As part of our remodel we made some changes to the living/dinning room windows and doors, painting, and new wood floors. Here is what the space is now (all furniture, accept the blue piece with the TV will be replaced):

From the entry way:

From the living room looking into the dinning room:

From the French door looking into the entryway

From the DR looking out FR window:

Our goal for the remodel was to use our LR/DR more…before it was cold (north east facing, with light minty green on the walls), the new yellow (my favorite wall color) & windows have helped fix some of that. Anyway, I’ve been doing lots of shopping...and I need some help and advice/reassurance that I am going in the right direction. I like a casual comfy beachy style (I have two kids 3 and 6)…the colors I want in these rooms are Yellow and blue (one of my favorite combinations). We are successfully using the DR for dinner almost every night.

So, for the LR (which will be the adult TV watching area), I’m thinking 2 leather push back recliner’s facing the TV with a small table/floor lamp in between and small sofa (~75" long) facing the front window anchored by some sort of area rug. On the wall where the buffet is now, I’m thinking of doing a breakfront pine china hutch (I’ve got china & crystal service for 12, plus heirloom pieces and silver from my mom and grandma). The DR would get a pine farmhouse table (I’ve always wanted one) that I figure I could dress up with a table cloth and good lighting for more formal events. For chairs, I would do 4 side chairs that match the table (probably ladderback) and have two parsons chairs (with custom covers) that wouldn’t be at the table for nightly use, but would be pulled up when guests come.

Here’s the general layout:

Here’s one of the recliner’s:

Here’s the breakfront (would likely do a combination of stain & paint or just stain):

Window Treatments:

For a Roman Shade outside mounted just below the Arch window….would love advice on that window as there doesn’t seem to be enough space to continue the same casing from the window below. This might also be the fabric for the Parsons chairs.

For the French door and DR slider, I was thinking panels (not operable), with a casual pinch pleat, I fell in love with these Duralee silk fabrics, but they are expensive and I’m a bit hesitant to go with silk for kids….my other choice here maybe to do a linen (more beachy, but seems a bit boring).

Rug Possibilities:

Need serious help here…feel like I have to have one to float the furniture in the room, & I think I like a lighter background color, was also trying to get blue and yellow in here.

Ballard Rug:

PB Rug (the rug swatch is much grayer/tanner than the internet image):

PB dinning table….anythoughts?….I love the end extensions, but worry about quality…I want a table that will last.

What works? What doesn’t? Any suggestions on other rugs or WT?

Thanks for reading this long post

The other big issue with the pieces...the veneer is broken off in a lot of places, hence the table runner on the buffet and the table cloth on the Table. The table top has become detached from the base from all it's years of moving. The chairs are a whole other issue...falling apart (after years of kids, my brother and i, rocking on them and dogs chewing on them).

I love the buffet, but can't fit it the dinning room and have it comfortable (not enough width, it used to be there before the remodel) and I think it's too short for the wall it's on the photos.

The set will probably be the last thing I replace...but I'm trying to plan ahead.

I'm thrilled that someone else likes it's uniqueness!

Lovely space and I know it will look spectacular when you are finished.

Don't think you'd want all stripes and plaids.

I don't have any affiliation, just always see this sight when I Google refectory tables.

The table in front of french doors would divide the space such that you would have two seating areas - one in front of room, and one in back. For example, the two recliners (with or w/o TV) in the back of the room, with room for larger gatherings in the front. The front could be slightly more formal, with a sectional sofa, or sofa with chairs. The breakfront could be on the wall that you see from the entry. It, and its interesting objects, would be a focal point, and yet still convenient to the kitchen.

And have a look at the new House Beautiful magazine issue -- all about Blue -- again -- some wonderful ideas there too!

LOVE your ideas! And I would want a blue-andwhite striped rug OR a simple sisal one (for warmer months) -- and then add the Ballard one for the cooler months.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Sally the yellow is by Dunn Edwards, it's called Summer Hue..an orange undertoned yellow, because in the northeat facing room, any other yellow (and I tried a ton) looked green.

I think I'm pretty set on the layout as the LR is already wired for surround sound. But I could definitely entertain a few other ideas...I used to have a sectional in there and I hated it...never again, I like to be able to move things around and big furniture is not that flexible.

The floors are a medium brown maple engineered that are 5" wide. Can't remember the name...I'll try to look it up.

Any ideas for the WT that are less costly than the silks?

Maybe the problem is just what parma said, if I go with stripe rug is that too much geometrics? I could do a seagrass, with edge binding, then find an interesting coffee table for in front of the sofa.

I love the blue floral fabric, anyone think it would look ok as the roman shade in the front window and on the parsons chairs?

Parma the refractory table link was great...exactly want I want (looks like it would be more expensive than the pottery barn one)...my problem is, I live in southern california, so sources for things like this, that I can go touch are few and far between. I'd only use the end extensions (company boards) a couple times a year...maybe I should consider not having them...Anyone have experience with that sort of design?

For me, I'd be hunting for an antique farm table. Any access around you for that? Or a table made from antique wood.

My thoughts exactly on tiring of a floral/striped rug...that's why the seagrass is very tempting. Plus it reads very beachy, just not sure it's going to give me the warmth I want....it does give great texture though. I like the rug you linked, but I've seen it in person and it's too cold and the blue's a little too light....the rug is really stumping me and of course I'd like to get that sooner than later.

I have definitely been looking at the reclaimed tables. There is a pine dealer near me, but her stuff is outrageously expensive. I do have one at the unfinished store that has the reclaimed too...the problem with them was that they didn't offer end extensions. So, if I give those up (not sure I'd use them too often), I should be able find something easier.

Any thoughts on what color to do the small sofa?

You have good instincts.