So I think I am finally starting to make some progress in my family room…
A year ago part of the family room started like this…
Then I made a skirt for the table (click here to see the makeover) to give it more substance and it looked like this…
Then I got two chairs for the space that looked like this…
Then I took your through the reupholstery process here and then the space was transformed to this…
The table wasn’t working anymore because of the busyness of the pattern on the chairs. So then the table was replaced by this (click here to see table revamp)…
I made some new pillows (click here and here to see those) and attempted to decorate the table here. When you all screamed, “Egads! too much!” Plus the lamp hidden behind the chair wasn’t working for the space.
Back to the drawing board I went. A few of you suggested a lamp on the table. I decided to move a lamp (check out the before and after of the lamp here) that I had in another part of the room to the top tier of the table and removes the floor lamp from behind the chair on the left.
And I like the lamp on the top. I know many of you will say the lamp shade is too busy with the chairs. But I like it…and it is all about me, right? HA! But, seriously, keep your “yuck on the shade” comments to yourself, because it ain’t changing. Now I know I need to work on the hanging cord on the lamp. I will get to that soon.
However, I took everything off the bottom tier. Now people can set their drinks on the table but it still looks naked too me. So I need your input people.
What should I do with the bottom tier? Leave it naked? Dress it up? Suggestions? Honest, constructive feedback needed. But be nice, be kind, and be gentle I can be a little fragile at times 😉
i like it just the way it is. who says every empty space has to be decorated.
those chairs you madeover still make me drool!!!! 🙂 I say find a cool set of coasters w/ a stand or something to put on the bottom..that way its not bare nekkid but not full of clutter either! functional & decorative! Nichole – BarillaFab4.blogspot.com
I liked when you had the books on the bottom tier. I thought it helps make it look cozy. Looks great!! I like the lamp, but no so much the picture frame, kinda looks crowded on top, especially if you are planning to leave the bottom more bare.
I am in love with those chairs. When you get tired of them look me up!!!! Maybe I should tell you they are super ugly and you should get them outta there so I can have them now!! LOL. I love to add a little texture to rooms, so I would probably but a small basket for remotes or coasters and may a little bit of greenery to soften the lines of the table. It looks amazing!
I am in love with those chairs. When you get tired of them look me up!!!! Maybe I should tell you they are super ugly and you should get them outta there so I can have them now!! LOL. I love to add a little texture to rooms, so I would probably but a small basket for remotes or coasters and may a little bit of greenery to soften the lines of the table. It looks amazing!
My vote is for leaving it be. I think every room needs a little negative space. I have LOVED watching the transformation!! I think if I ever visited your home – I would feel so "at home" and know my way around with all the pictures. haha… I love the blog, great inspiration!!
I love it all including the lampshade! 😉 The table looks great! Would you be able to fit the picture on the bottom shelf and put something simple and ornamental on the top shelf? Like a little vase with some simple flowers? Or some candles? But really it is all beautiful!
Nicole
Love, love, love the chairs! Do you love the lamp or the shade or both? I wonder if the shade was on a solid black lamp or if you centered the lamp on the top tier and left off the picture. I can so sympathize with you. I struggle with accessorizing.
I think a stack of two or three books and one or two dustcatchers would be enough on the bottom tier.
And you know, it's your home, so yes, it IS all about you! If you like the lampshade, leave it. Personally, I LIKE how the patterns on the chairs and lamp play off each other. Adding another black and white pattern would be awesome, in my book.
Okay, here's my 2 cents cuz that's about what it's worth! I would put back something on the bottom like that little white jar and than ad a couple of cute coasters that I know you can just whip up in no time all McGyver like. Oh and the chairs, I saw 2 online at an estate sale that are very much like those but without the fabulous fabric. Hmmm, wonder if they're still there? Do tell how you solve the cord issue because I have the same problemo with a lamp on a pedestal table.
I happen to love that lampshade too, so leave it be!! 😉 I also agree you need a little something on the bottom tier of the table. Why not steer clear of nick nacks or accessories and do a little hand-painted round design of sorts (like a scroll or vine) that goes around the center post thingy. Or (if you don't feel adept at the hand-painting thing) you could sew a little circular mat that could fit around the center post thingy? Maybe something that would pick up on the red accents? Just some ideas. 🙂 Love the progression on the room! (I'm especially covetous of those chairs…still…)
K so I also loved the books. One had a red spine. LOVED it. What ever you decided it'll be perfect for YOU.
I'd love to see a some green down there, some viney and kinda flowy. It could be on the back of the table too and you'd still see it, it would leave the front free for drinks and it wouldn't be so nekkid!
🙂
I echo the yes on the coasters, but otherwise leaving it open. Gotta have some room to breathe!
And I KNOW you said not to comment on the lamp. But I'll be gentle 😉
I really like the base and think it works well with the space. Some food for thought, if, someday you decide you'd like to change up the shade, I think a crisp white shade with simple black grosgrain trim (top and bottom) would look fab. with your awesome chairs.
My mom always has a book on her tables for drinks to be put on…that way the sweat from the drink does not ruin the table and there is a little something on the table.
what a lovely, inviting space you've created. i'd put square coasters & a candy dish & maybe if it doesn't look too crowded a little stack of little books (you know the kind you get as gifts).
just so ya know – i have round end tables in my living room & i have the hardest time arranging things on them!
Wow – who knew such a simple space could evolve so much & so fabulously? Love it all. I, of course, don't have any suggestions for you — unless you wanna sit in one of your chairs & I could do your hair in a style that would fit the style of your room! LOL
Coasters and that's it! 🙂
Love your re-do!
Wink, wink – my favorite tell-it-straight friend… I know you are thinking of me and I appreciate that! Okay, I LOVE the lamp base – it is yummy – the color pops – it just adds sparkle and interest and RED – LOVES… and your little sweet birdie looks so perfect there. For the bottom… I LOVED the books before – the red book for sure… and I like the idea of some texture like a little basket of hand made coasters – nothing big – just a little eye candy. The picture frame… I love family photos and I think we hide them away too often, but I think the frame would look better with a lighter colored – maybe even black & white photo in it – the photo in the frame kind of disappears in the black frame… just my thoughts… the shade… if it speaks to your heart and makes you smile when you walk into the room, then so be it… I will love it because you do! It is called being true to you and it is something we should all try to do more often…
Oh, and I will try to get a pic of the bird on the branch the next time I'm in B.G.
I think the lamp and chairs complement each other. I'm not very adventurous with combining prints, but I think it looks great!
I agree with previous commenters that all you need are some coasters to add some function to your pretty table.
I think you should put the white porcelain liking stuff you had on the bottom shelve from before moving the lamp.
i was going to say pretty much exactly what ann marie of twice lovely said… even the part about liking the lamp shade! i thought some hand painted detail on the bottom tier of the table would be great. you could do it in white or in red. it has come along way and i am loving it!
i was going to say pretty much exactly what ann marie of twice lovely said… even the part about liking the lamp shade! i thought some hand painted detail on the bottom tier of the table would be great. you could do it in white or in red. it has come along way and i am loving it!
i was going to say pretty much exactly what ann marie of twice lovely said… even the part about liking the lamp shade! i thought some hand painted detail on the bottom tier of the table would be great. you could do it in white or in red. it has come along way and i am loving it!
i was going to say pretty much exactly what ann marie of twice lovely said… even the part about liking the lamp shade! i thought some hand painted detail on the bottom tier of the table would be great. you could do it in white or in red. it has come along way and i am loving it!
Sooo many options and good ideas offered already. I'll say that my first thought was to bring back the books! Glad I'm not the only one 🙂 Coasters are a good and practical idea – if they are pretty ones, I'd put them on top and then move the picture frame down to the bottom level. That way it doesn't compete with the height and visual appeal of the red lamp. Fabulous idea to move it to this spot.
It was fun to see all the progression pictures – what a dramatic change! I'm totally loving it.
I don't know…I think that something "youish" like some sort of coasters and coaster holder that says "this space is for drinks" would be nice. However, I tend to go OVER THE TOP with most things. I think you could make it welcoming for beverages with one of your crafty items.
I like it nakey! I agree that it is nice to have a place to set something down, a drink, a book, anything. The rest of the room, the chairs, lamp, etc. have enough spunk that the bare bottom (wink) gives your eye a place to settle. A beautiful job!
Yup, do the paint or doily-like thing on the bottom (like we talked about). I don't think you need any more "pieces" in the space, but something one-dimensional would work there. Lookin' good!!
Jen (Dublin)
Wow! What a transformation. Love it. I actually like the table the way it is. If anything, maybe a book?
Blessings
I suppose a candy dish with my favorite jelly beans would not work cuz of the kiddies, huh?
I love it as is!! Serious, when I saw that picture, I was like… that is perfect!! Really, it looks fab and that lamp couldn't be more perfect in that spot.
It really is true — it's good to leave some empty space. I know it's hard! Leave it for a few days and see what you think! 🙂
naked, or coasters only…otherwise it just looks like clutter.
I vote cool pewter coasters and a small stack of books.
How about some cute coasters set in an easel on the bottom? Then people can still use it for drinks and when there are no drinks, it's something pretty to look at. It's so easy to mod podge a cute picture onto a 4" tile, add some felt on the bottom and there's a coaster!
vote for stack of books on the bottom or a small fan of magazines. I love it!
I love it. It has such personality Beckie. I can totally see your personality coming through!
xoxo
jEN
I discovered your blog when you posted about your chairs. This is the first time that I've seen your family room "before" picture. What you've done looks so nice. I like the bottom half of the table empty and I think that your lamp looks great.
In my opinion you have perfected the space! Doesn't look naked to me at all!
I do like it empty, but I am kindof a plain, simple person with design.
I did think maybe a white, round doilie (sp?) laying there would be pretty. You would have to cut a hole in the middle and a slit in the back to get it to lay there, but it might add some texture and the black would still peek through.
(Am I making sense trying to describe this idea?)
A set of gorgeous coasters (so people have something to put their drink on when they put it on your lovely table) and whatever interesting book you've been reading.
Every time you post a picture of those chairs I think "it's a good thing that I don't know where you live … I would make them mine!"
I would put a little plant on that bottom tier. Something green, in a shiny red pot. Fake or real.
Nichole said it first, but I concur; coasters would be the best choice. Practical, functional, yet slightly decorative.
And I do like Molly's idea of a plant.
I would use a small vase with just a couple of blooms – nothing too large. The scale should be small and tight (ie. low)!! Good luck!!
Sense you mentioned having some where to sit drinks. What about some type of coasters?
If it were me, I'd do books or magazines (if they fit). But it also looks great as it is.
The cord? Think you've been hanging out with Sarah too much (just kidding).
Love the lampshade! And the chairs? Ok – I'll be happy to paint anything for you and you can reupholster some of my roadkill rescues. Deal?
If it were me, I'd do books or magazines (if they fit). But it also looks great as it is.
The cord? Think you've been hanging out with Sarah too much (just kidding).
Love the lampshade! And the chairs? Ok – I'll be happy to paint anything for you and you can reupholster some of my roadkill rescues. Deal?
If it were me, I'd do books or magazines (if they fit). But it also looks great as it is.
The cord? Think you've been hanging out with Sarah too much (just kidding).
Love the lampshade! And the chairs? Ok – I'll be happy to paint anything for you and you can reupholster some of my roadkill rescues. Deal?
If it were me, I'd do books or magazines (if they fit). But it also looks great as it is.
The cord? Think you've been hanging out with Sarah too much (just kidding).
Love the lampshade! And the chairs? Ok – I'll be happy to paint anything for you and you can reupholster some of my roadkill rescues. Deal?
Ok. I was going to say leave as is, but some DIY coasters to coordinate would be lovely, and easy peasy.
how about an ornate tray that would look proportionate and allow a couple of small drinks to be sat upon? beauty and functionality!?!?!
I guess I can't figure out the teal walls w/ red and black??? I like what you've got, if you allow drinks in that room a tray or coasters wold be nice, but otherwise besides a cool book or two, I'd leave it. I like plain though.
Those chairs are awesomesauce! How about a few books? Maybe a tray?
Nice, I would move the birdie and the frame to the lower level and just have the lamp above. This should give it a blanced look and also give room for drinks on either level
So first off I have to thank you for your previous chair reupholstery projects– I'm starting my own and your daring helps!
I honestly like pattern, too. Though I love the way it looks now!
My two suggestions would be…
Make some fun (patterned? Monogrammed?) coasters for the bottom tier. Don't want to hurt your GORGEOUS redo of your table!!
Or maybe you could make a a mock "Tree Skirt" type of placemat around the center piece of the table with a fun texture!!
Overall, GREAT job! Love it!
Wow! You really have done a lot to that little space in a year! I love that red lamp….forgot you had that in another area. It's perfect there! You've got lots of great ideas already in the comments, so it'll be fun to see what you go with!
I bet you've already got a lot of great responses, but what if you painted the center post in a way that coordinates with the lamp base?