Today I wanted to share with you all my thoughts for our lounge room and to get your input into how things should be decorated. A few weekends ago, we visited the Finishing Touch Gallery in Fremantle where we came across a limited edition print we both loved and bought for our lounge room. Painted by Greg Baker, it is of the Swan River around the South of Perth Yacht Club where we had our wedding reception. We had it framed up nicely and are very happy with how it looks.
I have since decided that a navy blue cushion is needed for the lounge chair beneath the print (I have draped a tea towel over the cushion in the photo above to try and picture this) as I think it compliments our new print better than the existing light blue one. Also, I think a blue patterned throw is needed to bring things together. I’m wondering if the one below would be suitable. What do you think?
As for our piano, a little Ikea stool has proven to be the perfect seat. It is easy for Grace to climb up and down on herself and a great height. I just need to decide what colour to paint it – at the moment, I’m leaning towards a steely blue. The top of the piano will probably remain relatively clear as I’ve found certain objects tend to vibrate when they’re placed on top and the piano is being played.
To bring this area together better, I’m on the hunt for an armchair. I had Paul temporarily place our chair from the nursery here to get a feel for what it would look like and while the Poang and striped cushion won’t be staying here, I definitely think a seat of some sort is needed in this space. I’m not sure whether a cane one like I’m envisaging (similar to the one below which is available in different stains) is the best option, or if a more formal looking armchair would be better.
As for the buffet in the dining area, this definitely needs some display pieces. I’ve decided on a collection of smaller artworks for above it rather than one larger piece. Some colour is definitely needed here to bring some life to the room and tie it in with the lounge area. I still like the idea of lighter slip covers for the chairs one day down the track too (the white table cover is not normally on there, I was just getting ready for this weekend’s Cooking Club).
Next week, I’m also going to get some curtain companies to come out and quote on curtains for this room. The current beige verticals clash badly with the cream lounges. In fact, with curtains, the blinds won’t even be necessary at all as I tend to either open these fully during the day or close them across at night. I’m leaning towards something light coloured and will probably do the same on the dining room window. Should the curtains draw to one side or both? Do I need a pelmet? So many options to consider!
So what do you think? Am I on the right track with my ideas? I’d love for you to share any thoughts or decorating tips you may have…
Your ideas all sound great Amanda. Love the navy and white and cream, timeless and, personally, I would go for a squishy armchair for your corner, perhaps with a tall lamp behind it (if there's a power point). Some curtains with a touch of navy would tie it all together. Lovely! gxo
ReplyDeleteLovely amanda, i bet it will all look gorgeous together! a blue stool would look great - or you could even add a little red picked up from one of your cushions, but not sure if thats the look you want.. Light grey would look lovely too. How do you manage to keep your sofas looking so clean and fresh? I had an off white lounge once! was impossible to keep clean!!! Hope you are having a good day and keeping warm!! We had sebs fun run at school today and it seemed so bitterly cold out there!! Laura xxx
ReplyDeleteGeorgie - yes there's a powerpoint in that spot so would be a prefect reading chair :)
ReplyDeleteLaura - I did consider a red stool but I think I prefer the blue against the wood of the piano. As for keeping the sofas clean, they don't get a lot of use - our everyday living room lounges are charcoal grey to hide all the dirt :) This room will be used more when Grace and our next bub are using the living area as a playroom and Paul and I want a quiet area. Lovely sunny day today isn't it but definitely a bit chilly still x
I like curtains which make a statement with the rod, exposed rings & glorious fabric, pelmets to me are a bit 80s when done badly. I loathe vertical blinds, we've had them in every single Army house, children can pull on them, dogs knock them down if they fly past, they drive me nuts. All i know is you can wash them in the machine & they clean up quickly!! On planning our home, we're designing it so far in from the road or neighbours we won't need any window dressings, but we might go sheer?? I love curtains when done beautifully & practically, i'll see what i come up with?? Happy planning, that is serious investment nesting, love Posie
ReplyDeleteThat navy/white stripe throw is beautiful. Love the piano stool; very cool. Curtains will be a huge improvement. They are a job on my agenda too.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas, especially the addition of the armchair in the corner. The shape of that cane chair is unique and would add some interesting texture. Over the buffet in the dining room I would recommend one large piece of art to make more of a statement. That's a good sized wall and with the buffet below, it can take a large piece of art, which can also provide a pop of color to that room. Curtains on both windows will add a nice soft touch. Can't wait to see photos!
Claudia
Amanda, how nice to have a print that you both love and can relate to. I'd throw splashes of navy and red or orange in the cushions. I can also see a wing back chair of some sort in that corner, check out ebay and maybe have one covered. I'm not that good with curtains as we have none but if I did I'd have thick linen type which draw to each side and no pelmet. As for the piano stool, I'd choose a splash of bright that comes from one of the cushions, maybe red or burnt orange...be brave.....
ReplyDeleteA navy blue cushion is most definitely in order and I do like the rug. A cane chair would look lovely in the corner but I also think a vintage style armchair could work just as well (but would be much more expensive). So many options! Good luck on the decision making :)
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas. I'd go for the cane chair in the corner to add a different texture and I agree that blue is a better colour for the stool next to the piano. For the curtains I'd go for something fairly plain in a light colour and with a nice curtain rail rather than a pelmet. Looking forward to seeing the changes you make. x x
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda - it's always tricky giving advice on individual rooms however from the photos it looks like you are on the right track. First off - love the print and think the navy blue cushion really suits it - maybe I would swap the cute little red one from your other sofa over to sit next to it. The throw rug - defintely. I can also see a wing back chair in that corner upholstered in a striking geo or floral pattern (incorporating some of your blues but preferably with a strong contrast colour/s.) Then, whatever the main contrast colour in the chair is - I would use that some colour on the piano stool. I would consider a roman blind on your dining room window and floor drapes in your lounge in a natural/light fabric with some texture in it. I wouldn't have pelmets - just a really nice curtain rod in the lounge room with interesting finials. Something which will allow you to pull back the curtain to each side and see your pretty garden. Down the track - slipcovers for your dining chairs would be perfect. So exciting to be planning all this! Please keep us up to date. ;)Sharyne
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I love navy and cream/white. I think you're definitely on the right track. As someone mentioned earlier, I'd be finding a really comfy squishy chair for the corner, but that's just me. I do like the cane one too though...and a lamp there would be nice too
ReplyDeleteAs for the dining room, how about a couple of lamps on the buffet to give some ambient lighting when having a dinner party?
Lesley
x
You have made it look really homely Amanda it's coming along nicely. That little stool will be perfect with coat of paint.
ReplyDeleteI really love the blue cushion under the picture, it really does bring out the colour of the painting above. I have curtains in our bedroom and I draw them to either side of the window and have a tassel tie back. It seems to suit the house well and I like the symmetry of having the curtains on either side. And the cane chair looks lovely too. Enjoy the decorating. xo
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the Ikea stool for the piano. You're really good at decorating, I'm not creative at all. I'm a pretty good cook though, and I make lots of international sweets. My husband is Japanese so I cook lots of Japanese food. Your lemon cake looks so tempting! I have a serious sweet tooth:) I'm following you from Rome, but I live in Sicily. We're in Rome for the summer.
ReplyDelete