just wanted to share a thought with you….I am in so many homes these days with “open floorplans” and I just wanted to remind everyone that furniture does not have to be touching a wall….in fact, furniture can create walls and divide rooms! Don’t be afraid to pull things away from walls, angles are also nice…..go out on a limb and have fun with “open floorplans”
PS these photos are from the home we sold prior to moving to the beach….I am sure some of the accessories will look familiar, and if you look closely you will see Dixie (our yellow lab) as well……..
happy decorating!
1.
Alli,
I too, am always trying to get people to move their furniture away from the walls. It is amazing how much more interesting rooms can look when the furniture is “floating” in the room. I have done this in my family room and basement. Doing so, sometimes gives you the opportunity to fit even more furniture into your space. Sounds like a good opportunity for more shopping!
Lynn
3.
Lynn,
I totally agree……the more room the better! I sometimes call furniture pushed up against the wall….”wall flowers” Get out on the dance floor and have fun!!!
thanks again Lynn,
alli
5.
I’m not fond of furniture up against the walls, except where you need to. Even my things that are on walls aren’t jammed into them. My husband tends to push them too close. My great room has five doorways and a closet. The furniture has to float!
Nice room and dog!
6.
Hi Alli,
Great pictures, your house was very nice. Love the furniture arrangement. Yes keep furniture front and center around a nice focal point. It doesn’t need to hold up the walls. Nicely done.
Cathy
7.
What’s the rule with regard to lamp height. My lamps in my living room are approx 28 1/2 inches tall in a room that’s 11 x 13. They sit atop end tables flanking a sofa that’s approx 86″ in length.
9.
Hi Rebecca,
I don’t know the official rules…..I just always keep in mind the function of the lamp. Will it be used for reading or merely to light the room??? I always prefer a lamp to be a bit lower so that it is not directly shining in my face. Of course for reading a good light is a must. The style of the lamp will play a part as well…is it a “fat” ginger jar type or more of a candlestick???
I think you will just have to use your judgement, and if you like the look then it is perfect!
thanks again and I hope this helps….send in a photo if you have a chance.
alli
16.
Do you have any pictures you could post of decorated fireplace mantels? My friend has a fireplace where the brick goes to the ceiling. The mantel is about 6 ft from the floor. Should she hang a large iron ornamental accessory with a clock in the middle on the brick and then add some things to the mantel? This is in a casual family room in a newly built home.
17.
As you can see from the photo, this room also has a vaulted ceiling…I usually just treat the area from the mantle up…and not worry about the ceiling height. The art above the mantle is quite large, but I feel as though it balances the room….
Hope this helps.
alli
18.
I have the furniture away from the walls in my family room but having lamps on the end tables is a problem. I like to knit and read so task lighting is important. Now I have extension cords under the couch but it doesn’t look good. Any suggestions?
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1. Alli,
I too, am always trying to get people to move their furniture away from the walls. It is amazing how much more interesting rooms can look when the furniture is “floating” in the room. I have done this in my family room and basement. Doing so, sometimes gives you the opportunity to fit even more furniture into your space. Sounds like a good opportunity for more shopping!
Lynn
by lynn — 6/12/07 at 9:06 am #
2. Hi Alli,
How beautiful!
Betty
by Betty — 6/12/07 at 9:21 am #
3. Lynn,
I totally agree……the more room the better! I sometimes call furniture pushed up against the wall….”wall flowers” Get out on the dance floor and have fun!!!
thanks again Lynn,
alli
by Alli — 6/12/07 at 1:10 pm #
4. thanks Betty!
by Alli — 6/12/07 at 1:11 pm #
5. I’m not fond of furniture up against the walls, except where you need to. Even my things that are on walls aren’t jammed into them. My husband tends to push them too close. My great room has five doorways and a closet. The furniture has to float!
Nice room and dog!
by Nan [...] — 6/12/07 at 2:06 pm #
6. Hi Alli,
Great pictures, your house was very nice. Love the furniture arrangement. Yes keep furniture front and center around a nice focal point. It doesn’t need to hold up the walls. Nicely done.
Cathy
by Cathy — 6/12/07 at 2:20 pm #
7. What’s the rule with regard to lamp height. My lamps in my living room are approx 28 1/2 inches tall in a room that’s 11 x 13. They sit atop end tables flanking a sofa that’s approx 86″ in length.
by Rebecca — 6/12/07 at 2:24 pm #
8. Thanks Nan…………
Why do husbands always push furniture against the wall??????
That’s some food for thought….hahah
have a great day!
alli
by Alli — 6/12/07 at 3:56 pm #
9. Hi Rebecca,
I don’t know the official rules…..I just always keep in mind the function of the lamp. Will it be used for reading or merely to light the room??? I always prefer a lamp to be a bit lower so that it is not directly shining in my face. Of course for reading a good light is a must. The style of the lamp will play a part as well…is it a “fat” ginger jar type or more of a candlestick???
I think you will just have to use your judgement, and if you like the look then it is perfect!
thanks again and I hope this helps….send in a photo if you have a chance.
alli
by Alli — 6/12/07 at 4:02 pm #
10. I love that Dixie Doodle Dog!
by Margo — 6/13/07 at 10:04 am #
11. I love that Dixie Doodle Dog too!
Alli helped decorate my home and “floated” the furniture in my library. It looks great and we receive many compliments!
by Angie [...] — 6/13/07 at 5:09 pm #
12. I need to able to shop on line , so could you please consider
by opal [...] — 6/13/07 at 6:43 pm #
13. Thanks Angie….It was fun, and I am glad you like the results!
alli
by Alli — 6/15/07 at 1:53 pm #
14. The room would look more put together if you got rid of the leather sofa-Just doesnt’ fit in with the decor!
by Sandy [...] — 6/16/07 at 10:58 pm #
15. I agree, the leather sofa does not go well with the colors or other furniture. It can be leather, just a different color. Looks out of place.
by julie anderson — 6/27/07 at 7:30 pm #
16. Do you have any pictures you could post of decorated fireplace mantels? My friend has a fireplace where the brick goes to the ceiling. The mantel is about 6 ft from the floor. Should she hang a large iron ornamental accessory with a clock in the middle on the brick and then add some things to the mantel? This is in a casual family room in a newly built home.
by Sandra [...] — 7/24/07 at 9:14 pm #
17. As you can see from the photo, this room also has a vaulted ceiling…I usually just treat the area from the mantle up…and not worry about the ceiling height. The art above the mantle is quite large, but I feel as though it balances the room….
Hope this helps.
alli
by Alli — 7/25/07 at 12:01 pm #
18. I have the furniture away from the walls in my family room but having lamps on the end tables is a problem. I like to knit and read so task lighting is important. Now I have extension cords under the couch but it doesn’t look good. Any suggestions?
by Maureen — 1/10/09 at 6:37 pm #