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Mini Makeover: Dawn's Sitting Room

Jun 20, 2012

Lots of work lately means little time to blog, but I'm back with a Mini Makeover for Dawn in Texas. She wrote:

"This room is supposed to be the dining room. It is immediately on the right when you walk into the house. Even though it is a simple rectangle, it seems the dimensions are a little odd (14' w X 9'd X 9'h) which doesn't sound difficult but after trying my own hand with several online floor planning tools, I just can't seem to achieve balance. I want a room that is cozy, very comfortable, and useable. My home is somewhat traditional. My husband likes an old world look with reds and golds, etc. However, I want to achieve a more monochromatic, transitional looking room that still fits with the rest of my home. The armoire currently functions as a very handy closet for my daughter since her room is upstairs. But it seems so big for the room (48"wx 26" d x 80" h)."

Here's how Dawn's room looks now, with a mish-mash of furniture and functions and no apparent purpose. It's 9'x14'3".

Dawn, you're right. The room's size and narrow proportions are a little difficult. For a dining table and chairs, it works; but it's tricky for a comfy sitting room. Here I've developed a space plan that will balance the long-skinniness of the room and allow you to fit ample seating, as well as some additional storage.

(Click to enlarge any image.)

SPACE PLAN

The first thing I did was move your large armoire to the short wall. This helps it take up space on the long dimension of the room, making the room appear more squarish. Then I defined the space and broke up the right angles with an 8-foot round rug. This helps you create a soft, less formal furniture arrangement. Seating from the sources you asked to use is centered around a round ottoman that works for foot-propping, seating, game-playing and drink-holding.

The seating is pulled away from the walls a bit. The Mistral Sofa from SofaWorks (your preferred source) can be sized to 34" deep by 66" long. The slightly shallower depth allows a bit more breathing room. Two matching chairs complete the seating, although you can pull up the small storage ottoman if needed. That piece is also handy for holding your daughter's toys.

I softened the corner by the window with a large, dark green plant. A 24" round accent table adds function to the room and is a handy place to drop things when you come in the door. A floor lamp takes up little floor space but adds light where you need it for reading. I suggest replacing your ceiling fixture with a semi-flush fixture. An oval mirror on the long wall reflects light and plays into the color plan.

COLOR AND FURNITURE

You asked for a neutral color scheme and sent this inspiration photo:

Because you need to blend this very visible room with the creamy color of the adjacent room and the golds and reds in the rest of the house, I've created a palette of grays, taupes, and muted golds with a surprise on the ceiling: a warm blush color that will blend beautifully with your cherry floors and give the room a bit more of the cozy, feminine look you asked for. For walls I chose a taupe with slightly reddish undertones to work with the red tones in the floor.

From your narrowed-down selections, I chose the furniture pieces that I thought would work best in the room and with each other, then supplemented with a few accent pieces. Metal finishes bridge the grays in this room with warmer colors in other rooms. A silver-leaf finish on the ceiling fixture and mirror is silvery with a hint of warm gold highlights. The grayed oak finish on the side table has a simple, rustic style that helps create a transition between this room and the rest of the house.

SOURCES

Here's where to find everything. Click and buy or use this Inspiration Board as a guide while you shop locally.

Sofa: SofaWorks Mistral, custom sized to 34" deep by 66" long. Suggested fabric: a greige linen with a lot of texture.

Chair: Azriel Club Chair by Sam Moore for Hooker. Suggested fabric: 2695 Granite modified zebra print.

Large Ottoman: Try the Holland Ottoman from Sam Moore.

Side Table: Crate & Barrel Blake Grey Wash Side Table.

Storage Ottoman: Safavieh Amelia Tufted Storage Ottoman in Gray Linen.

Rug: Province II 8-foot round wool rug in gray from Home Decorators Collection.

Mirror: Haviland Oval Antique Silver 38"-wide Mirror from Lamps Plus.

Light Fixture: Ava Flush-Mount Silver Leaf Ceiling Fixture by Home Decorators Collection.

Paint: Sherwin-Williams Sticks & Stones (SW7503) on walls. Malted Milk (SW6057) on ceiling. Keep your white trim. Extra-large swatches are on their way to you in the mail.

Dawn, thanks for sharing your room with my readers. Can't wait to see the "after" photos! —Diane Kolak

Do you need help pulling a room together with pieces you already own, or selections you plan to buy? A Mini Makeover can help. For $175, I deliver a quick-and-easy deocrating plan here on my blog.

TAGS: living room sitting room design plan edecor edecorating neutral gray taupe silver transitional look online design plan diane kolak

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