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~Melissa~
Member since 5/06 1462 total posts
Name:
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"before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
First...we are planning to put in hardwood floors next spring, without a doubt.
Second...we are painting the ugly brown trim WHITE, and the walls will be a beige/taupe color. We plan to do this soon...April I think. (the kitchen is being painted too so ignore the puke green). I am praying that this alone will make a huge difference. Any other color suggestions besides a taupe/beige/tan? We're thinking BM Monroe Bisque or Wheeling Neutral.
Third...we plan to hang rods and add window treatments...no more mini blinds.
That being said...I cannot stand how ugly it all looks right now. We just purchased the love seat to match this green set, and it made me realize that I really don't care for the green anymore...but we're stuck with it for a long time. Also, I hate our coffee and end tables. We bought them from an Amish market and paid $$$$$$ for them 4 years ago and they are way too country for my taste now.
What color end tables would go with this room? Remember that we'll have wood floors one year from now...
Is the room too crowded now with all the big furniture? To us, it feels more cozy but my mom thinks there is too much furniture in the room. Should we NOT use the coffee table anymore?
Placement of furniture...anything you'd do differently??
Thanks guys....I appreciate any feedback, I am truly embarrassed to even post these "before" pics.
 I hope to show off our "new" living room in a couple of months! 
Message edited 3/18/2007 10:04:23 PM.
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Posted 3/18/07 9:58 PM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
I would change the layout of the furniture. It is a little big but not bad at all. I like the coffee table and end tables just not the finish on them. Is their a way for you to refinish and stain them? If not then I would something in the natural walnut family. It isn't as red as cherry and will go with any wood floor you put down.
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| Posted 3/18/07 10:19 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
I like the green furniture but I think you may have too many big pieces for the room. I would leave the tables until you redo your floors to see what tone you pick for the flooring & go from there.
The furniture is hugging the walls to much.
I think the loveseat should go where the chair is, and the chair should go on an angle right at the edge of the room-I think that is your front door over there. and its ok if the the back of the chair is facing it as long as its on an angle.
Put an end table next to the chair(next to the window if it will fit), leave an end table next to the big sofa, put the coffee table right in front of the loveseat, centered & only about a foot away. It doesn't look like you watch tv in there so you want to create convesation areas.
Add matching table lamps to the two end tables, put the tall light on the other end of the couch with your magazine basket in fronton an angle, maybe add a medium sized plant between the floor lamp & the mag basket to fill out the corner & balance it.
Add an inexpensive runner to the coffee table & maybe a taller candle or a group of different height candles on a plate.
You can also switch out the matching throw pillows to bring in more color.
Pick another color you want to use & bring it in with a throw blanket you can drape over one of the pieces to make it look more welcoming.
Your bay window won't be blocked then either & you can add accessories there. Then you'll add window treatments to coordinate. the wall to the left of the bay window looks like a nice place to group a few pics of your munchin. I think the round mirrow is nice, but its a little too high.
It appears to me that there is another entrance to your eating area, so I wouldn't worry about there being such a staight way to walk through your living room, its too much like a hallway then.
Hope that gives you ideas.
Also on BHG.com they have a free program called "arrange-a-room" you might want to try.
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| Posted 3/19/07 8:01 AM |
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~Melissa~
Member since 5/06 1462 total posts
Name:
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
Posted by KellyFG
I like the green furniture but I think you may have too many big pieces for the room. I would leave the tables until you redo your floors to see what tone you pick for the flooring & go from there.
The furniture is hugging the walls to much.
I think the loveseat should go where the chair is, and the chair should go on an angle right at the edge of the room-I think that is your front door over there. and its ok if the the back of the chair is facing it as long as its on an angle.
Put an end table next to the chair(next to the window if it will fit), leave an end table next to the big sofa, put the coffee table right in front of the loveseat, centered & only about a foot away. It doesn't look like you watch tv in there so you want to create convesation areas.
Add matching table lamps to the two end tables, put the tall light on the other end of the couch with your magazine basket in fronton an angle, maybe add a medium sized plant between the floor lamp & the mag basket to fill out the corner & balance it.
Add an inexpensive runner to the coffee table & maybe a taller candle or a group of different height candles on a plate.
You can also switch out the matching throw pillows to bring in more color.
Pick another color you want to use & bring it in with a throw blanket you can drape over one of the pieces to make it look more welcoming.
Your bay window won't be blocked then either & you can add accessories there. Then you'll add window treatments to coordinate. the wall to the left of the bay window looks like a nice place to group a few pics of your munchin. I think the round mirrow is nice, but its a little too high.
It appears to me that there is another entrance to your eating area, so I wouldn't worry about there being such a staight way to walk through your living room, its too much like a hallway then.
Hope that gives you ideas.
Also on BHG.com they have a free program called "arrange-a-room" you might want to try.
Thank you Adrianna and Kelly!
I totally appreciate you taking the time to help me!
Okay, this room is on the second level of the house. There is a large kitchen with sliders to the deck(s) and the living room, that is all. We will not be watching tv in this room, we have a large family room downstairs.
This room is awkward because it has two flights of stairs, one going up, one going down (it's a split level) and has two openings to the kitchen. One is more like a doorway, the other is larger. AND to make matters worse, it has an alcove that I have no idea what to do with. 
I tried to rearrange the furniture a bit this morning....can you give me your feedback?
Here is the room with the couch w/ chaise pushed to the wall, table on the left. Love seat under the mirror, chair in the alcove...
ignore the curtain rod box behind the chair, lol
And here is the room with the chaise part of the couch moved to the arm chair, set back and angled in the alcove, with the coffee table in front of the couch...
Message edited 3/19/2007 9:38:17 AM.
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| Posted 3/19/07 9:37 AM |
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johnsae
Sip.
Member since 3/06 18677 total posts
Name:
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
My first thought is that it needs some "brightening" and an easy way to do this is to get a rug to lay down on the carpet. I think round rugs bring a lot of warmth to a room. You could find one that has the colors of the couch and it would help to tie everything together.
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| Posted 3/19/07 9:57 AM |
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skew
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 6794 total posts
Name:
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
not ugly at all, just needs a little help. the new wall color, trim and wood floors will make a HUGE difference. once the floors are in, i would buy an area rug (tan, burgandy, green, gold). swap out the green throw pillows for something more colorful, a solid (tan or burgandy) throw on the chair, window panels (perhaps bamboo blinds as well). artwork w/ nice rustic wood frames, lamps, coffee table books, a wicker basket for magazines, and faux or real plants.
i think these pillow covers would look GREAT
i had panels made in this fabric and LOVE them. FM me your email and i will send you pics of my den.
Message edited 3/19/2007 10:32:23 AM.
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| Posted 3/19/07 10:20 AM |
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skew
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 6794 total posts
Name:
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
ok, pic is too big. how do i resize?
Message edited 3/19/2007 10:38:28 AM.
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| Posted 3/19/07 10:37 AM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9509 total posts
Name:
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
I agree with skew - it's not ugly at all. when you repaint, pull up the carpet, add window treatments and some wall art it will all come together.
I like the layout in your second set of pictures... with the ottoman and the chair together in the corner.
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| Posted 3/19/07 11:37 AM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
OK wall colour I think would be great in a wheat family. I am not sure I would paint the mouldings & trim white right away though..maybe a lighter honey or bleached wood might be a nice touch.
I would take a lighter colour on the windows, like a light caramel or butterscotch & use that fabric to make some throw pillows to lighten up the green if you are not happy with it. It is amazing what pillows can do!
Lastly I might look for a small area rug that helps to tie the room together.
I like the furniture & I think once the surroundings change the colour will not be so "sand-out"
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| Posted 3/19/07 12:13 PM |
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~Melissa~
Member since 5/06 1462 total posts
Name:
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
Posted by johnsae
My first thought is that it needs some "brightening" and an easy way to do this is to get a rug to lay down on the carpet. I think round rugs bring a lot of warmth to a room. You could find one that has the colors of the couch and it would help to tie everything together.
Can I use an area rug on top of the ugly carpeting?
I found one that I like so far...
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| Posted 3/19/07 1:30 PM |
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skew
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 6794 total posts
Name:
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
i think that would look great and yes you can add it over exsiting carpet. adds color and style.
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| Posted 3/19/07 2:22 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
Love the rug. I say add a coat of paint and it will be great.
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| Posted 3/19/07 3:08 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
I've been at work all day just checking in now but it looks great!!!
The room is way bigger than I thought.
I love the idea of adding the rug over the carpet. Love the candles & runner too.
I think a few new pillows, some paint & window treatments & it will be fantasic!
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| Posted 3/19/07 8:19 PM |
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DandS
We are so blessed!!
Member since 1/07 1951 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: "before" pictures of my living room, please help make it not-so-ugly, lol!
Posted by skew
not ugly at all, just needs a little help. the new wall color, trim and wood floors will make a HUGE difference. once the floors are in, i would buy an area rug (tan, burgandy, green, gold). swap out the green throw pillows for something more colorful, a solid (tan or burgandy) throw on the chair, window panels (perhaps bamboo blinds as well). artwork w/ nice rustic wood frames, lamps, coffee table books, a wicker basket for magazines, and faux or real plants.
I totally agree - btw, I love the way you positioned the furniture after you moved it (looks better the second way). I think the room will look great with the nice hardwood floors, an area rug, fresh paint, and maybe a nice art piece on the wall.
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| Posted 3/19/07 8:28 PM |
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