Help me decorate my home

3munkeys · Mar 16, 2014 11:59 pm

Hi,

I am terrible with decorating, I buy things thinking they will work but bring them home and it looks terrible. Please help. The pics arnt the best, it's not as dark as it appears.

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I'm not sure if I should buy white dining chair covers as I'm worried it doesnt match. The rug on the floor is hideous but not sure what colour to place there. Not sure if I should add a buffet table against the wall where the dining table is. I think a nice big mirror on the wall where the dining table is might look nice. New some new cushions and a centrepiece on the table. Something else on the wall where the tv is??
Oh and we will get lighting done eventually. I really want pendants at the breakfast bar but oh is against it.
Any ideas is appreciated
Thanks

jenathome · Mar 17, 2014 9:51 am

Hi 3munkeys,

Well you have a great base to work with. There are so many options available. The mirror would definitely help with increasing light levels. (I understand the rooms are not as dark as the photos would suggest.) A buffet unit by the dining table would be useful as well as being decorative.

Have you had a look at the houzz app? This is a fantastic resource for all things home. It is American so some of the images can be a bit over the top sometimes but there are so many images that are really inspiring.

I would think that a nice shelving unit that sits around the TV could dress up that wall. Ikea has heaps of options. You may not want to lose the dark grey feature wall that you have there. Also, you may want to think about some units along the light grey wall. This could dress up this area a bit. Another option is possibly a large artwork. Maybe you could make one yourself - there are heaps of things you can do with photos on canvas these days. It would have more meaning for you too. Maybe some floor lamps as well.

What about a kids area as well. Maybe a small table and chairs and possibly a display area for their art. It can add some personal character to a home too.

Relax, though, take baby steps and consider it a work in progress. That way you can chip away with the purchases and keep control of the $$$.

I wish you the best of luck with it. I am sure you will get lots more help from the forum. Everyone is so helpful here.

Cheers, Jenny.

3munkeys · Mar 17, 2014 10:59 am

Thank you so much jenny. I am constantly researching using houzz and browsing display home photos to get ideas.

I do like the idea of a buffet table, do I make it the same colour as the dining table?

I did think about units along the lighter wall but it's a hallway to the kids room so I'm worried it would block it. But I did think a big nice canvas would be good there. Love floor lamps but have ab11 month old so maybe at a latter date. I love the idea of a shelving unit where the tv is, will look into that.

Thanks again

EmyN · Mar 17, 2014 11:21 am

I think you are being way too hard on yourself and also have "analysis paralysis" where you're thinking about the details too much and freezing because of overload.

I think it's looking lovely as it is now, just a bit empty, and I think a pendant light over the dining table or living area, and some lovely prints on the wall will really help. I would probably go online and pick a big print that I love (don't stress too much over colours) and then maybe get a few cushions that draw from the colours of the artwork. Everything doesn't have to match. I think a slim buffet along that wall is a great idea. I wouldn't worry about changing the dining chairs too much at this point, I think that would be low yield in terms of impacting your space and I think if they were white as well as the stools and cough it would be far too much white. I think wall hangings and lights and cushions to help tie it all together are the way to go initially. Then you could change the rug based on what colours you're getting from the art and cushions.

Just my thoughts anyway, I certainly struggle with my own decorating insecurities!!

3munkeys · Mar 17, 2014 12:48 pm

Thank you very much EmyN, yes you are correct about me analysing too much and now freezing from overload

Thanks for the reassurance about the dining chairs I've been really worried about them.
Wall hangings are a must. Thank you

serialstyler · Mar 17, 2014 4:42 pm

I like the openess, maybe just some art on the large wall opposite to the living room and a simple sofa table.

Maybe something like this:

I can visualise some floating shelves to the left of the entertainment unit. Some sort of flowers or greenery on the breakfast bar at the wall. A pendant over the dining or living space. A modern bowl on the dining table possibly chrome to mix the stools with the dining a bit & spread some of the darker blue of the feature wall through the room with more cushions that should help blend the dark dining chairs into the room. The kids could even paint you a picture.

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3munkeys · Mar 18, 2014 6:50 pm

Thanks serialstyler

Would putting shelves only to one side of the tv make it look odd? I will have to look for pics. Love the idea of a chrome bowl on the table. The pics have made my wall look blue buts it's a charcol grey.

TinaG · Mar 19, 2014 11:00 am

I agree with Emy. You need something on the walls - photos, paintings, whatever you prefer.

Angel D · Mar 19, 2014 2:34 pm

Hi there, great place you have. I have wall envy! You have such great wall space for an amazing art collection. I would get a few.

- United Artworks have large oil canvases at reasonable prices.
- You could also get a book on a page from Spineless Classics and frame this up.
- in the past I've also purchased a fine art photograph (digital file) and had this printed onto a 1100x1100 canvas.

What's the blue on your lounge? Are they covers? Are you leaving it on? If so you might want to select art that has a hint of that colour.

Also you could hang the flat screen on the wall and get a lower unit.

What about a coffee table and an occasional chair? Stack some books on the coffee table.

Get some more cushions. Society 6 have a great range. I love some of their typography ones thrown in the mix.

And a knitted throw for your sofa.

You do need a few lamps. If you end up getting a console you could put one on it and also get a tall floor lamp. Once baby is a bit older

CountryHome · Mar 19, 2014 2:57 pm

It's a gorgeous space. I like a lot of the suggestions already made. Try looking on etsy for artwork too. There's heaps in a huge range of styles and prices. I think you should do that first and then add cushions, throws and other accessories (frames and candles etc) depending on the colours in the art, like someone previously mentioned.
I also think you could do a photo wall to add a personal/homely touch.

MelindaMcQueenDesign · Mar 20, 2014 3:34 pm

I think the foundations are there in place, you just need those small personalised items.
I've just recently written a blog post about where to find affordable art, please visit http://www.melindamcqueendesign.com/aff ... me-office/
If you have time.
Maybe a floor lamp in the lounge, oh the shelf idea is good too, it's nice to display your precious trinkets and outer reach of little ones;) good luck on your decorating journey.

serialstyler · Mar 27, 2014 11:21 am

3munkeys

Thanks serialstyler

Would putting shelves only to one side of the tv make it look odd? I will have to look for pics. Love the idea of a chrome bowl on the table. The pics have made my wall look blue buts it's a charcol grey.

Sorry about getting the navy wall wrong but maybe if you added some navy blue it can blend the darker colours like the charcoal & brown in with the aqua.

What about a floor lamp instead of floating shelves next to the entertainment unit. Maybe something timber base & white shade, it would brighten up that end. Something like this:

https://www.masters.com.au/product/9000 ... morasp1204