First, congrats! It's a really nice room.

I would have a couch hover toward the middle of the room to allow for walking space behind it. If you absolutely need a dining space, I would place it near the windows as that seems to be where the kitchen is. I would go for a light, square dining table. That way you aren't constricting the walking space when you leave the kitchen, and you give your diners enough space on each side.

The chairs can be placed on either side of the sofa, though that corner (next to the door to the hall) seems to scream for a chair.

If you decide to keep that door closed, you could build a nook into that space for dining purposes (with a round table to contrast the angles) and open up the window area for more seating. That window space would be an amazing reading area.

This is a beautiful space! My living room is in a brownstone too and is the layout is almost identitcal. I would place a small (maybe round) dining table near the window, and the the couch in the center of the room either flush with the wall or floating in the center of the room so there is space to walk behind it. Alternately, you could have the couch and chairs facing eachother and flanking the fireplace (parallel to the windows) so that the projection screen could be visible from the seating, but the fireplace would still be the focal point. Hope this helps. I know the challenges of designing in townhouses, but above all I'm a sucker for charm, and this place certainly has it.

It looks like you could create a nice dining area on the side of the room with the two windows, near the kitchen. What do you think of pale drapes, hung high, with soft shades underneath? The space between the windows could fit a silvered mirror or a narrow piece of art... and that space above the radiator looks perfect for a large piece of statement art.

You could place a sofa and table facing the fireplace with side chairs to the left and right as long as the furniture is scaled to the arrangement and the size of the room. If there's space, you could place a credenza (for linen & silver storage) on the wall behind the sofa (keeping a walkway through) and maybe hang a large mirror or some well-lit art above. And what do you think of a demilune table/art or mirror/or small secretary in the space to the far left of the fireplace?
If you can, you might rethink the light fixture- maybe drop it down a little and add a barrel shade around the chandelier... and add a pendant light in the dining area.
This is a wonderful space-- it just needs to be warmed and personalized with art, mirrors, and lighting. Have fun decorating! I hope my simple suggestions were helpful.

This is such a pretty space with lots of natural light. I would suggest putting the couch centered on the wall across from the fire place. Your chairs would look nice one on each side of the fire place and your table centered between the two windows. I think It would work out well for entertaining. Perhaps you could get a smaller screen to hang over the fire place. If you do decide to close the door off maybe you could cover it with a hanging wall tapestry.

Couch on the wall across from fireplace but not centered - for more room I'd just place it either flush against the wall or sit a small console table behind it with the sofa right up against it. Then a couple armchairs under the windows. A small four person dining table in the remaining space by the hallway. This would put your dining room farther from your kitchen, but the chandelier seems to be on that side and a simple ceiling hook could pull it over even more.

With this you can leave the door as is and not have to make it look awkward. As for the projector, possibly a small screen could be installed above fireplace and pulled down as needed. You probably won't have the best viewing angle, but it could work.

I would try putting a small sofa/loveseat perpendicular to the fireplace and have it face either a matching loveseat or two chairs. That way, the focus would be on the fireplace without having to actually have furniture face the fireplace.

I could then see a dining room table either along the window wall (long and narrow), or perhaps even on the wall abutting the kitchen (a round table?) If you wanted to be able to cover up the extra door, a white bookcase in front of it would probably be the easiest thing to do.

I think with either of the above setups, you could then project onto the flat wall next to the kitchen. Though, I might add, you can get large, pull down screens of totally decent quality from B&H or J&R for around $100. Then, you could put a projector anywhere really - the screen could even pull down in front of the windows or in front of a door. Hang the screen from the ceiling, and it sort of goes away (or you can even install a little box around it with simple pine panels painted white and L-brackets.

1. agree with Chris gal -- couch opposite the fireplace(does it work?) -- but consider pulling it away from the wall a few feet -- maybe 3?
2. One chair on the bathroom side of the couch and maybe a tufted ottoman on the other side, making a U shape conversation area without crowding the dining area.
3. Get a small round table (3 feet wide) and nestle it into the corner of the room by the windows (away from the kitchen). Most days it will just be you and another for meals, I'd bet -- so that will give you plenty of room. Pull it away and slip two more chairs around it when you have a dinner party. You can probably get a 3 foot table that has leaves to extend it if you want more people. I regularly fit 8 around a 4 foot round table, so you should be able to get 5 or 6 without a leaf. Get a moveable pendant light that can go over the middle of the table, adjusting it when you move the table for more guests.
4. Anchor the seating area with a rug.
5. Get a coffee table (again I like round -- no corners to knock your chins on) and two side tables., for lamps and putting down drinks.
6. Rahter than closing that door, consider taking it off the hinges and having a permanet opening -- then you don't need quite as much clearance for furniture in that corner.

pamh
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

Whatever you do, get rid of that chandelier -- either put a plate over its electrical wiring hole or replace it. Sometimes I resent chandeliers because they silently -- passive/aggressive -- can dictate where one should place furniture. If you want a chandelier and want it at another ceiling location, you can always keep that original electrical outlet and do one of those chain gizmos with an S-hook to place the chandelier where you want it.

A great space, pretty light.

LOVE this space! I'd do the following:

-centre a swish little loveseat across from the fireplace, with a low coffee table in front
-close that door you mentioned, put a tall bookcase up, and leave it sparsely stocked
-one or two small chairs to the left of the couch, faced innish.
-long narrow dining table spanning in front of the two windows with three small-footprint (bentwood, e.g.) chairs on either side.
-large, removable (lightweight) artwork over the fireplace that you can remove to project right onto the wall.
-have so much fun, and embrace the light airy feel of this lovely space!

Wow that room is beautiful!

Although it is crying for a coat of paint and a new chandelier, to start. :)

Even if her design aesthetic isn't your style, you should check out http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/. "Mrs. Limestone" blogs about many design-related things, among them being the rennovation of her Brooklyn limestone. It looks like your house has a similar structure and style, so you might find her solutions useful!

Hi Antonio. What a gorgeous room! I like home body's idea of creating a seating/conversation area with a love seat and chairs facing each other, perpendicular to the fireplace. I have a suggestion for thinking through different arrangements: make a scale drawing of the room on an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper. Make cutouts of the footprints of furniture you think you want, and try moving them around on the floor plan. It takes a little bit of work to make the pieces, but it can really help you think things through. I did this when I was having a little condo renovated, and when i finally moved in, I knew exactly where to put things. Best of luck!

I'd do two settees or loveseats facing each other perpendicular to the fireplace (anchored on an area rug), which should leave you circulation and room by the windows for whatever function you still need.

If two loveseats seem to overpower, leave one (with a sofa table) with its back to the entry, and face two upholstered chairs opposite it.

Pick dining chairs that look more like living room occasional chairs.

Wish it was my place to decorate! Have fun!

what a gorgeous room! i agree that the dining space would be beautiful near the windows. i think you could get a small round dining table and flank it with two sitting chairs (a little fleshier than regular dining chairs, so that they can be used by guests comfortably). i completely agree with patrick (the other one) about the two loveseats perpendicular to the fireplace, with a coffee table in between. you can keep the arrangement tight without sacrificing sitting room. that will also enable you to leave the door uncovered and allow you to face the projector onto the wall opposite the fireplace. if two loveseats are too heavy, i think you should still stick to that arrangement, and have one loveseat or sofa facing two chairs. if the projector works best on the wall opposite the fireplace, i would definitely go with it and not place the sofa facing the fireplace.

Really nice place!

Whatever you do, PLEASE dont put a tv over the fireplace! (LOL) If you have a tv put it on the wall opposite of the fireplace.

I would place the sofa near the fireplace facing the window, and the chairs near the fireplace facing the sofa. Like this:

| Chair Chair
|
| Sofa

Great space. I say, float the sofa, facing the fireplace. Instead of two chairs and a coffee table, I would use a bench or two ottomans. You can use those pieces as extra seating or as tables. If you have room, place the dining table in front of the double windows. Make it compact with two chairs, and have the extra chairs placed elsewhere, but ready for dinner guests. Maybe get a half sofa/half chaise as your main sofa to keep the room open and uncluttered. Room and Board has some great options. http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=561&catalog=room&category=rm_living_spaces&subcategory=studsofa_chaise

Also, this would be a good option if you want to put a screen on the opposite wall. I would advise to get pieces that you can move around easily if you want to be able to use your projector. Or just project above the fireplace...smaller space, but would still work. Keep the walls white and you don't even need a screen.

I forgot to add, don't put seating on the sides of the sofa. That does not make for comfortable conversation. That's why I suggest ottomans/bench in front, or if you have enough space, full chairs.

I missed the question about the projector screen when I first posted (not wearing my glasses), but I also agree with MisaL on the furniture placement and homebody's thoughts on projecting onto the wall opposite the fireplace. I wonder if the screen could be mounted above a large piece of art and only pulled down when in use-- that way you still have something beautiful standing in when you're not watching a movie.

What a gorgeous room. I like it empty, ha ha. But seriously, good suggestion to float the sofa. As for TV, my boyfriend and I have been using projector without a screen. As long as you have a white wall you really don't need a screen as long as you can draw the drapes. Btw, I kind like the chandelier. Maybe it would be fun to paint it a bright color?

This is an extremely simple room to arrange as you have a focal point (fireplace) and a chandelier anchoring the center of the room:

Large Rug in the center of the room w/ a round or square cocktail table centered beneath the chandelier. 7' sofa floating with it's back to the windows and a console table behind it for one large table lamp or a pair of medium sized lamps.

Opposite the sofa, place a 42" round pedestal table with a pair of wing chairs flanking, but angled towards the sofa: This is your dining area. Keep a pair of side chairs, one on either side of the fireplace, as additional seating when you have company over. Place a floor lamp near the wing chair closest to the fireplace for reading light.

Opposite the fireplace is where your console/credenza goes with a flatscreen TV flanked by a pair of table lamps (Yes, that means giving up a projection TV - it doesn't work for your home, and new flatscreens are quite affordable these days)

If you like, you can flip the sofa and the wing chair/table seating arrangement to suit your preferences.

Great Room! I would place a dining room table (rectangular) by the windows. It makes sense to be by the kitchen. I would put a normal sized couch facing the wall that has the door to the closet and bathroom. (back of couch to Dining table. Flank two chairs across from the couch (the chairs facing the window wall) with coffee table in between. This way both living and dining areas are defined and the fireplace is the focal point. You could do bookshelves or a built in on the left side of the fireplace (if you are facing the fireplace) And maybe hide that heater (on the dining room side) by turning it into some type buffet table. (still use the heater but make it functional and yet serve as a buffet.) Tall curtains will give you interest on the dining room side. In this scenario your couch is facing the non window wall, is the part of the wall (to the left side of the bathroom/closet french door) big enough to hang your screen? That makes sense to me, its not a focal point there but you can sit on your couch..enjoy the fireplace and be facing the screen. You could put a piece of furniture underneath to store movies, and electronics. Also about the other door. Don't block it off. since it looks like it only goes into the hallway, I would actually remove the door for a more open feel/flow of traffic. Your ceilings are so high you could do a big light fixture. It even looks like it would be perfectly centered over your coffee table in this scenario. I wouldn't do a corner couch. the fireplace would feel so random to me in that scenario. Have fun!

I like home body's idea of placing a loveseat perpendicular to the fireplace with two chairs opposite it. You can put the table under the window and have your screen pull down in front of the windows like a shade when in use, framed with curtains that hit the floor. You could put a credenza with longer legs or mount cabinets or shelves on the wall opposite the fireplace. As long as it's off the ground, you can slide ottomans underneath to have when people visit.

I feel so bad for you, that radiator is in such an awful spot. And it looks a little worse for wear. I hate that! I'd suggest covering it up, maybe putting a radiator cover/bookshelf over it. Maybe put a chair in front of it, angled into the room, just make sure it has enough distance. But hide it whatever you do. Otherwise, it's a fantastic room and a great canvas to work with.

two suggestions:

a) a round dining table either centered on the windows or in the corner by the windows

b) a rectangular (narrow, say 24") dining table centered under the windows

and for the living area, why not skip the sofa and put four chairs around a coffee table? then the focal point is the round coffee table instead of any wall. you can look out the windows, watch movies on the long wall, admire the fireplace, read a magazine, converse with friends... and this shape allows for easier moviement around the furniture, makes it easier to reposition chairs for different activities, pulls attention away from the hallway door without having to actually block it off, and it allows you to view the room in a variety of different ways from the different seats. plus, it's versatile for parties.

center your wall art based on the fireplace for symmetry. it will still be viewable from any seat in the room.

I've had many similar Brooklyn living rooms. The fireplace is not a problem in any sense of the word, but a great feature.

The problem is that this room is not large enough to comfortably contain separate living and dining areas, what with still giving access to your kitchen door. You need to combine them. bepsf above has that exactly right. What bepsf describes is one good way to do it.

Another way would be to have a large squarish coffee table that you also use as a main dining space, sitting on sofa and chairs around it. That works well for most of the time. In a similar living room, the day before Thanksgiving, when I realized that I couldn't seat 10-12 people that way, I got a talbe (down at one of my favorite Atlantic Ave. antique stores that is no longer there - but there are contemporary versions made, as well as many old ones available) - it works as a console table (about 19" x 37") to sit against a wall - flipped open to seat 4, it was about 37" x 39"; with more of the 3 leaves, would seat 10-12. But an unassuming console table most of the time.

You just need to give up your idea of having a traditional dining area - as you haven't the room for it - and it will work well.

If you like the view out the window (I love eating looking out my windows), another option is a really skinny console-width table at the windows, with chairs just on on side most of the time, looking out the window, and perhaps a chair at the end as well. For more guests, you could have a harvest table (long skinny one, narrow, but top flips open to create a larger table.) Tables that occasionally expand from a narrow profile are the only way to do dining for guests in these rooms.

Don't close off the doorway - it will look really silly. As it is, it balances the kitchen door for balance in the room. This is true, whether you keep the door open all the time, or closed all the time. And I bet the other door goes to your bedroom - it is nice to be able to access the living room from the hall.

Don't do two loveseats facing each other unless you like really, really stuffy traditional style.

You also don't have to do two chairs across from the couch - you could do one (leaves more space open) - I find the two opposite couch to be very boxy. I did one, on the side closer to the fireplace, and I liked it better than my neighbors who did two. And you need to leave room to easily walk through all the doorways, which is why I did it. I didn't want to feel like I had to walk around furniture to get across the room.

Also, you don't have to do a couch at all. Two or three armchairs works as well, and could give you more room for the larger table you want (which should be in front of the windows only.) Also gives you flexibility to turn them a bit easily for TV viewing.

The walls on either side of the fireplace are great for shelves if you need them, or art or your projection screen above lower shelves or furniture, on either side - above a radiator cover on the radiator side. You can have shelves built with a radiator cover below for the side with the radiator.

Definitely don't put a couch against the wall facing the fireplace. This will deaden the room completely - no sense of flow. You could put a narrow table there, but only if you forego having a couch. And don't put it facing the fireplace with a walking corridor behind - the room isn't wide enough for this (trust me - I moved my couch around in various similar places with the fireplace and this width.) The ONLY place for a couch in this room is coming out perpendicular to the fireplace just to the side of the fireplace - facing either the windows if on the closet side, or facing the closet hall if on the windows side. You'll see.

Stop thinking of it as "decorating." If you want a rug, buy that first. Then, if you want a couch, buy that in a fabric that picks up a minor one in the rug. Don't go too big - apartment sized couches (less than 80" will give you room to walk around it to get to the kitchen.) Then get a table that works where you want it. Do it piece by piece, stating with what's most important to you - a couch, a pair of armchairs (I like them to be different, not the same), a dining table. It'll work out - it is best when you do it over time.

Agree with no TV above the fireplace. That space is for art, or a mirror.

If the OP has a three seater or larger sofa, then I would follow the design rules and place it on the longest unbroken wall. A table with two chairs between the windows is also a good suggestion.

If the OP has a pair of love seats, I would suggest flanking the fireplace, which would float the sofas. Then place the media across from the fireplace on the unbroken wall. Other than a coffee table or ottoman and end tables, I don't think a 18' long room will allow for a table and chairs.

It might be possible to flank a sofa on one side of the fireplace, and place the media center on the wall opposite the fireplace, and still allow for a table and chairs on the other side of the fireplace.

Great space! But difficult to work with because it is a passage way as well as a sitting room. To counteract the traffic, create a feeling of solidity. The fireplace wall is the best place to start. A great mirror - as big as you can afford - above the fire place will make the space sparkle + let you see the projector screen from the other side of the room. A corner sofa is fine if made of seperate pieces that can be rearranged when you entertain. Keep the hall door open, for flow. Try a unique armless chair near the hall door - and a couple of poufs for coffee tables-storage-extra chairs. You're ready to party!
A small round table with two chairs, just between the windows would add the cozy factor.

I would place a largish rectangular dining table in front of the windows, with backless benches on either side that can tuck under the table when not in use or that can be used to sit facing into the room.
Sofa slightly out from the wall facing the fireplace. Armchair in the corner next to the fireplace angled towards the sofa.

I think a rectangular dining table by the windows is the way to go. I would say you can swing a 6 seater. Put 2 chairs on the window side, 2 on the ends and use an upholstered bench on the living room side. I love this one:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/french-stripe-fabric-bench/?pkey=cend-of-bed

That way it is a great seat for table entertaining or living room seating. Then go with a deep loungy comfy sofa facing the fireplace like this one in one of the lighter colors:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/sofas/lounge-93%22-sofa/s278630

and a matching loveseat facing the windows with a distressed and light feeling coffee table. Keep all of the furniture off the walls to allow more pathways through the room (I hate being impeded on my way to the kitchen!)

Go big on art!! The room is perfect for it. A big mirror over the fireplace and two paintings with nice lighting flanking it would be to die for.

If you like the chandelier, swag it over the dining table area.

Ta Dah!!!

Good luck and gorgeous space!!!

P.S. for the projector screen, put it over the sofa, the loveseat and bench will still face it even if the sofa doesn't.

What a gorgeous apartment.

I agree with most of the comments here that the sofa should be face the fireplace but be removed from the wall to allow for a walkway behind it.

I'm sure there is some way you could rig up a projector screen over the fireplace. Or you could just leave that wall blank and project onto the wall.

And a small expandable table should definitely be centered against the window wall, pushed up against the wall for everyday use. There are gate-leg tables that go from tiny to big.

Use the wall on the other side of the fireplace for a credenza or bookcase.

And congrats an landing such a sweet space!

- I think it's fine to "permanently" close the extra door in the corner (I actually have a similar situation in my living room) as long as you leave some space around it, to create the illusion that the door could open if you wanted. In other words, don't lean any furniture directly against the door.

- a couch could be placed along the long wall opposite the fireplace. could be floated forward to make a more conversational area.

- In front of the couch place a coffee table.

- 2 arm chairs with ottoman placed on either side of the fireplace (so it disguises the radiator on the right)

- Table centered under windows. Do you frequently have sit-down dinners with more than 2 people? You can get a smaller fold-out table, or a round pedestal table with two wing chairs that you turn back and forth from living to dining space.

- I agree with the person who mentioned getting an s hook and moving the chandelier on a longer chain to be over the table.

- also place a large rug to define couch/sitting area.

- the long blank wall could be the best place to use the projector, in that case put a floating couch perpendicular to the fireplace along the hallway bathroom wall, and swing the armchairs around to face the couch.

Wow, you really don't know what you're doing.

Do not get a corner sofa.
Do not put a sofa in front of a door.
Do not pass go.
Do not collect $200.

a little table centered between the two windows would look very sweet, but if you want to seat more people but not take up a load of space, what about a long narrow table that goes along the windowed wall? you know - one that's rather light and won't take up a lot of visual space or block the natural light. you could tuck a bench on the window side so it could be stored against or very close to the wall when not in use, and the chairs on the other side would have a nice view out of the windows.

After that, the living area could go several ways, but I like the suggestion best where a sofa faces the windows, and two chairs face the sofa, with the FP in the middle. Unless you plan to watch TV in that room, in which case, that layout sucks.

My advise .. just be carefull how you will decorate this stunning room. Just by looking at it, i can tell you that you have a nice room already.. flooring and walls are stunning. Take your time... but for some reasons i can imagine some Kartell items.. hmm

RemoteStylist.com -layout Style File in Style Store. $99 - will answer all your questions and then some