apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Any neutral colored couch with fairly clean lines will work with what you have, but I'd definitely shop for something with a straight arm, if only to get more seating space out of the same sofa square footage.

What do you mean "we are not sure if it will go with our living room"?

Frankly, this living room is pretty bare bones, random and mismatched. I would suggest you have a vision first and then work from the ground up. Looking at your living room, it doesn't feel like any thought has been put into it so far. Is there a style you are thriving for? If there is one, it just doesn't come through at all at the moment.

not to nitpick....but that rug is much too small for your room. If you're going to buy a new sofa, I would recommend a new rug as well.

God, joebelt, did it ever occur to you the the phrasing "blank slate" might be preferred by the homeowner to " random and mismatched"? Sheez.

I think your advice is good but your bedside manner sucks.

I'm thinking perhaps a dark brown leather sofa or even a sectional with straight lines might be good. I think it would work well with the wall color, but if you go that route, I would suggest also that you consider new lighting and also a different type of rug. I'd also lose the TV stand and get something lower and more modern in a darker wood with glass/chrome accents, if that's your style . I see a nice arc lamp in chrome providing light over that area and a bigger heavier cocktail table in a dark woods anchoring the area.

Something is crouching next to your sofa.

patrick (the other one),

I don't mean to offend; I apologize if I come off brutally honest. Frankly, I’ve never been--and probably never will be--much of a sugar coater. Why beat around the bush when time is precious and money even more?

Rick,

I think (or at least thought) that it was a porcelain reproduction of a dog. Maybe it's a real one?

joebelt--

Why sugar coat? Because this is someone's HOME, and they are opening it up for scrutiny and advice... not forpublic chastisement or ridicule.

I just go this couch sofa from Macy's furniture from their Corona collection. Retro modern: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=251414&CategoryID=35377&LinkType=SiteAd&LinkLoc=29391&AdID=42797

It's on sale still and they have good payment plans if you don't want to pay for it all at once. I got the sofa in dark brown (have a white dog and prefer to see his fur so I can clean it rather than getting invisible fur on my clothes).

"If you go that route, I would suggest also that you consider new lighting and also a different type of rug."

I blieve the question was "What sofa will go with my room?" not "What do I have to get rid of to make a new ofa work?"

patrick (the other one),

Unfortunately no sofa is going to bring this room together alone. :(

wow. thanks guys. it is a real dog. he ate the couch pictured in a rash of fear from a thunderstorm.

I have put a lot of thought into the room and though I know it's far from finished, a little diplomacy never hurt anyone. thanks patrick (the other one) for your kindness.

Hi AndreaU,

So what is your vision for this room? We can probably better recommend a sofa if we know what you are working towards...

well since you asked, a new rug is high on the list of priorities. I got the one there on sale as a space-filler and it is 5'7 to give you some scale. I would prefer 8x10 but I want it to scream at me before I put down the cash. I want more color, but nothing too light because it is a high traffic area. That is the only path from the bedrooms/bathrooms to the kitchen. I originally had the sofa floating facing the dining area, but it broke up the traffic pattern and due to the doorways there is no where else to put it. I am not a huge fan of 'everything up against the walls, but we work with what we have". We are looking for modern traditional. We like the dark wood and green walls, but would like some pops of color. Here is the room from a different angle if that helps

http://bp0.blogger.com/_ruBIbB9S0kY/R60NHTi0K1I/AAAAAAAAACY/sDPeG31dEjQ/s1600-h/IMG_0016.JPG

First off, I like the couch a lot. That said, I do feel that the room looks very disjointed. If you opt to go with the pretty gray color for the couch, I would definitely recommend changing the wall color and also getting a bigger rug that is more complimentary in terms of style and color. The traditional floral and traditional seafoam-y wall color don't really "go" in my opinion with the modern gray couch. Also, I'd recommend reframing your art and considering clustering more pieces together. The one framed piece I see on the far wall seems too small and gets lost where it is. Good luck!

and for the record - my original question was about the gray sofa and if anyone had experience with Urban Outfitters Furniture as I do not.

However, it was edited.

Gabrielle: I agree about the art! I am slowly but surely collecting things I love and trying to get them in place...it's a painstakingly slow process!

Bart- i really like that sofa set, how comfy is it?

I like Bart's suggestion of the Corona sofa from Macy's. I just bought the Margaret sofa from Macy's, also in dark brown.

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=252660&CategoryID=35377&LinkType=EverGreen

Another option if you were looking...it's fairly long even though it doesn't look it. It also comes in a nice light blue and a very pretty almost white if you're looking for not brown. I think the brown with some colored accent pillows would look nice in your room. I just wouldn't go with the white knowing you have a dog.

AndreaU,

It's hard to comment on one aspect of your room as there is nothing cohesive about it. So here are some things to think about as you look to the future. Match the greys and beiges carefully (if you which to stick with them) and introduce a little color.

* Think color. All this washed out grey/beige makes the room very one dimensional and claustrophobic.

* You have some conflicts in your furniture. The sofas, rugs and shades are one style, the coffee table another, the credenza yet another, the shelving again a different style. Mixing styles can be achieved but it takes imo very high quality pieces to mix and match. Run-of-the-mill furniture does better when it's matched with similar pieces.

* Think green! Some plants will open up your room.

* think height. The proportional height of your pieces in relationship to one another is off. What is that shelf doing so high on the wall? Why is that side table higher than the sofa? Why are all these tiny frames above eye level? Why do you have two floor lamps of different height & texture behind the dog?

* That white door frame to the kitchen pops too much on its own. Repaint it or use that white the rest of the room.

Good luck!

* I agree with needing more color - it helps to see the room in pictures as opposed to in person - we have added somethings since these pics were taken, but eventually I want a new rug and curtains to add some depth and color.

* Again, trying to get away from the rug/shades style and rely more on the other furniture

* Think green! Some plants will open up your room. - we have some in there now, just not in this photo

* think height. The proportional height of your pieces in relationship to one another is off. What is that shelf doing so high on the wall? Why is that side table higher than the sofa? Why are all these tiny frames above eye level? Why do you have two floor lamps of different height & texture behind the dog?
There is only one floor lamp, so I am not sure what you are talking about - as for the height of the walk hangings, my husband is 6'5" so it is below eye level to him. we compromised.

* That white door frame to the kitchen pops too much on its own. Repaint it or use that white the rest of the room.

- will think about this one too...

It's interesting to see our room through other eyes. That doesn't mean we will change it, but keep the suggestions coming!

Even if your husband is 6'5" you art should be at average eye level especially if the ceilings are low. If not work your art from the ground up (or in clusters) and not as single pieces high up on the wall.

any of these would look great in your room...

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=931&f=14822

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=931&f=10906

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=960&f=25940

especially with that rug and your current paint color.

Hey Andrea--

My diplomacy is also available for hire in the NYC vicinity! :)

Hi AndreaU,

first off- I think you have a great "blank-slate" at your fingertips! I love the color of the walls, and the beautiful wood floor. Personally, I would like to see this room warmed up a bit, maybe with accents of red-orange color and I like the idea of bringing some browns into the mix too, rather than so much black- that brown couch is really nice. I would also choose a different color for the white trim, maybe a creamy off-white, as I agree that it is a little startling.
cute pooch!

Have fun!
Kate

"Mixing styles can be achieved but it takes imo very high quality pieces to mix and match. Run-of-the-mill furniture does better when it's matched with similar pieces."

I could not DISagree with this blanket statement more.

Re: "That white door frame to the kitchen pops too much on its own. Repaint it or use that white the rest of the room."

Um, I see white window casings and white baseboards throughout in the pictures I'm looking at...

Aha! Excellent - I'll recommend you to my friends up there....meanwhile, I'll be going it alone here in NC :-)

Another sidenote: (because I am bored) We actually have replaced the couch since I submitted this question ( couple weeks ago) but it's great to hear the suggestions. We went with a light microfiber couch similar to the 2nd crate and barrel link from Tangerine - 3 cushions - straight arms and back. also added a burnt orange pillow to the current ones.

Which brings me to another question - while I have an audience - how about some rug suggestions!

"I could not DISagree with this blanket statement more."

super! It is a blanket statement and it's true that you could also mix and match successfully if you find unusual items (not necessarily expensive but unique) But mixing and matching pottery barn with ikea is a recipe for disaster.

"Um, I see white window casings and white baseboards throughout in the pictures I'm looking at..."

That photo does not show the baseboard. I'm not saying the the white doesn't work but it's out of place with the currently muted beige and greys.

I think it's primarily a symptom of gloss paint getting most of the flash action.

I saw white baseboards in the other room, white window casings in the living room and put two and two together...

Btw, beige and gray can yield a gorgeous room. Especially with white moldings.

Andrea--

I can work remote! ;)

The couch is really comfy. The only thing is that my previous couch wasn't as tall, so it feels funny sitting up higher on this one. You should see if there's a Macy's Furniture store near you and try it out yourself in person. I've seen them in Queens and Brooklyn.

"Btw, beige and gray can yield a gorgeous room. Especially with white moldings."

I don't think anyone said any different.

Sorry, I guess I misintepreted your "All this washed out grey/beige makes the room very one dimensional and claustrophobic." comment.

I guess you meant "one dimensional and claustrophobic" in the good way.

Hilarious! Ok so i uploaded a new pic of the lr in it's current state. I like the new couch so deal with that but really if anyone has better suggestions for how to arrange the room, I am putty in your hands. I just don't know what else I can do! thanks

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilkidthings/2316725173/sizes/l/

patrick (the other one)

All I meant was that in this state it is very one dimensional and claustrophobic and I also stated that without changing the main color theme it would be very easy to make this room breathe. Don't take things out of context to try and make a point. It's annoying and doesn't help the OP.

Gee. All these tangents are fascinating.

AndreaU: What do you usually use this room for? Is it the dog's usual hang out or is it just playing peek-a-boo? Are dogs and rugs a good mix? And to shill a moment for P(2), properly measured dimensions and eight good photographs can make the geographic distance irrelevant.

joebelt: we all have immediate visceral reactions to spaces. Too often it's based on whether we can see ourselves living there and not on whether we can see the people who live there living there. I respect your time and shall not ask you to waste it by being tactful. By the same token, I do request that you respect other people's time and focus on the questions asked and not what you'd have liked to been asked.

P(2): for what little it's worth, thank you for trying to keep this on topic.

Ah, JonathanB, thank you sir.

Um, joebelt, not entirely sure I took anything that far out of context but I'll drop it.

Btw, when do we get to see your home?

Thanks for your comments JonathanB - This is my one and only living room! We have a 1200SF 1962 ranch home. 3 bed, 1.5 bath, one hallway, one eat-in kitchen, one living room. What you see is what you get so I want to get the most out of it!

also - there are three doors to this room - the one I am standing in to take the photo, the one you can see, and the front door which is just to the left on the couch wall.

Bart - Thanks for the info and initially posting the couch link. I drove to indianapolis yesterday since our macy's doesn't have a furniture department, and i love the couch. i think we're going to get the couch in pear and get 2 of the dark brown chairs to go with it. I don't know how we're going to arrange it yet, but if we can;t both chairs in, one will make a nice reading chair in the bedroom.

One last question if you see this, how is it holding up so far. It sounded like you just got it, but if it was a little while ago i was wondering about normal wear and tear, sagging so far or anything like that.

For anyone interested in any furniture from Macy's. The sales woman told me they are going to be taking an extra 10% off March 26th-30th or furniture. We haven't ordered yet, but she said if we do want it, just call her and she'll take the order but won't place it until then to get the extra discount. Should cover shipping... Also, she said the sales are on and off a lot, so it should coincide.

jmorey - I've only had the couch for about a month or two, so no wear and tear yet. But I actually got a package with the couch that they will replace it completely if anything happens to it (even accidental tears, accidental spillings, etc.). I don't remember how long it's for, but it seemed worth it since I have a dog and you never know... Might be as much as 10 years, but maybe just 5.