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violinist3713 I think a rug under that coffee table would look great and would warm up the room a bit

mmilos A patterned, colored area rug is what you need. Add throw pillows and drapery panels in a color pulled from the rug. A piece of art above the mantle will complete the room.

chickinvic I'm picturing a nice rust or orange coloured rug to pick up the colour of a couple accent pieces you have in the room.

The Home Beautiful Beautiful floors and paint selection! I also like the minimalist style. The room could carry any rug you would wish. I would stick with clean lines and shapes or if you'd like to soften the linear minimalism of the room, find some organic shapes in your pattern. Make sure to contrast those floors in color because they are so pretty.

You should check out www.owrugs.com. It is a area rug line we carry that is high quality at great price points. If you have any questions on any of the rugs or would like to order one (They are 10% off our already discounted price right now) let us know! 603-524-5588

-Jadi

LizaJane Definately add a rug and art above mantle. Also, the backs of the bookcases are really dark. You might want to paint a complimentary color or add some lighting.

lastplace your room has great potential with the fireplace and huge built ins. Right now your room has two personalities that don't work together. You need to warm up the built ins with larger brighter items or paint the backs on the built ins and keep your darker items. Your walls are too light for the colour and heaviness of the the built ins. Choose a medium colour for the walls that complement the grey built ins, then if you do decide to paint the back walls go a shade lighter than the walls. An area rug will pull it all together, just make sure you go larger not smaller. Also have you tried putting the chair in front of the window with a end table and lamp , keeping it square off the couch. I think it takes away from the fireplace having only one chair on an angle. If you had two matching chairs on either side of the fireplace that would look very nice.

AMN Create a conversation cluster that is focused on the fireplace. Connect all seating furniture pieces with a rug. Add appropriately-sized, well-chosen art above the fireplace and above the couch. Get some drapery panels up onto the window(s), and add throw pillows for color. I like the clean look overall, but you need to make sure each piece in the built-in provides some visual impact. Hard to tell, but a beefier coffee table might be warranted.

Jayme Hobbs pics

pmjames sheep skin rug would look very luxurious

joeturbo26 I totally see a cowhide rug!

yvesun Yes the area needs an area rug! The long shag that Jayne Hobbs posted looks cozy. I would also suggest if you are keeping the red accent that you paint the back of the bookshelves that colour too and add shelf lightning The solid chocolate brown looks too heavy, but the red would make the cream vases pop. As would some red & brown pillows on the couch and a vase of fresh flowers on your mantel. I would also like to see you add a small end table next to the "rocker" and pull it out from the wall. Oh and a large piece of art on the wall behind the couch.

sheharwell Love the area rug idea and pulling the burnt orange (?) color out. Might even paint the interior of the built-ins with the orange color. Maybe a tall vase(s) to extend the height on the mantle and put a large piece of artwork on sofa wall. Can also offset vases on shelves with a collection of books. I think an old set of encyclopedias looks wordly especially if the spines are in a coordinating color (black or orange).

Jayme Hobbs The room needs more pattern and color variation..see these rooms

AE Lee Definitely and area rug or possibly a white solid color animal hide type rug. I would use stark white or shiny nickle plated items to pop off of the dark color on the built in. If you really looking for the minimalist feel, also try pale yellow with that dark gray.

Worthington Millwork, LLC Definitely add an area rug, i think some crown molding would also go a long way in this room and would look beautiful up against the grey wall. Try this fun easy project http://blog.worthingtonmillwork.com/bid/204862/How-to-Install-Crown-Molding-DIY its a DIY project but it adds light to your molding, this would look really good!

Kelli Kaufer Designs Yes, area rug , something over the couch and fireplace. Floor to ceiling curtain panels would add alot of warmth to the space.

Mikki Stubbs Yes. It will complete the room. The floor being dark, looks stark.

Jennifer Lamoureux Thank you all for the comments! I like the idea of moving the chair over and adding an end table. Drapes and accent throws are also good ideas. We were just working with what we had when we first moved in.

The piece above the fireplace is an art piece that we really like. Can we keep it and add a picture above it? If so, what size?

normacindy I would pull the couch away from the wall, center the coffee table, definetly add a rug under there and put two chairs opposite the sofa for a nice conversation feel...don't block those bookcases(maybe add a neutral to the back wall of each.). Good luck! Lots of potential there!

Jayme Hobbs It is really hard to see the art on your mantle...it looks fine there right now, but in suggestions for art, it would be better if we had a close up please.

Andrea Prasch I would defiantly add an area rug, a piece of art work above the couch and a mirror above the fireplace. Would you be able to replace that fixture with a chandelier instead? I think it would look beautiful in this room.

smitarao Love the floors and the color combinations in the room. I would suggest moving both the couch and the chair away from the walls - about a foot or so. That makes the room cozier - and nicer to have a conversation. We had our furniture placed similar to yours, and our stager suggested this when selling home, and it made the room look bigger too (contrary to what I would have thought). I would suggest a smaller rug just under the table. Your floors are lovely! Here is the picture after we moved furniture and added a rug.

Andrea Prasch

gilwiles Mount the art work above the mantle. And, its that peice that will help to dictate your accent colors which you need to incorporate. Yes, an area rug and pillows are a must, and inexpensive. Pull the chair out of the corner. A little will go a long way here. Good luck and have fun!

Andrea Prasch Chandelier Pendant http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Compact-Satin-Nickel-and-Crystal-Pendant-Chandelier/6806323/product.html

Rug http://www.amazon.com/Hand-woven-Flokati-White-Natural-Zealand/dp/B005DJ1N3G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1361491813&sr=8-3&keywords=flokati+rug

conniefrances Cow hide rug.

Corky Corcoran A BRIGHT RED rug under the coffee table.

jodie122 How about a cow skin rug, a bigger table and a little colour (maybe red) in the shelves and some art on the walls.

mandek I think you should consider moving the recliner just because you could see the fire, look out the window. It looks like it could go to the other side of your window. A rug would be nice and I love the dark color. A round mirror above the Fireplace, artwork behind the couch.

CMR Interiors & Design Consultations Inc. Yes definitely an 8 x 10 rug or a 6 x9 looks like it would work well to soften the space.

Donna Van_Atta Rug,art above mantel lights in bookcase,curtains and pillows.

Kerissa Brown I think wood floor living rooms should always have an area rug that accents or the room will look kinda cold or bare.

yvesun a plain bevelled edge mirror to fit behind and above to the top of the bookshelf would look nice. You would want to keep the same hieght gap above the mirror as the top of the bookshelf. It wouldn't compete with your current piece and would reflect light around the room.

Stephen Bellefeuille A nice large cow hide rug , and I'd change the pillows with a color other then brown .

ao2009 I'd definitely add a rug, either textured or patterned.

Interiors International, Inc. Yes to the rug and you could add a few other things too.

Todd B. - Buffington Fine Homes First, I would decide on your color pallete, I think lighter orange, amber or yellow/golds would combine well, consider turquoise accents. A larger area rug will cozy things up, consider pulling couch away from the wall and finding 2 chairs, perhaps vintage modern to place accross from it. Could center a small table between the chairs. A larger coffee table would serve as a good anchor. Coordinating artwork over FP and above couch and brigher coordinating objects on shelves. A stack of coffee table books or grouping of books could look nice on shelves and a small green plant or two would bring life to them. Some lower side tables with vintage modern lamps would go well too. Consider 2 tone geometric patterned curtain panels.

Lizabeth Oh I like your room. Yes to the rug as many already said. I know you have the track light but could you install little halogen puck lights in the niche? I would love to see halogens there as they are so great with art and change the shelves to perhaps a cherry or walnut wood instead of painted? or even a wood edge with a glass center so that the light flows down. Or just a wood edge applied to current ones if budget is tight.

sooneralumom Do you prefer brights or warm neutrals? Minimalist or accessorized? Decide which way you want to go and that will guide your selections. Begin with low cost changes mentioned here- rug, interior paint on bookcase wall- or as is with large, light accessories and a few stacked light covered books. Then post your pics for us! You have a beautiful canvas to work with.

sooneralumom The artifact on mantle could look striking hung above with light on it.

Johanne True A WHITE LEATHER SHAG RUG WOULD BE GREAT AND IT WOULD ANCHOR THE ROOM AS WELL

The Reinvented Room great looking room, and all the comments are on the right track ! Geometric pattern in rug or window treatments and contrasting color for the bookshelves all excellent suggestions ! i find Overstock is a great place to shop for those items, can't beat the shipping ! Happy decorating and please post a pic when you make your choices !

The Reinvented Room Also I would like to see a three dimensional art piece over the sofa , and more texture added to the room !

JUL313 Gallery Love the rooms and the colors--a nice piece of art would bring the room together! I have recently completed some that would look great. All are original acrylic paintings on heavy gallery wrapped canvas. Please contact me at julie@jul313.com for further info or check out my website at www.jul313.com.

Judit Yes you need an area rug in there. I'd suggest a blue and red one, anything but black and white pls :)

rod handler A big art piece, maybe an oriental rug, but get a real, vintage one. The new ones all look pretty cheap, and often they aren't. Folkati is another option that would look cool in the room, especially if you replaced the beige recliner with something bright red.

Jennifer Lamoureux We are considering some low cost purchases. Jysk carries these shag rugs but we are not sure if any will Be a good fit. Do we go white or taupe? Also in place of our current coffee table we are considering this much heavier, square piece. We also considered no table at all. Thoughts? Thank you :)

Jennifer Lamoureux


No table

Jayme Hobbs White if your walls stay the current color

Suave Interiors & Creations if you want minimum changes just throw in a warm furry, soft rug in creme.....put in roman blinds in front of that window in some nice brocade work colourful design, you need some photo frames of loved ones on top of that fire place mantle and an inspirational framed pic on the wall above....for the niches just put in a nice wallpaper wit self textured pattern again with a creme base, as for the wall behind the two-seater couch clustered pics in dark maghony wood frame will do wonders, make sure the pics are colourful and the accessories you put in front of the wallpaer in niche be darker in hue....get in some warm lights fixtures installed and please get rid of those light blue lamps and all....instead put in a satin brushed stell loop floor lamp placed near the couch.

I guess this should do the trick.

Jayme Hobbs White/cream..Cream I guess as your sofa isn't white...sorry

bhaile A rug would be awesome.

Signature Designs by Bonnie Bagley Your room can be an amazing place for you to relax from your daily work schedules. I suggest you look at the room as a whole. Think about the colors that excite you, bring them into the rooms as accents and then you can easily change them out.

I have put together an option for you to consider for your room. It will really give you an idea of how it could look. There are a lot of really good comments on here but what you really need is a plan, a full blown room design.

Good Luck.

Signature Designs by Bonnie Bagley Catlin
Certified Interior Designer, CID Member of ASID & NKBA
www.bonniebagley.com
6197336540

bml1996 Definitely a rug in middle. Something with orange that would compliment the dark floors. I just did my living room space in front of fire place. See pics and I included a separate rug sample as well. Also maybe tie accent pillows on sofa with orange as well

jessicas_lynn_ I think it would look very nice with a white sheepskin rug!

Jennifer Lamoureux Looking into this rug. And considering no coffee table with this side table for the rocker

rhondatav I would put the couch in front of the fireplace. Will bring in the feel of conversing with company. Then put a nice rug under the coffee table.

Gabberts Design Studio Immediately I pictured a rusty red area rug that would pull in the accessories you have in the room. This would add both warm and an element of fun! This is a beautiful room that just needs to be "finished".

Jennifer Lamoureux Made a few quick changes. This is what we have so far without buying anything.

vaanderson I love the floor but believe the wall surrounding the fireplace is far too dark and heavy. I would angle the sofa and chair and bring the two pieces closer to each other. Consider painting the fireplace wall a soft mid tone gray. bring in a geometric rug with grays, strong yellow and cream add funky pillows with yellow, taupe and perhaps black to shake it up. You need a fun round coffee table with glass or chrome to add reflection. A cool metal chandelier over the coffee table would add splash. Fun

Meri Hayden Rushing A fun, cream, fuzzy rug in the middle of the room. It will even out the color, but make it soft and cozy in your living room.

Jennifer Lamoureux Here is where we are at now. Not sure which lamp to go with, if any. Still need to find some cushions and to get some pieces for the shelves. Thinking maybe the attached photos

juniperjo I really think you should try rotating the room -- rotate both the rug (which in my opinion is too small, but to each his own) and the sofa and have the sofa face the fireplace, as others have suggested. You can leave the chair where it is, but I agree with others who have said a pair of chairs flanking the fireplace would probably look better. Try it out -- if you don't like it you can always put it back the way it is!

pmjames Hi Jennifer!
I like your progress. The lamp doesn't match but the other accessories will look great. Your furniture is angled perfectly for your current furniture and the shape of your room. Here's a room that I am currently working on. Any suggestions for back pillows on this 15 foot sofa bench?

Jodi Walker Big art piece above fireplace, wallpaper on shelves back wall to lighten them, cowhide rug, much bigger coffee table, pull lounge off the wall a bit & add 2 comfy chairs opposite.

Jodi Walker Yes orange tones look great with grey & white but get this tone with timber not necessarily with an orange cushion.....needs texture texture texture! In same tone

paradisecastle I'd add either a rug or a throw with lots of texture. Definitely add a picture, metal work or something over the mantle, and maybe a green plant. Candles at night also give a cozy atmosphere.

Ann I like your room and your changes! I'd slide the rug about a floor board and a half closer to the couch. I do think painting the back of the shelves would be great and I might just choose a grey about 2-3 shades lighter than the current color. I love the color of the rust colored lamp but I can't decide about the style. I wouldn't get a larger rug - let those pretty floors show! What is the art above the fireplace - looks interesting? Possibly mount on the wall or leave as is and add canvas art above with rusts and greys - something that is just about the same width but no wider than the current art.

Ann Also, I like all the items you are considering for the shelves.

kgarrison1 add texture with a simple grasscloth wallpaper at back of shelves. bigger rug for sure, and i would place a console table behind your couch--and then if you go without coffee table or with an ottoman you still have a tabletop for drinks, etc.

pivoines The sofa and chairs closer together and the front legs of the furniture should rest on the rug, the one you have is fine looking but too small. the coffee table or footstool table should be easily accessible from the sofa, not in the middle of the room. Contrary to some, I love your dark shelving wall, but you need to put lighter accessories on it , the shelves with the light accessories look great the other ones, a bit dark .I think that a tone on tone wallpaper the same color as your shelves in the back of the bookcase would add depth and showcase your accessories,Bonnie got it right with the modern and large art piece above the fireplace .I think your room will look beautiful, have fun.

State Wide Construction & Remodeling Definitely add a rug to tie the whole room together.

Ann There are lots of opinions on your rug size but I really think your rug size is fine as is. All legs of couch and chairs on rug, front legs of couch and chairs on rug, or no legs of couch and chairs on rug - all three ideas work with lots of great examples of each on Houzz. I think the rug you chose is working nicely in your room if it is just moved a bit closer to the couch.

Jennifer Lamoureux The art piece is actually a didgeridoo from Austrailia. We will be on the look out for a painting or mirror to place above as some had suggested :)

lepstein You definitely need a rug. Don't get rid of the coffee table, but perhaps replace it with the beefier one you posted. A complimentary picture above the long, narrow one might work, or a mirror in proportion to the art piece. The lamps are not strong enough for your room. Maybe metal or glass base with a wider, drum style shade. I like the idea of painting the backs of the shelves &lighting there. Group accents in threes rather than one per shelf. Don't be afraid to add in colour...maybe pick up from the artwork that you like.

Alexei Rebrov Art if you are going to make a research for art piece in your room please take a look at these abstract prints on paper and aluminum. They will add wow effect to the room. http://alexeirebrov.com?hz=361912

green_tea00 All you need is a a rug. The rug needs to be very colorful and bright. Remember the little things are what make the difference.

juniperjo The other thing is, if you really love the didgeridoo, get someone to build you a stand for it that you can attach to the wall. (Similar to the stands people have made for samurai swords.) Or you can get a shadowbox built for it and then hang the shadow box. Unfortunately, by itself the didgeridoo doesn't pack enough impact for that blank space over the fireplace.