Living room/dining room

Question

Hi. I recently added hardwoods and need a rug under D/R and L/R. I'd like an updated look, but have traditional furniture. Should I replace D/R set, too?

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Love your furnishings. Your rug can be on the more modern side in patter, etc. and not be discordant.

Suzette Trimmer · Answer

Should you decide to replace dining room set, keep me in mind I would take that off your hands in a nanosecond. Saying in other words, ( though I meant that ) it is a gorgeous dining room set. But regardless after time, often a long time, we all desire change, some like to change a lot at once, some go gradually, it is all up to the individual. You're layout from dining-room to living-room the new hardwood floors look fabulous. I see how bland it appears, currently & why you'd want to shake things up a tad or a ton. You could do numerous thing to change things up. Painting various walls different colors. Adding accents to compliment. You mentioned rugs also a great idea. How about curtains another decorating accent to consider. Warm your walls up by arranging pictures differently bring in more personality to the space. Do not be afraid to color outside the lines. It appears now like a show room, non-lived in. It needs your imagination to run wild. Do what 'you' want. Go ahead and try different things put whatever you think you might like in various areas of the space and leave them there for you to walk by, sit and look at, then gradually you get the momentum flying. You are very fortunate to have such a lovely canvas upon which to work.Sincerely the best of Luck and have fun!

Suzanne · Answer

You are very sweet and inspiring. Thank you!

Diane Vaulner · Answer

I would keep the lovely DR set, and throw an outrageously colored rug under it.

Myra · Answer

I like mixing vintage with newer pieces. Go for it! I have a similar dining suite from the 40s. My chairs are exactly like yours. I have too much sentimental value to get a new one.

Fran McCarty · Answer

There's a reason why we call some pieces of furniture traditional...because they are timeless. It's a beautiful set and is never outdated. If you want something different change the covering on the seats and add a rug under it. I love that picture. I would center it over the couch. Spruce up the couch with new throw pillows. The coffee table is too small. I would use a rug in front of the sofa and get a coffee table with a glass top and one that is more proportionate to the size of the couch.

Swan Road Designs · Answer

Your current color scheme is 'safe.'...monochromatic, which isn't bad, just a bit bland. Folks often decorate in this manner because color/texture/geometric elements are intimidating. Just hold your nose and jump in and enjoy the rush. Now for some suggestions...

A good-sized rug under the dining room table with some vibrant colors and an interesting pattern will go handsomely with your furniture. Change up the upholstery on the dining chairs to complement the rug. Buy the rug first. Then, add a nice silk floral arrangement with color and texture on the table. All three things will give some softness to the starkness of the floors, give some color to your room and update your beautiful furniture.

Same for the living room. Add some color. And, yes, get a larger coffee table or add two square upholstered ottomans in front of the sofa to use like you would a coffee table.

I can't get a feel for the size of your living room or the placement of the remaining furniture, but the recommended type rug would be one to create a socialization area. In other words, buy a rug large enough to define a conversation area, using the sofa and coffee table(s) and (unseen) occasional/arm chairs as the circle. No need to carpet the whole living room.

Best advice I can offer is to take baby steps. Begin with the dining room and get your feet wet. You will probably be surprised how pleasantly different the room will look and ask yourself why you didn't take the plunge sooner.

You'll be fine.

Swan Road Designs · Answer

I don't think it matters, except I wouldn't go full-bore modern/abstract with it. Swirls of color or a nice geometric might work. I wouldn't recommend any hard decision until you see what is available. That way your mind will be open and something might appeal to you that might be unexpected.

Suzanne · Answer

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your input. I will start with the dining room. I just needed a push in the right direction. Will post an after pic when I'm finished:)

Hot air · Answer

add a rug under the DR table will make a huge difference in the look - go the Maria Killman website and get some ideas or even pinterest

Laura · Answer

Oriental rugs are always timeless and classy. You can go to rugs.com and get great prices and all different styles and price points. I have purchased 3 rugs from them and free quick shipping. Same rugs sold at out local high dollar store for half price.

Swan Road Designs · Answer

No matter what kind of rug(s) you choose, make it a point to rotate them every 6 months. Even though you may think you might not have a risk of UV damage, it is surprising how much can enter even when windows are shaded by trees or draped with blinds or window treatments.

We rotate ours the first weekend of January and, again, the first weekend in June. Just made a habit of it.

It's cheap insurance against fading and fiber dmage.

Raelene · Answer

I love your furniture. It has good bones to it. I would pick up a couple of rugs with coordinating colors you love. One for under the table and one for the front of the sofa. The dinning room rug could have a pattern that would somewhat repeat the pattern of the chairs. I would then paint the chairs and the legs of the table with one of the colors in the rug, leaving the top of the table as it is. Then add coordinating pattern and color on the chair covers. You could also paint the lamp by the sofa with a pop of one of the colors. Who knows where else you might add a little color, perhaps an accent wall. You have good furniture, so don't get rid of it. Add some of the color and pattern to the sofa with pillows. You will be surprised how it will update your look. You can always call a stager in for ideas. It won't cost nearly as much as a designer.

Myrna Engle · Answer

I think -- paint side tables like coffee table. Enjoy your dining table for many more years. It looks expensive. (Updated) sometimes goes to far. I feel I would buy vintage oriental wool rugs and be sure to use rug pad. They add class because some are very expensive some are dirt cheap and no one can tell the difference. Be very careful of color. They do come in a wide array though you see a wineish red most often. Consider
papering far wall in Dining room and then placing a good mirror or classy piece of artwork on the paper. It would add depth by layers.

Kristi · Answer

I love the furniture you have. I think that I would add a couple of rugs. Maybe some new throw pillows and a new coffee table that is the proper size for the sofa. Your furnitur is taditional. That means it never goes out of style. The floors are gorgeous, but a beautiful rug will just punch them up a bit.  You have great taste.

NanaPam · Answer

I recently added a living room rug that completely changed and improved the room. I went to our local discount carpet place, bought a remnant, and had it custom bound. (The binding place picked up the piece at the carpet shop, and delivered it finished to my home, Larger cities have carpet places that do binding in house.) This way, I was able to get a very large size, just the size I wanted, for lots less than ordering from an online place. Doing it this way would allow you to try out a color swatch in your home with the lighting, walls, etc., to see if you like the look.

Swan Road Designs · Answer

Don't make the mistake of putting a too small rug under the dining table. You have to take into consideration that when using the table, you have to move the chairs in and out to be seated or leave the table. You have plenty of room in your dining room to place an adequately-sized rug.

Too many people forget that the rug has to be 'user friendly' and not just pretty. Unless, of course, you don't use your dining room. Then it wouldn't matter ow large or small the rug is. Believe it or not, there are people like that in this world.

Suzanne · Answer

Ok this is my first attempt at picking a rug. What do you think? Do I need more color? I think I'm afraid of color!

LibrarianTellsAll · Answer

I LOVE your shield back chairs! You're going to think I'm crazy, but I imagine the dining room updated with a fresh, pretty preppy style and happy colors. Think Kate Spade. First, I'd reupholster the chairs with crisp black and white striped seats. I'd sell the mirror and scroll shaped metal wall things on Craigslist, and use the money to buy a big round mirror with a simple frame, perhaps in white to match the chair rail. I'd update the chandelier with this: http://www.shadesoflight.com/stiletto-chandelier-5-light.html I'd add a happy pop of color with a colorful, floral rug like this: http://www.rugshq.com/surya-sanderson-snd-4507-rug.html Then I'd hang floor-to-ceiling linen curtain panels in the greenish-yellow citron color that's in the rug and put a big vase of fresh flowers on the table. Can you imagine it?

Suzanne · Answer

I don't think your crazy. Thank you, you really did some homework. I'm going to look at all those sites and see if I can get in your head. Very much appreciated:))

Raelene · Answer

Good job on the pattern in your rug! If you are afraid of color add a little in something like in a table runner or an arrangement on the table and pull out those same colors in pillows on your sofa. Your monotone colors are very rich and the rug really adds dimension. Good Job!

Lisa J. · Answer

I like the rug you chose.  As someone else mentioned, choose a rug with similar colors for the LR.  Then you can add decorative accents and throw pillows in accent colors.  Some Oriental ginger jars in a grouping or one large one would be nice in the middle of your dining table.  While I like vintage/antique furniture, I think that two upholstered chairs in cream (like Parson's) would look nice at the head of your table go give it an updated look.

Nancy · Answer

Beautiful floor, add rugs  with some color and maybe choose one of the colors in the rug for dining room chair upholstery.  Its very easy to recover chairs.  Choose another color in the rug for some new sofa pillows.  Stick to three basic accent colors.  Tie both rooms together with the accent colors.  Both rugs should not exactly match but should be in the same color family since you are a bit timid to add too much color.  Add some lovely plates in those plate hangers.  i would suggest moving that picture in the living room and too large over the lamp.  Can you use it in the dining room?   It seems out of place.  A large painting over the sofa would be nice.  Your coffee table is also a bit small.  Take it a step at a time and you will be successful.  Your rooms are going to be lovely.  Don't buy a new dining room set.  Small accessory changes and new rugs will make you happy and not break your budget.  Good luck.

Nancy · Answer

I like your rug choice.  Now accessorize (see my other post for some suggestions) with some color and the room will be gorgeous.

Angel Morris · Answer

The dining room rug is perfect! As for that gold and black pic, don't do anything to it, just move it to the center of the sofa and bring the pictures that are at the far right over next to it, stacked just like they are. Add something maybe long and narrow vertically on the left side of it. A sconce, perhaps? Also, a couple of nice green plants would add some color and softness to both rooms. When choosing a living room rug, don't veer too far from what you have in the dining room, maybe same color, different pattern. The rooms are really beautiful now, you are on the right track!

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