apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Have you thought about longer curtains in a more substantial solid color? And perhaps painting walls in something that feels warmer..if you want to stick with white, that's fine, but a warmer white...

Adding plants always softens up and adds life to rooms.

I think the minimalist style works in places where there is unique architecture and/or the furniture pieces themselves are statements. I think you need to beef up the physical appearance of your furniture, e.g., bigger and/or more lounge chairs. Larger tv. You have a large dining area, yet you have a cafe style table and two chairs. I'm thinking big glass dining table and more o those orange chairs around the table.

BTW: I would kill to have your dark brown hardwood floors.

Paint and plants.

I say add a bold color behind that television and then trading out the throw pillows for corresponding bold colors. You will notice a huge difference.

yeah all that space, what a nice problem to have. Looks like you're buying nce peices.

When you can afford it i'd add another lounge chair, bigger dining set, bigger tv (is a projector and option for you?).
I'd seriously considder going with an orange on one of the walls. If you keep that white wall its too blue. Maybe do an orange instead of the beigey green? if you don't want to go so bold w/paint think about a chocolate or orange for the floor length curtians, and go outside the frame of the window. You can leave them pushed aside and get all the light or close them and have it still look good.
Oh, and I'll repeat my opinion that a big monstera or palm looks great in a super clean living space.

the one thing that screams at me is the TV. can you hide it or put it elsewhere? if not, try placing some attractive objects on the credenza that give the eye some other focal point and interest beyond the television.

those two orange and white box stools, while the color is nice, they don't look the least bit inviting. i'd separate them and place them somewhere else, more like an occasional chair, and then get something to sit on that is more welcoming -- maybe one that goes with the other brown chair you have. i can't see it that well from the pics.

You have a lot of space, some nice furniture and gorgeous flooring! Some larger furniture pieces would feel more proportionate, but if that's not an option try moving pieces closer together to create "masses" of furniture. You might then discover that you have opened up enough space to create an additional grouping.

A room divider of some sort would help visually fill space and define the rooms better. Treat it as a wall and you'd then have a nice space for a desk or chest of drawers for added storage.

I would move the small table and two chairs into the living area and get a much larger dining set.

I agree that warmer paint is needed to round out the palette you have started. The khaki color is nice but needs a warmer white on the other walls, as mentioned.

I'd change the lighting in the dining area, too. Looks like all you have are overhead cans, and the space is rather dark. Consider a chandelier or even a couple of large, glowy floor lamps. Have fun, you have a great space to work with.

i definitely recommend plants!

I agree with all the comments above. (1) Add some color on the wall behind the TV (e.g. rich red). (2) Lengthen the curtains to the floor and perhaps find a color that compliments the accent wall behind the television. (3) Add a large tree-like plant. Stick with something bold and stay away from ones with small leaves. One of my favorites is the Fiddle Leaf Fig http://www.greenscenes.biz/images/catalog_library/ficus_fiddle_leaf_fig.jpg (4) As David noted above, don't be afraid of larger pieces (sectional, dining table, etc.). Using your current cafe table as a model, consider an oval Saarinen table in white. Would contrast beautifully with your floors and pull in the white of the sofa. You can be creative with the dining chairs (e.g., natural rustic wooden bench) to warm things up a bit. And yes, the floors are gorgeous.

Paint the walls behind the TV and cabinet orange
Add some tropical or dessert plants: something big and leafy in the corner plus some small succulents
Hang more artwork or pictures

Above all else, PAINT! I sense a little wall color-phobia? Take a deep breath and go for it. I agree with the suggestions to replace the white with a deep red, or red-brown...something to pick up on the prints you've got in the ottoman and accent pillows.

You've got some great furniture pieces. Replace the cafe table with something that's more appropriately sized for the space and function, add a few interesting accessories and some green stuff, and voila!

It looks nice but there is no focal point. Maybe add a modern electric fireplace (and art above it) in lieu of the TV credenza or replace the current credenza with a bigger one (white would be a nice option).

I agree with the themes already stated: Paint, plants, floor to ceiling drapery (even if stationary panels) and larger dining room table.

Not sure about how much lighting you have, but would be sure that you have different combinations, including dimmers.

I like what you've done so far. My suggestions:

1. Paint all the walls the color you've painted your accent walls. And repaint the accent walls a color that picks up on one of your accessories. Like the red in your throw pillows. I think this will pull everything together nicely.

2. A plant on either side of the armoire, plus a plant on the console against the stair wall.

3. Something on the wall behind the tv. Not sure what. Maybe a long, narrow print? Hard to say without being there.

4. Don't overdo it! I don't think you really need to add much.

does ur table have enough room for two placemats?

I would go bold with curtains, throw pillows, decorative accents that way you can change it if you get sick of the look over time. If you like minimalist how about some plants maybe bonsai or topary. Instead of a lot of little pictures/prints how about one big art piece?

N.

Thanks everyone. Our walls were a golden/orange but we painted over with the more neutral grey/beige as it was feeling a little bit Brady bunch. We plan to get a larger flat screen TV which should help and this weekend I'm going to make some large scale art for the large white wall to see what it does.