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by Melissa Walker
4 months ago in Design Dilemma
Living room paint/carpet
I am working on a new living room design. I need suggestions for other wall paint colors and color/design/texture for an area rug. I don't have children, but have one dog and one cat.
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Aggie Purvinska I am leaning towards an Ivory rug here, but may not be practical. The wall color could lighten up a little, too...

[houzz=Pavilion Gray (#242) Farrow and Ball]

[houzz=Braid-Textured Rug]
4 months ago ·
Norma Sassone wHITE LEATHER SOFAS; ORANGE AND GRAY STRIPED RUG
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker @AggieDesigns - Here's a rough idea of what it looks like with your suggestions. The curtains seem to get lost with this wall color. Your thoughts??
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker @Norma Sassone - I already purchased the sofas and the curtains, so I have to work with those. The sofas are a dark steel grey color (almost black). I do love the white leather, though.
4 months ago ·
decoenthusiaste How about something like one of these instead of the coffee table in your illustration? It would bring in a bit of white leather. Would like to see some black in a chandelier too. If you decide to switch to another accent color the chandy can stay as a permanent fixture.You can still get the red shade with an arc lamp.
4 months ago ·
Aggie Purvinska That looks very much me, lol.

I like it :)

but you could do a bolder rug...

[houzz=
]
4 months ago ·
OTM Designs & Remodeling Inc I would go with white couches, and a solid color rug that's a dramatic loud color......that would look great!
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker Ok, I LOVE the black chandelier, orange floor lamp and the bold rug with the lighter wall color!
Check it out! :)
I tried the white leather ottoman and did not like it with the rest of the decor.

Any other suggestions for a table and how about different colored pillows??
4 months ago · ·
Norma Sassone Ok, since you already have the charcoal grey sofas, I agree that you should have a lighter color or bright color rug underneath, and lots and lots of bold color pillows on the sofa. Maybe the valance could be white too. How about white crown molding as well? a couple of cantelivered modern lamps as well...
4 months ago ·
Norma Sassone here are some floor lamps and the rug - i see you have one but I think they should bew on both sides.
4 months ago ·
Norma Sassone FAbulous modern abstract art both sides of window.
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker Would a blue/teal rug work with this??
I'm not sure about the white valances...
I'm not crazy about the magenta/pink color in art or the 1 pillow.
Do you have other artwork ideas?
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker white valances etc
4 months ago ·
Norma Sassone yeah one of the paintings is definitely enough! A white fluffy rug maybe? An abstract on one side and a starburst clock on the other?
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker ok, I've ended up here... what am I missing?? The last multicolor rug was too busy and the white cowhide seems off. I feel like there should be more blue/purple to tie things together. Maybe I am completely off here??
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker I like the darker color scheme overall and don't mind punches of color. Pinks are not my favorite. I like oranges, blues, purples.
4 months ago · ·
galinamoroz Do you mind sharing what program your using? i love it!
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker Here are a couple more with different rugs...
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker @galinamoroz... Thanks! :) I use Adobe Photoshop CS6.
4 months ago ·
Natalie Hi---that rug was too busy? Did you take remove all but the two pillows you have in the first photo? I think you need pattern and color on the floor to balance the space. I wouldn't be too concerned yet about pillows. I do like the coffee table. I'll go rug shopping...
4 months ago ·
Natalie The rug on the left is definitely better than the one on the right... I like your silver lamp better than the orange one... Too many pops of color.
4 months ago · ·
MG Mack I'd do some kind of grouping with the motorcycle print.
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker Here it is. I don't hate it... just a bit too floral for my taste. :)
4 months ago · ·
Natalie Found a pillow that might pull it together. Omit the pink/orange/green pillow and toss in a set of these. Let's see how it looks with those rugs. :)
4 months ago ·
Natalie Hi---OK, too floral, but that balance is what is needed in that space. Do you notice how the walls do not look as dark/heavy with the rug? I'm going to browse for rugs...
4 months ago · ·
MG Mack I like your first rendition best so far. Perhaps add a side table/simple console with sleek white pottery/sculpture/vases for a streamlined grouping. I'd like to see striped pillows...fine stripes...black, orange, red, blue and white maybe? How about a simple rug...
4 months ago · ·
Natalie ?
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker Give me a bit and i'll try all those! Muchas gracias!!! :)
4 months ago · ·
MG Mack I think you need to somehow bring the drapes into the rest of the room...I can't find the pillows I had in mind...I'll keep digging. ;)
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker @Maureen McClintock - I like the colors there! ...and I agree about the curtains.
4 months ago · ·
Natalie ? Out with the bright saturated and into more muted, rich hues. Have no idea if this appeals to you, but wanted to throw it out there. :)
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker Ok, I went through all of the artwork, pillows, rugs etc. and came up with what I liked best at this point. I love the jellyfish painting! Though they're not exactly perfect, the black/white pillows did alot to tie in the curtains. The other painting is one I've had on one of my Pinterest boards. I also added a table lamp with black shade. I can easily change the shade color. Thoughts?? I'm still at a loss for the area rug... sigh.
4 months ago · ·
Natalie Ohhhh Yessssssssssssss I ♥ this...
GORGEOUS!!!!
That last rug didn't work for you eh? It looked so good on my end.
Let's go hunt for pillows...
4 months ago ·
MG Mack Definitely more cohesive. Can you switch the lamps? What about a colorblocked rug or maybe texture? Rag rug or faux fur if you're feeling gutsy? :)
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker I switched the lamps. Do you like them better like that?
What do you think about these b/w pillows?
I'll search for some rugs...
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker room
4 months ago · ·
Natalie These are quite different and beautiful---Unique...
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker oooh, I LOVE those pillows...
4 months ago · ·
galinamoroz if it was me i would add green maybe. solid rug. love the standing lamp. how about two lighter gray chairs standing next to eachather. keep the orange blue art and try adding a room devider on the other side just for the looks.


for the green about about real or silf fiddle leaf tree? they are kind of spendy but i think its worth it.
4 months ago · ·
Natalie If you like more BOLD pattern---
Happy you like those pillows. They are Beautiful! Never seen them before. I'll send you over a link...
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker fur rug??
4 months ago · ·
MG Mack Hmmm...nope. lol Well maybe. It depends. Now we're kind of losing the more formal look that you had in the beginning. Though it does look comfy! I like the lamps switched for balance. I think the pillows are a bit too whimsical, IF you want a more formal stream-lined look and feel. Again, it's about you and what you're going for. The drapes are quite stately and formal. It all depends on what you want the room to be.I think it can handle the switch in artwork but if you add science inspired pillows and more whimsical touches it will be a completely different room. And obviously you can go in any direction you please because it's important that you love everything in the room. ;)
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker Thanks so much for those links!
Here's a bit more... tables didn't mesh so well. I'll have to look more.
Anyone have thoughts about the chairs I added? Are they too much?
I like cozy, not too formal. It is a living room that will be used to hang out/watch tv.
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker Amazing what different perspectives can do to transform a space! I really love where it's going everyone!!! Thank you! :D
4 months ago · ·
MG Mack If you're going for cozy and eclectic, I do like the rug then. :D What you want it to feel like when you walk in or hang out in it makes all of the difference.
4 months ago · ·
Natalie It's coming along---I LOVE it too...
Here are a few more chairs-nothing wrong with those you have pictured, but the gray one sort of blends into the walls/drapery hues... Anyway, here you are---I'll stop in tomorrow and see how it's evolved... Good Luck!
[houzz=][houzz=Chelsea Wing Chair][houzz=White Eddie Accent Chair, White][houzz=Kalinda's Chair][houzz=Nexus Swivel Chair]
4 months ago · ·
galinamoroz Love the chair idea, but would have to agree with Natalie white once would look really goo there. are you planing on keeping both of the paintings? or one of them?
4 months ago · ·
Natalie I think both the paintings work well here-hopefully they will stay. I was wondering if one valance should span across for both windows---might be something to play around with. I just showed my hubby the before picture of this room and how it has evolved---he said WOW-Beautiful-I love it! There's a man's point of view. :)
4 months ago · ·
mmilos Another man's perspective:
Agree with one valance on the close windows...and just have two fuller drape panels on the ends.
Lose one of the art pieces. I think the two you have are too matching in scale and looks crowded with the windows.

Edit the design.
4 months ago · ·
MG Mack More furnishings to play with...
4 months ago ·
MG Mack and...
4 months ago ·
Natalie I agree about the valances, but the art-not so much. The art is hung too high in the photo---needs to be tweaked in reality... The "center" of a painting/picture/art should hang approx. 57"-60" from the floor.
4 months ago ·
MG Mack ...
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker I appreciate all of your comments/suggestions. I changed the 2-window valance, went from 4 to 3 curtains on center windows, scaled down & moved the paintings, and added a white leather chair. Will try some different chairs now. It felt like a Tang explosion with the orange table (though I like it!). Other suggestions for tables? Did I move paintings enough? Are both paintings really too much?? What do you suggest as an alternative and which one would I remove? I love them both. :)
4 months ago · ·
Natalie The woman can be raised slightly as it is longer and narrower than the other painting. I do not like the chair---it does nothing for the space. The gray looked better. :) The legs of this chair are similar in tone to the table so it really takes away, rather than accentuate...
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker white fabric chair & painting slightly raised
4 months ago · ·
Natalie ♥ it!!!
4 months ago · ·
Natalie I'd like to see what this pillow looks like in place of one of the colored pillows---whichever of the two looks best to you-you decide... Maybe just add it on the left sofa---leave the right as is..
4 months ago · ·
Melissa Walker Will do this afternoon, for sure... thank you so much, Natalie! Have a spectacular day! :)
4 months ago · ·
Natalie You're welcome Melissa... You have a FantaBulous day as well...
4 months ago ·
Natalie Did a real slop job on this but it looks right... Check back later in the day... :)
4 months ago ·
Natalie ///
4 months ago ·
Norma Sassone Coming together Natalie! You know so much of this is a matter of personal taste. I love the white wing chair; I'd do a matching set just like the sofas. LOVE the fluffy white rug and the photo pillows. I still think a cool vintage with some wood and stainless steel color sunburst clock instead of the woman picture ( keep the one on the left) would liven things up and tie in to the wooden table. Be sure it is plenty BIG to balance the painting.
4 months ago ·
MG Mack I like the leather chair better...but agree the legs should be black. I like the change in the drapes Honestly, I think the artwork is the only thing you see. Everything else kind of fades from focus. I like the painting on the right but maybe for a different room? The outer space pillows seem more appropriate for a boys' bedroom or a den imho. Although they do match the painting on the left and as I said before, it's all about you I like the purple chair and miss the original orange floor lamp. I liked the style of the grey chair but agree that the color blended into the drapes and walls. If you like blues and purples why not try a new color pallet rather than sticking with the orange? I think black and white prints would be a nice addition. It's tough to read what direction you want to take though. :)
4 months ago ·
mmilos I would remove the art with the woman on the right and move the orange abstract over to where the woman art is now. Leave the corner wall blank.

Put a larger floor lamp in the corner.
4 months ago · ·
galinamoroz I would also remove the women picture and move the orange one to the other side and put a fiddle leaf tree in that corner. C
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker Ok, I like the "mellower" pillow colors.
How about art deco mirror on left wall, other painting moved to right side, one purple & one white chair? Thoughts on coffee table?
What kind of lamp would you put on left side? I REALLY like the "gear" lamp. :)
I like some masculine touches (specifically, motorcycles are my passion).
4 months ago · ·
Natalie Hi---I didn't even notice the gear lamp-it disappeared. :) Try this mirror instead. The coffee table and side table are too similar, one needs to be changed... Are you set with the purple and orange hues---100% sure you want to keep both in this space?
[houzz=
]
4 months ago · ·
4 months ago ·
MG Mack Motorcycle accents...I looked for a motorcycle chain mirror...Maybe you could have one made? Maybe too industrial?
4 months ago ·
MG Mack or
4 months ago ·
Melissa Walker Ooooohh, VERY cool!!! I will pop those in tonight. :) Thx!
4 months ago · ·
nettiegreene In each re-do pic of ur room..the one thing i notice is that the length of drapes r too long..maybe shorten drapes and i agree w/ an earlier comment of using muted hues as accent colors.:)
4 months ago ·
Natalie The room looks very different from how it first started out. Not sure which direction you're going in now. Keep us posted and Good Luck!
4 months ago ·
jdittmar327 i liked the picture with the woman better than the mirror
4 months ago ·
caricampbell I love the addition of the chairs and that rug. I liked the first set of chairs best. Definitely like the singular valance better, too! I liked the artwork of the woman better than the mirror as well- there is color one side and none on the other which makes it look imbalanced to me.
4 months ago · ·
Natalie Yes, there is no color in that corner---that was a suggestion someone made-remove the woman, switch the painting to the right and leave the corner blank with a lamp. Hmmm, maybe a colored lamp?
4 months ago ·
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