When last we met to discuss my living room I had pounded my fist on the table declaring I was going to have an English Roll Arm Sofa and ONE chair! End of story. Everyone out of my way while I have at it!
This is a purposely awful picture of my living room. Literally a snapshot, not a "blog" shot.
Heh. I mightta been wrong about that whole English Roll Arm sofa and only one chair thing. But I'm not sure. This is why I haven't started making over my living room yet. This is also why I've had the same haircut since I was 16.
My living room is "the room". The room in my house that feels wrong no matter what I do. Even when I change things around and think I love it, the love is fleeting and within months or even weeks I'm scowling at it again wondering when it'll stop texting me.
Why is my living room such a struggle? Because it's weird. I normally like weird, but weird isn't helping my living room in this case. It's not symmetrical, the windows are off centre and it doesn't have a single full wall.
Plus it's sort of narrow and long. Sort of. The living room measures around 15' x 11' with the fireplace taking up a big portion of one wall. The problem with this is there isn't a lot of space on either side of the fireplace for chairs.
So after declaring this the living room with ONE chair, I'm rethinking that decision. I feel like this room has SO much going on architecturally with 2 windows, a fireplace, 2 bookcases and a big, framed entry that I need something to really anchor and focus everything. Something solid and bold. Like a Snuffleupagus.
Orrrrr two matching chairs. Not even just two chairs. Two MATCHING chairs. I'd like them to be in front of the fireplace, facing each other. The Eames chair in the corner is comfortable, but when winter hits and I'm sitting beside the fireplace, I can't even really see or feel the fire because I'm smushed in the corner. Which is the only place the chair and ottoman will fit at the moment.
I'd also like two chairs in front of the fireplace with the option of being able to see the television from them. Which means that television over the fireplace might get moved. Obviously having your television on your mantel isn't a design lovers dream but honestly, it's where most people put the television because a lot of times there's no other option. Yes. Sometimes even designers put their televisions there because it makes the most sense in terms of having a room be functional.
I may have a bit of a mission on my hands finding two chairs that meet all of my requirements. Seriously. Like, I might not find these chairs until after I've already turned this living room into a bedroom because I can't handle stairs anymore.
My made up, totally unrealistic chair checklist is this:
- VERY small footprint, but feel big and comfortable.
- Down wrapped foam cushions
- Swivel!
- Maybe even recline!
- But not look like a recliner.
- Have a high enough back that your head is supported.
- NO preference for whether they're traditional/timeless or mid century modern. (phew)
NOW what this means is I can't pick out a couch until I find these two magic chairs. IF I happen to find two magical mid century modern chairs that means I'll want a more classic couch. If I find more traditional chairs, I'll be leaning towards more mid century lines for my couch.
Ready for the hitch??? I've been looking around and what I'd really like is an antique couch.
Sometimes I wonder why you people even follow me. I clearly have NO idea what I'm doing ever.
I'm actually thinking of sending my room floor plan to some of my most favourite designers and hoping they send back a completed plan. I'm talking to you Suzanne Dimma (former editor of House & Home magazine), Carol Reed (designer of my kitchen) and Amy Beth Cupp.
I love my foyer ...
I love my dining room ...
I love my kitchen ...
But I cannot, CANNOT get my living room right.
The worst part of all of this is the fact that this 2 chairs by the fireplace thing means there's nowhere for my beloved Eames Chair.
These are a few of the layouts I did up quickly based on the furniture size I would be likely to get and none of them look great. Partly because it's a mockup layout with nothing else in the room.
(made with the West Elm room planner)
(I'd have a long wood or marble table in front of the sofa but it was easiest to use a long upholstered bench to simulate the right size in the planner)
You know looking at these I'd probably be smart to just keep a stupid sectional in the room. ACK!!!!!
I might just turn this into a bedroom right now.
Have a good weekend!
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karen j cosme
ditto with the sofa facing the fireplace with a large ottoman, not the bench. the chair might work on the other side of the sofa, facing the door or at an angle from the window. or you could just switch the furniture from layout #1 as i stated above. maybe slightly smaller chairs. a very large handsome floor lamp on both ends of the sofa will also light the tete-a-tete. the foyer table and chairs might help visualize. entering the room will show two distinct areas and offer easy access to both. please get that tv off the mantle and put some artwork up there. sacrifice one lower bookcase cabinet for wood. mount the tv, lower, on the wall above the eames chair and have it swing out diagonally in the corner when viewing.
Leslie
how about a low round coffee table with image 3 and 4 ?
Naomi
The proportions look similar to the living room in my previous house. We ended up dividing the room into two sections and it worked well. Could you leave the eames chair where it is and put the couch facing the fireplace but moved closer? Then you could have a low coffee table in front of the couch and a sofa table behind. That would leave space behind the couch for a desk, chair and plants, or two matching chairs and a games table, or space for anything else you love. Just an idea.
Karen
I did have it set up with a sofa table behind it for years. It was O.K., but felt cramped. Definitely not enough room for anything other than a table back there even with the couch pulled up. At one point I thought a desk would be great but it was too squarshed. :/ ~ karen!
Lianne
If this were my room, I would absolutely do a sectional. But not the one you currently have - a well designed one custom built for your space. It feels like you are trying to put too much furniture in when one really nice sectional with a nice rug and some great floor cushions would feel really cozy and be more beautiful and practical. I would have the longer leg of the sectional butting up to the left of the fireplace, with just enough room to open the bookcase doors. This isn't the right sectional, but it has the right dimensions - about 10 feet long and 6.5 feet wide: https://www.article.com/product/12199/mello-taos-tan-left-arm-corner-sectional I would put the television on the wall where Eames chair is now and then move the eames chair with a side table to the other end of the room (where you have about 5 feet of space) for a little reading corner. (I would actually get rid of that chair, but I know you love it.) Sometimes we have to give up what we think we want (chairs) for what we really want (a room that feels just right and welcoming).
D L F
My husband and I have been looking at reclining chairs like you described. American Leather is who makes them. They also have swivel/rocker/ recliners.
Jennifer
This may sound like an ad (it's not) but have you looked at the swivel chairs La-Z-Boy has? Not the ones that look like the traditional "dad" chair, but the tailored ones (Midtown or Allegra). I have no suggestions on where to place furniture, but that's my suggestion on a source for a swivel chair.
Katharine
Hi Karen
Personally I think one old English style sofa is enough, instead of the large L-shape. If you went with one sofa and matching chair, with your Eames chair facing the fireplace, it may be enough. I do think the fireplace should be the focal point in the room. The last picture seems best. I have a large granite fireplace in a livingroom that is wider than it is longer but in my experience, it's always nicer to look straight ahead at the fireplace that looking at it sideways.
june
All right, I'm gonna suggest something radical here. Maybe you really don't NEED the changes you think you WANT.
Is your living room comfortable for you and your guests? If not, why not?
Seems like there is plenty of comfortable seating, right? Even though aesthetically the TV placement is not the greatest.... does it work for you? If you want the Eames chair in the room, dammit put it in the room. That's your house and your chair. Push it back into the corner when not in use and pull it out when you want to cozy up to a fire. By the looks of this website you don't spend all that much time lounging anyway.
So what if this room is not he most Pinterest worthy in your beautiful home? Who's complaining? Not us.
Karen
I know, I know lol. But I want it to feel nice for me. When I walk in I want a sense of Ahhhhhhhh. I don't like most of the rooms on Pinterest. They're too Pinteresty, lol. But I hear what you're saying. ~ karen!
Sandy
You really only need one spot with a good view of the tv and close to the fire. The rest would be for company and visual appeal. Why not split the room into two seating areas. Get the comfy swivel chairs with a high back and position close to the fire but far enough back to see the tv. If you get a pair that are "good looking" recliners, then you will have less use for a sizable couch. Or even non-recliners with an ottoman/bench coffee table (my preference). On the other side of the room, tuck the Eames into the bottom right corner (based on your layout above), angled, and add a smaller loveseat style sofa on the bottom left. That would make for a pleasant sight line from the foyer and allow for the space you need for the chairs, where you will likely spend most of your time. Two smaller 4x6 area rugs would ground both areas and not cover up to much of the floors.
Vikki
#1, but angle the chairs so your feet are more toward the fireplace. Have a large coffee table or ottoman between the chairs but farther away from the fireplace--within reach but still accessible to the beautiful new couch you are getting. Your Eames chair is beautiful but it's kind of like a classy car that is a pain to drive and guzzles gas. I think it is your Snuffleupagas; I'm sure you'll find somewhere else for it in your house. Can't wait for the next installment of....The Continuing Saga of the Living Room!!!
Beth Cappiali
Can you knock out a wall?
Kris
I didn’t read all of the comments, there are so many!!! So if you already got this info, sorry 😉. There is a store called Sumple Cottage in Muskoka that I saw has upholstered swivel chairs that look nice. Check it out.
Could the Eames chair live in your bedroom? You have to keep it
And ditch the sectional, I think it’s making the layout challenging. I love the two chairs facing each other near the fireplace
Ann Brookens
Well, I'll jump on the bandwagon and say I also like design 1 best. Have you tried just separating the sectional and moving it around, living with different configurations to see how they flow? Cost-free and more convenient than borrowing your neighbor's furniture!
And we read you regularly because we love you! ...I also like knowing that someone else may dither as much I do or make *interesting* mistakes!
Ann Brookens
Also agreeing with another reader: you love the Eames; work around it!
Linda
Okay, I think I have it! Layout #2 with adjustments, move YOUR EAMES CHAIR (yes, it stays!) and ottoman into the lower right corner. This is good because you can see the fireplace and TV better and the profile of the beautiful lines will be optimized! I know this will overlap the cased opening a lot, but I think that's okay, that opening is large. Buy something compact (it looked crowded before) for the top right corner where the Eames used to be... swivel or placed on an angle facing the sofa. Tub chairs are back! Add a rectangular coffee table to scale only if you have room, otherwise smaller cocktail tables for drinks. You'll have to get creative with wall art to make sense of the window behind the sofa... I loved that coco kelley site! I've also lusted for an English roll arm for years (thanks to Suzanne Dimma, or was that Lynda Reeves?) but recently opted for Barrymore's 'Manhattan' instead to bring a bit more modern into my 1939 Moderne influenced home. I do love it...
Alena
If you love the Eames chair (I do) keep it in your living room. I like the spot by the fireplace.
Remember, you live there permanently. Visitors are there for a few hours only. They will survive.
The Eames chair "sparks joy" (and I am not konmarie fan). That should override anything else.
Karen Beck
Your house is beautiful. Until you find exactly what you're looking for why don't you pull your sectional in a bit closer to the fireplace and Eames chair. Depending on where the entry to the room is, you may have to lose the end table in there but you can put a slim console table behind one section of the couch. That couch looks cozy and will be perfect closer to the fireplace. And besides, sectionals are so much more functional in small rooms.
#thestruggleisreal
Valerie
You can add the swivel to any chair. So find ones you love and pull out the tools!
Shannon
Layout #1 wins. If you have multiple people, you can easily swing the chairs toward the couch. Cozy fire, your chairs are right there. You got this girl! And we follow you because we love you and your crazy problems that you share with us. We're not perfect, and we love that you're not either!
Idaho Girl
The 1st thing I thought when I started reading, and before you mentioned it was: swivel chairs by the fireplace. Followed by the thought: it's going to be impossible for you to find swivel chairs that will satisfy your architectural aesthetic eye. So I wish you good luck, and I can't wait to see how you finally solve this, because I have complete confidence that you will.
P.S. I know it makes solving the problem more difficult, but I don't see you ever being happy without your beloved Eames chair someplace within easy access...
Michele Zivkovic
What about two parallel love seats by the fire place and then one or two chairs near the bottom of the mock up?