Re: WallPaper
No no - I want the plum wall - but I was thinking the gold on top of the plum would be gaudy.
so i was gonna do plum wall and deep beige designs.
My bad deary - I think I need to speak clearerlyere
Hmm, since your furniture seems to be not very contemporary, I would stick in some contemporary in there to make it more interesting. Do wallpaper if you hav a huge budget, cuz you can try crown wallpapers.. They carry some extremely modern/ fab stuff. I remember workin on one of our projects and we budgeted this very nice wall paper for our client.. it had a neautral back to it and had these tinyest glass beads ever all over it. So all you had to do was do a focal wall, play with lighting, and the room would just go wow!!
If you don't hav a big budget, I wouldn't do wall paper prints. Maybe a focal wall.. but not all over. Prints are pretty personal and yes they do take off from your house's value down the road ( I work in the design field and that's been my experience).
Why don't you play with paint, lighting, accessories and art work?? The right art work would do magic to any rooom!! Also, is your furniture bulky?? As in if you've heavy furniture in dark colors, lighten the walls to give it some breathing room. If you really like wall paper, then why don't you just do the chair rail or smthng?? Also, on second note, you could prolly pull off a nice textured one just to bring out some character in your walls. For prints.. just be very very careful that everythin falls into place and it doesn't get too busy :)
Re: WallPaper
^^ Some great advice.
The furniture is old styled and clunky but very light in color and the room is a dual living and dining so pretty big space.
Tell me more about the focal wall concept.
The entrance to this area is a double story door space - no door.
It comes out a little from the sides so that if you're looking at the entrance from the front - you see little square columns (almost but not) I always wanted to do something totally flashy with that part.
As for art - we've got a family portrait oil painting and I'm not getting rid of that at any cost.
you know what I'm going to post pictures of the area - words can only describe so much.
I need to do the room up before Eid Inshahallah.
Re: WallPaper
Here are the pictures
So I was thinking of painting the color of the cushions and then puting up gold walai stickers thingies that I linked above and the pillar wala jaga I was going to use busier gold print or what bhen jee was suggesting with the little mirrors that would be to die for but I dont want to make it look unprofessional - I’m not doing it if I can’t find someone to do it.
What do you think all?
I’m ordering stuff today ..
Re: WallPaper
I can't see any pictures...:(
Re: WallPaper
I dunno what the matter is but if you click on them you can see a larger version
Re: WallPaper
So the following is my personal opinion and I don't want to offend you with that. Just letting you know what I think.. :)
I personally feel that your decor in the room is very very heavy and too busy. Also, your furniture is quite french country and overall I think that you should update your accessories and make it livelier. Your upholstery is all in the same neutral tones and has a busy pattern on it, so imho, nothing really stands out.
First off, I would redo the wall paint. It seems like it's a bright cool white in the pictures (is that so?) and I would introduce a LOT of lighting in there. There seems to be only this one recessed spot in the whole living room which is definitely not enough lighting. If you can invest in it, introduce more spots throughout your ceiling. Perhaps even a nice, sophisticated lamp on your side table.
Second, your accessories are a little outdated and heavy. You need some transparency factor in there. For instance, (you don't have to drain your pocket for this) go to a decor store and get a nice clear glass vase and then get some nice artificial flowers from a dollar store and make a more modern arrangement.
Next thing, your sidetable, too much clutter. Put a nice lamp on it and maybe one little accessory or flower arrangement that compliments it. Also, most of your flower arrangements seem to hav an array of diff flowers in there.. stick with one type. And again, clear vases, as opposed to dark ones.
The artwork on your wall (the family picture) it's mounted too high. The centre of the picture should be at your standard eyelevel (say around 5'). Also, is there any way you can utilize this family picture somewhere else? Cuz you have a huge wall and this picture is obv still not enough to balance out your wall. If you can, try to put this picture up on another wall and on this huge canvas that you hav behind your couch, put some contemporary art work. You could do like sets of 3's or 4\'s or so in a row. (visit ikea..) even mount some attractive spot lamps on the wall. Another option could be doing some floating shelves behind the couch and you could put some nice accessories on it. But you have to be very careful with those. They can' be heavy or very deep cuz obv they would hurt anyone who was sitting on the couch. Ikea has these very affordable floating shelves in all colors and sizes and some of them are even just 8" deep or so..
You definitely need to trim your drapes and try to find some nice non-fabric holdbacks.. say some really nice metallic ones with beads and stuff on it. And that orange sheer that you have behind your drapes, you need to hang those up from another drapery panel up above. It doesn't look very aesthetically appealing like this.
Now the corner standing clock you have, is also very traditional looking. I would replace it with some shelving and accessories, or even a nice lamp.
Also, instead of investing in wall-paper lke you earlier said, can you invest in flooring instead? I would get rid of the carpet. Your furniture's too heavy as is. Maybe do a nice textured floor with perhaps a nice rug.
And yeah, for your dining table, I find it's all a little too big for the size of your room.. also have the runner come all the way and get some contemporary candle arrangements or one of those ceramic bowls with marble balls in it.. tons of things you can do/ find :)
Primarily, declutter your tables and sides, and the cradenza. Try to put in new drapery panels, definitely not the same camel color as your couch (gets toomatchypoo). Try to match the print with your upholstery, like on your dining chairs, the toss cushions. I would personally also replace the centre table and the side, and get a more modern set.
I could really go on but then again, design is very very personal. That's how I would've changed it, you obv know what would please you instead. Happy decorating.. :)
^wow, Bhenjee! You do have a great eye. Are you in the NY area by any chance? I might have to make use of your services someday! :)
Re: WallPaper
Some really good advice bhenjee - thanks for taking out the time.
I think you're going for a more modern look and I'm going for a very old school look.
There are more lights in the room though; I think you just can't see them in the pictures. The sheers aren't orange; they are the same as the drapers but have multi colores paisley's in them. The Gold drapes; I rather not trim but I rather put them higher. The problem with the drapes over all was that we got neighbors and we had to put up curtains in a day - so everything was rushed. I honestly HATEEEEEEEE them. That in mind I've also got a budget to worry about. I love you idea about the window treatment. I was definately struggling with that.
Love the ideas - will definately incorporate them and put up after pictures. :)
You rock sista!
Re: WallPaper
Good stuff! Glad I cud help and Yeah sure put up pictures.. we all might just find some inspiration in it!
nycgori, nah I aint in nyc. Live close to toronto :) but yeah we all can help you here at GS!
Re: WallPaper
i see no pictures! :/
Re: WallPaper
Click on them lady.
Re: WallPaper
I looked at the pics of your living room and I think you definitely need some contrasting paint colors that complement your furniture and traditional theme. Have you considered Sage Green? It looks good with other earthy tones and will bring much needed brightness to the room. You can do a lot with your current theme in terms of accesories. Definitely get nicer curtains(have someone bring nice ones from Pakistan!). You can add more colors by changing cushion covers, getting a colorful rug for living area(this would also help separate living area from dining) and you should definitely have a nice chandelier in dining area. I like your overall theme. :k:
Re: WallPaper
muniya, i don't even see thumbnails to click on
Re: WallPaper
oh yara I'll have to email you from home.
Re: WallPaper
do you see little x's click on them and you get the picture.
Re: WallPaper
^ nope, i see nothing. where is my email?
Re: WallPaper
Interior Design Tips | Wallpaper Installation | Sarah Richardson Design Inc.
sarah richardson rocks! if she says horizontal wallpaper is hott, then i say it too! haha 
also, where is my email, muniya??
Re: WallPaper
You know I've not been able to do anything yet.
The boys decided they wanted to change teh furniture as well so I was put on hold and now they are like maybe we should keep it because it costing to much-
I'm still on the project though; the new deadline is Turkey day inshahallah
Re: WallPaper
Oh my I love that site.. I think cream and yellow is going to be my new living area!
I love it!!!
You know my problem was that our eat in kitchen isn't really seperated from the family room and hence I need soemthing that blends with the the Sage green and white kitchen...
Thanks SCG