Similar Problem To Olga's and Lou's
by Monique
Olga's Fireplace Wall
First thing I would like to do is to sincerely thank you for your great website and all of the fantastic information you provide! Olga's and Lou's living room is very similar to mine as far as the disposition of the room. Large seventy's style brick fireplace at one end of the room (without the arches) and large window taking up most of the exterior wall. We do not need a tv in this room as we have a family room downstairs for that purpose, this room is mainly used for entertaining large family gatherings like xmas and birthday's as well as a quiet refuge for reading and relaxing. I am in the midst or renovating and we are presently removing the 70's style dark stain parquet wood floors and replacing them with light rustic birch wood floors. Because of the dark brick (similar to the one on the photos) I find the room to be dark, so I am hoping that the lighter floors will make it brighter, I also decided to cover part of the brick wall with drywall to paint and left only the center part brick adding a nice country wood mantel to the fireplace. I am pleased with these choices but I still have some dilemas such as furniture placement and paint colours. I really love the french country style and the rest of my house does have that feel. I was hoping you could let me know what the colour tendencies are this year. Also, for the seating arrangement, we were contemplating, 3 love seats in a "U" shape with a large coffee table in the center of them and then 2 medium size chairs on either side of the fireplace. I would also add a few smaller side tables where needed. I was wondering if you have ever seen this arrangement?? I hope that I've included enough info for you to comment on but if not please let me know. thank you, Monique Reply From The Diva: Hi Monique, So glad you're enjoying my site. I work very hard on it. If you have any pics it would be great to see them and easier to give suggestions, but I'll do my best without them for now...The changes you're making sound great-fireplace-floors-mantel. The U shape love seat configuration seem like a good idea if you have the space. Some alternatives might be a sectional sofa or two sofa's facing each other, two chairs flanking the fireplace and two chairs on the opposite end of the sofa's, then you will get ten seats as opposed to eight with the love seats and two chairs-follow me?:) I would try placing end tables at the two corners of the open box (U) with a set of lamps on them, if you stay with that config, or two sofa tables behind the sofas and a small table (round) between the two chairs on both ends if you go with this config. Just make sure there is ample space to move about the room comfortably. As far as wall color- It would help to know the color of your sofas and whatever other pieces you have in the room. Do you like cool colors or warm? Olga's room was dark also(northern exposure) even with her big picture window so we painted it a buttery yellow (Hawthorn yellow-HC-4 Benjamin Moore)which works great with French Country and brightens up the space. Hope that helps, thank you so much for contributing! Please send in some pictures and if you need to contact me personally please to do so at Http://www.interior-decorating-diva.com/contactinteriordecoratingdiva.html., that way I will have your email address and will be able to reply to you personally. Thanks again Monique, Best wishes, Marie, Your Interior Decorating Diva! Ps. I added olga's pics so my visitors can have easy reference, but please send me yours. |
