Friday, December 28, 2012

If I could stretch my living room

view toward the entryway of my house



I have thought that my formal living room was oddly small since I bought this house. The heyday of the "parlor" is long gone and many suburbanites use the formal room as a giant toybox...gasp. Personally, I love formal spaces and entertaining in them.

Bombe chest flanked by equal windows
Before I show you my desired design let me show you what exists.

view into the dining room
This is the view into the dining room when standing in the center of the room. The pair of Brno chairs are now in my family room.
The dining room is decidedly masculine and completely traditional and I wanted the adjoining living room to be a bride to its groom, so to speak. 

stool from Target recovered with Le Lac in the foreground


I should mention that I prefer furniture to "float" in a room but this room is too small to float the 72" Sheraton sofa.

Here is the current floorplan.

If I just could s-t-r-e-t-c-h it a few feet in each direction...


I could have two Sheraton sofas facing each other, a favorite set up of mine.

Between them would be this coffee table.


I would add a fireplace and keep the mantelpiece fairly simple.

Over the mantel, since I am dreaming, would be a Sally King Benedict painting like this.


Over in the corner would be my Bombe chest acting as a bar.

 Think this.


or this.


My stretched living room is a far cry from its current sate.
Anyone have a magic wand handy?


11 comments:

StagerLinda said...

Kerry, you are such a talented artist--maybe I am a complete moron--but why would you buy a painting by someone else (although it is gorgeous) when you could create a masterpiece? Happy New Year, dear!

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Hmm, I wonder if there is a way to incorporate what you want in the existing space -where there is a will there's a way! does the couch work floating in front of the windows, say 36", with the bar as the "focal point" where the couch is now?

Karena said...

Hi Kerry Stefan's idea might work. I would have to be there to really visualize and start moving things around!

Wishing you all the best in 2013!
xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

My Notting Hill said...

I've done the "wish" thing over the years too, if this could room must had...
Curious - is your dining room larger than your living room? If it is, have you ever considered switching them? You could still add a fireplace to that room - maybe even make it a library style dining room with a bar set up along the wall w/your stairs.

My Notting Hill said...

I've done the "wish" thing over the years too, if this could room must had...
Curious - is your dining room larger than your living room? If it is, have you ever considered switching them? You could still add a fireplace to that room - maybe even make it a library style dining room with a bar set up along the wall w/your stairs.

Woodside Park said...

While you're stretching your room, please come do mine: too long and very narrow. Love your painting over the sofa. So pretty!

The Pink Pagoda said...

I wish I could change my living room, too. It's a center hall plan house. On the right of the entrance hall is the dining room which has a big bay window on the front wall and two windows on the side wall. The living room has the big bay window, but is missing the side two windows as the master bedroom is on the other side of the wall. So, while the dining room has wonderful natural light, the living room is cave like. I'm still trying to figure out what in the world to do about it.

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

You are too funny! I always am changing the room sizes and shapes I actually have....in my head!
I agree with Linda, why buy a painting from someone else???
I do love your "dream" arrangement and maybe you could switch rooms? That was a very unique idea!
Meanwhile, MC and I wish you a wonderful New Year, filled with color and marvelous works!!!

A room with a view said...

One could do so much with additional space - it is always never enough. But you have great ideas like the bombe chest repurposed as a bar. Great artwork, too!

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

I know you are not looking for a project, but your dining room does look really large. Are those half walls with the columns load bearing? It is always fun to spend other peoples's money.

Unknown said...

Lots of fun comments here Kerry! It's fun to dream, right? I guess you've moved your furniture every way possible? I love the new look with your painting over the sofa. 2 Sheridan loves seats facing each other ?
Happy New Year to you friend, and all the best in 2013!
do Nancy
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