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.
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.