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Living room

by Kimberly
(Montreal)

I would like to change my living room to make it more cozy and warm.

I was thinking of changing the furniture to darker furniture (dark leather) and lighter walls.

I was thinking of adding 2 brown leather chairs in front of the windows facing the dining room.(one in window and the other where the TV is) Changing the sofa for a loveseat and changing the existing chair in the other corner for a reading cozy chair with an ottoman for a reading area.

The room is 12'6 by 14'6. Facing the windows I have an opening (6') with architectural colunms.Facing the sofa a have another opening of 5' onto the hallway. On the right to this oepning I have a 7' wall with a chair.

I thought of creating a focal point where the loveseat would be with a wall of pictures.

Give me your input and thoughts

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Living room

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Aug 27, 2009
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Try warm walls for an inexpensive solution
by: Charlotte

Hello Kimberly

Firstly, I love the interesting shape of your room, and those lovely big windows - they must let a lot of light into your room.

Changing your furniture for dark leather is an excellent way to bring darker tones, and a more cosy feel into the room. Do be careful, though, to choose warm tones in the leather, to emphasise the warmth rather than the dark.

Although light walls may keep the nice light feeling to the room, the contrast between the dark furniture and light walls may be quite dramatic and stark, rather than the cozy feel you are after.

For a real cozy feel choose warm tones for your wall, these are reds, russets, rusts, orangey-yellows and warm beiges, taupes and even creams. If you like a lighter feel for your room, choose paler tones, or for a warmer and cozier feel, mid tones and even some quite dark colors would work well.

As your room is quite open with windows and large access openings, you don't have large expanses of wall that may seem overpowering in a darker color, so you can get away with some lovely strong colors here I think.

If you didn't want to go to the expense of changing your furniture, darker warm walls, and throws and cushions in a warm, strong accent color could warm your room up nicely.

Your idea for a focal wall of pictures sounds like a very good plan, and it sounds nice to be seated by the lovely window. Do you have a nice view?

Be careful when arranging your furniture not just to line furniture up round the edges - I know its much easier said than done!

Try to think about who will use the room, and how the different participants can interact together and feel connected. Gathering seating around a central coffee table can help here.

I hope that has given you some ideas to think about for your room makeover. It looks a lovely room, so I hope your decorating makeover goes well and you are cozying up in there in no time at all.

Do let us all know how it turns out.

Good luck and best wishes

Charlotte

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Aug 27, 2009
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Submitted by: Charlotte

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Comment
Hello Kimberly Firstly, I love the interesting shape of your room, and those lovely big windows - they must let a lot of light into your room. Changing your furniture for dark leather is an excellent way to bring darker tones, and a more cosy feel into the room. Do be careful, though, to choose warm tones in the leather, to emphasise the warmth rather than the dark. Although light walls may keep the nice light feeling to the room, the contrast between the dark furniture and light walls may be quite dramatic and stark, rather than the cozy feel you are after. For a real cozy feel choose warm tones for your wall, these are reds, russets, rusts, orangey-yellows and warm beiges, taupes and even creams. If you like a lighter feel for your room, choose paler tones, or for a warmer and cozier feel, mid tones and even some quite dark colors would work well. As your room is quite open with windows and large access openings, you don't have large expanses of wall that may seem overpowering in a darker color, so you can get away with some lovely strong colors here I think. If you didn't want to go to the expense of changing your furniture, darker warm walls, and throws and cushions in a warm, strong accent color could warm your room up nicely. Your idea for a focal wall of pictures sounds like a very good plan, and it sounds nice to be seated by the lovely window. Do you have a nice view? Be careful when arranging your furniture not just to line furniture up round the edges - I know its much easier said than done! Try to think about who will use the room, and how the different participants can interact together and feel connected. Gathering seating around a central coffee table can help here. I hope that has given you some ideas to think about for your room makeover. It looks a lovely room, so I hope your decorating makeover goes well and you are cozying up in there in no time at all. Do let us all know how it turns out. Good luck and best wishes Charlotte

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Sep 25, 2009
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Living room
by: Anonymous

Good day Charlotte

What color rugs would you go with if i pick rust walls and warm leather loveseat?

Sep 25, 2009
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a few ideas...
by: Charlotte

Hello Kimberly

You have a few choices for color of rugs - depending on your own personal preferences.

You can choose any similar rusts, oranges, yellowy tones or deeper orangey/browny reds, which will enhance the warm, 'cosy' tones in your room.

A pale neutral rug (for example, cream) will make the space feel lighter, paler and more spacious - but may be difficult to keep clean.

A dark neutral rug (dark brown for example) could also be used, but may feel a little too dark and overpowering in the room.

You could also choose a 'complementary' accent color to go with the rust - which would also be the color to choose for your accents and accessories - this could be a blue or a green - personally I imagine a nice apple green would look nice, and would certainly look good against your flooring.

Hope that has given you some more ideas - and I hope the decorating project is going well.

Good luck with it all

Charlotte :o)

Jan 09, 2010
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Resource
by: Julie

Hello Charlotte

I graduate as an interior decorator lately. I want to thank you for your ideas they helped me a great deal.

Now I want wondering if you could refer me to resources in Canada, Quebec. I'm trying to find suppliers and stores that offer discount to interior decorators and designers. It seems to be offered mostly in Ontario or US.

Thanks in advance.

Jan 09, 2010
Rating

Where to look.....
by: Charlotte

Hello Julie

Thanks for your kind comments - so glad my website has been of help to you in your interior design studies.

Firstly, in future, please could you start a new topic, when going off thread from a previous discussion - it's just it can make it very confusing for all.

I'm afraid I'm based well and truly in the UK, so my knowledge of specific suppliers and stores in Quebec is pretty limited.

If you want to get more information, and build relationships with potential suppliers in your area, why not consult local business or trade associations - you can usually network, meet people and build up lots of contacts - or they may have a list of local suppliers you can contact.

You can also look out for, and attend, Interior Design and Home Shows, and Trade Shows and Exhibits, where you will meet lots of potential suppliers, who will be only too happy to do business with you.

Check out trade publications too, and scour adverts in the back of such magazines, to root out more potential suppliers.

Contact owners and managers of the stores you like, personally, and ask them about discounts they might have for bulk buys or repeat customers, or if you could work in partnership with their store.

I hope some of these ideas prove helpful for you - and you are able to build yourself a list of trusted suppliers and partners for your business.

Wishing you much luck and success in your career as an interior designer.

Best wishes

Charlotte

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Jan 09, 2010
Rating

Submitted by: Charlotte

Title

Comment
Hello Julie Thanks for your kind comments - so glad my website has been of help to you in your interior design studies. Firstly, in future, please could you start a new topic, when going off thread from a previous discussion - it's just it can make it very confusing for all. I'm afraid I'm based well and truly in the UK, so my knowledge of specific suppliers and stores in Quebec is pretty limited. If you want to get more information, and build relationships with potential suppliers in your area, why not consult local business or trade associations - you can usually network, meet people and build up lots of contacts - or they may have a list of local suppliers you can contact. You can also look out for, and attend, Interior Design and Home Shows, and Trade Shows and Exhibits, where you will meet lots of potential suppliers, who will be only too happy to do business with you. Check out trade publications too, and scour adverts in the back of such magazines, to root out more potential suppliers. Contact owners and managers of the stores you like, personally, and ask them about discounts they might have for bulk buys or repeat customers, or if you could work in partnership with their store. I hope some of these ideas prove helpful for you - and you are able to build yourself a list of trusted suppliers and partners for your business. Wishing you much luck and success in your career as an interior designer. Best wishes Charlotte

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Living room

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Living room