apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hi! I would move the sofa and table in front of the fireplace with the end table in on one side of the table and a great floor lamp on the other. You could add one lounge chair into the mix (two would probably be too crowded). And is that a fur rug on the side there? Will it fit under the coffee table. Next I would do some curtains (if you want to keep it simple - maybe a white linen) Since you have a neutral background pallette to work with, you can use pillows and maybe a throw to jazz up the place with punches of color.

If you have any more questions feel free to contact me.

Good luck!

Karen
www.cheekyliving.com
http://blog.cheekyliving.com/

Hi, Allison,
Looks like you're off to a great start!
Seems to me your layout is ideal for separating the 'entry' from the rest of the living space by putting the sofa at right angles to the front door. Ideally, if you have room for it, a thin sofa table (can be as little as 8") behind with buffet-style lamps on and eg books, will divide the space without a boxed-in feeling, and also make a place for keys etc, in a basket or similar on the sofa table.
Let me know if I can help!
kittie@lifestylespacedesign.com

I think if you have a white box to start, you need to stick with light, floating furniture - the couch looks like it stepped in from another dimension. Something with slender, exposed legs,and without the rolled arms seems like a better fit.

As for layout, I'd put the TV where the chairs are (across from the fire place) and have the chairs face the sofa. The left side of the TV solution would probably double as a landing strip.

Looks like a great space - have fun!

I'd start by moving the couch in front of the sofa with a sofa table behind, as previously suggested. I would get some dark curtains (or curtains with dark elements: stripes, flowers, graphic, etc.) to balance the dark color of the couch and hide the AC unit.

Does "no carpet" in your note mean you don't own one or don't want to own one? I think an area rug would help ground the couch and seating area. A 5x7 would probably work.

Is that a Noguchi table with a cardboard box under your tv? I would display that as your coffee table and move your tv to the right of the fireplace in the corner.

An oversize print or canvas on the wall where the chairs are would make a bold statement. A small square, tall table by the door would be good for a landing strip. Get some plants for some homeyness.

Good luck! Looks like a cozy space!

I still want the other (non-Noguchi) coffee table!
; - )

I'd float the sofa in front of the fireplace and use a sofa table behind it (a v. narrow one) to create a "landing strip" for your entry. The current coffee table looks more narrow, so I'd continue to use that one in front of the sofa. I'd put the TV to the right of the fireplace in the corner so you can still view it from the sofa, but it doesn't detract from the fireplace.
The 2 chairs can be to the left of the sofa, next to one another or one on either side of the sofa.

I'd do blues as the accent color, pulling one from the painting over the fireplace. It would contrast nicely with the warm brown of the sofa and the wood. Keep the walls white, it's very light and airy, kind of gallery feeling. I wouldn't go too dark on the area rug either, a lighter aqua maybe?

I agree with Karen - move the sofa so that it is facing the fireplace, and then there will be a walkway behind the sofa from the door to the staircase. The coffee table is narrow enough that it will fit in this new configuration. You can also use one of the chairs by the staircase now. TV can go to the right of the fireplace.

Not sure about color. I would look for an area rug or piece of art first and then pick a color from that.

Put the TV in the fireplace for sure!

I love how you have handled the ceiling in the living room -- "raising" the ceiling by revealing the floor joists above, installing great lights, and painting everything white! Brilliant idea! Not only does it make the room feel more spacious, but it inserts a textural element as well.

I wouldn't "add colour" to your space -- rather, I would keep the colours restrained and natural. By that, I mean "natural" coloured leather, wood, whites and off-whites. The chocolate brown of your sofa is actually quite gorgeous... (although you could move into grey territory instead).

As others have suggested, turn the sofa to face the fireplace. Not sure without an actual floor plan how many arm chairs you would be able to add.

There are very few sofas I love, but this is one of those few; I think that it would look amazing in your space. An over-sized piece works wonders in a small space, and the leather is perfect. The space under the sofa and the metal legs makes the piece seem light, despite its cozy depth. It comes in three lengths, as well as sectional configurations.

http://temi.repubblica.it/casa/?catalogo=true&idProdotto=2014

http://www.sevensalotti.it/english/pop_distec.asp?ID1=47

I wouldn't put a table behind it; instead I would either install floating drawers on the wall in the entrance (double the length in this picture) or install Thout's UtiliTile in order to define the entrance.

http://dwell.co.uk/102866

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/organizing/thout-designs-utilitile-hallway-organization-032944

http://www.treehugger.com/thout-design-utilitile-room.jpg

I'd run a stair runner down the stairs and to the door. I'd go with the chocolate brown sisal:

http://www.naturalrugs.org/america/stair_runners.htm

I would invest in a flat-screen tv, and place it to the left of the fireplace (if this is the room you are going to watch tv in), and suggest a nubby white wool carpet, if that is at all practical for you.

http://www.modernrugs.com/index_main.html?http://www.modernrugs.com/cgi-bin/view_rug_list.pl/42/13.htm

http://www.greekinternetmarket.com/3113-02033.html

http://www.modernrugs.com/index_main.html?http://www.modernrugs.com/cgi-bin/view_rug_list.pl/42/13.htm

http://www.modernrugs.com/index_main.html?http://www.modernrugs.com/cgi-bin/view_rug_list.pl/42/13.htm

If those are impossible, I'd go with something very subtle, like this:

http://www.rugs.nl/en_US/detail_Tapijten_18757.html?type=Kilims

Not sure what to do wrt window coverings; maybe Hunter Douglas blinds that go from bottom-up, to leave the top of the windows free, but provide privacy by obscuring the bottom.

The only colour should be provided by your art collection, which is off to a great start.

Oh, and as for an armchair, I would suggest something quirky... I think the Finn Juhl Chieftain chair would be elegantly perfect --

http://www.midcenturymodernist.com/2007/08/chieftain-chair.html

Another option would be the Koi Design K:3

http://www.koidesign.co.uk/

Good luck -- it's a great place already!

The rug links didn't work -- the "modern rugs" are:

- Soho Rugs Octopus' Garden 3511-00 Rug

- Soho Rugs Super Shag Cuks - Natural Rug

Another nice textural option for the living area is this:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p10388/index.cfm

Should have known that AT had some great sources for shag rugs:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-email/best-of-three-shag-rugs-babyemail-from-71608-057344

Hi
Thank you, thank you so much for the helpful comments. I really like your ideas especially turning the couch 90 degrees to face the fireplace to make more of an entryway. The current couch is too long to fit now, so I need to shop for a newer more modern shorter couch in a lighter color. So far I've looked at sofas at Room and Board and Ikea.

I do have a large (70 inch x 45 inch) colorful painting to put on the wall where the chairs are and can pick a blue (a robins egg blue color) from the painting to match to a rug. I wasn't sure I wanted to cover the light floor, but maybe it makes sense to have a rug for defining the space and for color.

Good idea to invest in a flat screen TV for the wall. I was going to just put it above the fireplace mantel, but now I have other plans because of your suggestions.

Thanks again, and please comment more if you can, it is very helpful