Design Dilemmas | Weeks 1 & 2
Weeks 1 & 2
For those of you who follow us on Instagram, you'll know we've been answering your Design Dilemmas every Friday. Heather and I have loved delving into these and it's so good to hear that you've been enjoying them too! Here are the first two instalments - please share your thoughts in the comments, or send us your own query here.
W1 | Dilemma #1:
![beige sofa in dark sitting room](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/6747/files/sofa_large.jpg?v=1588000616)
Dilemma #2:
![a rental apartment with white walls, and 1970's furniture](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/6747/files/2_dilemma_large.png?v=1588002146)
![a bright white room with black accents, high ceilings and long linen curtains](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/6747/files/mono_large.png?v=1588065204)
![a dining room with white, half-panelled wooden walls, black painted walls and a rich red rug](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/6747/files/image_large.png?v=1588002875)
![a beautiful black bathtub with an antique wooden stool and rug beside it](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/6747/files/kade_edit_large.jpg?v=1588003036)
Dilemma #3:
![a large living room design by Amber Lewis, with two white linen sofas, two white armchairs with brown wood bones and a large antique rug beneath.](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/6747/files/amber_grande.png?v=1588063842)
![a close up of a living room designed by Jaclyn Peters. The corner of a white linen sofa and antique rug are visible, as is a gold plant pot and marble table with gold accents](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/6747/files/jaclyn_grande.png?v=1588063682)
![Frances Loom antique throw pillows upon two linen sofas](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/6747/files/pillows_9a08d04b-4484-41cb-893a-47b990679ecb_grande.png?v=1588064328)
![an antique Heritage rug layered over a neutral wool rug](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/6747/files/layered_large.jpg?v=1588062510)
W2 | Dilemma #1:
"We have a long narrow living room with a big custom sisal rug. Each end of the room measures around 7'11" x 10'6" on the sisal & I'd love to layer vintage rugs over it. I was also thinking of getting some upholstered chairs to replace the temporary set."
via: @annaemosch
For the layered rugs, I think anything between 5' x 8' to 7' x 9.5" would work well. The size and colors in Heritage 0064 would be perfect! Vintage rugs come in odd sizes so it helps to know your "max" size.
source: Amber Interiors
I agree that some heavier upholstered chairs would help to balance out the space - you could pull them a bit further into the middle of the room to create a bit more, well, space!
The vintage rug will be a pop of colour and pattern, so you could keep the chairs neutral or pull out one of the rug colors & run with that.
sources left to right: unknown | @ccandeminteriors
It's always good to keep a bit of black for contrast too. This big Pottery Barn lamp would look great alongside a couple of dark throw pillows.
source: Pottery Barn
Dilemma #2
"It needs something ... more than just a coffee table & mantle. I was thinking about painting the fireplace. Thoughts?"
via: @rachmikol
What a great room! I am playing off the cabinet, shiplap wall and a few rustic accessories. I would paint out the brick to a flat soft black like Lamp Black by Little Greene to create a look similar to this one by Jake Alexander Arnold.
sources left to right: Little Greene Paint Company | @jakealexanderarnold
I recommend scooching the sofas a bit further out & adding a big upholstered cream Ottoman like this one by Kim Salmela. I would also add a few sheepskins to soften the sofas!
sources left to right: Article | One Kings Lane
Dilemma #3
"I'm dealing with a very brown room. What color rug should I go with to shake up the space?"
via: @adenahefets
They're great pieces so an antique rug will be the icing on the scale! I would say there's options: you could get a larger jute rug and layer a smaller rug on top. If you want to explore color check our Heritage 0057 (my personal fave) or Ramsey.
source: Pinterest
The other option is to buy a large rug. Something on the lighter side like Heritage 0039 or 0022 would really help lift the room!
source: Studio McGee
Dilemma #4
via: @eleanorcmason_
Since it's your parent's house and you probably don't want to invest too much, there are a few things you can do. The rug is too small for the space, so I would get a large oversized jute rug, then layer your beautiful rug on top. You can get really good value jutes in practically any size on Etsy.
source: Studio L Interiors
If you have a garden it would be great to get some greenery in there! It's so easy to go outside and cut some branches to put in a vase on the fireplace or side table. I would also suggest putting a mirror like this one from Rejuvenation above the fireplace - it will really open up the room!
sources left to right: Craft Berry Bush | Rejuvenation
Finally, I would purchase these Ikea linen curtains, along with a couple of their sheepskins to throw over the dark chairs. This will make the room feel much more like a cozy snug!
sources left to right: @wild_run_farms | Ikea
1 comment
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