For those of you hoping I was going to show off a new hair cut, I am sorry to disappoint. I try not to make many big decisions while pregnant (like cutting my hair) because I almost always regret them. I do however love to move furniture around.
December is Laura’s last monthly round up of the year and she is finishing up with “The Living Room.” Since we had to move furniture to put up our Christmas tree I thought this would be the perfect time to try out a new look.
Before December our living room looked like this.
I really liked this set up, except for the fact that the bookcase was always a mess. Since this is the first room you see when you walk in my house I don’t like people to see a mess!
We moved things around for the tree and it looked like this.
Now the tree is gone and it looks like this.
I like this set up because it brings another chair into the room and we never have enough seats. What I don’t like about this arrangement is that my windows look bare!
If I am going to keep it this way I think I need the following:
- Big picture or mirror over the piano.
- Small table between the two khaki chairs.
- A little something for the windows.
- Some type of storage for a few games or toys for the kids.
We moved the tall bookcase to the stairwell and I really like it there so it is not coming back down. Plus it is a big pain to move all those books. The piano can be moved because it is getting fixed next month and they have to take it to the shop to fix it, but I like it on that wall.
I am not an interior decorator, my style is something like late yard sale/ hand-me-down. I would love any opinions you have to help me finish off this room!
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
First of all, I have to say that I love your livingroom. It looks so inviting. The only suggestion that I have for you is to maybe hang some curtains on the window, and add something interesting on the wall over the piano. Between the khaki chairs, I wouldn’t put a small table. Maybe a nice, big basket with a few books/magazines/games in it. It could be used as storage and add decoration to the livingroom.
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I agree a big picture or group of pictures over the piano would look great. I think a small table would like good between the chairs. I hope you get it the way you want it. I think it looks nice so far.
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I really like the setup, but I do agree with everyone else. A big picture, or group of pics over the piano, and a table between the khaki chairs. Under our end table I have a basket that I keep blankets in, but you could easily use one for toys/games.
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I think a mirror over the piano would really bring everything together. Big mirrors always make the room look bigger too! Great job so far! Very pretty!
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I like it, a lot. I agree with the comments above (and Ikea has GREAT basket-y storage chests), but I just wanted to compliment you on your simple style. We’re late yard sale/early thrift store type decorators (long live the slipcover), so I get what you’re saying. Anyhow, it’s lovely.
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It looks great! Isn’t it so nice to get the room back to normal after the holidays. I think you can definitely kill two birds with one stone by doing a combined storage area/table between the two chairs. Can’t wait to see what you decide to do.
Happy New Year!!
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If curtains are too hard, perhaps you could try a swath of white, sheer fabric draped over a decorative rod and hanging down on either side? My daughter’s piano teacher does this (her walls are yellow, too!) and then she adds a second draping of colored fabric (light blue for summer, red for winter) on top of the gauze draping. It looks lovely – she made coordinating throw pillows for her sofa to match each color – and it’s totally portable.
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I’m certainly no decorator, but here’s my advice:
Put a large mirror over the piano. It will give the room a more open feeling.
Hang some simple Roman shades (they’re really cheap but good looking) on the windows.
Place a unique end table between those two chairs.
All this advice comes from one who needs “staging” assistance herself!
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I would recommend simple floor-length panels on either side of the windows. I thought it odd how they were not positioned the same (the one on the left looks closer to the other wall?) but try to not crowd the window — hang the panels alongside. Amazing how curtains and texture warm up a room. I have a storage container of (discounted/yard sale) curtains I select from every time we move. After you have these up you’ll know better what you want to do over the piano.
I might also bring out the chair in the corner just a bit to bring it more in line as a seating area with the piano bench and maybe put a (yard sale) floor lamp behind it? It’ll be mostly hidden so the base doesn’t need to be fancy. And for between the two chairs, a table unit with baskets under it for tidy-looking storage for toys, etc. Ikea w/b a good place to find size options there. (I also found a $5 floor lamp there last year.) I have never regretted purchasing a low-profile storage table/shelf/multi-functional unit.
I feel like I’m sounding bossy but I love looking at this stuff. I probably rearrange furniture myself every six months on average. And yes, bookshelves are a pain! Kudos to you for such an organized living room with all the kiddos.
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Your colour sceam is soooooooo close to mine. I totally agree with the things you said to change. It would just make it perfect ! Curtains are also a wonderful TW tip. I will share why on this coming TWT plus about cutting my own hair. I understand what you mean by making decisions while pregnant. How are you feeling ???
Blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<
-Mary
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I recently found your blog and started following it. I am really enjoying it… I think a old trunk/chest would be perfect in between the khaki chairs and it would give you the storage you were looking for. Just a thought.
Happy New Year!
Elizabeth
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If you get a lot of sunlight in that window, the table will be great for seed starting
Of course, with the baby and all…you might not want to do much with a garden this year. But you could still have the kiddos maintain a small kitchen garden for you so you can have some fresh herbs, tomatoes, and such. Your room looks great! I’m sure whatever you decide will be awesome!
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We have a 2 drawer chest in our living room. It works as video game storage, we store games and the controllers, etc in there. Its just a basic, picked up off the curb model, but you can find all sorts of styles and options for 2 drawer chests out there. I would recommend looking at thrift stores and yard sales first, cause that’s how I roll.
My recommendation for above the piano…a puzzle! We got one from my husband’s grandparents when they moved to Florida, and its always a conversation starter. You put it together with all the kids, give it a few layers of modge podge and then frame it. Of course keep in mind the size; we did one over Christmas so I could move one to another room and I can’t find a frame for less than $80 on sale to fit it. I am making the husband miter some door trim we have in the garage and craft me a glassless frame.
As for windows, I like open windows…except that ours let in too much cold, so we finally opted for buying some thermal curtains. I have seen people display quilts in their windows for curtains, and I sort of want to try that with our big window some time, but I only have one nice quilt and it doesn’t go with my living room colors since its a spring green and purple. You can always experiment with one though. I also like the idea of fabric swags. (again can’t do that cause we would freeze, or have double the heating cost)
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I am not a professional either. But you definitely need something above the piano. You need to decide what your focal point is. Is it the piano or the pictures above the sofa?
Have you tried putting the couch as a natural divider where the chair is (you know, the lone chair by the door)? It would face the piano but be a natural divider in the room. Just a thought.
I would probably take the chair by the door out of the room and bring it in when I needed extra seating. But that’s because my kids needed alot of playspace in the living room. You have alot of kids so you probably need the chair.
Buy some inexpensive material and swag it over the windows if you want covering. I have a lace tablecloth draped over a rod in the dining room as a window covering. I tied it on with a ribboned bow.
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I love the new look! Great job! A giant mirror above the piano would look awesome.
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Your home is so warm and inviting!! I love how it is simple and beautiful. I have 5 young children and have found that simple is so much better!! I love your red sofa-it looks so child friendly!!!
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It must feel good to get it all put away!! Happy New year. I have a list obsession going on at my blog. Want to play?
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I thought your bookcase looked nice and tidy. Nice arrangement though.
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Whenever I try to find a new look, I google images. Like: Living Room
Then, I click on the images link and keep looking until I find something that will work in my house.
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What gorgeous pieces. PLEASE don’t be offended, but if this was my room here’s what I’d do:
Put bookshelf back b/n 2 windows.
Move piano under window near door and don’t block the flow of the room with a chair in the doorway path.
Put nice red couch under black&white pics wall.
That way the piano player can see outside and have natural light above them plus this eliminates needing anything above the piano.
I’d group those 3 white framed pics in a line/row above your existing piano(b/n 2 windows) if you really don’t like to move the piano. Use what you have, so you don’t have to buy more stuff.
I think the bookshelf really anchors those two windows. I’d line up all the single chairs nicely under the window by the door if you’re not moving the piano. Then you’ll have more room, room appears bigger & less cluttered. You have some great pieces! If it’s placed strategically you won’t need window treatments.
Just my opinion…I don’t live there. : ).
Love your blog!!
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I love the simplicity of the room. I have a similar situation. We have a huge kitchen and a relatively small home, so we use the dining room as our music room. We have a book case, two cellos and guitars on stands and a piano. I noticed that you had moved the piano to an outside wall. Our piano is also currently on an outside wall which is not recommended. We like the mirror idea and have had a mirror hung above the piano. I bought very inexpensive sheer drapes for our windows, and we have narrow slat aluminum blinds to lower for privacy and heat reduction when needed. I appreciate the info you have provided. Thanks!
Cindy
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A piano in the living room just makes it look like home.
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