Very inspiring!
Hi- I didn’t really notice the switch until you mentioned it but I know what yoou mean. I have a thermostat that bugged me for 2 yrs! Have you thought of a small table placed underneath the switch with a lamp tall enough to block the switch? I hope that helps. Can’t wait to see what you decide!
Good Luck!
I love your sister’s house. I love that wall the fireplace is on and how she has pictures and knick-knacks arranged there.
I agree that your space looks too crowded. I’d go with what Amy said and try doing without the little table and lamp. Definitely get rid of the red plate. I don’t know what is on the other side of the fireplace, but is there a possibility of having a chair on either side?
tina
Um, do you have a job or activity that takes you outside your home for 9-10 hours a day? Because that wall looks pretty damn perfect to me. If you were held prisoner in that room all day and night, I can see where it would start to annoy you. But, personally, if it were me taking the time to write and photograph all of it and wrack my brain for how to improve it when it already looked decorator-done and magazine-ready, I’d know it was time I got a new hobby. :-)
YES–you are so right, that is so true. I am in this room lots {hmm, and have been for the last 3 days straight with a sick child, maybe that is part of the problem!}
PS, writing and taking photos of my home is my job! tee hee.
I’m not even going to attempt to offer advice. I’m still working on the parade that is on my mantle.
Move the armoire outta there. Tall mirror between the chairs (to add height). Bigger table between chairs.
Love the chairs. Love your colors. Love your style. Love that you ask for our humble opinions ;)
I CAN’T!!! It’s a real house and I need that armiore, other wise it would be a great idea I can move it about 2 more inches to the left though.
My first thoughts while looking at your photo was to remove everything on the small wall except the pictures. I would try to move the chairs apart a little more. It is a beautiful spot and i’m sure you will find a solution that works for you.
Stop fighting with the light switch! You won’t win. I would have to take down the little shelves and the red plate. I guess you already took down the plate. Then see if the lamp still looks too tall. If you have something a smidge smaller, see if that looks better. Oh, love the urn with the red things in it on the mantel. What are they? I’ll be sanding down my mantel today. Got some glass stuff on clearance at Pier 1 yesterday dirt cheap to redo it. TIP: look up high in P1!
Have you thought about leaving the SL little shelves and maybe balance a small wreath on the one where the switch is . That way you would no longer see the switch, but you could still slide you hand behind to turn it on and off. Just an Idea, I also hate switches and thermostats, why da we have to have these things, I mean life would be so much prettier if we just had clappers.
Good Luck,
Cha Cha
Hey if you decide to burn it down and start over can I have those chairs before the fire? Hahaha
I would move the armoire over and place a chair on each side of the armoire. Then do wall art and lamps as needed. It looks a little off balance and crowded the way it is at the moment. Love the fabrics and colors and the feel of the whole room!
Okay I admit I didn’t take the time to read all the comments before I wrote this so this may have already been suggested but, have you ever thought of moving your armiore over and putting a chair on either side and then adding your pictures over each chair? I only say that because you have a lot of chairs in there and they seem to be very close together. But in all honesty, I looked at the picture and thought it was very warm and cozy. Okay I’m wishy washy, I admit it! LOL!
Good Luck!
Kim
To me when you took down the extras (the plate, etc.) and left the pictures, it looks clean and crisp… great :). The pictures looked nicely spaced above the chairs and lamp.
The chairs are cute together, both as a little nook and in the context of the room. Removing those triangle-shaped shelves and the red plate was a good idea.
What do you think about lightening up the picture frames and the black lampshade? They create two strong horizontal lines. If you need light there, could you use a smaller lamp with a lighter-colored shade?
Thanks for asking for our opinions!! Looking at the big picture, I say there are too many chairs. Take the small one in front of the window, and relocate to another room. Move one of the two yummy plaid chairs into its place, so that one will be on either side of the fireplace, and free up some wall space next to the armoire. Also, can you switch the tiny blue table out with something a little bigger now that you would have more room to work with? Looking from left to right, it would go like this…Armoire, chair, table, fireplace, chair……. That wall could now “breathe right” a little, and the lamp could shift over, partially hiding the light switch.
I think you should paint all the walls, pull up the carpet, knock out the windows and add a light switch. And burn the armoire. And get a job.
{I hope nobody takes me seriously. I just looove leaving comments on your blog because I am so helpful.}
hearts.
I love the after. Removing the shelves and the red plate and leaving the blue and black looks so much more sophisticated and serene. I’m a less is more girl so that’s part of it, but I just think the after is a hit. BTW, I never noticed the light switch until you pointed it out.
You are on the right track! And there must be something in the air, last week, I got fed up at staring at a room I was not really happy with and it inspired 3 room makeovers, I am still in the process but have been updating along the way, check it out! I think there is too much going on in the room. I would move things out and just start over, making sure to try new placement for all of your furniture, sometimes a clean slate really helps. I would start with your couch, it is the biggest piece, get that where you like it and add from there. You may be surprised at what you come up with, and whatever you dont bring back into the room, make work somewhere else! Your colors are great, I love them! I can’t wait to see what you do!
Okay – now that we see the whole room – I’ll be honest with you. FROM THE PICTURE and this may not be how it looks/feels when you are actually in the room, it looks like a little too much furniture in one room. How about taking out the black plaid chairs and centering the armoire on the space between the window and fireplace? Maybe there’s room the the area that we can’t see in the pic for them? I’d also like to see how Joyce’s suggestion looks – a chair on either side of the armoire.
Just throwing suggestions out here. I usually have to more furniture around MANY times before getting it like I like it.
tina
Here is my suggestion from first glance. It seems like you have just a tad of space between the window and armiore. I say shift the large piece a little closer to the window and then adjust the two chairs. Your space there is so tight that even a little shift over will make a difference.
If you cannot move it down, then place one chair in that space with the table and lamp and then place the other chair on the other side of the fireplace where the rocker is.
Also, get rid of the flowers on the shelf of the table. It clutters it up. One more thing…as if I know any thing at all and am probably offending you totally now, but can you find a fabric that maybe draws in the armiore color, the red in your pillows and the other colors in the room and recover those chair cushions? I love mixing fabrics, but I think your mixture is too overpowering and that is causing the room to feel claustrophobic.
Just trying to help. Please don’t ban me from your site. I love it.
No banning! I do have that color represented in other parts of the room–a door in that color on the wall, a wall of plates in shades of blues and greens.
But, over the past 2 years I’ve been transitioning my home from reds/blacks/golds to adding more blues in. So, it’s just part of the process of using what I have–I actually have a post about that coming soon!
I’d move your red wing chair to that spot angled toward the sofa, put those 2 chairs by the window on either side of your round skirted table (you may have to recover the table to coordinate w/ the chair fabric) and put the ladder back on this side of the armoir angled toward the room, or take it away if it doesn’t fit.
Okay, you can tell this is my mom making the suggestion, because I was about to post the same idea! Haha. I found your blog through her and love your style, colors and the warmth of your home shown in every photo. I would def. try moving the wingback chair in place of the two chairs, so it’s more conversational with the couch, and try the two chairs over by the window. The best part is, you don’t have to go moving a heavy armoire back and forth – just some quick chair switches.
Would love to see the final results of your tweaking!
Great minds think alike! Putting the red chair there and sliding the other 2 to flank the table was my 1st thought as well!
I love the updated pics. I don’t think there is too much space. I really think that we tend to think we have to fill spaces, but sometimes spaces are freeing.
Leave the lamp. I love it.
Yes, space is freeing. I have a sickness where I fill every available space, I need an intervention! Learning to edit!
I like the simplicity of just the frames and minus the shelves and that red plate. That was too much. The lamp does seem a little tall now. Maybe a shorter but fatter lamp so it still fills some space, but doesn’t reach the top of the frames? Good luck!
You might try and mimic the line of the lamp with your pictures. Keep the center one where it is and just move the outer ones to a lower level. Or you could reposition the armoire and center it and place a chair on either side. That corner does look a tad crowded though so you might want to lose a chair.
Is it feasible to move Armoire to left…and a chair on either side…with the little table under the light swithch…YOu can still use it that way…. you still have both chairs…one by the fire for reading (with the little table) and the other for additional seating? Just a thought.
As you changed it is great….if you are concerned about the width of frame to chair…maybe use your sticks here? A small bundle (painted to match frames) on each side of pics? Just some thoughts…not necessarily brilliant or workable, but worth a go?
I like what you did. I think the shelves drew attention to the light switch. Now you don’t even notice it. I don’t think there’s too much space between the frames and the chairs because the lamp takes that spot.
Also, what about some of your plates ABOVE the frames? I don’t know, but that might be cute and bring in some of the color without jumbling it all around the chairs. I love it though and it looks great! We ar all our own worst critics :)
Try creating a triangular photo grouping. Lower the right and left photos down on the wall. Closer to the chairs. Now I understand that these are your children and you don’t want Mr. “I am King of the Mountain over the lampshade” getting a big head, so rotate the photos. Whoever gets an A~ yep, they’re on top. Finished his peas~ON TOP. Birthday month? They’re on top. Then for repition of the triangular element use your beautiful blue triangular shelves somewhere in the room.
Mr. King~too funny
I think I’d move the 3 pictures up so that they are centered at the height of the armoire. Visually it’s a line and I think it might be more interesting to break it up and raise it a bit. LOVE that room!
I definitely think less is more. Looks a lot better since you took down the 2 shelves and the red plate. What if you just lowered the two pictures on the end a bit to fill that space? I also agree with Kathrine. I don’t remember how the room looked before, but looking at the whole room now, it does seem like a lot of chairs. Maybe if you moved some out and used the chairs on that little wall to flank the fireplace and rework the space altogether. But, what do I know. I should be getting advice from you!
Your lampshade is too high. Get a lower table, saw the legs off the one youve got, whatever. Then you can bring the pictures down so that the *line* of the top of the frames is not at the same *line* as the top of the armoire. I think this will cozy this up and make this area “its own”. These matching lines just make my eyes keep traveling sideways and not resting or going up and down, make sense?
I do have a yearning for some “white space” there beside the fireplace; your arrangement there is so lovely and my eye wants to rest there.
Thats my 2 cents – have fun!
I agree, the lamp is too high. Maybe I can switch tables or lamps. You are right, the reason I had to hang the pics so high is because of where my lampshade ended.
Hmm, I think I have a table that I can use there up in another room!
I vote for this plan. Change something with the lamp – like give to me :) I really like the lamp itself. Just too tall or too big or something…
Could you leave the middle frame where it’s at but bring down the other two to be closer to the chairs? Also, maybe a bit smaller lamp to go with the scale of the table. And, angle the chairs back, they looked so cozy that way.
I love your blog and read it everyday. You are so inspiring!
Personally, I really did like the first photo. I didn’t even notice the light switch really because there was so much going on. In the second photo, however, it seemed more peaceful without all the extras. I like the chairs facing toward each other a bit so it doesn’t look like a time out area! And maybe throw the red toile pillows back on to bring a little color if you like. Thanks for sharing. Always good to get new ideas!
I think it looks better they way you have it now. I personally would have put the pictures higher up away from the lamp. That could just be the angle of the photo though. I think the lamp is just too tall perhaps, over powering the table? Just a thought. Now that I am reading the other comments I see they were saying the same thing. lol
I am torn. But because you like to move furniture….. I think the armoire centered on that wall could be good. Move those chairs around til they look right. Since you are home all day anyway! LOL! :)
Hmmm…I love your color scheme, accessories,etc.
As I love symmetry-I would try moving the pair of chairs in front of the window or on either side of the fireplace. Then possibly move the red chair next to the armoir. You then might try lining your pictures vertically on the wall next to the chair to help make the transition from the tall amoir to the shorter chair. Hmmm…not sure how much space you’re working with..I know you’ll find the perfect solution!
What if you took one of the chairs away? I love just the three portraits.
Remove one of the chairs. Angle one chair either toward the sofa or the seating group in front of the window. (I’d probably go with toward the sofa.) I think the pictures are competing with the armoire and the items on the mantel. Remove a chair and leave the wall blank for a few days. Then decide if the wall needs anything at all. I think the lamp may be enough by itself.
I would try lowering the two outside pictures. Bring them down closer to the chairs.( Just a few inches should do it.) You have the heigth of the lamp in the middle and it could balance it out better.
Have you considered moving the armoire down towards the light switch and have the chairs on either side of it? And then place the lamp on top of the armoire along with some other floral or decorative arrangement to bring your eyes along the height line up and then back down? I think the photos are both adding clutter and too much symmetry into the room. However, that being said….I just love everything IN the room! LOL!!!
Love the MR. King idea….and actually like the arrangement after you edited. On the other hand, I am thinking I see a LOT of horizontal lines and I am aching to put something round there……..I guess because I am round and like round things….lol. You are asking our advice….comical. What you end up with will look great….enjoy the journey!! ;D
Suzanne
I like the chairs. I agree no red plate. I suggest moving one plaid chair to either side of the hearth, leaving the small table and lamp on the armoire side. Remove the extra wicker chair that moving the plaid chair would displace. I might opt for a different lamp that would allow for a cozy vignette with the table.
Your room is beautiful. Let me know before you burn it…I would love to come and scavenge. ;-)
NO’ WAY! i love the other stuff being removed! LESS IS MORE, AS THEY SAY! the focus is the great pictures little table lamp and beautiful chairs. Love the whole room and that armoire, all the color’s and patterns look great! JGG
You’ve got a lot of comments, so this may be mentioned already. I think the pictures are good where they are otherwise the lamp will be blocking one if you moved them down any. What about putting the red chair there and moving these two chairs into that area {where the red chair and the other chair are}. That other chair can go on the other side of the armoire and still be a part of the seating area. Okay, that’s my two cents!
See, that looks better! Now there is no switch, it disappears! Less IS more! As another option you could move the two plaid chairs in front of the window. The red chair next to the armoire with a table and relocate the smaller chair elsewhere. You can always move it back. Can you do that real quick, take pics and post so we can see? K, thanks ;)
I’m spending waaaaay too much time staring at your family room.
You read my mind…removing those shelf things and that red thing behind the lamp was the first thing that popped into my mind. The switch…..only a man would put a switch there! We women know better. Revamped area is much better..more inviting.
I like the after much better. The problem I had with the before was symmetry overload, it was just too much I think. I think the red toile pillows would look nice there again, or maybe two different pillows that will still balance each other out. It would help if I took my own advice I suppose, I decorate everything symmetrically in this house, I probably need therapy!
I rather like the less cluttered look, bravo!
Beautiful space! I think I would remove one of the chairs so your fabulous fireplace isn’t so crowded.
Hello Nester! Long time reader, first time commentor. I didn’t even notice the switch in the first pic. Serioulsy!!! But I AM glad you de-cluttered the wall. Great step. I think you should replace the little table with a wooden one. Maybe a small round pedestal??? The white lamp almost dissapears in the pics with the glare from the bulb. So I think wood table (as in stained or au natural) will help the lamp pop better and keep the light from the lamp warmer and more glowy. You could also replace the bulb with a lower wattage bulb to make it softer looing. I would probably turn the chairs back into each other. But what I would really do would be to get rid of one of the chairs and find another spot for it. The wall is really cramped in the big picture of the room and sometimes its nice to give a blank spot for the eye to rest on.
After saying all that, let me say that I absolutely LOVE your rooms, style and personality that comes across. Hope you find that ‘perfect’ grouping!
I hate to say it, but since you asked….
I have seen this room before of course, and I love everything in it. I just think that some of it should move out to another room. MUCH too crowded.
And in particular, I have wondered why you have those two chairs placed where they are. It just looks like you thought you had to fill up the wall.
MY MAIN QUESTION is why are you ignoring the fireplace? It’s not like it will go away. Those chairs right up next to it look strange.
Gosh I sound mean and I don’t mean to. I love you I really do!
How about moving things away from the walls & not lining the room with furniture?
I can’t wait to see what you do because you are so very creative and have a real gift.
Ta-ta!
a beautiful room as is…but you asked for ideas…do you need both chairs, could one be at an angle to the cabinet? with the photos, could the ones on the end be dropped leaving the one in the middle at the original height, that way they would have a closer relationship to the chair grouping…
Is there such a thing as too much symmetry? I’m a huge fan of symmetry, don’t get me wrong, but that was the first thing that popped into my mind. What if there was something slightly different on the wall behind each chair? Then you wouldn’t have to compete with the lamp, and you could hang whatever-it-is a bit lower. And maybe something sort of long and horizontal just above lamp-level. If you have such a thing. Or can dig such a thing out of a dumpster. :)
I’d move the chairs to the right of the fireplace somewhere else in the room or in an adjacent room.
Then I’d put one of the chairs with the plaid cushions on either side of the fireplace, cozy but not cluttered.
By the way, I LOVE those chairs! I’ve tried to buy a pair like them but no luck!
Your room is warm and inviting without changing a thing!
Could you put the red stuffed chair under the three framed pictures and leave the little table with the lamp. Since the little table with the lamp would be pushed more to the side, maybe you could then lower the framed pictures. Then you could put the two chairs in front of the window on each side of the round table. Maybe the size of those chairs would work better with the size of the round table. Just a thought.
You are just so…real. Love it.
Well, two things:
1) Do you have a shorter table/do you really need a lamp there?
2) If you decide to change things up again, considering putting a frame around the light switch. (If you can’t hide it…make it blend.)
All the best.
ok all you gals who just commented….could you all just come out to Kansas and help me put my new house together in say, July??? I’ll feed you all I promise! So many good ideas out there and you all have such great taste! Nester, get busy girl!
I’d love to see photos of this room from all different angles – just to get a better big picture idea of the space. :)
Better!! But maybe lower the 2 outer frames just so the tops of them are at the half way point of the middle one to stagger them and bring your eye down to the chairs gradually?? You are so much like me. I just stand or sit and look at the walls, leaving my hubby to ask “what are you doing?”. love your blog!!! Carol
What if you lower the frames and remove the lamp?
I think it looks great with just the three pictures! But I would agree that maybe it is the lamp that is a little to high? If you don’t need a lamp there then maybe it would be best to just leave the table top empty. I know what you mean about something just not feeling quite right sometimes!
ps your sister’s house is so pretty
I would take one of the chairs away. I think it looks to cramped with 2 there. I would just do one chair w/ a side table and lamp.
I have the same straight in a row three pics above a couch in my living room and I just moved them a little. . .try leaving the middle one where it is and lowering the side two a little. See how that looks, it seemed to solve the problem for me. Everything else looks great.
I actually really like the table. But I do think the lamp is too large for the space. Other than that I think it is a cute area. Very cozy and inviting! You do a great job decorating.
Can you store one of the chairs and just bring it out when you are entertaining or are having larger gatherings? The wall looks great with the pictures on it but I just think you have a few two many chairs in that one room.
P.S. I LOVE YOUR COUCH!!
I would put the red chair next to the armoire, angled toward the couch. Put the two matching chairs on either side of the table in front of the window, and get rid of the smaller chair.
I also like it better without the shelves and plate.
I’d leave the frames where they are. I hate it when I’m scared to lean back in a chair because my head might knock that picture off the wall!
I like it best without the other stuff on the wall. Just the pics look great! You don’t notice the outlet without the other stuff on the wall!!
I would lower the frames on either side just a couple of inches but leave the one of the lamp right where it is. You will still clear the light switch and bring the frames closer to the chair tops at the same time. Now, I’m no decorator, and it may be way out of style to do this, but I think it would look balanced and give a great solution to your problem.
Dont shoot me, but I have one more thing to add….Instead of that fatter base lamp, what about a skinny lamp in pewter? Target sells tons of them. That’s where I get all my small lamps.
I think what’s throwing off your grouping is the lamp shade. Try changing it to a neutral color or switch the lamp completely. Just my two cents! Hope you figure it out without completely rearranging the room (which is what I usually end up doing!).
Could you move the lamp and put that lovely vase from the fireplace on it? That would give it enough height to pull the pictures in. And it would pull the red from the rest of the room into that area.
I just think the plaid chairs are a little much. Would you hate me if I said to recover them? I’m just not a big plaid fan personally
I adore the entire cozy feel of the room and the unexpected use of color combos. Gorgeous! It just pops with welcoming warmth throughout. I was thinking it does look a bit crowded in that space though. It competes with the focal point of your fireplace and the lovely armoire. I’m thinking the black and white wall photos would look great alone. My 2 cents…*Smiles*
Have a blessed day. ~Melissa :)
I think your little wall feels nice and homey! Why don’t you lower the outside frames and leave the middle one a little higher. It will look symmetrical and leave less space between the bottom of the frames and the top of the chairs. And if the top of your blue armoire is flat, big red plates on stands would look great up there!
Here is what I did with a lightswitch that just didn’t fit in, but we use.
http://apronstringsandotherhappythings.blogspot.com/2010/02/improvise.html
I would not move a thing. I love the living room and your style. I love that there are enough chairs for everyone and company. I love that the decorations are personal to you and I love the contrast in fabric, paint colors and the few unexpected things. I love that it functions. You could move it around all day long and keep trying for that ‘perfect’ look but the good thing about decorating is you can move it. In 3 weeks, 3 months or 3 years. It might not be perfect (in your eye’s) but the room is beautiful. I would LOVE a living room just like that and would not change a thing….
(My husband and I went furniture shopping for the first time ever the other day and I made him look here first to show him your/my new style!) Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you! Needed to hear that!
I am so glad that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful! For now I’m keeping it with what I did after reading the very first comment from Emily, and it looks great in person…until I get a little project done I’m working on, it will stay as is.
Haven’t read the other comments, but I would either:
1) center the armoire, and put one of the plaid chairs on either side. I feel like the armoire is too close to the window, and the chairs too close to the fireplace.
Or
2) move the red chair where the plaid chairs are now, with the table/lamp hiding the switch. Then put a plaid chair on either side of the round table by the window, and find a new home for the ladderback chair next to the fireplace. Either somewhere else in the room, or another room altogether.
The room is lovely, though!
I’m being a bit radical here. I haven’t read the other posts so if this is redundant, well, I just know you’ll forgive me.
I’d remove the two chairs and perhaps the tallish table with lamp. Keep the photos. Take the shelf things off the walls. Then you could move the reddish chair that sits by the window over in that place. Near the armoire or fireplace. You’d have to see. This way the light switch could hang behind the taller chair still having access or could be in plain view. I think it’s more noticeable because the shelf things were hanging there. Then you could move the round table over there to sit with the chair.
Next, you could move those two black chairs to sit slightly angled toward each other in front of the window – with a table in between.
I love your room, btw.
Yep, had it that way before too and loved it!
well done!
That is exactly what I was going to say. I wouldn’t know what to do with the other wooden chair, though.
Another thought (don’t have a totally clear understanding of what is happening to the left of the armoire, but maybe you could move it closer to the fireplace and flank it with two chairs (either the two from in front of the window or the plaid chairs)… but trial and error are my shoulder angel and devil… I usually end up changing right back to the way I started when decorating.
Oh, or switching the two lamps, so the black shade is in front of the window and the white one under the black frames? that wouldn’t require any heavy lifting! And thus my quick reply turned into a long rambling reply. I love your house and it looks like a very cozy living room!
There are already 88 comments, so I can’t read them all. I’m all about the quick fix scenarios, so I’ll just focus on the little area with the chairs. can you make the frames be NOT in a straight line? As in, I feel like the MIDDLE frame is too low (I don’t like how, from the front, the lamp finial obscures the bottom of the black frame–it feels crowded) and I feel like the side frames are *too* high. Can you put the three in a pyramid shape? Lift the middle pic up 2 inches, and lower the other two to the height of the top of your beloved light switch cover–even with each other? i think it would look more intentional in a pyramid/triangle configuration.
i’m glad the red plate is gone. *hugs*
Ok Nester, I feel super silly even giving you advice. But I feel your pain, I am consantly moving things in my house until they feel right. I have recently simplified and it feels so much better. If it were my house this is what I would do. I think you have alot of furniture in that room, too many chairs. I move furniture on a daily basis around here so you won’t offend me if you don’t like my ideas, half the time I change stuff too after a few days! I would try moving the armoire over to the middle of that wall a bit, take those two chairs and put them on the other wall in place of the red chair and the other chair. It might look to matchy matchy for you, not sure. But I think you just need to simplify a bit. I love the pictures, they might look nice over your fireplace or lined up together on another wall that you have in the room (if you have another wall). It just looks like you have alot going on in that room and maybe that is where your frustration is coming from. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I like version two!
Last summer, I found 3 or 4 Southern Living at Home items for $5 or less. A couple of them were originially $40 to $50 items. I wonder if people just didn’t know what they had. I love how you weren’t afraid to take some paint to them. :)
So, here’s a question for you. I have several ugly (you ain’t got no alibi-ugly!) walls. I would *love* to change them up with some thrift store/yard sale/Target/Wal-Mart (?!) finds (have some ideas in mind). Buuuut we have some surgery bills for the hubs to pay off and there is really no extra money right now for little stuff like that. So–do I take the ugly stuff down and look at bare walls as I build my “collection” over the Spring, or do I leave the ugliness up while I’m looking for a few new things?
I have a question for you too… (I like the new arrangement, by the way). What do you do about nail holes? I’d like to rearrange some of my walls, but if I do, I know I would have a lot of nasty-looking nail holes everywhere to deal with. When you change your walls around so often, how do you handle the nail hole problem? Thanks!
Hi-I haven’t read all 93 comments but just from observing — I would remove one of the chairs; use only one photo and make more of a “reading corner”. But truly, I know nothing.
This may be a repeat (94 comments before me) but what about either using a shorter table, or a smaller lamp. I think the lamp/table combo is too high. I like the lamp there, it is homey, I even like THAT lamp with the shade color etc but do you have a shorter round table? Or something (I know you do…) LOL. It’s not as bad as you think, but I also think the color scheme is also cool (even with the red pillows) and that is why the glow of the lamp is needed. If you keep the chairs angled, and have a lower rounder or square turned diagnoal table with a slightly bigger top and can accessorize the top with red or something, maybe ?
Nester, I think you’ve solved your own problem :]
I love it when we get to talk…I’ve been in my house with a sick little boy too…so I congratulate you for not tearing yours apart like I did! (I’m sure you can relate to then putting one room back together, taking pics, writing a post and calling it successful LOL!)
So…back to your house not mine…you’re the star:) The plate was killing me – thank you! and isn’t it wonderful to have good enuf friends to serve as ‘editors’ — You know they say when you are all dressed head to toe to take one accessory off and then leave the house. The same is true with decorating…put it all together and then take on thing away…
I’m thinking about the function of the room and thinking that 2 people probably don’t sit next to each other there very often especially in warmer weather when fires are fewer…What about splitting the chairs by putting the armoire in the middle…Angle one near the window as an addition to the seating arrangement and the other focused on the fireplace with lamp and table…
I think that this is like therapy…if you tweak the furniture…you are a rockstar…you will be inspired for the perfect wall hangings then….
Good luck! and of course…keep us ‘posted’…hee..hee…lame pun but in reference to comment #8…I need to get a ‘real job’ too…
HEY NESTER!! I have 4 walls in my family room like that *chuckles*, I am no professional or anything…but this is an idea that I tried. After months of redoing the wall where the tv armoire is located, and taking it all down and starting over….then doing that again, and again SOMETHING occured to me. I need to focus on the “focal point” of this particular wall, which happened to be the Armoir. So instead of working on making each section of emply wall space feel complete…I worked around the armoire making sure to keep the focus there, I centered it as good as I could, and the I stacked stuff on top of it, AND hung two JUMBO sized framed photos (horizontally) on the wall on each side of the armoire. There is still extra empty wall space, but because of the scale of armoire and frames….it feels balanced, symetrical, centered, and best of all…I feel great when i walk into that room and look at the wall!! I wish I had a picture for you to examine.
just an idea…like you say…if you dont try you will never ever know!!
xoxo
Jessica
PS now that I looked again, moving the red chair to where the two chairs in question are, and moving the those same two chairs to in front of the big window (where red chair is now), and ?? with the last chair (the friend of the red chair in front of the big window now). And angle the red chair to the sofa. Then the black/white check is very symmetrical under the window and is related to the ottoman, the red is warming up the corner and cozy, and you still have almost all the seating. Non ?
When hanging pictures and artwork:
Decide what height you think that art work should be hung, and lower it 3 inches. It usually works. Most art work is hung too high.
Artwork should be hung very near to the piece of furniture it relates to. Hang pieces above the sofa just high enough to avoid heads. Pictures over a chest of drawers or a dresser should be hung just above it.
All artwork in a room should be hung at approximately the same level to avoid a roller-coaster effect.
The artwork hung above a piece of furniture should be about 2/3 as wide as the furniture.
I hope this helps. PJ
Oh…and I forgot we all have life’s lightswitches…mine is a plug in…I love this vignette in my bathroom http://dirtyhands-beautifullife.blogspot.com/2010/03/salvaged-vintage-working-together.html other than the socket
…but as you say…it doesn’t have to be perfect ___________
Have your tried lowering the photos on either side so they can marry the chairs a little better. Just a thought!
I like your changes, but it’s the lamp height that is the main problem in my opinion. Shorter table, shorter lamp, smaller lamp, no lamp, shorter item on the table. Good luck getting it the way you want!
me again…
i was looking at the picture at the bottom and the thing i mentioned about centering and balance….
MAYBE you can try centering the armoire between the window and fire place….the hang the 3 framed photos above the armoire (if you dont think it will break you company’s neck looking up at them) and put each chair on either side of the armoire?? && something on wall next to armoire above each chair…??
what do you think??
Okay – you already have lots of great ideas. And really? You beat yourself up over filling every little space – I think it’s part of your warm, cozy, inviting style…but that’s just me. I admire it because I’m naturally a little timid when it comes to filling up wall space.
But enough about me. I like the second photo. Just bring the frames down a little (even if one is a smidge behind the lamp) and I think you’ll be set. ….and back to me, did Emily use Tobacco Road in that photo? Love it. I actually painted a couple walls in my LR TB but it looked nothing like that. Perhaps it was a bad batch. And…. more about me….I desperately need more coffee :).
Move the chairs and everything above it OUT. It’s too crowded and busy for that short wall length! If that is too extreme for you, then center the armoire and put a chair on either side. OR, keep the armoire where it is and hang the black-and-white frames horizontally but just above the light switch. Perhaps add a console table underneath; but if you do that, then rest the pictures on the table against the wall. Hope this helps!
You have such wonderful taste, I check your blog daily. I think the space looks nice, definately better since you took the junk off, and straightened the chairs. However when you took the far away picture, it all just looks kind of cluttered. I am also addicted to stuff, so I know how that happens easily.
I say move the big red chair to the wall in trouble, with maybe the small little table still there, and then where your beautiful big window is move the 2 checkered chairs. You may have to get rid of that other chair or just move it to another location. I love the color in that room, the couches are beautiful, but it seems too cluttered, although I have no idea what it looks like in real life. You are so dedicated to making a room for your family, that also is beautiful, maybe a little less stuff will make it better for everyone? In the end you may have to go crazy, remove everything, and start putting everything back, sometimes you cant see where things go until you remove and start fresh, good luck, I know whatever you do it will be gorgeous as always.
Jen
I love the updated look – the wall looks a bit less cluttered and easier to “read”. I think you could still use the red pillows and even have the chairs at an angle, but either way, I think it’s a big improvement! I know some people have made suggestions about the chairs – I say keep ‘em. You like chairs, it looks nice and symmetrical, and I think with the plates and shelves down, the whole thing looks fabulous. Good job!
I love the chairs the table/lamp combo ( I love that the table is only big enough for a lamp – keeps it simple. How about lowering the two photos on the sides (leave the middle one as-is), then hang a red plate above each of the side photos. I think the splash of red is a good addition. It adds some visual interest.
I really like the way it is now. I think the spacing is fine & that less is more in this case. Looks great.
I wouldn’t worry about the space between the chairs and photos, the light switch anchors them nicely;)
Julie in NJ (comment 99, I think) said just what I was going to say. I feel like your trouble spot is just a bit crowded. If it were my home I’d have one chair where the two are. I also agree that the lamp may be big for the table.
Of course, my style is nothing like yours, and you’re the pro. Somehow it’s always easier to come up with ideas for other people’s spaces than for your own!
I Love, love love your look and your blog. Don’t burn anything!!
Love, love, love it! No, the frames aren’t too high. It’s got a clean look but still cozy. It’s perfect, so just put your matches down. No need to burn a thing.
No burn necessary! You know, it’s so nice for me to see that you have areas like this. I see the “strategic” picture and think you don’t have “those” spots in your house that look off. To me, it looks like there are too many chairs lined up against the walls around the fireplace. What about moving a couple to another room and flanking the fireplace with your pair of chairs? Just a thought. Sometimes it helps me to remove a few things from a space and only put back what I really love.
Your style and eye are so great, though, I’m sure you’ll figure it out, so it’s perfect (or imperfect) for you and your family.
I’ll probably be commenter #89 to say this (great minds think alike, after all) … but a lighter (i.e. white or off-white) colored lampshade may help to keep it from competing with the pictures. Or, if the pictures were moved higher you could keep the lampshade and it might stave off that cramped feeling over the chairs. Or consider no lamp there? The pics seem to be at a good height for the room/chairs, it just seems to be the lamp….
I’m sure that whatever you choose will be amazing! I love your blog. It inspires me every day.
I didn’t read all 111+ comments, I read 90 of them, LOL!- whew! We are an opinionated group, eh?
IMHO, you have TMF- “Yoo Much Furniture” in that corner. Too many focal points in the room. (You know this, too ;)
So, someone else may have said this already, but if it were my room I would:
1. Move the armoire to the right and put the red chair to the left of it, between it and the window, facing the sectional.
2. Put the b+w frames vertical above the red chair.
3. Put the b+w checkered chairs in front of the window (You were probably trying to break up the checks, but you can throw some toile pillows on the chairs), with the skirted table between them, and the black-shaded lamp on the table, and the b+w ottoman in front of the table.
4. Move that table that is on the side of the sectional to use as a coffee table.
5. Move the adorable, tiny blue table and white-shaded lamp next to the red chair.
6. Take out the dining room side arm chair and move the lil guy (rocking chair over by the fireplace.
Problem SOLVED, LOL!!
Have fun!!
~Leslie
Well i think it looks fine…but i read somewhere that whenever decorating…less is more.
I think the couch needs to move down closer to the fireplace. That would also put it across from the tv armoire and give a cosier feel. Keep the upholstered chair. I think your mantel and armoire are fighting for attention. either get rid of tall armoire and find other Tv solution or paint it the same colour as the walls. Right now I have no idea what your focal point is. I know mine would be the fireplace.
Nester….I love the way you have it arranged in the last picture without the red…and I LOVE red….live with it for a few days!!!!
You are going to have to post what color Emily used in the picture you showed….Love the color….what is it? creamy yellowish tan!!
OK after reading some of the other comments, I think they are right. Loose the armed dining chair, put ea. black plaid chair in front of the window on either side of your table and move the red chair by the armoire with the little table and lamp beside.
seriously. After that, whatever you have on the walls will look fine. I think the furniture placement is what ties it all together and it’s just a little too much right now. Can’t wait to see if you change anything! Um, can you come over here and give me and advice now please? :)
Well, I kind of liked the original…maybe without the shelves, but I prefer the red toile pillows over there as well as the chairs at a slight angle towards each other. It’s close to your mantle, so I think too much going on with the wall would detract from the mantle. How about the red plate under the lamp?
I have so many of these areas in my house that are just a little off, and they stay that way for a long time. Sigh. Anyway, I love what you did to it so far, by taking down some things, and I have nothing to add in that discussion. However, I may have a solution for the wall switch. Paint it the color of your wall, and it will disappear. Or at least be a bit less obvious. Good luck!
I think we are getting a concensus #29, 54,555,65,72,76,89,94,99,112,114 and now me. I think you need to humor us and move red chair over so there is only 1 chair in that spot for a more cozy feeling and the two plaid chairs over by the window on either side of the round table. Also following your own advise move everything from that space out and add back one thing at a time starting with the red chair like you did in the sitting room and of course you can always move everything back. Thanks for letting us all share are you sick to death now of this space?????????
And #116 is part of the concensus, too, LOL!
I meant #118- my eyesight is not what it used to be.
HAHA! Just had to add another comment because I am stalkerish (jk), no really, just kidding. I only keep checking back to see what you decided and my post # keeps changing- it’s 120 now.
Oh, and by the way, did i say: “Pick me! Pick me!” ;)
Have a blessed day, I won’t check back till tomorrow. Promise!
KISS- Keep it simple
I love the redo-keep it.
I think the lamp is too big, dark, formal, and tall. I like things big, dark, formal, and tall, but not in this setting. I like the idea of a lamp there, but just not THAT one. <3
First of all…the picture is way too close to the top of the lamp. You should find a shorter lamp or move the middle picture up and maybe the side pictures down. Kind of like this _-_. Also, I would add more space between the pictures.
One chair? One chair? One chair? One Chair…….humor us O’ Nesting Wizard. Signed, #29, 54,55,65,72,76,89,94,99,112,114 & me (:
Love the way you have it now! There was just a little too much before. That lightswitch is not noticable so don’t worry about it. :) The pictures of the boys are perfect there.
I would center the armoire and move the chairs that are currently to the right of it to flank the round table in front of the window. Then play with the placement of the other two chairs (or relocate them). That side of the room is to heavy, but I think the problem is that it is chair central down there rather than what is on the wall. All in all, every photo of your home is beautiful and well thought out including this one so I only offer this advise because, I too, obsess over spaces that really are lovely and tweak them like crazy while all the kind people in my life stand and shake their heads at me :-) Good luck.
I love your house. You think you hate your light switch? When we moved into our house one living room wall had 8 wall plates on it. EIGHT!! And not those ones that you just plug a light into. These were all over the wall. You can see some of them in my before pics of my living room. This may sound crazy but try to paint the thing the same color as the wall. I did and they just blend right in. As for furniture placement, I think that upholstered chair would look really nice on that wall with the table and lamp next to it. Then you can either put your red plate up over the chair or hang a couple of your pics there. Either way, it’s beautiful and cozy. Can I come over and sit by the fire and read a book? :)
My two cents for what it’s worth.
Cent #1 – It does seem like there’s a bit too much stuff in the room. I have no clue what to suggest to remove, but I’d say remove things that aren’t really useful.
Cent #2 – The light fixture is cute, but seems too small for the large room. It’s not in proportion with everything else.
=) However, I wouldn’t mind hanging out in that room with ya!
I just wrote a post on what I did when our Thermostat was an eye sore. You might read it if you have time. It may give you another creative idea. Excuse the crooked photo! http://rachelcobb.blogspot.com/2010/03/thermostat-art.html
ps- I think it looks fine like it is now- better than before!
I love your room, your decorating, and the only thing that stuck out to me is that the lamp is too high – there needs to be a little space between the top of the lamp and the bottom of the picture. That’s it. =]
Nester, I think the height of the pictures over the chairs is good all around (from various views). BUT, I am curious about the ceiling light fixture (shaded chandelier?); it seems too high, like I’d want to admire it, but hurt my neck trying to, then be recuperating at your house from chandelier-imposed injury, learning all your great decorating tips!!!!!! Don’t move the light fixture–I’ll be right over! ha ha
I like both, but prefer the original. Muddy labradors could come running through that room and paw everything, and that room would still be gorgeous and inviting!! I’d even sit on the muddy couch!!
Never consider burning and starting over!!
P.S. I got a “high” B on my essay paper. The one where I used you as my only source. Whoop Whoop! ;0)
I don’t have time to read all o138 comments but my advice is to take away the chair closest to the fireplace. And angle the chair you have there towards the fireplace. Inch the end table closer to the fireplace…leave the pictures on the wall as is.
First-I didn’t look at all the comments, so this may have already been suggested. Second, the after is better, but I think you still have too much going on in the room and the second chair all but blocks off the fireplace. My suggestion is to move the red overstuffed chair to where the plad chairs currently sit-only angle it slightly toward the fireplace-perfect reading nook with a view. Then move the plaid chairs to either side of the round table in front of the window, and remove the rocking chair (?) to another location. It will open up the room a great deal, spread the color around a little more, and allow you to keep the substantial pieces in the room.
I would drop the left and right pictures and put the pointy Southern Living shelves over those. (I never work in straight lines, and I know that drives some people absolutely nuts!) I would probably even try stairstepping the pictures and put one pointy shelf under the lowest and the other pointy shelf over the highest. What fun, those pointy shelves!
~Betsy
well.. if it were me.. i would move your pretty red chair to that space.. with a table and lamp.. and move those adorable chairs over into that more open space. gives breathing room next to the armoire.. and extra space on the other side of room for the pair of chairs. just my two cents. :) good luck either way you decide!
I love it without the shelves and plate. Before it looked too busy and forced. The three pictures are perfect, but I have one question – is the middle picture in sepia tone? It looks a little out of place and I think it look better if all three images were the same black and white, which I love because it suits the black and white chairs. That room is fabulous, I envy your decorating prowess!
Just my thought…what about moving the armoire over and centering it on the wall…flank the fireplace with each chair and move the rocker onto the other side of the armoire? I think centering the armoire would be more balanced with the fireplace, it feels a little heavy on the left side…that is what I see when I look at the room…just my thought. :) I still would add the red plate somewhere…I like the pop of color bounced around the room. Can’t wait to see what you do.
Hugs to you,
Victoria
I would rearrange the chairs in the room to make that area seem less crowded. I am certainly not one to be giving advice on room decorating, but my idea is to put the red chair in this spot, the littlest chair on the other side of the armoire (or somewhere else, since I can’t see the whole room) and then put these two black/tan chairs on each side of the table in front of the window. It is hard for me to envision the room completely changed around, so this quite possibly could be a terrible idea, but I would try it if it were my room.
SHEESH after all the conflicting opinions…Just burn it all and start over!!! I would personally love to see what you do with a fresh start! And you could probably Auction off your couch for 10 grand! And use that to redo the whole house! Hope this helps LOL ;)
Lower the 1st and 3rd frame. They’ll be closer to the chairs. That third one will sit right above the light switch.
(ps…for what it’s worth i think it looks great how you have it! it’ll come to you as it always does and we’ll all be in awe…you have a great sense of style. it was amazing how you transformed your sitting room when you took all the stuff out. have you taken everything away from this corner to see what you feel?)
Holy moly! I’m a couple of hours late and you’ve already solved all your dilemmas! That’s what I get for working all morning – silly Gina!
Just thought I’d leave a little note to say hi!!!
I have always loved the colors you use in your rooms and the way you put them together. My advice for what it is worth would be to move the armoire more to the center of the wall and hang the pictures vertically on the right. I would move the black and white chairs in front of the fireplace across from the couch. Rmove the small chair and pull the red one forward with the table next to it. This would give you a better conversation area and the furniture would not be along the walls. To balance the left side of the armoire hang your darling wall pockets. Just a thought. Have fun.
Heather
Well, here goes my 2 cents: I would flank the fireplace with the two black/cream plaid chairs – angled in. Move the little chair to the right of the fireplace to the left of your armoire and put the little blue table currently between your 2 black chairs beside it – more in proportion. Keep the skirted table and red chair where they are, except pull the red chair in a little toward the middle of the room. Keep the pictures where they are and DON’T put the little shelf things back under them. Looks too cluttered – the eye needs a place to rest. That’s it! And I’m CONSTANTLY rearranging and tweaking my house too. I tend to move my furniture late at night though – not too good if your husband doesn’t know and walks into the couch that wasn’t there when he went to bed! Good luck! Looking forward to what you come up with (pick my suggestion! :) ) As usual, I’m sure it will be beautiful!
Amy
Nester-
I think your house is just beautiful. I love how you accessorize, too. I still remember one post you did where you used your boys’ lego creations as accessories. ;)
About this room, when I look at the photos the lamp and table stick out to me. They seem too tall, and they are competing with your pictures on the wall. If they are a bit lower, then you could lower the 3 pictures and add something above, like an architectural piece. Maybe? Also, since you have the light switch you have “dead” space to the left of the switch, right above the chairs on the wall. What about adding a painted sign that talks about family or children? I would keep the chairs angled in – more inviting, cozy.
Good luck, Nester!
I adore just about everything you do. The first photo looks soooo… beautiful, but when you see the entire room it does look a wee bit crowded. I think just moving the armoire over a smidgen will free up more space and make it appear as if the chairs have more breathing room. Maybe try changing to a smaller lamp or a bigger table or do without it completely??? After you removed most of the stuff it looks just divine! =) I’m like you and sit and stare at a space forever and never seem to be quite satisfied. (((sigh))) Good luck! I’m sure what ever you do it will be beautiful!
Well, I am a true minimalist, so my sparse family room would probably drive you crazy. Lots of good advice you’ve been given here. JMO..just get rid of the two chairs by the window and put the plaid chairs there. You’d still have plenty of seating.
The first picture everything seemed crowded and too much symmetry. And the two chairs so close to together is a lot of pattern in one small spot. I liked version two at the end of the post….still cozy but less cluttered. I like the position of the lamp with the row of photos…good call on removing the plate and little
suggestions? how about moving the red stuffed chair into that spot with the small table and lamp? and then putting those two chairs on either side of the table in front of the windows? then the other wooden chair can go on the other side of the armoir? or split the two plaid chairs up and use them in separate areas of the room…
ps….I have a pesky thermostat in the most obnoxious place in my family room….have no idea how to work around it without it being a part of the “picture”…
Lose the chair on the left and slightly angle the one on the right. It’s too cramped and overly symmetrical. Everything else works for me. This sounds a lot like Becky’s suggestion…oh well.
Big walls always confuse me too. There are just SO many options.
I always go for symmetry, so I would possibly:
a} Move the armoire to the center, do the photos above, place a chair on each side of the armoire with something else just above the chairs (plates, more photos?)
or if you like the assymetry:
b} Just move the lamp. It’s a little tall, and it makes it makes it necessary to have the pictures too high above the chairs. I love lamps, but I’m thinking maybe a live plant, or one of your twiggy arrangements on the table, then move your photos down to a lower height.
I’m sure you’ll come up with something. You always do. Just a little tweaking always helps!
Love the photos. Love the chairs. Hate the lamp (in this arrangement, not as a whole). The lamp distracts from the other items. It is too big for the space. Do you have a smaller lamp you could try?
i love your style, but understand that it’s hard to look at your own stuff with an objective eye – i have that problem all the time! what bugs me in this picture is that the framed photos are even with the top of the armoire, and the lamp looks too big (though i do like that lamp). since you asked our humble opinions, i’d recommend moving the pictures down a few inches and replacing that lamp with one that’s less tall.
I would lower the lamp and then lower the three pictures so the tops line up with the bottom of the blue cabinets crown molding. I think it will make that space feel more like the cozy niche it is.
Sorry, no advice here, just annoying questions.
Is that TR on your sister’s wall?!?! and if not, what is it?! and if it is TR, why doesn’t MY TR wall look like that?! its soooo preetttttyyyyy!
I’d take those two arm chairs and use them to flank the red table in front of the window. then take the red chair and cozy that up next to the armoire but angle it to face the couch – much more conversation-facilitating that way. then you might be able to nestle that little table in between the red chair and the armoire, but with a smaller lamp.
excuse me, i meant to say that the two arm chairs should flank the ROUND table in front of the window.
Oh girl, I’m not about to give you advice on decorating because usually I don’t know what in the Sam Hill I’m talking about. My house would probably drive you to distraction!
But, I will tell you that I love the 2nd pic of your wall with the 2 chairs. I think it looks awesome!
Emily’s comments totally cracked me up! Y’all are a riot!
I think the update looks great! And I think since you have the lamp there, the distance between the chairs and the frames is fine. If the lamp wasn’t there, I’d say maybe move them down a tad.
Hi! If it were my space, I would lower the frames above the chairs just a little bit and then loose one of the two chairs to another location – leave just the stand, lamp and one of the chairs there. Because it looks a little cramped/busy in that corner by the fireplace. Just my two cents… By the way, I love your blog and all the great ideas & inspiration here.
Try a single red plate above the center frame. Balance, color, and the unexpected in one move!
I love the photos, and move the chairs away from the wall and face them towards the fireplace :)
hmmm…I think I would skip the table top lamp and go for a wall mounted or low ceiling mounted something. The black chairs look like a waiting area. There’s too much stuff on stuff. Someone mentioned moving the red armchair next to the armoire, and while it might be a little tight, I tend to agree. I would turn it into the fireplace a bit, and then the little table could fill the nook to hold books, etc. with the wall-mounted light or little crown jewel chandelier for reading and extra light for the room. The black chairs could be arranged at the round table, the ottoman (isn’t there an ottoman that agrees w/ the chairs?) could either be a foot prop for the red chair or an extra seat at the round table…maybe the lamp could go there, and with those and the red chair there’s a second legitimate grouping. I might lose the topper on the round table, too, and throw it over the ottoman. Whether you use the wall mounted or ceiling mounted light, I would stack the photos vertically, no grout line, offset toward the fireplace, starting at eyelevel from seated and working up. I’m all about the balance, but if everything is so hyper-level it starts looking like it was flung out of a little league practice pitcher from the center of the room.
Would you be mad if I said your mantle arrangement isn’t working for me? It’s too airy, I think. All your pretty airy elements feel like they need a weightier ballast….could the shutters be black, or dark cherry red, or could I just be quiet and leave you alone? You know what you’re doing, it’s lovely now and will be beautiful no matter what you decide. Your own word said it all – r.e.a.l.!
The updates help a lot! Doesn’t look cluttery now. :-)
Nester, I am no decorator, but you are great at it. My opinion on this particular issue is that the space between the armoire and the fireplaces is too crowded with those chairs.
I would move the left and right picture down a little and you could just leave the red plate out. And i love the blue I want to paint a few walls in my house that color.
I just love reading your blog! Maybe someone already suggested this, but here goes… It seems like that wall (with armoire and 2 chairs) is a bit crowded. Have you tried moving the red (? maybe my colors are a bit off on my screen) upholstered chair over next to the armoire? Then move the 2 chairs with black/white plaid over to the wall with the window — on each side of round table. The extra chair could maybe move to a foyer or other room in your home.
Your room is very cozy and sometimes just moving your pieces around makes a world of difference.
Happy nesting!
I love you home and style, but it seems to me you have a lot of chairs in this space. How about removing the chairs, moving the blue airmoire a smidge closer to the fireplace, hang the the 3 photos vertically or in staggered arrangement with 2 aligned vertically closest to the airmoire and one just above the switch. Then to fill the floor space between the airmoire and the fireplace, I would move the little rocking chair over in that space instead having it next the sectional. Mabye add a basket or stool with childrens books or something to suggest a cozy child’s reading spot next to the fireplace. The chairs feel like they are crowding each other and your fireplace.
But anything you do or don’t do, looks so much better than my house…sigh.
cheers,
Stef
MUCH better in the second photo. The spacing between the chairs and frames is fine. Remember, in ANY kind of designing, negative space is as important as filled space. The negative space itself should make a pleasing pattern. Try standing back and blurring your eyes while looking at the space. I do that when I need to balance colors, shapes, or bulk. It works wonders.
I like your new arrangement. You should try a lighter lamp shade. The dark one is competing with your dark frames. In your sis’s photo her light lampshade is right beside the artwork but you don’t notice it. Hope you find the right feel. These kinds of things bug me to death!
Paint the switch plate to match the walls!
Well, I have a little spot next to my armoire sorta like yours, and this is what I did: I have one large slipcovered chair, and above the chair, I centered two floral prints. On the side of the chair without the armoire, I have a swing arm floor lamp, but you could always put your little table and lamp next to the chair on the side without the armoire. Does this make any sense? I’m not very good at describing things. But anyway, that’s what I did, and that’s probably what I would do with your space, also. But I think your room looks beautiful the way it is, too! :)
Oh, and you are right. The pictures are probably a little too high. And the commenter before me that said to paint the light switch cover: Brilliant!! That’s a perfect idea! You won’t even notice it there painted the same color as the wall. Anyway, I’ll shut up now! :)
I loved it before and I still love it! Guess I’m no help, huh? I will say that I, too, have one that has a rogue light switch and I HATE THAT?! It’s obviously a man designed it becuase they’re the only creatures that I would think of that would just arbitrarily throw something in the middle of a wall like that — what’s UP with that? I wish I had some wall space in my home — it seems like all the GOOD wall space is taken over with WINDOWS??? Don’t get me wrong, I love windows but you’d think that in a 4,000 square foot home, I’d be able to have a FEW cute displays of photos but seriously…the ONLY place in my home to do a nice wall display is over the beds in the bedrooms – what fun is that?!
I think it looks 100% better this way. The pillows, the walls, everything. Don’t you feel it?
I like the spce between the chairs and the frames. “Breathing room” is always good. Since you have a lot of seating, why don’t you take out the chair to the left of the fireplace (as you are looking at it) and move the lamp and tqble over a bit and turn the other chair a little towards the fireplace. Use the other chair somewhere else in your house or switch with another chair in the room.
Melinda
Nester, you do so many incredibly beautiful things I’m really quite touched you’re asking advice here from us humble followers!
And I too must fess up that I did not read all 180 comments before me. On the very slight chance this has not already been said, I would start by moving one of the black plaid chairs to another room, to see if you can create something pleasing in that spot with only one. You have posted before about the usefulness of chairs, but I’m seeing a lot of them in this space.
What about centering the armoire on that wall and placing one chair on each side of the armoire. You could then place a frame above each chair. Love your blog and love that you take constructive criticism so well…even if some of them are not so constructive.
drop the two frames at the sides a bit. LIke a triangle shape with the middle one about half way taller than the two side frames. That will fill the space between the frames and chairs. I do like the chairs straight better.
Love your blog, read you all the time!
I think the space is too small for all the furniture. You should just sell those two chairs to me. :)
What if you moved the red chair next to the Armoire? The ladder back chair next to the round tbl should leave the room, then move those two plaid chairs on either side of the round table. I think that might work the space a little better. But what do I know?
Hope you find a solution that makes you happy!
I like how you have it…but yes, I would lower the pictures a bit so they’re not level with the armoire. Just adds a little interest… I think the light switch is less noticeable now, too…I’m telling you, electricians do NOT think about decor!!
Hi, why not “play musical chairs” by moving the 2 checkered chairs to each side of the fireplace? Then, put the small wooden chair in another room:) Super cozy! I know from experience that less furniture feels better too…
Ok, I am by no means an expert at decorating and in fact come to your blog for ideas every now and again. However, I do think sometimes when the room is not ours, we are able to offer some advice from an “outsiders” point of view. If I were to make some small changes that would make a big impact, I would do the following:
1. Bring curtain rods up higher on both windows in the picture
2. I understand you are trying to nestle in the pictures above the two chairs next to the armoire, but I think there need to be something above the armoire to draw the eyes up. At this point it seems like a lot of the design elements are lower in the room, all the same level, so it would be cool to draw the eyes up a bit in some areas. You may be able to achieve this by moving the curtains up. So I woudl try that first.
3. Change up the mantle….I think instead of the framed art (which I have seem you mention in previous posts is sentimental to you…I think??) but I think 3 pillard candles or filled apothecary jars would look fabulous and balance our the vase on the left side.
That’s all I’ve got and I may be way off, so forgive me if you are thinking I’m crazy! You always do such a fabulous job at decorating and this room looks awesome!!!
Good luck,
Jennifer
I love the new simpler look!
I haven’t read all the comments yet, but I like the “after” picture better, but I would lower the 1st and 3rd photos a bit so they are closer to the chairs and leave the middle one higher.
I bought those triangle shelf thingies recently at a thrift store also and I just can’t figure out WHERE to put them. I painted them too, but they just aren’t speaking to me. (Although I did a big SQUEEE when I first found them.) Find somewhere good and I’ll copy you! :-)
what if you moved those two chairs to in front of the windows, moved the red? chair by where the plaid chairs are. It looks like you’re lining up that wall for a firing squad, the chairs looked better at an angle but the blue containers and red plate just looked too jumbled. can’t wait to see what you end up with…
I decorate by subtracting. Put the armoire in the middle of the wall. put one chair on each side, and one picture. then you can pull the chairs forward when you need them. This is all assuming you can’t move the sofa more into alignment, which I assume you have thought of.
Looks GREAT! Fabulous. I didn’t even realize that was a plate and now that you’ve removed the other side things I don’t SEE the light switch. :)
Those chairs are too big and too numerous for the space. And that little table is too little to be proportionate to it.
I would take one chair away… replace the table with something lower and broader… and move the pictures down to eye level (67 inches on center) so that they connect with the furniture in that space. Get rid of the other items on the wall.
or move both chairs and replace with bench type seating… and still lower the portraits.
but I don’t know anything.
I think it looks absolutely PERFECT!!! Cozy, but not overdone! Enough seating so your not scrambling if anyone comes over besides your own family. The colors are wonderful together! Great job! Pat yourself on the back :)
Kristi
friend. YOU are the Nester. YOUR home is beautiful. :) and it works for YOUR family. :) that is all.
but, i do like what your sister said. ;) tear it all up and start over…you know…with your million dollars you make from sitting at home all day staring at your decorating.
love.
Love the new cleaner look, but I must admit – I {BIG PUFFY HEART} the red toile pillows from the before.
Hey Nester!! Let me just say I am so inspired by you. I so totally did the (distressed) closet door underneath our bar in our kitchen/dining room. It looks just georgous!! :} I think your room looks great but I would move the pictures down a tad bit and put the red plate on above the middle picture. I like your chairs and table but I would move the armoir down as far as you can so you have a little more room. I so hope to create a decorating blog one day. That is my passion too!
I think it’s much better!
-Fringegirl
I love your style of layering, always have. I think you started with too much. The pared down version is better. The only change I’d make at this point, is to lower the outer two framed pictures so they sit closer to the chairs (bottom of frame at the top of the switch plate level). This’ll help break up the strong horizontal lines you have running in that corner/space.
Well, you asked us and we are letting you know! Here’s sugestion #198- boy do you have your work cut out for you! How about leaving the armoire right where it is. Those 2 chairs that seem cramped- put them on either side of the round table under the window. Then put the red chair that was on the right side of the round table to the right of the armoire turned catty-corner towards the sofa, with that little table and lamp either between the armoire and the red chair- or between the red chair and the fireplace- or maybe even behind the red chair? The light switch should still be reachable over the red chair. Finally, the chair that is on the left of the round table- move that somewhere else, maybe to the left of the armoire or put it next to the sofa where that little chair is and put the little chair next to the armoire. There. Oh and the shelves- sorry! too much, find them a new home- love the pics of the kids tho. Maybe even switch the 3 kiddo pics to the fireplace mantle and the art that is there now between the armoire and the fireplace, able the red chair. There. My 2 cents.
Hi, Nester –
I had a similar situation in my library a few years back: a pair of matching chairs that had been my grandmother’s and I had reupholstered, centered with a table (filing cabinet disguised with a vintage table clothe) topped by a lamp and photos. This trio set opposite a sofa with a bench in front of it. The furniture assembly was anchored at the east wall of the room, and floated to the center of the room. (That’s confusing. Basically the west, north and south walls are bookshelves, and the seating is centered in the room, but touching the east wall as the room’s only 10′ wide). Anyway, the arrangement was functional, but as you said, it just wasn’t working for me.
I ended up placing the chairs side-by-side and really liked that. In fact, everyone who saw it did. Though they didn’t match up exactly due to a slight tapering of seats from front to back, the effect was that of a settee. The table/lamp/etc. I placed between the eastern-most chair and the wall. That left direct lighting to only one chair, but the look was well worth the trade off. And there’s a nice window centered on the east wall, so that helped, too.
SO, you might try setting your chairs together, centered under the photos, with the little table to one side — likely, the fireplace side. They might look really great that way. Hey, you can always move them back …!
Personally, I really like the new, less fussy, look. :D
What can you do to make the fireplace more of a focus. It seems to me it is just hanging out there in the background or literally shoved in a corner. I love the room, and the grouping of the chairs by themselves, but not in the room as a whole. Can you move the sectional around? Bring in more of a conversation center?
PS I mistreated windows a year ago with a glue gun and some fabric and named my glue gun Xena. (here if your are interested http://nicolemoncur.blogspot.com/2009/02/xena-warrior-princess.html)
I have since moved to sewing a quilt and a purse and am thinking a name for my sewing machine…maybe Vera?
I think the picture frames look good…high enough so you wont hit your head on them when you sit in the chair, and they line up perfectly with the height of the armoir.
I love all of your stuff, so don’t burn it, and it does look a little calmer without those triangle things and red plate, and the chairs facing forward. But, the two chairs still look too crammed in between the armoire and fireplace. When you look at the overall room picture, the arm of one chair is sticking out and blocking the fireplace and it looks a little weird, and the other one is really too close to the armoire. What about only one chair there? You already have a lot of seating in there so maybe that would work.
I will be interested to see what you decide, and I love your color combos btw. As soon as I move, I’m painting SOMETHING your blue color- love it!!
I think that little spot is great with your chairs! You’ve said before you have a lot of family and need the seating. You can just move them out toward the couch if you need to when company comes. Perfect!
Try adding a framed picture below the far right and far left pictures, it might balance it out a little more (kind of like Emily’s wall of pictures).
You are brave to ask for advice:)
ps. Also, that lamp is just too big and tall for that little table.
Maybe you should try out some of the suggestions, photograph them, then post them and have a vote! That would be fun!
thank goodness there is someone else who obsesses over these things like I do. I think it looks great now. I would probably look at it with only one chair to see how I liked that. But the chairs are so nice, I’m sure it would be hard to put one of the chairs in another part of the house. And I guess you can’t move your armoire so so have a chair on either side. Just leave it like it is now. I like it! I don’t think there is too much space between. Looks perfect!
From one Obsessor to another ;)
It definitely looked like you felt the need to fill every space. I’m
glad you removed the two little shelves and red plate. I don’t think there
is too much space between the chairs and frames – you need the space for the lamp. Could you try just one chair w/the table & lamp? It’s crowded.
By the way, I am slightly obsessive until I get it just right, too.
I haven’t read all of the responses, so forgive if this is a repeat. I think it feels a like you have your furniture lined up around your walls in that room. I know it’s a lot tighter than other living rooms you’ve had, so you may need all of that seating. If you’re able to spare some, I think you could remove the chairs and move the armoire down a little. Although that might make things feel a little tall all along that wall. If you could spare one chair, you could remove the little one and have those two chairs flank your fireplace and see if that helped things any. And finally, if you need to leave the chairs as-is, I think what bothers me most about that vignette is the lamp. The white lamp blends into the wall and the black shade is so stark. So you see the three frames and the shade floating above the two chairs. That might be why you felt like you needed the plate back there. That white lamp would be better on a table in front of a backdrop with color such as the drapes or something like that.
What about raising the center picture a smidge… and lowering the two outer pictures a smidge? Or would this be an obvious solution? Love, love, love your blog… and your home. Thank you.
You’ve got so many comments here, I’m sure you’ll be able to find something that will work perfectly!
I’m an interior designer and have these same sort of issues at my house, too! When I look at the far away photo what I see is that the light is sort of interferring with the composition. If it was gone, you could lower the photographs. Now, that being said, I love accent lights all over the place, so I can see why you’ve got it there. Good luck, with enough tweaking you’ll find it!
Good heavens – 214 comments. I don’t have time to read them all so this maybe a repeat…
I think the table is too tall for that space. Something shorter would work better with the lamp.
Also, I think there are two many chairs in that small spot. Could you rearrange the other furniture in the room to allow only one chair by the fireplace? Or one on either side? It looks a little crowded. Two forced.
AND I think (OK I have said that 3 times too many!) that when you are done using the fireplace for its functional, seasonal purpose, you should try – just try – clearing it off and putting the armoire in front of it as the focal point of the room. It looks like it would just fit in the diagonal space of that wall. Would it?? Then you can really have space to spread out the furniture a little and the fireplace and armoire won’t be fighting for all the attention.
Can’t remember how that room looks in 360, but is it possible next winter to have two focal points that aren’t in the same view. Like could you put the armoire on an opposing wall from the fireplace and have a seat grouping in front of the fireplace and the sectional facing the tv? or vice versa? Maybe not, but I have always thought that it looks as if there are 2 big centers of attention and that makes it restless.
Just my two cents worth.
I love your ideas and your constant rearranging by the way. You inspire all of us to make our homes reflect who we are and to make them a welcoming place for our families. :) Thanks!
I would take one of the chairs away. Scoot the table/lamp a bit closer to the fireplace and angle the chair a little. It will make the whole vignette seem more spacious and that way the lamp isn’t so symmetrical under the artwork. But I think it looks great with what you’ve done! You’re so talented! :)
lots of comments from all us “experts” but you asked for it. I would move the red wing chair over to where the plaid chairs are, angle it so it faces the couch area and replace that tiny table and too big of a lamp with a floor lamp. Then move the two plaid chairs on either side of your round table,get rid of the wooden armchair, replace the plaid ottoman coffee table with something larger and not so matchy matchy. Would also remove the urn from the mantel, keeping just the shutter backdrop and the painting. Dont worry bout the light switch. they are an evil sig of progress that we tend to overlook after a while. cute room though, just a bit too much stuff.
Maybe at some point when you are ready to repaint the walls, you can have the light switched moved over nearer to the fireplace so it won’t be in the middle of that wall. Then patch the wall and paint. It might cost about $100 to do that but at least you won’t be hating it all the time. I think the less is more. I like Dianne’s suggestions above. Regardless your room is cuter and cozier than most….oh why do we always feel the need to change things? :)
Much better. Those blue things were bugging me. I actually didn’t notice the light switch because I was thinking it would look better with just the photos. Too much for a small space and too symmetrical before (minus the switch!).
Your cozy, fun decor makes me smile! :)
I love the way it looks after. Before it was a bit too cluttered and your eye couldn’t really focus on anything. Altho I did like the chairs angled.
I’m pretty sure that me giving you decorating advice would be a bit like me trying to teach Lindsay Vonn how to ski!
Your home is lovely. The joy is that it is your real lived in space. And those 3 precious faces are the real deal!
Have a blessed day!
Stacey
so much better! I would suggest bringing the pictures higher though. How about a series of 4 or six. You know place the first row 2 inches about that dang light switch and then the second row 2 inches above that. ….that way it is sorta mimicking the wall you love so much of your sisters.
The table you have placed by the window, I would love to see a picture of it closer. I struggle with arranging the tables in my home.
Do you really need 227 suggestions?
OK…here is #227
Move the 2 checkered chairs on either side of the decorators table or one on each side of the fireplace or center the armoire and put one on either side.
Move upholstered chair to face couch even though it would block the fireplace or move to another room.
I would center the armoire no matter what.
ok, just because it is fun to play with your pretty things with such low committment since I don’t live there… I would move the two chairs you are working with over to the window with the round table between them. i would then bring that pretty red chair over to the armoir and use the little blue table and lamp there. Keep the pictures on that wall, but move the table and lamp to offset with the red chair so it doesn’t compete with the pictures. Put those red toile pillows back on the blue chairs, the colors are too good together. While I love red plates, no more here for a bit. And this means you have to move the one other chair that is currently by the window to another room. While giving this advice, of course I could live in your house with none of these pretties and still be amazed at how welcoming it always looks. Thanks for letting me play!
Never hang a picture so low behind seating that your husband or kids bang their heads on it when they sit. If you do no one will sit there or they will kill your picture. That is one of my rules.
One of the things that caught my eye was how the photos look kinda like they’re crammed in there, and the middle one is getting all the light from the lamp while the other two are in shadow, so maybe you could try raising them a bit or offsetting them by raising the one in the center. Then maybe you could place the shelves in the open spaces (above the side photos and under the middle one.) That’s just something that struck me. :)
May I please have those chairs? There, problem solved.
232 replies and opinions…I bet you’re sorry you asked. ;-)
Your home is so gorgeous and it’s ‘yours’…you have to do what fits for your family and life..
Ok, I’m no decorator…how about scooting the armoire to the middle of the wall and put a chair on either side. Can’t wait to see what you do!
I love the updated pictures! — Very elegant! With homeschooling 4 children of my own, I love shelves! Have you thought about finding a low bookcase and replacing the chairs with that? (I know sometimes a person needs to keep all the seating space possible…)
Love reading your thought process in making your house a home!
~Dana
Well, I’m not going to offer you any advice, I think you have enough of that to pick from. I just want to say that no matter WHAT you decide, your home is STILL beautiful and cozy, no matter what you decide! I will be honest, the first picture you posted was so warm and inviting, I had to pop over and see what was going on. Love the black and white plaid chairs with the red pillows.
Can’t wait to see what you decide!!
There already have been so many comments but I thought I’d chime in. I didn’t really like the first set up you had. There was something that wasn’t right. I love the way you have it now. It looks great. Just my two cents.
Ruth
Nester,
I don’t have time to read 238 comments, but I know what the problem is:
It’s the armoire and fireplace. They are fighting to be the Center of Attention, and your eyes go back and forth between them, unable to rest.
Since you can’t get rid of the fireplace, i’m sorry, the armoire has to go.
I have read you and your sis for a long, long time and have become very good friends with Sandy Coughlin. I’ve rarely commented, because you are usually ‘way, ‘way ahead of me, and I don’t have a blog, and therefore, credentials. But on this …
deb meyers
I love the idea, and have a similar layout in my house. I agree that there is too much space between the chairs and the artwork. They seem disconnected. Also, everything is the same height…the armoire, the photos, the vases on the mantle. I would add 2 more photos and arrange the 5 photos similarly to the photo of your sister’s house. Just leave a blank space on the bottom row for the lamp to fill. I think you would get a similar vibe, but with the added interest of varying heights in the room.
everything looks great, but I would probably keep the center picture where it is and drop the 2 on either side about 2″ lower. love your blog:)
Nice chairs. Looks a little squished in that area. Try one chair and hanging the three photographs vertically – closer to the fire place. Maybe less symmetry. It would be fun to just come and push furniture around a bit. Sometimes a friend can bring a fresh perspective. I need my decorating friend to come in and say things like, “I never liked that, ” and “Looks perfect, ” and “Let’s try. . . ” etc. Good luck!
OMG! LOL I have those shelves from Southern Living, and I have never even thought of painting them! I’m passed the red wall phase, so I need to whip out the paints!
Your room looks great!
It looks perfect now. The problem was those cones. I think they need to live somewhere by themselves. I don’t think they play well with other accessories.
Nester, I think that table is too small for the space. What about a bigger table, and move one of the plaid chairs to the other side of the fireplace? I think you have too much stuff in there, and the little table is what is throwing it off.
I like the wall better without the blue things.
Angie
I vote you raise the 3 framed pics up higher on the wall. Maybe it would open it up a bit? Those coney shelf things were too crowded in there, it looks better without them (lovely as they are, of course!). I think the lamp just needs some headroom. It is feeling squashed.
I’m no expert, but can’t resist tossing in my 2 cents. I love this idea of getting design comments from blogland – I should try it for my bathroom!
I love your room and your furniture. It is one of my inspiration rooms for our next house. As far as changes. I would like to see a large plant on top of the armoire. I’ve done that before and I think it fills that blank wall look and cozies things up. I would add something over the photos. a wall saying perhaps or something long. I love the red wingback chair but I think it is a little heavy. Replacing it with a chair similar to the one on the other side of the table would be nice.
Nester,
I struggle with the distance needed between artwork and chairs like yours. I know it doesn’t need to float, but I don’t want the sitters to hit their heads on the artwork either! Thanks for your blog! Love this after photo. It looks better to me!
I, too, would move the pictures UP more, not down, if anything.
Am feeling the two chairs and table in the space between the large armoire and the fireplace is just too crowded. I would take one chair away, and place it on the other side of the fireplace, where the rocker is currently sitting in front of the window. Still close enough together to be a pair. Angle the remaining chair away from the fireplace, more towards the main conversation area. Could still leave all three frames where they are, with the one chair and table with lamp centered underneath them. If leaving the setting as is, I would raise the middle print to hang higher, above the lamp, creating a “step down” or “pyramid” effect. :-)
lower the chandelier a few inches, or more if you can. It’ll make a huge difference.
After looking at your photos for a while I have a couple suggestions. The first is to drop the three photos down a couple of inches. They would be more centered between the height of your armoire and fireplace creating more of snug feel for that little area. The problem with lowering them is that the lamp would need to go lower as well. The other option I saw adding one more smaller pillow to each chair in a complimentary color to the reds you have. The color pop will make the eye drop and no one will notice the light switch.
….I just took another glance and am certain that I like my second idea the best. lol
I want your room! I want your house! You did a great job fixing up that wall. What a beautiful home you have.
What if you:
1) put the two plaid chairs where the two chairs are with the round table and keep the round table where it is
2) move the armoire over a little bit toward the fireplace and put the stuffed chair and the little table on the right side of it
3) put the other chair on the left side of the armoir
I love all your pieces! So homey and pretty and cozy feeling!
I think it’s the lamp that’s really messing up the space~ it looks awkward and creates too much space b/tween the top of the chairs and bottom of the frames. Maybe try losing the lamp and putting another row of frames under the ones you have.. stack some old favorite books on the little table instead – - or favorite childrens books to go w/ the “theme” of your kiddo’s pictures!! LOVE your home~ and always feel inspired when I visit here.
Love your colors. It looks great to me, but I do agree with smaller lamp or maybe a small simple floor lamp- all metal if light is needed and lose the shelves. Looks better w/o plate too. AND where did you get the sectional. It’s great!