It's been just two weeks since we posted Angela's query — Good Questions: Pulling This Room Together? And she's already made some major changes to her living room! Check out her refreshed space...
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: newyork(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Any more suggestions for Angela?
Thanks for sharing!



Comments (34)
Wow! Major improvement! Great job :-)
What did you do with that fantastic rug in the before picture? If you want it off your hands, I may be interested....
Wow - much improved! The only suggestions I have are:
I would add a second panel of curtains to each side to make them a bit fuller.
I would add two more tray ottomans to the one you have to "grow" your coffee table. The white tray looks a bit precarious as it is now.
You have made a huge improvement in this room. It makes your lovely furniture look even better.
Some ideas for further small changes
Get another black cube ottoman to put next to the one you have to give you more coffee table space.
If your shade is long enough see how it looks to hang it up at the same level as the curtain rod. That piece of wall between the shade and the rod bothers me.
The art over the couch seems a bit small for the space. You could move that piece a bit off center and stack several smaller pieces next to it to give you a bigger "art area".
The changes Angela has made are a great improvement - So glad to see that shelf gone!.
However, there are still no table lamps or end tables in the room, and the new draperies are still far too skimpy - she needs at least two more panels (one on each end) to beef up the window dressings.
You did a really good job -- it looks like a different room.
One comment. I'd get rid of the ottoman. Liberate yourself from the tyranny of the coffee table!
I love the furniture placement, and the new curtains. I agree with Richard . . add another panel on either side. As well as his suggestion for the ottoman.
But don't forget your love for color. I love the neutral palette . . . now just add some color back in and you'll be in business! :)
much better. I didn't even realize how large that window was in the previous pictures. I'd still move the tv/comp on the other side to complete making the window entirely unobstructed, and (this is just a matter of personal taste), square off those chairs.
well done!
"4) Yes, I can put the TV on a little table elsewhere. Maybe opposite window? "
you even suggested yourself doing it. did it up not being practical? I think that would seal the deal.
"The changes Angela has made are a great improvement - So glad to see that shelf gone!."
Isn't the shelf still there behind the couch? It looks like it's peeking out at the end of the sofa, and is holding up that lamp.
I love when people update the good questions.
The furniture arrangement is a HUGE improvement. Looks much more pulled together already.
I personally still not wild about how the drapes are hung, sorry.
Since it's looking very earthy now, maybe a tall plant in that corner near the sofa (on the window side). Looks like you get plenty of light in that spot so you'd have a lot of choices. And while I don't miss the coral drapes at all, maybe a nice bright pop of color somewhere.
Great furniture arrangement and the colors are SO soothing. I'd also go with the others who've suggested moving the TV though, and maybe putting a table with a plant(s) by the window instead? Overall a great improvement!
I seriously didn't recognise this space, even though I commented on the original post, it's such an improvement. Well done - it looks so much more liveable :)
I do think you could now add in a bit of colour, in the cushions and the throw. I also agree with other posters that the picture over the sofa is too small, you need either a wider picture or more art to add to that existing picture to make that end wall look wider. I also agree that you need a bigger coffe-table solution, either a second ottoman or a whole new coffee table.
One other thing - how easy is it to watch television with the TV in that position? If you sacrificed the chair nearest the door you could move the TV there and it would be much more comfortable to watch.
You did a great job sifting through all the advice last time, good luck doing it again. But please don't "square off" your armchairs (or remaining armchair), you were right to put them at an angle, it gives it its slightly informal welcoming look.
What a huge improvement! Please add some color back though. Colorful throw blanket and toss pillows possibly?
Just something... i really think you should move the tv to another location.... it's never good to have an electronic device in direct sunlight. The heat and the light are harmful. the rest looks amazing.
Looks great. But take that uplight off the sofa and that piece of art is drowning in space yes it matches but its not happy floating on such a large wall. yes I agree the TV is funky. Its all a process and editing, but all and all it looks great.
Furniture placement is better indeed, but I miss the splash of colour that the before had. This is just dark and dreary.
Hello Everyone!
1) The curtains were remainders, but I called the showroom and asked if they had another pair so I can beef it up. They are looking for me. I also have "twig" tiebacks that I will install when the extra pair of curtains come
2) I called the cable company to move the tv jack to the other side of the room, I agree the tv should go on the opposite side, not in front of window
3) I'm holding out for the perfect, primitive little coffee table, which will supplant the ottoman. I just needed someplace for the drinks, remote, book, etc
4) yes, shelf is behind sofa, very useful and now out of sight
5)Adiaphane, I may be willing to deal on the rug you love (and I love it, too) but that is too small scale for my teeny living room
You all designed this room with me. I love it and thank you.
Good changes. A few comments:
love the painting over the couch but need it to be bigger and perhaps lower
too matchey matchey (spelling?) with the furniture. Break it up a bit or disquise some of it with throws etc
add another ottoman
clip the fabric tag on the chair (left side bottom)
Keep up the good work!
I think it looks amazing, and I can't believe you did this all in two weeks! What an inspiration!
I think your plans for the future sound great, and even if they don't have another set of panels for the curtains, they still look solidly good.
And I like that painting there.
I love it!
Lovely!
the sofa and chairs you were proud of last time look even better in this arrangement
Angela--
Do you really want to move the TV to the opposite side of the room?
You'll get glare from the windows, and you'll see lots of ugly wires through the bannister when you're climbing the stairs...
It's a huge improvement. The ottoman is much too small to serve as the coffee table though - a second one just like it would fix that. The curtains are still hung way too high.
I didn't even recognize the space! What an improvement. I'm not a fan of the gray-and-beige neutral scheme, but that's just personal taste. You did a good job pulling the room together in a hurry.
Since the painting is abstract you could even turn it on it's side and hang it up and down next to another piece of vertical art.
RE: "3) I'm holding out for the perfect, primitive little coffee table, which will supplant the ottoman. I just needed someplace for the drinks, remote, book, etc"
Here it is:
http://www.vicentewolf.com/home/collections/2/23/185
It would be perfect in your space, as you are right, you really need that "primitive" hand-made element to liven things up.
Great work so far!
Excellent work, Angela! It looks great! :-)
I'm inspired! Nice work!
Beautiful!
That's a big improvement, but it would look even better with three or four small, bright color pops.
I like the curtains, but tab top curtains always look so off the shelf to me. They look long enough, so it would be great if you could use rings to attach then to the rod. It would give a much more custom made, luxurious look. Great job!
Hahaha, I was on vacation when this was posted, so I totally missed this fantastic, easy upgrade. This post will end up echoing unread in cyberspace.
Just wanted to chime in with the rest and say how great the changes are! Congrats on the "new" room!