I got a ton of great advice from the last time that I participated in Amanda's fun Decorating Dilemmas party. So I'm linking up again with the hope that I can get some more great feedback!We are still in the middle of redoing our living room. This redo seems to be the project that will never end....hopefully with your help it will be a little closer to the end though.
My dilemma is this table:
My hubby built it to go behind our new sectional. The couch was just not quite centered in the room the way we wanted it, so he built this table to sit behind the couch and make it more centered in the room. Now I have an extremely long flat surface to decorate.
The biggest problem is that we built it to the height of the back of the couch, but the cushions stick up a little higher. That means that the bottom 3-4 inches of anything that is on the table can't be seen from the other side of the room.
Notice how the birdcage looks so small in this last shot. I am thinking of putting a stand underneath the birdcage, but I don't think I can do that with every single thing I put on the table. I am also having trouble deciding what to put on the wall behind the couch. We have a big wall of pictures to the left of this wall, a wall of windows to the right, and the tv is in front of the couch.
Any suggestions for how to decorate this {kind of} awkward table and the big empty wall behind it would be greatly appreciated!
31 comments:
I think wall art behind the couch would be your first step...then from there you can add a few taller pieces...with perhaps some earthy sticks and twigs of that nature...to be in keeping with the bird cage. I saw something neat this morning...a gal took a decorative curtain rod, she had all black frames with some green ribbon...she tied the frames to the rod, all different lengths is how she hung it...then she put some decorate greenery on top...looked like berries....I think something like that would be perfect, and reasonable to do for such a big wall.
Not sure about the shelf. But as far as the wall goes, have you ever checked out Upper Case Living? They do wall decals and they are super cute...or even etsy does them too. Wish I had a nice big wall with a problem:)
I am not a decorator at all. I am always asking friends for suggestions. I think whatever you put on that wall should be simple if you are going to put some things on that shelf. Sorry I didn't help much at all. I absolutely love the color of your walls!
Candlesticks or tall vases with tall twiggy things in them?
Okay, a tall funky or antique-ish lamp on the right (whether or not you actually plug it in and use it is up to you).
As for the wall...The three pics you have in your header of the boys. Matted and framed in cheap black frames (with mattes!) from Kohls. I can get some seriously good deals on frames at Kohls.
I always like to stack things on old books for height. I do that with picture frames frequently.
It there anything you can add to the table it make it taller? I do love the idea of using Uppercase Living, they have some amazing ideas and products. A tall vase with something inside would add to the space as well. The couch looks so comfortable.
I think a grouping of different size black candle sticks on both ends along with a bunch of different sized frames in the same color family would look great. Candle sticks on either end and frames of your kids in the middle. Good luck, and what a fun unit to have~ WAY TO GO HUBBY! hugs, Jenn
I say go vintage...find something fun at an antique store. Something very different. & for the wall...definately pictures. Either of the boys are some artsy stuff. Jennifer at JRStudios makes fabulous stuff you should check her out. I can get you her blog link if you want to look. It is scripture stuff too.
A big giant piece of wall art in the center. If you can spring for it, maybe a giant black and white gallery wrapped canvas of your boys OR one framed in black??
You could stack a few vintagey looking books from Goodwill underneath the birdcage to give it height. Add in a few framed quotes or family photos, a cool monogrammed plate on a stand, etc. It will look great!!! Think of the Christmas possibilities. ;)
Thank you so much for linking up to my party! I hope you have a fun time visiting around. :)
I had a sofa table like this. Same problem. You couldn't see anything that was not tall on it. I figured it out when I started realizing that problem. I put tall skinny lamps on either side of it and pictures of my kids on easels. Problem solved! It also looked great! I sometimes changed it out with some glass candle pillars holders that were on tall wrought iron stands.
good luck! -Karen
I had the same problem. One long wall. and the opposite wall that is part of the entry way was full of family photos. So, I didn't really want to do Family Photos. I had a twig swag above my window with little birdhouse hung from it. So, I thought I would play off that. But, searching for big enough art work was pricey. I just found something this week. A framed wording "We are Blessed" And the at Target they have these metal birds that hang on the wall. I made them look like they were flying up and over the top and down and under. I really want a Vinyl Tree but haven't found it yet. I agree with the previous poster about using books. I would get old ones with bird themes for under the cage. I will sent a pic via facebook of my wall
I love the sofa table behind the couch, what a great way to add more space! I agree that a large print would look nice or 3 framed pics or prints for the wall. I love the curtain rod/frame idea, I saw it and it was so cute! I think you needed a few larger pieces for the table top on both ends, vases, candle sticks or lamps. I don't think I would do to much in the middle, but that is my style! I love Amanda's idea about using the books to raise the smaller objects. Good luck! Can't wait to see what you decide!
I think it is fabulous that your husband made this table. Since you've already got a wall of pictures that wouldn't be necessary - I would consider a wall of mirrors and lean some bigger mirrors against the wall. I would buy them at thrift stores and paint them to coordinate.
No ideas because seriously if you saw my decorating skills you would request I not answer you. I do however love the choices you've made so far... couch is great & the color on the walls is awesome! Can't wait to see it finished :)
Stacks of books (either buy pretty books OR cover a bunch of ugly books and cover with beautiful paper), oversized vases/candlesticks/other knick-knacks - You can always find these at Hobby Lobby (and use a 40% off coupon). Pictures!!!!
I don't know if you have an IKEA anywehre near you, but I saw this thing done somewhere in the store and bought the stuff to do it (haven't done it yet). They have these silver bars that I guess are really meant to be utensil bars in the kitchen section. They have these hooks you can buy (for hanging the utensils) that go with them. Then in the pictures section, you buy picture frames (they have some cool square ones) and put eyehooks on the top of each and hang them 3 side by side on the hooks on the bar. It was really cute and would look cool there. :)
I also always love the look of a series of 3 or 4 pictures (photographs or artwork) spaced evenly across a big wall. :)
Wow. I really love that color. That's the color I wanted my family room. I picked a different color instead and have regretted it. Oh well.
Ok, problem at hand. I see what you mean. Books are great at adding height and there's a lot you can do with them. Also, large lamps on either end will help anchor the table and add some height as well. Ones that have large bases might be best. Good luck and keep us posted...I LOVE decorating!
i love photo collage walls with various frames... that looks like the perfect wall for one! candle sticks, vases and flowers would suit the table well! let us know what you decide!
Personally, I wouldn't decorate the table. I would do a huge wall of SOMETHING. Maybe a bunch of empty thrifted painted frames or a couple really bold lines of black and white photos with mats? Good luck whatever you decide to do!
I love milk glass vases...you can usually find them at thrift shops for under $1...I have a ton lining the top of my kitchen cabinets (I was trying to steer away from the usual ivy lined cabinets!). You can find all different sizes of these vases...Also, green and blue glass is very in right now, I think you could pair those two together and use the green and blue glass to put some votives in. Here is an example of how you can mix colored or clear glass with milk glass: http://www.inthisinstance.com/storage/post-images/milk%20glass%20vases%201%20ethanollie.jpg
Then, for your huge wall (I also have this problem and I am going to try this myself) you could get ceiling medallions and paint them the color of your choice. This is relatively inexpensive and really fun and classy. I found a DIY site on this project: http://www.casasugar.com/DIY-Ceiling-Medallions-Wall-Art-2186681
Let us know what you decide to do!!!
I like the idea of a really big piece of art for the wall above the sofa. Perhaps a framed poster from art.com wouldn't be too pricey.
Your husband did such a nice job on your sofa table. That is quite a bit of space to fill! Could you display your children's artwork here? Maybe get some cheap frames, frame a bunch of pieces, and display them with easels that you've elevated with stacks of books? You could rotate the artwork frequently.
Thanks for your Lantana suggestion for me. I think that's exactly the plant I need for the space.
Oh wow Kelli - the ideas are endless!!! What a great space to decorate. My house has windows everywhere and I hardly have any wall space. I would go crazy with that wall!
Hmmm, maybe some different sized and shaped mirrors. Antique them up and paint the frames different colors. That would be cool. Or on the table, you could build different heights of candlesticks -- big chunky ones and distress them, paint them all white -- or colors. Like big wooden pillars.
Or a family wall behind the couch would be amazing. Take pictures of each of your kids and frame them on canvases and then have a PB-style photo wall there.
I can't wait to see what you do. I am sure it will be wonderful!
XOXO
Jen
I'm going to have to say again how much I love that color on your walls! :) Wow, so many things you can do with that space. I am in LOVE with the look of gallery wrapped canvas prints. It is definitely on my list of things I want to purchase for our new house. And with your photography skills, you could choose a favorite photo of the boys to grace that beautiful wall behind the couch. Canvas prints paired with some vinyl lettering from Upper Case Living would be so beautiful, in my opinion. As for the table, I think that will come together once you find your theme for the wall. A couple of vases in coordinating colors, candle holders, crafts the kiddos have made. So many possibilities! :)
Just go tall on the table. Those huge candlesticks would work. And I agree -- prop things up with books -- always works! Twigs rocks too! :)
I can't add anything to the above great ideas...books, easels. For large art, I've been seeing headboards repurposed. Good luck!
I love anything vintage..there are many ideas for adding height... books, a neat old drawer turned on its side or upside down, a bowl upside down with something narrow on top say a candle stick...but how about raising the sofa table abit. you can buy bed risers at any walmart or target - meant to raise a bed to allow for storage underneath - or your talented hubby could cut a block of wood to put under the legs. you may like a higher table better than trying to raise everything else up. I think a big neat old window - one with panes (9 or 12) would look GREAT above the sofa.
a great wall vinyl is what I would go for
Ross had a very large abstract canvas painting the other day for super cheap. You could start with that in the middle of the wall.
Then some of the other ladies recommended lamps...they would be fun. Maybe one on each side.
Even candelabras on each side might be better if you don't want lamps or can't find any tall enough. Heavens to Besty! Good luck. I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it :)
I didn't read everyone else's so this may have been mentioned above but you can do so much with canvas. I've decopaged (sp?) scrapbook paper and photos on some. You can let your kids paint on some of them and then just lean them against the wall. Staggering different sizes and placing some a little bit in front of the others. That's my two cents. Also, I would love the plans for that table. That is exactly what I am looking for for my upstairs sofa. I only see little ones at the store. Not to mention they are way over priced!!
I'd stick an old leather book (check thrift stores out) under the bird cage to give it some height otherwise old photo album would work too.
love the table! i'd put a couple of 2x4 scraps under the legs to raise it up. good luck!
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