apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

LP,

I LOVE your coffee table. I have been looking for exactly that coffee table my whole life. Where did you get it from?

LP--
I think you are off to a GREAT start and just need to "bring it home."

Where are you located? In NYC?

I like that sofa. I think you need a larger rug that slips under the front of the sofa. I always like to define seating arrangements by flooring. Also, one or two chairs perpendicular to the sofa and some art above the sofa would complete the arrangement in the living room.

If you can afford custom drapery it really has high impact, especially with windows like yours. They can be mounted using an inexpensive traverse beam directly on the ceiling and run them to the floor. Sheers are typically less expensive and work well for large windows.

I like your bedspread. How about a headboard? You can even make it a weekend project. Go down to Joe's Fabric or Harry Zarin, pick out some high impact fabric, batting, and have some MDF cut to size. Then staple away...

Looks great.

Do you own this place? I think I'd wallpaper that dining area and paint the other rooms. But I like wallpaper and paint.

Colors would look great on walls, I think. You seem to have a lot of light and a clean slate - (I'm a little jealous of how uncluttered it really looks). You could try painting yourself - maybe a greyish green color on walls and contrasting accesories (pinkish/reddish pillows etc, art on walls)
I absolutely love the chalkboard wall in the foyer. Get some colored chalk and start drawing on it!
And of course - fresh flowers
I second Jessica on the coffee table:)

LP,
Above all, I would encourage you to think about what you've written on that chalk wall. Decorating your home isn't something that should worry you or stress you out, and you definitely sound worried, anxious, and frustrated. From where I sit, your place looks good. Don't think that your place needs to match up with glossy mags decor. Just fill it with stuff you love and it will reflect you and be comfortable for you.

That said, I think an upholstered chair by the corner near the slider would be nice, and would create seating that's not focused on the TV, but could moved around if necessary. The Angie chair from Mitchell Gold seems to be the right scale. http://www.mitchellgold.com/angie_chr_uph.asp

In terms of artwork, you should visit open studios or some galleries and buy some REAL art instead of prints and posters. If that seems too intimidating, there is a really great resource called New American Paintings magazine which has artwork for sale by emerging artists. You contact the artists directly and the prices are noted in the back and range anywhere from $500 - $5000. You can find great stuff, and also support real art (and artists) instead of just buying reproductions. (Often they cost the same price when all is said and done!)

whatever you you don't lose the sock monkey!!

I think Maxwell's spot on--it's monochromatic, for the most part. But, I love it. I think warming it up with some "pops" of color would be great. Now, I'm a drapery kind of person, so I would suggest a few panels at the corners of your dining room windows in something vibrant. I like red, but again, that's me. I just think it would look sumptuous in that room.

Also, if you don't want to commit to artwork but want to bring your accent color in, I would suggest buying some artist canvases and painting those with craft store acrylics. cheap and a good way to bring in color without breaking the bank. At least for the time being.

LP -
You're off to a wonderful start! The place has great bones. I love all the windows. The dining area is great. With all those envious windows I would add tons of plants - even some fairly large tropical trees for both color and a sense of life and connection with the earth. Then I would add colorful artwork, maybe some hanging tapestry fabrics, throw rugs and floor pillows. I wouldn't worry about the white walls. Where's the cat? You need a cat.

I'm not a huge fan of loads of houseplants, especially in a clean-lined modern space like this. I think you can finish this space up without "going soft" on the details.

Art, for sure.
Mirrors.
Headboard.
Rug.
Accent wall paint (pulled from existing palette).
To me, the monochromatic-ness of the space i snot a problem at all. And I think all your accent color cues are already in pieces you own.

Ha! "i snot" = "is not"

Where is that sofa from? Your apartment has such a clean feeling. Now you just need to warm it up. Deeper browns or some greens would give it life.

LP,

I also love your coffee table. Could you tell me where you got it? Thanks.

Mary

iSnot, new from Apple this fall.

I love it. yes you need a headboard either a padded one or a dark brown wood one to contrast with your pretty mayo soy milk colors. Yellow paint I'm not a fan.

I love the scripture on your chalkboard wall. I live by that one myself, not being overly anxious about material things. So important to stay focused on what matters in life - family, friends, meeting goals, being kind to others, doing good deeds, having a job you enjoy... For me, decorating is included in that, I simply love design - it's a part of me that isn't at all materialistic, I'm not into brands and only sporting what's trendy, it's more of an extension of my personality through objects. Most importantly, a well designed clean home improves all of the things I've listed above, at least for me. I can't have good relationships if my home is upside down and I hate going home at night.

Your place sparkles - it's so clean and neat. I like that, first of all - high five. That's 75% of the battle. You have a great base to start with for design. I like what Maxwell has suggested, a great pairs of lamps for the bedroom, like the belly lamps from West Elm, would look very nice. I see lots of turquoise, lime, creamy white, bursts of lemon in your entire space, I think everything would come alive. Plus, those colors would bring a little nature indoors, being in the city, you may appreciate having that in your home.

I don't see a lot of art work in your space. I think some mixed media paintings would be lovely. I just commissioned 6 paintings for my dining room from a Boston artist, you may like something along these lines in your space, perhaps over the sofa. I know art can be expensive, so check out local art schools, call them and ask when their next student sale is being held. You could also perk up the walls with photography. Maybe some stretched fabric, too?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/decor8/153167416/

You're on your way to creating a lovely space.

:)

Holly

Nice place- love the coffee table and the views.

Two suggestions:
1) Put the TV on a media cart or credenza, something with storage.

2) I love floating shelves or ledges to put artwork. You can arrange and experiment with paintings or photographs easily.

First off, GREAT job so far! Lucky you!

I'm going to come out against the muted green/brown idea, unless that really speaks to you, in which case I would recommend layers of different shades of natural colors - sand and moca and chocolate, grass green, a tiny bit of dark green, so it doesn't wind up feeling dull.

You mentioned that the budget is already shot, so maybe even $500 artwork isn't in the picture right now. I love the canvas you paint yourself idea. It can give you huge swaths of color to "try on." You can always paint them over a different color later. If you are adventurous you could even try painting large, simple graphic patters or leaves/stems/flower heads.

Avoid putting a mirror over the dresser. Too predictable. Color would be better. Consider painting one accent wall in the living room and bedroom. A friend of mine whose walls are all white did just one kaki-colored wall in the living room and it's fabulous.

But my number one recommendation? Pick up some bright, simple, ceramic vases and get some flowers in there! Crowded bunches or a few, artfully spare stems. This place needs life more than anything.

Links for art. A good idea Holly. Some links of artists I think are great are:

www.www.sararychtarik.com
www.laurasgallery.com
www.davidxlevine.com
www.newamericanpaintings.com for lots of ideas

Chiasso has a lot of great colorful accessories/lighting/rugs for people on a budget.

www.chiasso.com

Hi Everyone!

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I had fun reading over them and really, the ideas are truly refreshing. Just to clarify, I'm not stressed or frustrated by my living situation at all. In fact, it's been a project for me and I'm thoroughly enjoying it! It's a challenge but totally exhilarating - especially since I don't know a thing about design.

To answer a few questions, the coffee table was a craigslist find. I got it for $220 and the previous owner said that it's a Finnish design (Sorry, that's all the info. I have; I had to look online for months to find it, but how satisfying b/c I love it!). The couch is from Room and Board and the duvet cover is from the recent Dwell Sample Sale! I do live in NYC, but do NOT own (no way!). Oh, and I don't need a cat b/c I have a puppy (sorry no picture, but I tried to draw him on the chalk wall! I am NO artist). :)

THANKS again!
LP

if you don't want to go through all the suggestions above for bringing in color -

1) bring in swatches of fabric or cut ads from magazine and build a large collage.

2) Do a dot art.( like how the kids do)

To bring in texture -

1) To a huge mdf board, glue branches and twigs in different shapes and colours and paint them.

2) To an mdf board put nails at differnt points and connect these nails using a bold coloured thick thread .

All of the above are extremely economical do it yourself.

can - those are fun projects. do you have any visual references?

holly

Craigt: Do you have a source for the traverse beam directly on the ceiling which you recommended for draperies?

Thanks,
Margaret

I agree with everything AT said, but would like to re-emphasize that you need artwork on your walls! You wouldn't beleive how much that warms up (and grows up) a space.
Also, would you consider painting the dining area a warmer, darker color? It is such a light space, I think a rich, welcoming shade would be wonderful there. Good luck!

Hi decor8holly:

These are projects that I have done for my room (during college days ) and for my house at different points of time but never clicked a photograph of any of them.

Margaret, I'm not sure where my workroom gets them from, but I know kirsch makes them. Go onto their website to find a local dealer. I don't like the cord traverse rods as much as the ones that glide freely.

iSnot, new from Apple this fall.

Andree, that made me laugh so hard!!

I agree with patrick (the other one). You're not nearly as far off as most of the commenters here seem to think you are (we love AT, but it does tend toward the flashy and the colloquial; resist). A few quick thoughts: Think tonal more than monochromatic, and use strong accents for contrast and a little dashes of color (and for God sakes don't pretty it up with flowers unless they are decidedly sculptural like orchids). Lose the fabric on the media table. Accessorize less and do it asymetrically; for example, take everything off the dresser except the candlesticks and the gray box (always do tabletop in odd numbers). You're on the right track, trust your instincts.

I also think this is a really grown-up apartment, so be careful what DIY art projects you bring in.

I'd LOVE to help style this place...

Holly,
I absolutely love the art in your link.
Is this yours? If not where can I find it?

Sorry Holly,
I guess they are yours, but please provide details as to the artist and contact info.

some guy is trying to offload a boltz media stand ($100 will get you super strong wheels from boltz and voila you have a media cart) for $199 on ny craigslist. I would invest in this wonderful tv cart if you have the money to spare. If I had disposable income I would buy it myself. The boltz carts are wonderful and cost a pretty penny at boltz.com. You could still put the drapery over it and probably use the remote on the vcr and dvd still.

Speaking of art, here's some links from very reputable dealers I frequent for clients. I agree, no DIY art.

http://www.childsgallery.com

http://www.platemark.com

I love your sock monkey!!!

Everyone has given such great tips, that I don't have anything to add, except don't be in a rush to fill up the spaces. Wait to find things you love. You've done fabulous things so far!

my gosh, i would LOVE it if my place looks like yours. that first pic -- i've printed it out for inspiration! truly! it's calm and peaceful. you're on the right track. i love bold bright colour but in your case, i'd say: keep everything soft and gentle like you have it, because it's such a calm oasis. bright/bold or dark colours ike others are suggesting would ruin this perfect feeling. i love your place! i love your place! i love your place! :-)

Rascal - What in the world is wrong with flowers? They instantly provide cheap, changeable color and ALL are inherently sculptural. If you're hooked on orchids, you might also like anthurium, allium, ginger, bells of Ireland, monstera leaves, hanging amaranthus, cala lilies ... need I go on? There are flowers for every decor. No need to think "bridal bouquet in a vase" unless that's your style.

Hi supershopper,

I'm happy you like my art work, here's all the information you've requested. You can also email the artist directly, tell her that you know me, I'm sure she can work with you directly vs. through the gallery since she does do commissioned work based on word of mouth.

If you'd like to email her, click on my name and send me a personal email so I can give that to you.

Regarding the paintings, each of the 6 was created based upon a theme I have her along with some clippings of images and things I liked. I also told her exactly which colors to use. I am quite picky, and she worked with me very well - no problems whatsoever.

http://decor8.blogspot.com/2006/05/coffee-cre8tive-may-25-06.html

Here are the themes:
1) fashion: I included this great christian lacroix illustration that I love. 2) travel: Me on a eurostar sipping coffee about sums it up. She used the perfect image. If only the image fit my reality right now... sigh. 3) architecture + interior design related: I'm a chair + drafting addict (I'm a floor plan geek), so she made sure to add lots of related images. 4) writing 5) nature 6) ocean: I gave her some photos of shells that she included.

I don't know, you hit 30 and you start thinking, maybe I should actually own a real piece of art vs. mass-produced art from Homegoods? I mean, I'm not knocking it because I do have a few prints and such in various parts of my home, but to own something that really speaks to you personally, that was even created FOR you, wow, it's mind blowing. I know there is quite an expense involved, but art can be a worthy investment plus, I highly suggest renters insurance in case your place burns down. :)

Hope this helps!

Holly

I LOVE the chalk wall. My boyfriend and I were going to buy a giant chalkboard at some point, but I like this better, and it would be cheaper.

Overall, I think your place looks great. Personally, I would get a different duvet... it's too pale colorwise, and it's cheap looking (no offense!). I'd go with a nice red, something that pops, or a stronger yellow with a more contemporary deign. Definitely need artwork scattered about, and a media center for that tv, and a cool, modern headboard for the bed. I think your place could benefit from strong shots of color in the lamps, candle holders, vases, throw pillows, etc. Everything else is fine as it is. Nice job!

I think your duvet is cute, and I'd love to see a Tiffany blue or even sky blue on the wall to contrast with the yellow.

i agree with what a lot of other people have already said. your place looks great - all you need is to fill in some of the details.

put something on the wall -- Real Art would be great, but honestly, you don't need anything near that serious. and amassing a collection of Real Art to fill your space could take years. after two years of investing in relatively affordable pieces by artist friends, i still don't come close to filling my apartment with art. you can also decorate your walls with less high-falutin pieces. family photographs. well chosen prints creatively framed and in moderation. you can even frame graphic art from more unconventional sources - my parents had wood mounted can labels up in our kitchen when i was a kid. and of course there's the old 'painted stretched canvas' trick, though it might be a bit minimalist for your space.

more quirky knicknacks - i love the sock monkey. now just take that idea and run with it. items with personal value bring way more style to a space than the stock tchotschkes you can get at pier one or whatever, so get creative here. my roommate is an archaeologist and in school he had to learn to make cast replicas of early hominid skulls. now they grace our bathroom. i've always had a habit of bringing home stones and sea glass and such from my travels - our bookshelves are dotted with tiny treasures i've stuck in my pockets and flown halfway around the world.

books. everyone here on AT is always talking about getting rid of books. while they can be overwhelming in an already cluttery and cramped space, they can also be done right.

also, i think that if you're going to keep the TV on whatever that is, covered in fabric, you should choose a nicer fabric. something larger (the short ends hang at weird angles) and more visually interesting, perhaps with some texture.

First, I'll join the chorus of praise. You have shown admirable restraint, style and wit with your habitat. I think you've played to your space's strengths. It's a small space so you have opted to let it breathe and remain an oasis of calm rather than an additional source of stimulation.

I agree with the comments abouut floor covering. The scale of the parquet pattern seems to shrink the space and I think a large-ish, light colored area rug or two might open it up a bit. My low budget solution was a remnant of high-quality wool wall-to-wall carpet that I had bound on all four edges by the outlet where I bought it. It was a fraction of the price of a similar sized quality rug and it feels like a thing of quality.

Many people on this thread have suggested art and color. I know that's a common solution to "decorating" but I think those things will shrink and clutter your space. Bear in mind this is coming from a hard-core minimalist whose nearly empty white-on-white studio often causes people to ask "Where's your stuff?" but I do have one very large (mostly white) canvas that acts as an anchor element for my white lounge chair, white side table, white credenza and aforementioned white rug. Against white walls and a polished concrete floor, I think it’s quite stunning… as long as I don’t leave a magazine, sweater or other non-white object lying around.

IMHO, white is never white. White is never boring, especially when it's well lit which brings up the next great "renter's remodel" trick, LIGHTING. That belly lamp (which, I see, comes in white ;^) looks like a very economical option and $100 worth of cheap Ikea halogen accent lights (carefully installed) can give an otherwise stark space marvelous definition, contrast and drama. My advice: Don’t jazz it up. Distill the space and then BE the jazz.

opoponax--
re: "amassing a collection of Real Art to fill your space could take years."

Um, I don't think Art or art is about "filling" necessarily, but three well-chosen pieces here would make this gorgeous and spare apartment one step closer to Nirvana.

LP:
I have the perfect idea for a headboard... (he teases, wanting the styling gig!!)

And the only other piece of furniture I'd vote for would be a better cabinet for the TV. And perhaps changing out the dining chairs... but agree this is all more about finishing touches.

i agree with you generally, p2, in fact i almost didn't use the word 'fill' because of that very connotation. however looking at the emptiness of her walls, she's going to need more than 3 pieces. even if those 3 pieces are huge and bold and completely bring each space together. and good art is EXPENSIVE, an investment that takes a lot of time and savings and contemplation. in two years of concerted collecting i've amassed enough art for maybe one room in my apartment.

in the meantime, a couple of well chosen prints or some nicely framed family photos wouldn't be a terrible idea. for instance, i see that she has some photos displayed in standing frames on her dresser. it would be very easy (especially if they're standard size photos) to mat and frame them, then hang them above the dresser in a nice arrangement instead of displaying them on the surface. then when she finds the piece of serious art that is really going to bring that space together, she can take them down and do something else with them.

Love your place!

I noticed that you already have color in your living room; those great throw pillows. Adding color does not have to mean bright and bold (which is funny coming from me!)so I would suggest using those colors in the pillows, the light ochre or chartreuse and the beach glass blue. Find those colors, perhaps a little darker, for other objects in the room.

This next opinion does have something to do with my own asthetic, but I would paint the table in your entry way the beach glass blue color, a little darker. Use a satin or lacquer finish and put a plate of glass on top. That would look so inviting with that topaz vase and the aluminum chair.

I do not think your duvet looks cheap, I don't even understand why that comment was made. I noticed that it is similar to the color from the living room so obviously you are attracted to it. There are some great upholstery prints from the Laurie Smith collection at Hancock fabrics that are similar but different enough that you could use to cover some canvases for that room at http://www.hancockfabrics.com/jump.jsp?itemID=465&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=17&iSubCat=465&viewAll.x=40&viewAll.y=11&viewAll=viewAll and they are on sale right now. Especially check out Mosaic in Spray and Zig Zag in Leaf.

Oh, wow, I just noticed that the colors in your living room are almost the same as the AT-NY banner on this site! So, that is exactly what I mean by a little darker and paint the entry table THAT blue.

Good luck, you won't need it though, your place already looks great!

First, I think your place looks really lovely. But, here are a few suggestions since that is what you are seeking:

Bedroom: Matching bedside lamps always make a place look smarter and more pulled together. Try stacking your pillows instead of leaning them against each other and put the ones in the shams on top; it just looks more modern. If you can't do a headboard, think about painting the wall behind the bed a contrasting color like a robin's egg blue. Not only would the bedding be highlighted, the cute bedside tables and any lamps would really show up against the blue. They kinda disappear now. I know one poster has said that a mirror above the dresser is trite, however, a mirror can be both attractive and handy, especially if your spouse is hogging the bathroom.

Dining room: I would be on the lookout for some dining chairs that are more in keeping with your table. I think the chairs you have now would look great in your living area. I agree with some of the other posters in that you need some color or softness in your dining room. I think a colorful table runner, carpet or painted accent wall would be great.

Living area: I would move the chairs from the dining room into the living area for additional seating -- facing each other at either end of the couch or put both at the end of the couch near the window depending on your traffic flow. I notice that you have the wall behind the couch painted a pale blue. You might want to paint the wall behind the TV a pale chartreuse like the throw on the couch. As long as you keep both walls in the same tone it will look right. And, like the other posters, I really think you need to consider getting a real tv stand. Keep checking on Craig's List or with discount places like IKEA. If you don't find what you want, get something cheap that works and paint it the same color as the wall.

Empty walls -- Here are a few more alternatives to expensive art or blank walls: www.wonderfulgraffiti.com (adhesive vinyl text - quotes, monagrams, etc.); www.onlinesignshop.com/banners.asp (have your favorite photo or graphic blown up onto a vinyl banner -- either hang the banner as is or place it on ready made art canvas or stretcher frame -- you can also get vinyl banners made at a local sign store); http://store.txtlart.com/walhankit1.html (wall hanging kits -- basically frames for fabric -- they have a choice of marimekko patterns -- or simply stretch your favorite fabric over ready made art canvas). Of course, there is always the obvious -- make family photos cool by having them printed in black and white or sepia tones then framing them in ready made frames with large mats.

Again, love your place, the monkey, the blackboard, the windows, and the duvet. Also, love your pallette -- very light and airy. Remember, keep it simple and don't over think it. Its your home not a magazine.

Sharon - there's nothing inherently wrong with flowers. Flowers are lovely. But like jewelry, it takes a keen eye and a ruthless disposition to select and place them properly in a modern setting. They need to be treated like any other art or accessory element in contemporary design and not as an easy panacea for color and "interest." Shelter mag stylists are particularly guilty of this mentality; you can just picture them striding into rooms with The Flower Agenda, arms waving while an assistant scribbles madly and announcing, "here...here...and here." You'd think they all interned at Traditional Home.

CURTAINS!! - the lack of curtains is what is making it feel like an office rather than a home - you need some really voluptuous curtains - floor length even on the windows that don't go down to the floor - in fact make them more than floor length - make them "puddle" on the floor - keep the blinds and you'll never need to close the curtains so they can be wonderfully decorative - they need to be made of richly textured fabric - I love using velvet - and I would suggest a deep colour to contrast with the paleness everywhere else in the room - deep chocolate maybe - and they need to have ornate tassel tie-backs draped around them

You shouldn't have to spend too much on this - you don't need huge amounts of fabric if they are just decorative and you're not going to actually pull them over the windows - and I bet theres loads of places you can get cheap fabric in NY and its environs

You'd be amazed at the difference window dressings make to a home

(Oh and we have the same chest of drawers as you but in wood - we considered getting the white but the wood matched our floors - I love it - its so HUGE!)

Wow! An offer from P2 to jump in! I'm jealous! If you're ever in Portland, P2, I'd hire you in a NY minute!

Any time, pdx!!!! :)

AIEEEE! TIMMY THE SOCK MONKEY! I am so jealous!

As for art, since you say your budget is shot, you could get a bunch of different wallpaper samples and mount them. Yeah, it sounds cheap and (horror of horrors!) DIY, but it can look really great if you hang them in rows. Also it's so inexpensive that when your budget rebounds, you won't be too sorry to replace it with something... higher-end.

LP--
I asked Maxwell to pass along my contact info if at all interested in doing something formally, but did not hear back.

If interested in talking, reach me at:
hatrickdesign at netscape dot net

Loving your space & your style! These are the minor suggestions I would make...

-For my own taste, I'm usually a huge fan of black, but I feel like your dining area could flow better w/ the light and airy feel happening in the LR. I would start by putting the vase that's in the entryway on the dining room table & look for slipcovers for the DR chairs in a blue, green, or yellow-gold similiar to a color from your LR throw pillows or bedspread. This would bring more balance to the overall LR/DR space.
-Your LR is fabulous. This is a minor one, but the bookshelf looks slightly awkward where it is. Try it against the wall next to the couch or maybe use it in the entry way instead of the table? (the bottom shelves could hold shoes that might get left at the door - although you look pretty neat). With the bookshelf in the entry + the black wall, a bright rug would warm the area up. Keep the chair and maybe hang that mirror right on the chalkboard wall. And if you need somewhere else to put the items on the bookshelf, you could hang a couple of shelves over the tv (maybe Ikea). Of course, in an ideal world I'd say install some type of suspended glass shelving in the space above the ledge that appears to be behind the bookcase / in front of the window.
-If you don't want to spend big $$$ on art, I've found TJ Maxx & Marshalls have a larger selection than you might think (w/ some unique things mixed in with the common), and they're always getting in new stock.

Lots of luck, and most importantly have fun!

where did you get your bedspread?

In general, I think your place is very nice.

Which is why the "view from sofa" pic is so jarring. I don't know if it's just the angle of the light in the photo, but if it were my place, that's the area I would concentrate on.

As otherwise suggested, I would try to find something different to put your TV and such upon; I don't personally like the look of the off-white drape on the box. I would try to go for something without a drape at all, but if you must keep that situation for financial reasons, try a different color; the whitish cloth doesn't do justice to the rest of your place. Also, definitely do something to fix, change, or hide the wall above the TV; there have been lots of other suggestions here. I would paint the whole wall, probably in an accent color, but you could also try some kind of art that would take up most of that space.

I like everything else, most particularly your chalk wall and the long view of your living room. :)

Hi Leslie - It's me Victoria from sfgirlbybay.

Thanks for writing! First off, I love your living room and think you've found some great pieces. I think I would add a modern entertainment shelving unit, rather than the covered table. Ikea has one called IVAR and it's only $80. It comes on casters and is unfinished, so how about painting it off-white, or a cool gray-blue?

Everyone's right about the art. You need it! But I think it needs to be something that you really love, or has some meaning to you. In my blog I talk about having family photos blown up on a large format printer and framing them with simple Ikea RIBBA frames - they come with great wide white matting and look like a much nicer quality than they're priced. I think I paid like $25 for a 22" x 24" frame. So a nice grouping over the sofa could be cool - maybe even in black & white in their Birch colored frames. And a nice big print over the television. I like to make my TV as invisible as possible!

As far as the dining room goes, I think a nice fluffy Flotaki rug (look on ebay) would be cool, and maybe a nice fabric runner on the table. Lotta Jansdotter has some great modern, fresh looking ones in your color palette. If you can paint the wall a nice rich color (taupe?) that would add warmth as well. And, again some more art. Or maybe a fun 70's looking mural?

http://www.jansdotter.com/

For the headboard (you need one) you could go to the flea market and look for an unusual item to hang on the wall and use as a headboard - an old iron gate, or a vintage door on it's side can look cool. If you want a cozier look Urban Outfitters has that cool chocolate brown tufted velvet headboard that could look great with the yellow bedding AND the sock monkey (check the blog - there's a photo there). Not sure what your lighting situation is, but some kind of modern bedside lamps would be nice (west elm?). Maybe change the knobs on the dresser for a funkier look - Anthropologie has some great ceramic ones, and even Targét has some nice ones sometimes.

As for the entryway - if it's small space and doesn't intrude too much with the living room - why not a bright fun color - a great butter yellow would be nice off the charcoal chalkboard and metallic chairs and would be pick up colors from your sofa pillows. Or even a dark cobalt blue would be fun and dramatic.

You know where to find me with questions - hope this gives you some fun ideas, or inspires you with some of your own. Have fun!
Victoria