Hello all!

I'm new to this board (love it!) -- I'm hoping all of you friendly people can help me.

I recently purchased 4 black leather chairs. They are custom and non-returnable. While I don't hate them - it's only now, after the fact, that I realize that I set myself up for decorating failure. They are so strong and bold that everything else I thought I would do in this room -- a colorful area rug, lots of art -- now just seems wrong.

I originally thought I would paint the room a dark-ish gray and have a white shag rug. Now I'm wondering if I just need to leave the walls light and use a darker rug -- brown shag?

And I know I need to jazz everything up with colorful pillows and accents-- but what color?

I'm sort of stuck on making this room inviting but still a bit glam and upscale?

BTW -- I am GETTING RID of those dining room chairs. Not sure what I will get to replace them -- ???

Thanks for any suggestions that will jump start this process for me!

Hi WriteNow, and welcome!

Good looking chairs! That said, I can understand your concern that they might overpower the space. I think your original plan of painting the walls gray is a good one. Right now, those black chairs really stand out against the white walls. But they'll blend into gray walls, making them far less obtrusive.

Thanks Annett.

I guess gray is the only choice. I've sort of been flirting with a soft purple (SW Special Gray) but I think I'm going to have to toss that. The larger swatch to the left is SW Colonnade Gray, and I'm thinking this may even be too dark.

Plus I have to coordinate everything in the DRM to go along with it. Would yellow accents be too bumble bee-ish?

I actually had a plan in the beginning. My measurements were off on how the chairs would fit in the room -- they are way bigger and take up more space than I thought they would. It's very hard to have to re-group and modify what I originally thought I would be doing!

Oh gosh! I feel your pain. Fortunately for me I was able to send back the offending mismatched couch without any problem but yours, being custom made, is another story.
Is it at all possible that one of those chairs could be utilized somehow or other in another room as a corner sitting space with a lamp table and magazine rack or something?
I was thinking maybe of pushing the other two chairs together and making them look like one and the third chair in a corner sitting space of its own. Frankly, I don't even know if that would work or is feasible. Is there a possibility that where they were custom-made they might be able to forge those 3 chairs into 1 sofa by removing the arms and somehow making it a sectional? Also, you will need a more prominent cocktail table to be in scale with the chairs.
Cry, sob, plead, beg, have a temper tantrum in front of them and see if they will be kind and help you out of this dilemma.
As for the grey walls, I don't see that as a problem really. And the white shag still makes more sense than a brown one with those black chairs. You can bring in pop with some throw pillows and accessories.
Sorry. Wish I could be of more help. I'm right there with you.
Bummer.

Personally? I love them. This is one of my favorite layouts.
Use the gray on the walls to keep them from over
powering. A grey and black rug will again take away from the solid black of the leather.
Then add pops of color from pillows and throws. I think it will be beautiful!

I would recommend you find a rug with pattern. Visually it will transition the chairs into the solid walls. Don't be afraid to mix a more traditional rug either. It will give the room more warmth and make your decorating more interesting. Further, don't choose your wall color until you decide on a rug. I can't emphasize that enough! Paint colors choices are endless, rugs are not.

Welcome! I agree a med. colored wall will help with this space, but don't go too dark and factor in your public space scheme for a degree of flow. If a soft purple hue is what you envisioned (btw, it could have a gray undertone), it can still work as long as that all important continuity of scheme is maintained. Cross polenate the purple hue into the dining space via upholstered chairs (parsons perhaps?), or linens or area rug there. If you shop for the rug first for this conversational grouping, this family of soft purples might be determined from the rug's print. The room appears to have a good amount of natural light so that's a plus. A golden camel hue is yet another option that's quite neutral, classic, warm and brighter w/o evoking the bumble bee effect you fear. An animal print rug in a predominately light background such as a zebra or leopard may anchor this grouping, but keep it large enough so the furniture isn't floating (a round or square perhaps). Then, accents pulled from adjoining spaces can be used via art, pillows, a throw or two, accessories. Also, bump up lighting for night time or overcast days. The floor lamps may not do the job, but can lights in the ceiling or even a chandy may be of greater effectiveness.

I love the chairs and the arrangement!

I agree with Cavin, get a rug first. And to get the glam, a traditional rug with classy pattern and colors will help a lot to ground your color scheme. As Cavin mentioned, so much easier to pick the wall color after picking the rug!

For chairs in the dining room, you could go with Parson's style upholstered chairs, they are streamlined, modern, and do not take the attention in the room as wooden chairs with lots of curves and legs in the room. You could even get gray slip covers for the Parson's to tie in the 4-chair room walls.

And gray does not have to be all black and white gray. That purple tint in the gray you mentioned is nice too! Just pick the carpet first.

I think you did very well with your choices so far, we ALL get spooked when something is delivered and seems to 'invade' our home like an unwanted house guest. Live with them a while, and soon you will never want to part with the inviting comfy feeling they will give you and your guests. Great conversation area!

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ruth:
I love the chairs and the arrangement!

I agree with Cavin, get a rug first. And to get the glam, a traditional rug with classy pattern and colors will help a lot to ground your color scheme. As Cavin mentioned, so much easier to pick the wall color after picking the rug!

For chairs in the dining room, you could go with Parson's style upholstered chairs, they are streamlined, modern, and do not take the attention in the room as wooden chairs with lots of curves and legs in the room. You could even get gray slip covers for the Parson's to tie in the 4-chair room walls.

And gray does not have to be all black and white gray. That purple tint in the gray you mentioned is nice too! Just pick the carpet first.

I think you did very well with your choices so far, we ALL get spooked when something is delivered and seems to 'invade' our home like an unwanted house guest. Live with them a while, and soon you will never want to part with the inviting comfy feeling they will give you and your guests. Great conversation area!

Mary Ruth and Froo Froo -- thank you! You guys make me feel a lot better - like the situation is workable! These chairs are not returnable -- that was spelled out to me before I ordered them, and I just want to make them work.

It helps to know you picked up on what I wanted to do with this room -- a cozy conversation area that was still "upscale" and "inviting."

Any suggestions for a rug? I'm sort of wishing I could go with a rug that has lot of color (see attached) but ohmigosh -- that would be a lot going on in this room. Seems like it would limit what I could put up on the walls to wire art and mirrors.

How could a traditional rug work? A light bulb went off in my head about this -- like maybe this would tone down the "over the top" feel. Any color suggestions?

Thanks so much to you all for your inspiring suggestions!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: WriteNow,

Would this rug be square (I am not sure a rectangle would work?) If so I do not think this is too far off. I like that most of the colors in the rug, tans, orangy and redish tans (flooring) are already in the room, out the window (hopefully blue skies!) and greenery. That leaves you with purple not found... this could be your gray on the purple tint (very lightly purple gray, more gray than purple) would be nice.

I would then copy the wood tones in the floor for any frames, or silver/brass metal and perhaps one black frame in each room (dining and sitting rooms).

This rug kind of is growing on me, the more I look at it the more I like it.

You going to leave the dining room a tan color? If you do then that lets you use gray on the chairs (the current table brings the floor color up). A nice silver metal Parson's table would be nice. Good to have gray in shiny, and other finishes in the rooms.

Rug texture
metals
leather texture
wall texture (smooth or flat) You can do one room in matt finish on the wall, and the other room in a semi gloss to alter finishes. You get the idea.

Good vision! I like it!

By the way, you are NOT alone in shock when large furniture arrives to our house! Trust your instincts, they get honed over time. But we always need to let the shock settle for a few days before allowing ourselves to freak out! LOL Been there too!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

I like your chairs. If it were my room, I'd want to choose a big rectangular piece of art (original if I could afford it) with every color imaginable for the far wall in the dining room. Then I'd choose a wall color. A bold gray seems fine to me! I'm attaching a pic of a Pollock print.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sms29s66,

quote:

Originally posted by KellyX3:
Personally? I love them. This is one of my favorite layouts.
Use the gray on the walls to keep them from over
powering. A grey and black rug will again take away from the solid black of the leather.
Then add pops of color from pillows and throws. I think it will be beautiful!

Thanks kelly!

quote:

Originally posted by sms29s66:
I like your chairs. If it were my room, I'd want to choose a big rectangular piece of art (original if I could afford it) with every color imaginable for the far wall in the dining room. Then I'd choose a wall color. A bold gray seems fine to me! I'm attaching a pic of a Pollock print.

Love the art, SMS!

It begs another question -- what is the "focal point of these 2 rooms? Is it the "tall" wall (I'm attaching another picture of it), or the back wall by the dining table/ These things confound me!

Thanks again to everyone for your advice and encouragement!

I love your chairs...I would paint the walls a nice medium grey and get a square white shag rug. Push the four chairs a little farther from the coffee table....I believe the correct measurement should be 18 inches from any seat and the coffee table. You may have to push the two chairs closer to the windows. If it were me, I would choose red cushions, red throw for a couple of the chairs, something red on the coffee table..maybe a red candle or such. For the wall I would like to see something colorful with maybe a silver frame (do the floor lamps have silver in them or are they gold?) You will have a nice room when finished.

Absolutely ADORE the rug sample you posted. I'm not a visual person and am decorating challenged but even I can see those black leather chairs on that rug.

Too bad I don't live closer to you, those dining room chairs would be great in MY house. LOL

A focal point isn't necessarily a wall. The way you have your chairs set up around the circular coffee table is creating a very strong radial point of focus in the center of the room. In this case your furniture grouping is the focal point.

Good suggestions from all. The 2nd photo helps - didn't have a sense of the size of the room w/o it.

The focal point's whatever you make it, IMHO. I believe your ideas make sense, e.g. the white shag, purple w/grey or silver undertones and pops of color through accessories. I would select a larger/more significant coffee table, too.

The d/r mirror appears significantly out-of-scale. (Identical, opposite wall in the d/r?) I'd probably select both the rug and a painting/print first, going with a much larger (both wide and tall) print on that d/r wall.

You'll probably need something (also large) on the f/r wall to balance it, e.g. a large mirror or wall hanging. A narrow console on the f/r wall plus something above it might also help balance it plus add more function to that space, if you need it.

Your existing d/r chairs appear standard size. Have you ever shopped for covers for them? I'd think about purchasing plain covers and dyeing them grey or silver or purple - whatever coordinates with your print/accent colors and paint.

Overall, I'd definitely consider these 2 spaces as one and coordinate everything - or at least have good flow.

Best of luck! Everything above's JMHO.

Is this room square? If it were my space and seating arrangement, I'd find a colorful ROUND rug large enough for the chairs to rest upon it. Then, I'd pull a color for the walls from the inspirational rug. The rug will make a dramatic statement for the space and set the tone for your entire room scheme spilling to a degree into the dining area. The dining area should have a patterned rug (rectangular or oval) that can echo some or all the colors in the seating area, but the print need not jive. In fact, the print in the dining room rug should be a different scale and print in a similar feel (such as contemporary or geometric) as the flow of scheme will unite the spaces. Just wait to find the wall color AFTER you've settled on a new rug for the seating area.

found this on Pinterest and the focal point wall has added some texture with molding.
I know this is not your color scheme, but it also shows a rectangular carpet which I thought would not work, but it seems to in this installation.

Also shows a larger ottoman style coffee table (larger in scale than yours)

I have spent many an hour searching for round rugs and they are not easy to find. Sizes are limited and patterns even more so. A square would be the most appropriate for your room and if you can't find the size or colour you like, you can have carpeting bound.

If you prefer to continue your contemporary look, the white shag will definitely accomplish that. You can introduce pattern and accent colors through your artwork and then repeat them in your accessories. I'd go with a large and wide art piece in the d.r., assuming that's the same size wall as the f.r. Good idea to balance it on the opposite wall as previously mentioned.

Round rugs work well for your grouping but it does appear the rectangular rug pictured elongates the space. The space feels fairly small so that might be your best option. Nothing wrong with introducing more traditional rugs, making your space feel more eclectic, either.

Agree, hold off on the paint colors until you select both the rugs and artwork. Then, you can easily match it.

All JMHO and best of luck -

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BearCat49,

I like the look your going for!

I'd also go with a square rug. Have you thought about a Jute, Sisal or Seagrass? Inexpensive and great on wear and tear. You may have to go with a custom size and I'd also add the same to the dining room. Definitely go for the gray walls!!! By adding pops of color through window treatments, art and pillows especially in bright fun colors the gray will come to life even more! You could add a collage of mirrors on the large wall behind the chairs with a buffet or even a tall hutch. You could also add a cowhide on top of the seagrass (if you choose that) under the coffee table to add more texture!

The grays on your walls seem to be more of a blue/gray. Stonington Gray is a beautiful gray with a blue undertone if that is what you're looking for.

The mirror in your DR could also go bigger or a nice large colorful artwork piece

Great Space!

You have a great start to a fab room. Choose the other elements first and then your paint color.

I like the DR chairs too. Perhaps an update with new fabric on the seats would work for you.
Some of the fabric sites have coordinates put together for you.

Since you asked for suggestions, the chandy appears small for the DR and needs to be lowered. A few guidelines to consider.

http://www.1800lighting.com/Ca...-at-1800Lighting.com

Good luck and show us progress pics please.

Wow, what a contrast from the dining room to the room with the leather chairs. I can see your style is way more modern than the dining room set, lighting, etc.

I would find a fabric you love, then pull the colors for everything else from that. I think you would like http://premierprintsfabric.com/. I would say, with black leather, avoid the black/gray/red combo. That can look really bad.

The rug is the thing!

The rug you set forth could work, but it is very contemporary and the style in the dining room beyong (even if you plan to transition) is not. Don't stick with a plain rug - this is a place you will need pattern and color - find something transitional rather than traditional and something that makes you fall in love.

The one piece of big art on the wall you showed us makes the most sense.

You can always cozy it further by hanging contemporary or transitional drapery across the archways to the adjacent entry and dining - like a smoking room that you can make private by drawing the drapes. That would be the best area to bring in a fabric that ties the rug, art and dining room colors together.

Don't paint until you buy the rug. Camel tones would be my best suggestion as a base. That is classic with black and will work wonderfully with whatever is going on in dining room wood tones. They show up in the rug you chose first, and you will never tire of them against these gorgeous floors.

Start with the rug because artwork is easier to find to fill and does not have to MATCH. Select your paint color at the end - After the rug, look for art, fabric if you like the idea of lumbar pillows, or drapery.

You didn't go wrong, you just have the start of your building blocks and the picture is incomplete.