Decorating the living room (soon LOL)

**heavensent_7** · 02-20-2003, 07:41 PM

I can't believe it! I just ranted on and on about my living room and then got booted so I'm starting again - it surely wasn't THAT boring LOL.

The living room in the new house is MUCH smaller than what I'm used to (the pic is from view from the door) I know it doesn't show much but there isn't much to look at LOL.

I love wood but this is heavily varnished and looks dated and very dark. I was thinking of painting it, do I need to sand it or will undercoat and paint do alone???

I bought two sofas from eBay, mainly because they were cheap and small LOL - here is a link to them (I hope it works I don't know how to do links!)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tem=2308147851

Perhaps white wasn't such a clever idea with five kids!

But like I said they were cheap and small LOL - I don't really want to cover them (I'm useless at that) and I don't want to use throws either as the kids just make them look messy. The covers are removable for washing so I'm just hoping they will be ok??? (alright, alright I KNOW it was stupid! LOL)

Anyway because of the wood and the sofas, I'm thinking a seaside theme is the most obvious??? I need to inject some colour - it helps my depression (honestly) and I thought maybe pale blue or yellow?? White would be too clinical I think and very bland.

I also don't want to add kitch ornaments like lighthouses or anything, so I'm thinking distressed wood, pebbles, candles, maybe a 'sea' picture???

Actually I haven't got the faintest idea what I'm thinking LOL - that's why I'm asking. Help would be appreciated!

I'll post pics when I've done it - you may have to wait a while though LOL.

Thanks ladies

Oh P.S. the fires gone (they ripped it out) but the fireplace is still there! ???

**heavensent_7** · 02-20-2003, 07:46 PM

Oh - If you have a better idea that a seaside theme please do share! Thanks xxxx

**PennyPinchinPam** · 02-20-2003, 09:20 PM

I'd sand and prime the wood paneling just to be safe before painting your color. A nice yellow would be great for a seaside motif. You could paint the lower wall blue with the upper wall yellow with maybe a white washed chair rail or some type of trim. I'm just typing as I think here.

You came up with that cool orange color I'm sure you'll think of something. Those sofas are neutral so they'll fit into whatever you may decide. You got a good deal too.

**voodidit** · 02-20-2003, 11:28 PM

Since the covers on the couches are removable you could just dye them any color you want too! I know it sounds scary but if I can dye shoes you can dye couch covers..lol. When my brother got married, all the other girls in the wedding paid between 30-75 dollars to buy shoes and have them dyed to match our dresses, I got the shoes I wore in my wedding out of my closet, bought some Rit dye and dyed them myself, cost me $1.99, how's that for frugal..lol.

Anyway...got off track, pick a color you like and dye away!

**MJsLady** · 02-20-2003, 11:37 PM

I agree with Angie, you can do this, and a sea side theme would be very good and uplifting!

**Daphne** · 02-21-2003, 07:43 AM

I had some friends who just painted the paneling in their house. They primed it first then painted it white. I know you don't want white but they use this place as a rental so they didn't use a color. I think the colors you have choosen (yellow or blue) would be great. I am not any good at posting links - why I can't do this....we will never know

but I would go to differnet decorating web sites like www.hgtv.com and get ideas on the seaside theme. You can do so much with that

Good luck and can't wait to see what you come up with!! Oh - I love your couches!!!

**Darlene** · 02-21-2003, 08:05 AM

How nice Bev! I'm with Voodidit about dying the couch covers. It's a cinch to do. If you wanted to go really wild you could even tye dye them.

I love yellow, it just makes me feel happy, so I vote for that.
What's with leaving the fireplace like that?

Have fun & I know the decorators in the village will be giving you more ideas.

**AmyBoz** · 02-21-2003, 11:29 AM

Bev, My sil just painted my fil's family rooms paneling. It looks GREAT! It's amazing how the lighter color opened up the room. I agree that a light yellow would be a nice color for the seaside theme, and when I saw the couches, I can totally see it. Maybe even for texture on the walls, you could mix in a little sand with the paint...gives it a bumpy texture and looks even more seaside-y! I'm sure you could find lots of seaside accessories in thrift shops and secondhand stores. You could dye the couch covers, or leave as is. White furniture makes me nervous, so I'd probably dye it and get some nice colored throw pillows as well. I can't tell from the picture, but does the fireplace go back into the wall or is it all filled in? If the opening is still there, you could get a nice set of candles and candle holders, all in different sizes and place them in there behind a pretty wire grate.

**Sara Noel** · 02-25-2003, 12:23 PM

How about something like Nantucket? This would give you a bit of beach decor but light and wispy feeling.

A palest of blue wall paint would be nice and light and airy.

Choosing some indoor plants to bring the outdoors inside. Some nice wall baskets http://www.shopbaskets.com/662.html
and some inexpensive columns with pots on top or plant stands http://www.shopbaskets.com/plant-stands.html
would help to create interest.

Bring in a nice floral rug of some sort. Brightest of colors. (a good mix would be like a cranberry, navy, hunter, yellow mix)

Add some brightly colored toss pillows and a nice huge overstated framed poster print that coordinates in color with the floor rug. http://www.allposters.com/gallery.as...46&item=106792
Check ebay for some wind bells:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=20513

This site has some neat beach type candles:
http://www.seaserver.com/miva/apps/M..._Code=Sea+Jars

Check here for some fun accessories:
http://sandpeople.com/

I wish I was there.

**mrscornbread** · 02-25-2003, 01:54 PM

Bev, you can keep the original color on your couches if you use scotchguard on them. I have used it many times and had great results, We used it on seats in the car because of the kids, we sprayed it on very heavy and let it dry. I kind of waterproof things. Just thought I'd let you know, becauseI love the color of the couch if you are using a seaside theme