Message Boards

I'm in need of some advice for decorating my new place. It's an old Victorian that's been converted into a few apartments, and there are a lot of charming features that have been preserved. Charming or not, I have wood paneling in the living room. It's a light wood, the ceiling and carpet are light-colored, and there is a lot of light in the room, so it's not too dark in there.

My current living room has a plain beige couch, and most of the other furniture is dark wood. The accent pieces have greens, reds, and gold tones to them with a sort of rustic look. I would like to get a few new pieces, change the throw pillows on the couch, and possibly re-cover the ottoman I currently have if I can't sell it.

My questions are:
1. Will any of my current furniture/color scheme look good in the new living room (I'm a teacher on a budget!)?
2. If I get new pieces, what colors or styles would go well in this unique room?

This is the best picture I have of the living room:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rc6q...wfapmhq/IMG_1811.JPG

With all the amount of wood going on in the LR and the dark wood furniture you have, something has got to give.

Paint will be your best friend. If it were up to me, I'd paint all the paneling to lighten and freshen things up.

If that is not feasible or desireable, then suggest you paint some of the dark wood furniture a light color, perhaps cream, a country blue or soft color like sage. Find a ready-fit slipcover in a solid or woven texture, perhaps in a sage/moss or soft multi-stripe or check pattern for your beige sofa.

Since you like rustic stuff, add lots of texture and natural materials in your accessories. Add blue to your gold, red and green scheme for pizazz.

Best of luck.

Here is a collection of fabrics from Calico Corners in the colors you say you like, for ideas and inspiration. It may not be rustic, so to speak, but IMO it is fresh and lively and would go well with your panelled walls.

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

Since it is an apartment, perhaps you cannot paint it? (That would be my first inclination too, (maybe a nice cream color?)as there is just too much going on in that hickory look paneling)

Hanging floor to ceiling fabric on long walls can be a possibility, with minimal impact on the wall structure.

Laura, I would also vote for painting it, if you're interested and can obtain landlord approval. (Be sure to have everything approved, BTW - from start to finish to preserve your deposit.)

Sounds as if your rustic style and color scheme will work well. My concern would be the dark furniture and the layout. Specifically, do your old pieces fit the room? Before you move in, you might want to take some blue painter's tape and do a layout on the floor, using the dimensions of your current furniture. Any plans to paint the furniture, perhaps if you don't paint the room?

You might like them but personally, I don't believe the small track over the breakfast bar and the other lights work with the rooms. Have you thought about removing/replacing them? You could buy some basic, inexpensive lights to work with your decor but carefully store the landlord's items to replace when you move out.

Do you have any additional photos? More of the room and/or your items? Hope some of the above is helpful. It's all JMHO.

Good Luck!

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

Here are some pictures of my current living room and furniture. It's a little messy since we're moving soon!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/o0sy...iving%20room%201.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q1u2...iving%20room%202.jpg

I wasn't planning on painting the paneling. I think it would be a lot of work, especially if we're only there for a year or two, and I have a feeling the landlord wouldn't approve. I do like the idea of covering it with a large picture or fabric panels.

I also like the idea of painting my furniture... I'm just really attached to the buffet, which is only a year old.

I agree that the lights are really odd, and I wouldn't be opposed to changing them!

Unfortunately I don't have any more photos of this living room. I actually only saw this place for a few minutes prior to signing the lease, and I currently live 500 miles away! My mother saw it with me and remembers the living room being pretty large, but I don't think it's bigger than my current living room.

Laura,

You never know about the painting until you ask. As long as you give him/her approval over absolutely every phase and decision, the landlord might love to receive your sweat equity, free of charge.

Sounds worth it for 1-2 years but that's JMHO. You might consider only painting 1 focal wall. That could work very well to provide contrast to the wood. Very few things in life are all or nothing, IMHO.

Speaking of that, I think it's fine to skip painting your buffet. That too will contrast well with either the light wood or a white wall. So, no problem.

Your items are extremely neutral. In fact, WRT the furniture painting, I'd even consider colors besides white. For any color, you might consider going high-gloss, too. If you go white, you can always bring in color with accessories, fabrics, art, etc.

WRT that lighting, I'd try to eliminate the small track over the breakfast bar completely. Perhaps you don't need it or you could light that area by placing a track in the living room to replace the large light.

I'm usually not a fan of tracks but it's a rental and you could probably find inexpensive, basic ones at either Ikea or possibly even Costco. That, combined with the kitchen light, if necessary, might sufficiently light that eating area. BTW, do you have room for a table under that large light?

Thinking about the furniture placement, even if the rooms are roughly the same sq. footage, you might need a different configuration. I would also encourage you to try floating some furniture, if you have the space.

To get started, I would select either fabric or a colorful rug, hopefully with all my colors/shades for the room. That will help you select accessories and other items as you move forward.

Like all the ideas for covering the wood. Had a different one pop into my head. If you covered a 3 section screen with your fabric(s) of choice, that might look different and cool behind either the couch or your other items - sort of like a giant headboard. If the back was nicely finished or painted and the room was large, it would also function as a room divider or even an art piece, depending on the fabric(s). Plus, you wouldn't damage the wall by hanging fabric and need to putty/fix the walls when you're in the middle of moving out. Just a thought -

Do you plan on purchasing new items after you move? Or, do you need to be creative and reuse/recycle items? The latter can be more fun.

Good luck with your move. All of the above, JMHO.

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

If you don't wish to paint that unique wood wall, why not paint the wood around it sage green? That will take some heaviness away from the overall look.

Love the color palette from Aychihuahua. Great ideas!

Laura, I definitely agree that painting the trim is another good alternative. As I said above, painting need not be an all or nothing proposition.

That said, I can't stress the need for landlord approval enough. In addition, unless you paint the trim a classic white (or whatever white shade your landlord approves), I would select my fabric(s) and/or a rug before selecting a trim color.

Why? Well, it's far easier to match paint to a fabric or other soft good than the other way around. Staff at any paint counter s/b able to easily match your item. As far as matching a fabric to paint, it can be nearly impossible and/or require many hours of time to find the exact shade.

Thinking more about the paint color selection, I would be surprised if your landlord would approve anything but white. Obviously, I could be wrong but sage (or pretty much any other color) would be viewed as taste specific.

All, JMHO.

Hope moving is going well.