So Julie would this colour butterfly chair that you mentioned earlier be the right colour for my space ? And are you saying it should be between the planter and the corner of the fireplace facing the sofas on the otherside, therefore hugging the room a little bit ? Sorry for all the constant posts everybody, I'm off sick at the moment and of course making the most of my time indoors ;)

Not in that space but in front of the two corners of that space facing lounge and tv.. ?

Oh that room. That room is currently this room. ( photo attached)... husbands motorbike memorabilia from when he raced and a pool table and red sofas.. that is my next project - to soften and paint white on three walls and turn into a media room. Put a barn door (photo attached) between the two living areas. It's Friday night so I'll leave you all to enjoy your weekend. :) but any comments/suggestions posted is of course appreciated by all x

The bricks would work beautifully as they are in your husbands room, very much a man cave, Hope you feel better, the house is lovely and painting the roof makes such a difference

Julie that chair looks lovely in suede

Hi Rachel, I meant to comment, Pleased to U design and yourself thought to paint the end wall white but I was wondering if you hung full height and width sheer white curtains across that end brick wall that could be pushed back during the day if wanted, would add a lovely softness to you room

Thanks siriuskey, have got back to work after being sick and haven't had a chance to draw up room ! But I will this weekend as I'm painting the wall with the window. So do you mean mean after that wall has been painted, the whole wall is covered with curtain ? i was thinking of maybe keeping the bookcase there but painting it with a chalk paint, maybe ..

sorry just reread your post, you meant full curtains and keeping the brick.. i love the idea but as much as the room is large, I think it would fill up pretty quickly if we moved the tv from that corner. ( hence you asking for measurements). It's a lovely space but kind of awkward in that as soon as you open the door to the home you face that room and the back of a sofa is too close to the eye so they have to stay close to the walls as opposed to facing one another to appreciate its size and outlook. Yes the bookcase might be a bit clunky there, but I'm going to play and if it doesn't work, it'll go. I think the brick has to go. We want to brighten it up as it's a lovely homestead but still keep it a bit rustic. That wall staying brick I feel, will make it too rustic. This is my response to many suggestions posted by everyone as I've had a chance to digest them all :)

i will get those measurements to you siriuskey as I appreciate your vision. I'd love your thoughts on the man cave as you commented on it before. Half my friends say I should paint, and half don't ... it looks so dark !

Hi Rachel, I would go with your instinct and paint the end wall , this will lighten the room beautifully, I would do the same in the man cave, it will give new life to the room and highlight your beautiful floors .You could chalk paint the bookcase to blend with the white wall and have your photos and plants on it, could look gorgeous.

Similar to this, love white on white.

Hi Rachel, I have to say that I feel that the fireplace is the elephant in the room I would paint or white wash it just leaving the hearth brick, The size over takes the room so by painting this will adjust and balance the room

. I still think that the TV would work low set above the fire place and not in the corner.

I would have liked to have seen those short brick timber topped piers removed before re flooring, they break up the usable space and really serve no purpose.

Going all white in this room will soften it.

The man cave could be done in a painted greige colour, which will work with the red sofas cheers

I always thought the fireplace should be white but I was too nervous to change it. My husband has always said it should stay looking like a fireplace.. the tv really isn't comfortable up there.. its like sitting in an office chair - you want your screen to be facing you, you don't want to be looking up at it. The brick side pieces are planters which didnt bother me too much, I just thought would cover them in raw timber to dress them up a bit.

Wondering if others opinions are the same here :)

Maybe those planters could have tufted fitted cushions on them which would go more with the Hamptons style that you appear to be going for. I don't think those fireplace bricks are very attractive, painting will give it a whole new look

Are you still able to measure the room including window and fireplace

You could make fireplace white and that would lighten up room beautifully,anything white and I am sold, pairing with light textured rug , you could layer rugs for a fab look, some gorgeous textured cushions add a fabulous throw and it will look stunning,

It could potentially mean that we may not be able to use the fireplace again as the black on the brick you see in the photo will be even worse when painted white.. there is no getting around that.. I also feel that apart from the comfort issue of placing tv over the fireplace - which kind of diverts your attention from a roaring fire - the big could cause risk to your tv. That's my belief, anyway.

I have scrubbed this brick many times to get the soot off and its still there...

The Mantel on the fire place would protect the TV, I will show you an example. The black on the fireplace is caused by smoke, you might need to have the chimney cleaned, probably a good idea considering the age of the house.

The following is only a suggestion, if you moved the lounges and made the two piers into seats you could either have the TV above the fireplace or to the left of the fireplace on the wall, this would give children access to sit on these or the floor while watching TV, while enjoying the warmth from the combustion fire. IE: Kids and dogs wouldn't need to go to the other end of the living to hang out

We got the chimney cleaned the summer we arrived and last winter, so all is perfectly clean. Smoke will always come from a fireplace no matter how clean the chimney is. Everything around a fireplace will always have particles of dust Including the mantel piece. We will have to agree to disagree on that one ;)

I was thinking like you Rachel it could only be changed to white if it didn’t show discolouration from the fire, you would be so disappointed if that happened and it would spoil the look of what you are trying to achieve, maybe your hubby is right to leave fireplace as is , lighten the room with your white wall and lighter decor and that fabulous butterfly chair .

Quite often it's how the fireplace is designed,ie not deep enough etc, I have had and still have many fire places. But never mind if you would really like to have a white fireplace, choose a cleanable paint and be prepared to have to touch up after winter. Which fire do you use the most.

Another 3d showing where I suggest you could mount the fireplace with additional poufs in front of the fire that an be moved around and used as foot stools and side tables with trays on, You will need a screen for the fireplace as well, cheers

I think I am with Julie on this - lighten everything in the room with creams and textures. Cushions, throws, Nice lamps and new round or square nesting coffee table. That will make the fireplace less noticeable perhaps. It doesn't have any pop about it at the moment which I think maybe drawing so much attention to the fireplace.

We use the main fire on weekends in winter and the combustible stove on weekdays Siriuskey. Kids are grown up now..

I really appreciate all the advice. Those planters are too high to be comfortable for sitting to be honest. When we have guests, we are always outside as we have a large outdoor eating area and a large fire there too when needed or the pool, and when inside we are in the other room playing pool. Other than that, it's just me and hubby in this room so no need to accomodate others seating really. I know you want me to move the tv siriuskey:)))

I might have to work on a bracket for that area..

I have just been playing with rendering your room adding brown lounges and fire place, its sort of there and might give you a better perspective, Lovely full height and width white curtains on the window all, cheers

Thank you siriuskey - I will send pics of painted area and will look into full size curtains:)

Rachel, I think your room will look gorgeous, your ideas sound great, I think you could really dress up your fireplace with a fab log holder that doubles as a piece of art, a double coffee table adds style and is so useful, a gorgeous ottoman to rest your feet on in front of your fireplace at the end of the day, how gorgeous

I'm with you on painting the fireplace. I understand why the hearth would have to stay brick for practical reasons, but wouldn't it look odd ? Or would we have to paint it a different colour ?

My friend painted her fireplace and also painted the hearth in the same colour and it looks beautiful been done for over 5 years and still looks fabulous, I would paint it same colour so that the hearth and fireplace do not compete with each other.

Just take one step at a time, ie: paint wall, fireplace and then hearth if you feel it looks odd. You mention that it's only Joan and Darby at home these days plus the little dog/s so you could certainly go with a large sisal rug, available from Bunnings and Ikea at great prices.

Look forward to seeing the end result

I've followed both Julie Herbert's and siriuskey's advice with interest, and Rachel's comments back. As I understand what's happened since the beginning, Rachel has tossed the carpet (which I thought had lovely colours in it, but never mind!) and has now painted the brick wall with the curtains on it white, and moved the two brown leather sofas on the carpet (is this now one large sisal carpet now? - because I reckon you need one large carpet to anchor the room somehow.)

Originally, Rachel you asked for advice on rug, curtains, throw + cushion colours... and general help with the whole room. This is my take (only from looking at your original photos and your comments back on the two ladies good advice):

- Definitely keep the two sofas away from the far wall - and either at 90 to each other or facing each other per PBD's suggestion.

- Definitely but one larger or preferably two larger coffee tables (love the wooden circular low ones suggested by Julie) between the sofas - then put your existing coffee table lengthwise down the side of one of the sofas and put a lamp with large white shade on it.

- Buy one or even two console tables more or less height of the backs of the sofas to place behind each - and add a lamp for reading easily and for atmosphere.

- Yes, to buying one large floor lamp (per Julie's photo) with large white circular shade to add mood, elegance and modernity to room.

- Yes, to moving tv above fireplace (just place directly low on mantle but perhaps increase its depth + therefore insulation by placing a wider plank on top of existing one- otherwise leave in corner on tv cabinet but paint this white and remove its legs as they look 50s and out of place.

- If you keep tv on cabinet, then jazz up things on mantelpiece by grouping things more interestingly - perhaps buy and group on one side one larger vase with another that is shorter in toning colours (like pale lemon with another in grey or beige or pale blue) and behind the shorter vase place your two candelsticks ; then on the other side of the mantle place your photographs but flat against the wall not at angles and put the smaller one slightly in front of the larger one for a more modern look.

- for the curtains, add say a striped/graphic braid (with white background) down their edges and bottom in white to make them more interesting and make the tie backs from same braid or buy new corded ones in a toning darker colour like charcoal or dusty dark blue; I can't see the pole they are hanging from but perhaps if that was replaced with a big fatter rounder wooden one painted white it would look more substantial? and not be too expensive.

- Paint the bookshelves white and FILL with books.

- Add two throws in pebbly colours - both the same though, either just pale grey or beige or ones that have some dark brown in with beige/grey.blue

- Add cushions, some in single pale lemon, grey, beige, or moody denim blues in good fabrics that won't slide off leather, or some in a print combining those colours.

- Lastly add at least one huge potted tall plant, a healthy big palm - in a dark gray pot and place in one of the corners - for interest and to freshen up the neutral colours throughout.

I think this is what eye for decor, Julie and siriuskey were talking about?
I may not have added every detail in.
This gives you a rough idea of what moving the couches into talking position would look like.
I know you didn't want the back of the couch to be the first thing you see in the room when you walk in, however this layout incorporates both the tv and fireplace depending on what your purpose for gathering is, without needing to mount the tv above the fireplace.
Adding some lighter furnishings to your couches, some throws and lighter cushions, as well as setting up lighter decor zones to help your eye travel around the room evenly will help to tie the place together.
If you do end up keeping the large rug on the floor, I would bring in the blue/teal colour from the rug and reflect it around the room in your decor choices. Have a white cushion and a teal cushion on each couch, with maybe a pale grey throw?
Add the white sheepskin over the butterfly chair, have some groupings of books with the same colour spines to tie in the bookcase, use white vases and photo frames to make light coloured vignettes in your space.
Good luck!
I’m sure whatever you decide will look amazing!

Simply moving your current rug back a bit and bringing your couches onto the rug will cosy up the space.
Keep your light cushions, though maybe pick up some feather inserts for them so they sit better on your couch? And then add in some blues cushions as well to tie in the rug.
I would even consider bringing your artworks even lower on the wall so there is more of a correlation between the artworks and the decor items on the mantle piece.

I notice that your mantlepiece is very narrow. Would there be enough room to group your items like this?
Things look better in threes where possible.

Here are some ways to ‘lighten’ a dark leather couch with cushions and throws from ‘the decorologist’.

https://thedecorologist.com/styling-your-brown-leather-sofa/

These cushions pick up on the colours you already have in your rug and artwork.

Charissa, thank you. I really appreciate you putting everything mentioned together. I was struggling to get my head around it all. Now I have a good idea of the colours to go for. The rug is going as I don't like it, I want a more neutral, natural colour. i love all your ideas. I'm going to move the sofas onto the rug as suggested. I am struggling with "everything in 3,s concept". We have a beautiful wedding photo that I don't want to cover with another photo.. I'm trying to get trendy but it will take time ;) The end wall is now painted and it has been recommended not to paint the fireplace as it will melt The paint, not just blacken it a little. I attach a photo of the far wall.

Thanks so much Charissa for making it all come together -

Now that I see your drawing with two sofas facing, I like it !! We are going to move the sofas this weekend to see how I looks. We will need to get electrician in to accomodate moves as we are very limited at the moment. Will let you know how we go. :)

Hi Julie, any idea where I can get those exact coffe tables ? Search everywhere and they are not quite the same ? Thanks

Rachael, you’re very welcome!
It was fun to draw up.
As far as layering photos, I wasn’t suggesting you cover one photo with another, (what is the point of having beautiful photos and memories then! Lol) rather, overlap the edges of the frames (both are quite wide from your photos) so that they are connected without obscuring the images within. Hope that makes sense!
What a difference just painting that back wall makes! It really opens up the room now.
I think the few bricks around your fireplace now is a very charming feature. It keeps the charm of the original while bringing the rest of the room into a fresh new era!
Well done!
I would suggest running a long extension chord for your tv for now while you try out a new layout for the space if there are no powerpoints on the far wall, just to be sure you like the arrangement.
Can’t wait to see updated images of your new space!

Hi Rachel, it’s called the Kensington reclaimed wood nest of tables Modish living uk, Temple and Webster have a similar set called Obi 2pce nesting table set, Felix nest of 3 tables from Modern furniture,the Kensington is only available in the UK at the moment but I think you should be able to get something similar here from a company using reclaimed timber.

Thanks Julie. I did see the nest on temple and Webster.. so will have a think. EI'm from London so will be spreading the word to my friends and family over there as they have very stylish goods ! Thanks

Hi Rachel, yes we are a little slow over here, loved the UK and Paris, they have such style, I loved everything and wanted to bring it all home with me, hopefully those tables make it here, would definitely look fabulous in your beautiful home.

Hi Rachel, the new white wall looks fabulous, tv looks great and highlights the unit, love Charisse’s ideas, can’t wait to see what you do.

Rachel,
How did the furniture rearranging go this weekend? Are you happy with the results?

Hi Charissa, we didn't get to do it on the weekend as I tore a cartilage on my ribs the week leading up so need a bit more time to repair. :o Also we might just find time to buy some rugs and move the furniture around it then.

Oh you poor thing!
Hope you recover quickly!!
Feel better!

Congratulations, for having beautiful living room.

I think you can add some of the below mentioned items to your living room.

1. Wall Paintings:

2. Lamp

3. Antique Decorating Items:

For more ideas, you can visit - Koala Living Website