Guys, I need some serious assistance.
I’m continually asked these days if our house is finally all decorated. I so badly wish I could say yes, but man decorating a house isn’t cheap. From curtains ($300!?), getting photos up on the walls (wedding photos! We have ZERO in our home. Andrew who ARE we!?), new throw pillows on our couch (need em badly), new furniture and then, grass (We have a beautiful front, side and backyard of pure dirt. Sweet, who doesn’t love dirt) well let’s just say we have a lot of things that still need some attention. Enter real life. Decorating seems to be a back burner sort of issue when you considered the big picture.
But I digress. Because that doesn’t mean this girl doesn’t have big plans and ideas in my head for how this place will end up looking. It really is pretty spectacular in my mind. I feel like I’m at a stage in my life where I’d rather buy quality items of clothing over cheap Forever 21 finds that will fall apart the first time I wear them and I’d like to apply that same mentality to my home decor. So if it means we have naked windows until we can afford the curtains we want then that’s how it’ll be.
So here’s our living room, if you remember the house tour I gave you in December. So far our mantle is looking pretty spiffy with some gold rimmed mirrors and my beloved For Like Ever print, which I happily shared here. We were originally planning on hanging our T.V. over the mantle but because of our 9 foot ceilings we found we were straining our neck to look up at the T.V. from the couch (boo hoo right?) Anyway, see that little corner to the left of the fireplace, below the square window? That’s where our TV currently sits on a small IKEA stand. But we need something higher, so our L couch doesn’t block the T.V. but something low enough that the T.V. doesn’t cut off the window. What I’m trying to say is I need help. Badly. What would you guys do? And what should I put to the right of the fireplace there in that random empty space?
Oh and would roman shades in the two square windows look funny? Have you read this far yet? Help? :)
Ooo that is a tricky one…but I totally agree that you shouldn’t just buy cheapo items to fill spaces. What about some nice low bookshelves flanking the fireplace that are functional and pretty. Then you can put the tv on top of it? Maybe?
Hey Rhi! I would go for a sofa table. I’m not sure how big your set is or how exactly the furniture is arranged in the room but the sofa definitely wouldn’t block it. And it should be just low enough to fit below the window.
As far as the roman shades, they could be nice if done right. I’m a fan of a more modern look myself, so I would probably do an accordion shade with single panel drapes to the floor.
Good luck!
Your place is gorgeous! I’m still a sucker for ikea curtains until I save up for my favourite anthropologie ones, but its awesome to embrace your bare widows and walls, keeping the big picture in mind.
Sometimes mixing the cheapies with the quality pieces makes it feel that extra bit special. To the right of your fireplace, maybe a cute vintage chair? You could always add a fun modern fabric to the seat! For your tv mount, could you get one that’s moveable? So you could reposition it for when you’re watching tv? And roman shades would definitely work!
Do you have any fun thrift stores near you? Most older furniture is WAY better quality (actual wood) than anything you can get today, even nicer stuff. You could find a funky old dresser or some other table, a bit of paint and some new knobs and you could have a fabulous custom piece. Depending on how it is built, you can take out some drawers and even cut out the back so it doesn’t seem like a dresser but more like a set of shelves. It will be inexpensive and functional until you can buy something you really want. I’m a big fan of finding fun pieces and giving them new life and knowing I have something that is one of a kind.
Rhi,
Have you thought of some shelving units? We had similar issues and an awkward layout but you are probably like me and want a homey display area so your tv doesn’t command all the attention in the room. I’m trying to send you a picture of what we did in hopes it might help. I know the feeling of feelin like your room is bare for awhile but think of strategizing small areas of the room at a time to cut down costs. That’s what we did and it was really rewarding to see the work in progress come together and made each piece we found more exciting to add. I’ll send the pics to your in box
Hi Rhi,
I’m dying over the color of your living room. Who makes it and what is it called!? Amazing!
You’re so cute and funny! I feel the same exact way about decorating, you want it to look good! And if it takes longer to get that accomplished then so be it! But sometimes it drives me crazy cause I just want to get it done. And like some of the above comments, I love that color. I’ve been looking at Pottery Barn a lot lately, not sure if that’s your style but they have some beautiful pieces. I’m sure whatever the final product is it will look fab!
Rhi! Loving the minimalistic look and the natural colours. Very easy to purchase stuff to add. I would recommend a place called West Elm (in toronto), Style Garage (toronto based) and Restoration hardware. TONS of lovely restored wood items as well as great quality linens. As well as great light fixtures and textiles like window coverings and rugs. These are by far my fav places for any kind of furniture and textiles. It may not be to your taste but I’m sure you’ll find some gems in anyone of those stores :)
Your house will be just perfect eventually. It does take time unfortunately. Especially if you don’t have an endless supply of money. I hear you on buying quality. I will say I recently bought some picture frames at the dollar store. Yeah, seemed cheap and weird, however, they are working just beautifully. They are similar to something I would have bought elsewhere and they were way cheaper. I figure they may not last the next 30 years, but oh well. For $4, I don’t think I will heartbroken if they only last a year. Someone else mentioned a thrift store. You can find awesome stuff sometimes and I know you have it in you to re-finish or re-touch those items. Another place I have heard of is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Do you have those?? I would assume they are all over the US. Supposedly they have all kinds of stuff people have gotten rid of for relatively cheap. I even saw on another blog I follow they got some free cabinets. Might be worth checking out. As for the living room do you have another room that could function as your TV room?? I can’t remember the exact layout of your house. If so, that is what I would do. I have been getting more and more into the idea of my main sitting room being just that…a sitting room. Now that I think about it seems like you have a room designated for that.
Go to Ikea and buy some bookshelves that are the right height for your TV and fit exactly into the niches on either side of your fireplace. Nail into place and finish off with some trim and a chunky top made of Ikea butcher block or a stone remnant. The hardware store will cut your trim to length for you and you can treat your wood top with mineral oil or stain it. Boom – built-in entertainment centers.
HAAHAH you are the cutest!!
I read it all! :)
I think you should hang the tv up on a wall. not sure what the other walls look like but we had the same issue kinda..we wanted to hang ours over the fireplace but then hung it on a diff wall and now our living room flows. stanage. hhahaah also i think a cute little table with pictures, flowers a lamp can fill the space. :)
xo
b
I love seeing pics of your house and always look forward to checking out your instagrams and posts about your house! I love the color scheme and classy look the whole place has, even if it’s not done. Tricky question about where to put the TV–I would definitely think about a symmetrical look, either with matching faux built-ins or just similar size items on either side of the fireplace. Balance out the big TV with something–maybe a bookcase?
Good luck, I’m sure it will be beautiful!
Wow so beautiful!! I love the wall color and mantel! I like to search for ideas on decorpad.com for furniture placement ideas…check it out :)
I totally understand, I’m the type that wants it done now, but in reality these things take time (and money!). I’m with you with the TV above the mantle, I find it’s hard on the neck! I like the idea of the roman blinds, you can hang them a bit higher than the windows too to make the windows look larger. Your home is so beautiful, Rhi, hope you’re enjoying it!
We had the same tv issue once upon a time, but that was due to apartment living where they didn’t think through the outlet placements very well. It’s hard to be a tv where it should go when you can’t plug it in. :) We resorted to getting a swivel and tilt mount off of Amazon (te VideoSecu Articulating Wall Mount). They have them 60% off so it won’t break the bank either, and I can speak from experience that the quality is still there. (especially if my husband installed it himself, it keeping together speaks volumes!) :)
loving your grey walls…i am also curious what shade it is, if you don’t mind? your place is totally gorgeous! it’s a shame the tv is too high above the mantle, bc i think it’d look perfect there, darn! we’ll be in the same boat…we’re about to buy a house, and can’t really afford to furnish it completely (or, more accurately, how i want to furnish it!) so we may have some empty rooms for a while. oh, and i think roman shades would look great on those windows! :)
I couldn’t agree more–there’s a time to invest in things that will last a lifetime, and I think owning your own home is probably a good time to start. As for the spaces by the fireplace, what about some lovely fire accessories, and a classic boat and tote or firewood carrier? Don’t worry–with such a beautiful sense of style, the house already looks stunning and will only continue to get more beautiful.
i agree with lena above me! investments are important with furniture and decor. i think your beautiful grey interior lends itself to brights and just a lovely color scheme (really, you can do anything). i love urban outfitters’ decor as well as pier 1 imports. check out their sales, perhaps!? best of luck decorating your home. this kind of thing takes years, not days or weeks! you will add to your home accordingly.
I think what you say is so true about decorating a house not being cheap and taking longer and more work than we might like to think! :) My wiser and her husband bought their first home last year after doing the apt. living for some time and she said the exact same thing…suddenly you have so much more space and more rooms to fill all at once, so, she just had to take it room by room.
As for what to do with that space, which by the way is lovely, what a nice home! I agree with investing in a nicer piece of furniture when you can and with a pop of color since as Taylor said above, you have a color scheme now with which you can do anything! Plus, with your creativity, I just know you will come up with something wonderful…and I can’t wait to see what that is! :)
flip the couch the other way, back to the door, than put t.v. on an built in arm unit paraellel to the height of the mantle and in the other corner of the wall , (other side of the mantle, put a desk with a chair for bills and books and flowers in vases!With the couch switched you have more room to put two extra chairs and a middle table on the winow wall, or one chaise like chair…. please listen to your mother! at least try the flip the couch thing for a week….
Ikea = for trendy pieces or simple basics, and then splurge on what you need. Our curtains were only $50 total for Ikea curtains because I wanted white basic curtains and not spend $300+ on cute ones. However, some items are worth it to splurge, ie a nice ikat curtain but you also don’t want to be stuck with expensive old drapes in a few years. I think anything pops that pops shouldn’t be an “investment” piece because you may not like it in a few years. I think your paint colors, fire place, and couch are very classic investments that you could experiment with a few things. I also found that filling rooms quickly = hating some things and wanting to switch them asap/learning what you use, like your tv placement. Good luck and don’t give up hope yet!! Your house has a dream base to work from and will look great!!
First I love the color of your house. I know what you mean about curtain. For my own house, I figure I will not remodel all the time so I believe in buying better pieces. It is amazing how much everything can cost and add up. A friend actually mix high pieces with stuff from Target, and TJ Max Home Store and his house is amazing.
I agree with the person that said a vintage chair in that corner, reupholstered to you’re style of course. That would be a good addition to a small corner. Or matching bookcases on either side of the fireplace.
The problem with going on a spending spree initially is that you’re taste may change the longer you live in the house. What you wanted when you first moved in may not be what you want in a year. I added pieces and let go of pieces slowly and its worked great for me to find the best style. If you have the time and are a DIY-er then I would suggest Craigslist for vintage finds.
I’m late to this party but I think a vintage dresser in a fun colour, or a beautiful antique one would be pretty for a tv stand, depending on the style you have planned for the room.
Dressers are great because they tend to be higher than low tv stands.
looks like a gorgeous start to a great space! is that a west elm pendant? looks just like one that I’ve been eyeballing there :) Starting from scratch is tough, but I can’t wait to see what it becomes! love your blog