Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Living Room Chairs Vote 1 or 2

# 1.  William Birch chairs in grey velvet (slip cover in white?)
Thank you all for your advice yesterday regarding my living room trouble.  I received so many great tips and had reached the point of being so frustrated about the room, I sat down with my computer and went though all of them.  many people suggested trying the empty white frame over the mantle for size and to see if a mirror would work in it.  It was unfortunately too large.  Following your advice I decided that I needed nothing on the walls to the left and right of the fireplace so I removed it all.  The pine cabinet needs some styling but I can manage that once I finalize the layout.  I did move the cabinet in front of the window flanked by the chairs and sofa on the other side because so many people suggested I move the sofa around.  I wish it could face the fireplace but there is an open doorway there and the room is not deep enough.  I actually loved it on the left where the chairs were but it blocked access to the dining room and especially for my mum's wheelchair. (the little green chair many of you mentioned is for my mums tea...she can only use her left hand so we move it around to where she needs it).

Thank you kelly for your mock up drawing that convinced me to have a large piece of the mantle.  I placed my favourite painting on the mantle, placed my 2 large candlesticks and I liked the boost of colour it provided. and the unadorned walls beside it. 

Next I removed the beige rug (bought when I had two old dogs) and stole a small Indian rug from the spare bedroom.  I really liked the colour in the room and it gave it the ethnic look I was after. I would like to find a larger one someday at a flea market.

I am certainly not short of chairs and what the room needed was a set of chairs and to move the dark wing chair that seemed to suck the light right out of the room.  The picture above is set # 1.  Greyish/taupe William Birch style chairs.  Very comfy....a bit drab for right here, but I am thinking if I like them here to slipcover them in while.  This side looks good with a bit of white as it brings it to life.  Picture #2 below is chair number 2.  A set of smaller cane backed chairs that I had recovered in this lovely RM Coco print.  They are extremely comfy chairs and I think the fabric really brightens the room.

Jacqueline suggested a minimal approach which is working well I think.  My problem is I have lots of stuff collected from flea markets and my travels and I tried to make them all work.  But they don't.  So I removed most of it. Less is more....according to the Raz Man.

So, again what do you think?  Is it better? Do you prefer picture #1 or picture #2.

Picture #2....vintage chairs with interesting print.

36 comments:

  1. I love both looks....very pretty....but my vote is for #1 slipped in white.....they just look so comfy..........
    Andrea
    AndeM1@hotmail.com

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  2. ok, first of all, I'm loving how everything is looking! Much simpler and it makes your key pieces sing on their own. I actually like both looks. The beige chairs are quieter but you could put a colourful throw over the back of one and introduce some pattern with the pillows if you wanted to. Look #2 is also nice, a little busier but with your simple mantel wall, it works very well too. Either one is a winner xo

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  3. Love, love, LOVE #2! Those chairs are fantastic and unexpected! And I love that pared-down mantel. Well done you!

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  4. Kat and I are worried you may have spun yourself into the ground with all your hard work. lol

    I already told you what I think..I just hope some day to see it in person...

    have a great day my friend
    xx
    z

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  5. Picture #2 - and I love your decluttering.
    The rug is a little small isn't it - could you layer it on something larger and plain, so it has a sort of border? Not the best thing for wheelchairs of course...

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  6. I love, love, love that you took away and added back in so much with so little. I am on a complete less is more kick so I don't think you can go wrong with either chair selection! #1 says cozy, comfy, perfect for cold winter nights. And you could add a throw for some color or find a cool pillow or 2. #2 says, I'm chic baby and I know it! It has a little more of the unexpected and a designer feel to it, but it's not quite as cozy and welcoming. I say try one for awhile and then switch them out, that way you have the best of both worlds. With the holidays coming, which one will go best with how you decorate?

    Congrats, your room is beautiful!

    Kat :)

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  7. I vote #1 as well! So welcoming, and comfortable.

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  8. I'm afraid to leave advice for fear that the post will be removed. My only thought for the day is, Are you blocking a doorway with those chairs?
    m.

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  9. Chania,

    I like the coziness and scale of the chairs in #1. The vintage ones are too small in scale, I think, although I like the texture they add. Good luck and have fun-- decorating is supposed to be a fun endeavor.

    xo,
    Anne

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  10. I like the look of #2 but #1 looks much comfier.I would probably go with #2 but sit on the sofa!

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  11. #2 is a bit more interesting but I love the comfortable looking chairs in #1. Could you slipcover them in some kind of pattern maybe? The room looks great either way to me.

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  12. The room looks fabulous Chania. I love the makeover full stop. If I had to choose between the chairs (and I'm pleased the hard decision isn't mine to make) I'd have to go with No. 1 for the comfort factor. For a bit of wow would you consider recovering in a print or pattern rather than the plain white slipcover?

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  13. To be brutally honest Raz, I do not give a flying fuck. Sorry.

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  14. How lucky that you can pull those lovely chairs in from other places. Both are pretty, but I especially like number 1. I like the colour and softness of the velvet but if you really wanted slips they would look especially good in warmer weather. You could always add some bright pillows. Whatever you choose will look great.

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  15. Tricia...the rug is much too small, I will search for something larger and a big lighter but still with the ethnic look. Thanks.

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  16. I LOVE it with the vintage chairs best.

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  17. Oh much better! I do like picture 2 - the chairs are perhaps a bit bland in picture 1 but those in 2 have a quirkiness that isn't overcome by the busyness of the room now that it's not busy. Interior design by Internet seems to work really well!

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  18. I love the vintage chairs in #2, that would be my 1st pick (and I love that lamp!!) Depends on how often you plan on entertaining in this room...the bigger chairs would look wonderful in white and would be so comfortable, but it's hard to tell how much of the doorway they cover. Beautiful job though, as usual. I love the pop of colour in the painting above the mantle

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  19. I'm late to the party, Chania. I did laugh at Tom's comment. He's such a troll.

    Anyway, I like number one best.

    It seems that everything is revolving around the coffee table though...I'd actually move the sofa to float in the middle so it faces the fire place (if there is room).

    You must be tired moving all your furniture. Love rearranging. Nothing ever has to stay the same. xx

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  20. I'm voting for #2 ... I like the scale of the chairs. One more nutty question ... have you ever considered painting the coffee table?

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  21. Have the polls closed yet?

    Good. I vote for #1.

    xo jane

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  22. Number one. Just looks more inviting. No 2 looks good but a bit hotelish.

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  23. I think I like number 1 as it's a bit cosier but whatever you choose will look great. Ps thank you for your kind words on my blog :)

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  24. I do give a fuck
    No 1
    Less formal more cozy x

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  25. Wow! Your room has really transformed with the changes that you made! I really like the large artwork above the fireplace and nothing else hanging on that wall. Now the fireplace is the focal point that it should be :-)

    I prefer the pair of chairs in the first picture. Although either pair would work, so I say go with whichever ones you like best in terms of look & comfort.

    You're welcome for the mock-up - happy it helped :-)

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  26. I prefer #1. The picture is perfect on the mantle! Love it! #2 to me, somehow takes away the drama of that picture. I prefer your neutral chairs in first pic. Ann

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  27. Love love picture #2. Those chairs are gorgeous and add a great pop of color. They go well with the darker rug and candlesticks. But I have to admit, I miss the globes. :) Kit

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  28. Both look very nice. I would go with #1 just because the chairs look so inviting.

    OK you not care for this idea to kick around. I had a fireplace wall that for years I had painted white, like the rest of the room. The trim was painted khaki. It always seemed like something was lacking. I finally checked out RL wallpaper and went with brocade in one color. It totally pulled the room together. The minute it went up everyone said that was their favorite room in the house. Funny it was the smallest room too. I know some people are against wallpaper but I think there are really nice ones out there when used as an accent. Just my 2 cents.
    Kathy

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  29. I love #1
    The larger comfy chairs are for me...it is soft and welcoming.
    I love the painting over the fireplace instead of the mirror (personally I thought the mirror was too small for the mantel) The rug is fabulous.
    And I love the accessories either side of the fireplace...beautiful room Chania.

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  30. I like the look of #2 a lot but #1 looks more cozy and comfortable.

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  31. 1 all the way. They are much more inviting and comfy looking. :)

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  32. Those cane chairs are amazing! #2 for sure!

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  33. shampoo chair
    -:very nice information, we are glad to read this news or post,

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I love to read each and every comment and are thrilled that you take the time to send one. Thank you so much. Chania