Decorating Dilemma: Bambie’s Living Room

Decorating Dilemmas is a weekly column in which our stylists answer your design questions, so you can tackle your home decorating project with complete confidence.

Hello How to Decorate Team!

We bought an original owner 1979 home, complete with 1970’s Brady Bunch large windows and carpet in every bathroom, among other horrid details from that era.

I’m having trouble with our living room space. Previous owners used this room as a formal den, but my family loves the fireplace and light. I have a large sectional couch that’s reasonably new and 2 kids to fit into the furniture scheme. Our 1920s saloon piano somehow has to fit into this scheme, but this is such an awkward space.

Please help me!! We moved in months ago and I still can’t decide where to put things or hang pictures.

Bambie

Bambie,

Congratulations on your new “Brady Bunch” home! We know with a few changes, this area can be tranformed into a comfortable and inviting space for your family.

While floating furniture in a room is a great idea, in your case we suggest pushing the sofa back to the wall opening up the room. The Bornova Coffee Table is perfect for your sectional and its hand craved lattice work design will add some texture into the room. Now, flank the fireplace with Morgan Low Shelf. This will create symmetry, provide extra storage options. Consider relocating the TV to the opposite side of the fireplace, since it appears the space is slightly wider. Add in the Lafayette Rectangular Side Table next to the chair for a drink and then tuck your existing floor lamp between the side table and the side of the chair. Another easy update is to switch out the shade on your floor lamp with one of our Couture Drum Lamp Shades in Natural Linen. Sunlight Through the Crepe Myrtles will bring in just the right amount of color into the space and we suggest to hang it on the left side of the fireplace. Another fun color add for the room is our Cassidy Mirror in blue.

Consider switching out the rug to bring in a stronger texture. Our Bali Jute Rug is amazing, especially if you pair it with other colors and textures.

We agree with your husband and children – the natural light is fabulous and we would like to add more lighting. Our Mercury Glass Lattice Table Lamp would be a great addition along with a Bradley Task Lamp tucked behind the sectional. Don’t forget colorful pillows for color and additional artwork to really liven up the space and utilitize the natural light.

These touches will erase the “Brady Bunch” feel and make the space the heart of your home.

Happy Decorating!

The Design Team

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