How to modernise living room with old couch?
Lauren Lin
6 years ago
Inherited this dark green leather couch and ideally want to keep it because it’s sooo comfy! Problem is, I’m going for a more contemporary but cosy look. Any ideas on what rugs/coffee table to get? I’ve bought a tv console already, which will be across the couch.
Would be great if you can link me to specific places I can buy it from in Sydney. :)
Added some living room photos am lusting over as well.
Thank you in advance!!!
Would be great if you can link me to specific places I can buy it from in Sydney. :)
Added some living room photos am lusting over as well.
Thank you in advance!!!
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Comments (22)
PRODr Retro House Calls
6 years ago
oklouise
6 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (36)True, if they want frou frou, then definitely go for something else, these sinks are more space design oriented and for the environmentally responsible, but not necessarily pretty. A woman using them may find it unattractive & maybe even uncomfortably odd. But personally, as a man, using a powder room full of scented candles and lace makes me feel the same way! Ha! I would've agreed with you a month ago about the wallpaper & only reason I suggested it was I recently used that exact one at a dinner party (where one of the owners was an interior designer! But maybe that means braver with risks?) I actually found instead of having the size make an impression, I was busy being wowed by the wallpaper, it WAS overwhelming, but in a pleasant way that made such an impression I remembered it for this post! Anyways, it's fun to hear everyones suggestions! cheers!...See MoreRe-configuring Living Room - TV/sofa placement
Comments (11)We built our house in 1975 and had a similar problem; A teeny tiny family room with too many doors. After several years of squeezing ourselves into this poorly functioning excuse of a "family" room, which has entrances in every corner bar one, plus an entry into the kitchen and sliding door to outside, in a fit of frustration, I decided that our under-utilised formal lounge/dining would be used as a living room with the TV, although we chose to keep the dining table in that room as it is a long narrow room. I made this change 26 years ago. The family room is now just a sitting area with one 2.5 seater couch and a side table at each end, no TV and is a great space for a few people to congregate in to keep the cook company or just to read. However it would have worked equally well with the dining table there. In any case, because of all the doorways, it is really just a walk-through area, but now feels spacious and "settled" instead of crowded and messy. I can recommend the change.....you will feel much less at "sixes and sevens" with your home....See MoreHow do we modernise an art deco room without losing its charm?
Comments (23)I'd echo most others views -- personally , I could live with the aircon and the lights , but the furniture and the mirrors would go ! Again , just personally , I don't have a problem with the mirrors sizes , it's the silver that doesn't suit . I'd go approx 20% smaller mirrors , BUT with really nice wide sculpted dark wooden frames , and lift them a bit -- they almost look like they are sitting on the mantlepieces at present -- lifting them would show more balance IMO . Lounge suite I'd go big , boxy , good quality bright red leather . A modern corner suite would probably suit , or one with a moden interpretation of a chaise , but in big boxy red leather . Or maybe a more classic looking buttoned leather suite , just not in brown -- that would be too much brown . Red or white would work well . The dining suite could be a large 8 seater wooden table in darker brown ( that mahogony one clashes to me ) , or glass top and stainless if you want to be more modern , and modern red chairs -- several styles would work , depending on what table you choose , and how modern you want to be . And for a more modern twist on the windows -- wooden slat blinds -- I have done very similar in my own 95 year old place , and it works well ! My place is similar , although it doesn't have those higher picture rails -- my place has carved rails approx 1.2mtr above the floor level , and Rimu panelling ( a NZ wood ) below that -- has that 'gentlemans club' feel . I did the walls above that in a mid steel blue in some rooms , a grape colour in others , english cream in a couple , and an earthy orangey-brown with white gloss tiles in the kitchen ! And in most rooms , I did a feature wall , wallpapered in complimentary colours to the other 3 walls in that room ! Strange sounding I know , but it works ! In the larger rooms and entrance foyer , I have large gold waterfall chandaliers , the other rooms I have gold curved light bars with 4 to 6 led spotlights -- all with crisp white ceilings similar to yours , and art deco inspired ceiling roses and architraves . I love the mix of classic and modern , with a twist of class...See MoreOLD MEETS NEW QUEENSLANDER TRANSFORMATION - LIVING ROOM
Comments (3)Thank you for letting us view this project Andrew. The photos don’t really do it justice - especially the way you’ve extended that amazing back area with the high ceilings, creating so much extra space, light and height in a style that makes it look not an add-on but a part of a much bigger, sensitively styled home. Can’t wait to work with you on our project!...See More
julie herbert
6 years agoI would add some great art, lots of texture in cushions and throws, a great coffee table, floor lamp,some inspiration photos that you can imagine for your couch, check West Elm, Freedom, Adairs even Ebay, happy decorating.
girlguides
6 years agogirlguides
6 years ago
siriuskey
6 years agoLove the comfy green lounge, your white walls, timber floor and new timber and white TV stand Just add the dog if you have one and a good sized potted plant
User
6 years agoJE C
6 years ago
annb1997
6 years agoLauren Lin
6 years agoannb1997
6 years ago
Kim Dring
6 years agoI have a muted green couch, and having trouble thinking of colours that would work for it (also a high quality leather gift freebie I couldn’t refuse). Came across this cushion today, and it gave me some colour inspiration. It also made me think of your sofa decorating dilemma.
Kim Dring
6 years ago
PROBluethumb Online Art Gallery
6 years agoHi Lauren!
Megan from Bluethumb online art gallery here. It's true that green is a trending colour this year, especially as it is complementary to Pantone's colour of the year.
I agree with Julie that some art could be a great way to balance the room out, and I have a few suggestions from some of our local artists.
This piece is by Sally Browne, one of our extremely popular Sydney-based artists. It's a print, which makes it affordable, although she does have originals for sale.
https://bluethumb.com.au/sally-browne/Artwork/yellow-tailed-grey-cockatoo-frangipani-and-ferns-167209
I've gone and mocked it up for you
Some other suggestions I have are from a selection of our other popular artists
https://bluethumb.com.au/rachael-higby/Artwork/rock-wall
https://bluethumb.com.au/haruyomorita/Artwork/Soul-Portrait-2015-1
https://bluethumb.com.au/martinesart/Artwork/ocean-at-midnight
https://bluethumb.com.au/rozanna-johnson/Artwork/sitting-still-rozanna-johnson
https://bluethumb.com.au/irina-white/Artwork/the-rock-irina-white
Art can really set the mood in a space, so a warm toned piece will help with creating a cosy feel, however something more neutral or cream will keep the space feeling relaxing. I've included pieces that cover both colour schemes. As your couch is quite a statement piece, you want to make sure your art is also quite large so that it doesn't get drowned out.
For something with a little more edge, contemporary photography is a great option.
https://bluethumb.com.au/photography/stuart-chape/artwork/jump-stuart-chape
https://bluethumb.com.au/photography/megangeorgephoto/artwork/nature-meets-industry
https://bluethumb.com.au/photography/alex-frayne/artwork/rainbow-on-barngala
https://bluethumb.com.au/photography/alex-frayne/artwork/nightvision
https://bluethumb.com.au/photography/pennyp/artwork/thalassophile-3
https://bluethumb.com.au/photography/martine-perret/artwork/sel-rose-6-martine-perret
With styling, I'd suggest lots of textures - think cream blankets with heavy knits, faux fur or a different type of knit cushions mixed with accent colour cushions (draw from your art piece for the accent colour) and some plants to breathe life into the space.
Let me know if I can mock any of these other suggestions up for you.
Hope this helps!
Megan
PROCelery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoI would go with modern rug, wall art, coffee table and pillows.
Check Westelm rugs.
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Dawn Park
6 years agoI would like too see it as a beach decor. Your coffee table has wood so have wood pieces pillows with beach pictures white manly rug large abstract with blue dark & light waves table lamp tripod lamp in wood (light)
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PROAttic Building Design
6 years agoHello,
Once you add in your accessories it will look amazing, plants galore and something like this cushion https://www.jumbledonline.com/products/isla-looped-shag-cushion , then you could add a beautiful sheepskin in a lighter colour to bring out the wall. Your dog will thank you :)
PROEvergreen Walls Pty Ltd
6 years ago
Lauren LinOriginal Author