apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Why not go with your gut and put a chair or two in that space - but get the chairs off Craigslist rather than buying new.

Do you have a desk that you work at? A round dining table & chairs? Those could go in the center of that area too.

Depends on if you're the sort that can stand sitting on the ground, but some big soft floor cushions could do a lot to make the place more cozy. Nestle them around the wall and overlap some on the rug, and it would even hide a bit of the rectangle-in-circle problem of your rug.

They could also be easily reused in other apartment too, or if you got flat enough ones, could someday be stuffed under the bed and brought out for parties as extra seating.

If the kitty is quite old and needs a little more help getting to the sill than some pillows, then you could probably put a very low little table (coffee table height) in between the cushions in the middle window. Just add a few books and other not-easily-knockable things on to make it look more inviting.

I would personally go for a nice papasan chair, or perhaps even a futon :)

let me know when you move out. i'd love to have a turet to call my own!

In order to celebrate the light, I think you've got to get rid of that ceiling lighting fixture; it's an eyesore. You could put something lovely (and inexpensive) in its stead, or do a retro floor lamp (a 3-lighter, maybe?) off to one side. But what's there is not helping.

^In addition to (the papasan chair), I'd position it with the back against one window with a small endtable next to it, pile some floor cushions around, maybe have a basket of sorts for reading material, and add a footrest to top it off.

A reading lamp could be thrown into the mixture, if you're the night-reader type :T

ooh such a fun space! I love the idea of a reading nook. A breakfast space comes to mind, too. A little cafe table and chairs combo. Or a cocktail area. have a bar set up and some chairs for wine or scotch tastings.

I love getting rugs at urban outfitters on clearance - I've gotten good sized rugs for $10 or $20 at their stores. I would definitely hit up craigslist for inexpensive furnishings. Then you won't feel disappointed selling them cheap/donating them when you move.

I'd make book shelves and bench seats.

^i, too, can see an papasan chair back-facing in the space. great idea about the book basket - i was thinking stacked but that is much better.

i'm also all for the round rug, especially if it's fab. you can use it in any room after the move.

i just bought this chair for my son's room and it's perfect for reading (even for adults). they also have a white/zig zag cushion cover. http://www.pbteen.com/products/p3364/index.cfm?pkey=clounge%2Dseating

another lounge option that looks very comfy but pricey if you don't envision using them elsewhere after you vacate. http://www.pbteen.com/products/p2160/index.cfm?pkey=clounge%2Dseating

post pictures when you've finished. it's a beautiful bonus to have a space like that.

How nice! We had a turret just off a corner of the living room in an apartment and we loved it. We used it as our dining room, it was perfect for our round table with a chandelier over it. The light was fantastic and I enjoyed eating and being able to see the trees on our street.

I would say whatever you do depends on how you plan to use it. Take advantage of the shape: a round rug first comes to mind, looking at your pictures.

A fatboy cushion or two, and a good reading lamp:

http://fatboyusa.com/fatboy_marimekko.php

For a round rug, check Overstock.com:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-woven-Braided-Bleached-Natural-Jute-Rug-8-Round/1946471/product.html

I love that little space. I would go with a used upholstered big comfy lounge chair and get an ottoman place them in the middle. Slip cover or reupholster it if needed. Add a small round occassional table and a floor lamp. Also, get a big round rug, there are so many cute round rugs these days, get one big enough so its under the front of the chair and the ottoman can fit over it as well.
Your kitty can jump on the ottoman and sit on top of the lounge chair and look out, then when cat jumps off he/she has the rug to land on. I see it as a relaxing spot to read, listen to music or take a nap with a throw blanket and sun beaming in.

I've always wanted a turret! I think I would fill it up with ten or twelve fatboys, but perhaps I am odd... It seems like a rug and a couple of chairs could easily work in pretty much any space, so go for ones you really like, and it will all work out fine!

rather than cushions, i'd go with some ottomons - leather or vintage vinyl. . i bought two cream ones on ebay that i store in my coffee table shelf and pull out when i've got more visitors than permanent chairs.

i'd get a big potted plant too.

what a lovely room.

An alternative to a papasan is an Ikea Poang chair -- I often see them advertised on Craigslist. I used to have a cat window ledge that I bought from Drs Foster & Smith catalogue ($25 or so) which attached securely to the windowsill to allow for your kitty to fully enjoy the windows!

I'd get a big comfy wingback or other similar chair and an ottoman. Put a little Round table next to it for books and a cuppa tea. Add a table lamp, a pillow and a throw and you have a cozy reading nook.

If you want to make a conversation area get two chairs.

I also think some curtains would help a lot.

Another idea would be to turn it into a plant atrium of sorts with lots of hanging plants and plants on stands, etc. You could also have a reading chair OR get a small cafe table and turn it into an eating nook.

And nothing needs to be expensive! Craigslist, baby, Craigslist! You could probably find a nice chair and ottoman for under 100 bucks.

put in a set that stretches around the walls not chairs, it leaves it spacey. I you want to walk around the area decorate the curtains and leave the chairs. or you could put in a small table and two chairs for a breakfast nook.

Put some art, on the floor leaning against the wall... it adds some color plus it's easy to use later on somewhere else. Make your own colorful pieces, or rasterbator online to blow up you digital images.

http://homokaasu.org/rasterbator/


It'll make the room look more "in the making" than given up. good for a spot your gonna transition out of soon enough.

First thing I'd do is paint the turret a bright, cheery color (yellow, green or blue) to define the area, add long sheer curtains, an inexpensive pendant lamp and a small, round table with two chairs (for a breakfast nook) or two armchairs with a small, low table between (for a reading nook). I'd also hang a plant or two in front of the windows to capitalize on all that light.

Why not get a few, smaller Ringum rugs from IKEA if cost is a big issue? They come in a lot of fun colors and are only $8.99 each...

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70141493

Free ( clean ) futons from Craigslist, folded and stacked against the walls to make lounge land? Covered in discount bedspreads from Urban Outfitters? arranged around a big round low table? Windows treated with sheers curtains from Ikea or Urban Outfitters on pressure rods? Or a HUGEsheer mosquito net bulk fabric type thing gathered in in the middle of the ceiiing to make a little indoor tent? I want to see some color and softening fabric in that space... and feel like I'm stepping into an Aladdin's cave.. Also, plants - on stands or hanging - you can get them cheap from K mart or free on CL soon, make sure they aren't toxic for kitty. Have fun, it's a great spot!

Definitely a round rug.

You mentioned a round rug and two comfy chairs... those will work in any space - as long as you love them (color, texture, comfort). And if you love them, you'll be more likely to use the space. Try not to fall into the trap of buying things just because they fit.

This space is asking for a lounge ( you know ... a fainting sofa) type of thing. And a little table... and a stack of books.

How about this: http://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/catalog/products/20033919

or this: http://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/catalog/products/40063632

-Small short bookshelf with two comfy reading chairs on either side.
-A round table and about four chairs around it
-Nice futon and a chair with a small coffee table to be used as a sitting area - could double as guest sleeping space (light sheers hung at the entrance would give a small bit of privacy)
-Desk and computer chair with maybe a wingback chair on the other side

I wouldn't think anything is really out. I despise floor cushions since not everyone is the most flexible and not many can take sitting on the floor for an extended amount of time.

You really need either curtains or sheers on the windows - that would bring a huge improvement quickly.

plants plants plants plants plants, and, er... more plants.

and a bookshelf.

please.

If you're moving in less than a year, you probably shouldn't buy anything... unless you know you'll use it in your next place.

Thanks everyone! Although I too think the lighting is hideous, it's not something my landlord will let me fix. That, and I can't paint it.

BUT, I think curtains are a great idea. I hadn't thought about doing it, mainly because I felt bad about drilling into the wood slatted wall. But I am convinced - that would make a BIG difference (now how to keep the cat from clawing it down...). How about, instead of curtains, some colorful roman shades? That seems relatively kitty proof.

I also feel empowered to get a rug. I have an extra, less than beautiful lounge chair plus ottoman set I can put in there, and I like the little book basket idea. The chair won't be pretty, but it'll work as a temporary fix.

I'll send in some pics when I get it done. Thanks for all the help!

I agree, a round rug would make ALL the difference. Then I'm thinking Moroccan -- bright colored curtains (sari material, if you can get it) on tension rods inside the window frames, draping onto the floor a bit and with tiebacks... A round table, either dining height or coffee table height with a grouping of maybe three varied height Moroccan style candle lanterns (Home Goods) in the center. (You might electrify them with night light kits to have more light there...) Something to sit on, maybe a couple of benches with colorful cushions, or some butterfly chairs or something... You could easily use that kind of stuff in a new place, maybe in different ways...

In addition to the round rug idea, I'd also try a couple rounded chairs that aren't specific to a round room, but at least acknowledge its shape. Something like this:
http://www.target.com/Pod-Chair/dp/B0014DT7C4/qid=1236269032/ref=br_1_5/179-0947602-0446918?ie=UTF8&node=333965011&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=333965011&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=2

(pod chairs from Target, in case that link is too long to work)

considering you'll be moving in less than a year...I'd hit kmart and get one of those round fiberboard tables with a floor length table cloth to coordinate with the rest of your place. No rug, put the largest vase or if you have a sculpture or something interesting in the middle. Stack books around it library style and a chair or two, they have slipcovers for the folding chair if you like. It'll look nice, give you a spot to display books and be very economical. BTW, decide where you want the blinds to sit, up, down or in the middle and have them all be the same, please.