Umm... Late 19th Century BUSY? ;')

One wonders what the Fire Marshall will say about the completely obstructed door to the left of the (fake?) plant?

Looks like a porch but inside. fixizin is being really nice calling the style BUSY, my word for it isn't so nice!

prairiedawnpam-

British Colonial with a soupcon of botanical eclectic?

sandyponder

I call this classic Decorator Showhouse style.

Boy...looks like a Mondo Combo to me...LOL.

I love the wall paper and the ceiling and the plants and the victorian style birdcage. Not wild about that fountain which does make it seem like an enclosed porch.

Can you post a picture of your room? I'm sure you can add elements to yours to get that gardenroom type of a feel.

I agree with sandyponder. Tropical paradise/botanical style with British Colonial influence. An eclectic mix.

I like the warm vibrant colors and the mix of textures.

Thanks to those of you who posted helpful information or asked questions.

Of course this magazine photo is over-the-top, busy, and not really livable, but there are elements of the style I like and I realize I already own some things that could get me started. I'm not skilled in design at all, so I'm here (and everywhere) to learn to create comfortable and attractive spaces for my family on a very limited budget.

I happen to like the idea of creating a room that borrows elements from an outdoor porch. Our summers here are way too short. Bringing the outdoors in might help to stretch the season a bit and I don't care if others like it or not, although with our budget I'll be careful to choose classic elements.

"British Colonial" helps. Thank you.

...Pam

That's another thing I like about the room - it has a porch like feel to it. Also notice the high color contrasts used, too, if you want to recreate that aspect. The dark of the woods and other accents are strong, as is the use of the very bold orange-red color.

Sorry don't know the style - looks kind of English garden with other elements - eclectric which I love. I love the color scheme and the use of black in the room - especially the black scroll ironwork - reminds me of French style there.

Prairiedawn:
Why don't you post some pictures of your room, and the furnishings you already have and want to use, and see if everyone can come up with some direction for you on what to watch for on Craigslist. I think your stated goal of wanting to create a garden room is enough to inspire some great ideas!
Dee

Agree that British Colonial hits the mark. Personally, I love the outdoor elements that they brought inside - especially all of the plants and what looks like a large weathered urn made into a side table. The think that the natural rug (sisal or jute?) lays a nice foundation for the room and I love how that and the other outdoor pieces play against the formal elements of the room like the curtains and the wallpaper. It says to me, "come sit down and enjoy, it does not matter it is 10 degrees outside." I could really use a room like that considering that winter is fast approaching! :-)

There are some elements of British Colonial in the picture but the overall effect is quite different. There was a long, incredibly informative thread on British Colonial in this forum at http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg020633576389.html. It will inspire you further and might help you edit out the "eclectic" elements of the photo that don't belong in B.C.

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This is an old photo of our living room, but it shows the shape of the windows. The sofa set is gone. It lost in the battle of his vs. hers furniture when we blended families.

The cotton muslin curtains that came with the house are yellowing and rotting in the west sun, so they must be replaced. We still have the black iron table set and the stained glass lamps. At the bottom, right-hand corner of the image you see that the love seat is sticking out past a short wall; its really only long enough for a chair, but its directly across from the tv and the fireplace is right next to the tv so that's a favourite sitting/laying spot. Behind the love seat is the front foyer.

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This shows you the set we are using now. I'm not stuck on keeping it.

Hubby has just jammed a small, ugly shelf next to the fireplace to hold DVDs. We need a small but attractive way to store them. The pics can be moved.
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The blue plaid Ethan Allan chair and foot stool are new finds and intended for my reading nook upstairs... unless I can make use of them in the living room.

I've done up the mantel but I have other objects that could go there once I've got the living room style together.

Next to the chair is a long wall that has no furniture against it now. We had an old sofa there once but its gone, too.
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Stuff we have:
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Slag glass hanging lamp... that I'm not sure where to put.

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Fairy statues and sconces are separate

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I could move these pictures to our bedroom; I know they don't really go with the black and white wedding photo above our fireplace... and I don't really have another spot for that wedding pic.

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This iron mirror could go next to the fireplace. What do you think? I've had it on the porch in the past, but it will crack when it hits -30.

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Maybe this mirror would be better?

Thanks in advance for your ideas. I really can't put things together in my head without a picture or someone else's direction.

...Pam

What is it about your inspiration picture you love the most? I see from your artwork, table, and lamps, you're really drawn to florals, so I'm assuming it's the garden aspect. The curtains in that room look identical to My3Dogs valances. You could select a fabric you love, make the curtains, buy a large natural fiber rug (if you're looking to duplicate the rug in the inspiration room), and paint coordinating stripes on your wall as a start. I would also remove every decorative object from your room, and not bring them back until your furniture is in place. I'm not fond of that blue sofa; I like your other set better. Were you thinking of buying a new sofa? I think you can make your room very pretty.
Dee

What is it about your inspiration picture you love the most? I see from your artwork, table, and lamps, you're really drawn to florals, so I'm assuming it's the garden aspect. The curtains in that room look identical to My3Dogs valances. You could select a fabric you love, make the curtains, buy a large natural fiber rug (if you're looking to duplicate the rug in the inspiration room), and paint coordinating stripes on your wall as a start. I would also remove every decorative object from your room, and not bring them back until your furniture is in place. I'm not fond of that blue sofa; I like your other set better. Were you thinking of buying a new sofa? I think you can make your room very pretty.
Dee

Hi Dee

The gold floral sofa set is gone. I liked it more, too, but it was too short for Hubby. We're not keeping the blue recliner set, either, but "new" is not in our immediate future because Hubby is a student. That's why I'm looking to use what we have or acquire used pieces for now.

Yes, I'm drawn to florals.

In the inspiration pic, I like the colour of the walls and the striped paper or paint. The iron trellis, bird cage, sofa cushions and coffee table caught my eye, as did the valances.

Thanks for pointing me to My3dogs home. I could definitely move in!

...Pam

Here is a link that might be useful: My3dogs home

Pam, did you ever order that fabulous brown floral fabric?
That had all your colors and style that you like~

While the photo itself is busy, the look is beautiful. Very botanical. The green is calming but the red gives it punch.
What really gives it appeal are the vertical stripes which lead up to the decorative ceiling treatment around the perimeter of the room and then the lines that draw to the center medallion and ceiling fixture. It has a natural way of bringing your eye all around the room in all dimensions...almost like floating on air.
Your room would work well with the design prariedawnpam.

Loribee, funny you should ask. I am still very much in love with the Shumacher fabric, but I can't find it anywhere, so the search continues and I was searching just a few moments ago. I think this or something very similar will be "it".

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Hilltop, I am liking a punch of red, in fact we just painted our front door Behr's "Antique Ruby" and are debating whether or not to use the colour on the inside of the door, too, in the foyer which is visible from the living room.

Hubby isn't thrilled with the chocolate paint we have in the living room now. It came with the house but I do love it. I think that adding tan stripes would brighten it up. Hubby's other idea is to add white wainscoting and I'm ok with that. He really wants to paint the room blue and I am opposed. I hope to redecorate as best I can and quickly so he changes his mind.

...Pam

Is there any way you could move your TV connections to the wall that held the blue sofa and tree? Then you can use a storage piece for the tv to sit on and the cabinets/drawers to hold the CDs, DVDs, and such. A large dresser or buffet would work well.

If you move out the current sofa/loveseat combo (which, I confess, would be a priority for me), then you'd have some flexibility with chair placement. One large sofa and a few comfy chairs look like it would work well.

Pam:
I included that link because it contained detailed directions on how to make My3Dogs' valance, though, I agree, her home is beautiful. How about a green for paint? It would go with all your accessories, and a better backdrop for your garden theme than your brown does IMHO. That fabric is gorgeous! Oh, and sorry about the double post earlier. Gardenweb was giving me some weird error message, then posted twice! It looks like I thought what I had to say was REALLY important.
Dee

I think you could add a green stripe over the brown walls if you pick the right shade (maybe pulled from that fabric). It would give you the botanical feel you seem to like. I think the stripes help keep a floral room from going too feminine and give it balance. If one likes florals, it helps to not make the room pink or girly colored so that a man can live in it as well. I do like floral accents but try not too have too many too near each other. A little goes a long way.

I would have voted on your side for the couch question without a doubt, lol...
Maybe a throw and some pillows can downplay the blue sofa until you can ditch it.

I'd hurry before hubby wins the wall color question!

Alex, Hubby says that moving the tv is do-able, so I guess where it goes depends, in part, on the furniture we can find to house it.

Dee, I'll go through My3Dog's thread again. I actually didn't see the instructions, so thanks for pointing that out. What you had to say WAS very important to me. :-)

Green paint might be nice... .

I just found this sofa on our local Kijiji. It isn't an antique, but it might work?

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...Pam

Pam:
This site has been acting very strange lately. I couldn't even get on this morning. That link doesn't go to the one I had, and now the link shows up on your posting, not mine. So, I copied the directions from the post I had:

Easy to sew valance directions
Posted by my3dogs (My Page) on Thu, Jul 17, 08 at 20:01Hi everyone! Here are the directions for the valances that you saw in the post linked below. They ARE EASY - but the directions are long, because I am trying to give you enough detail, even if you are a beginner. Read them all the way through so you understand them, and ask any questions you may have. If you are a real novice, you may want to make a sample using just muslin, or other inexpensive fabric, til you get the hang of it. This is a no-pattern valance that I started making last summer. It requires just straight stitching. My windows are generally about 50" (more or less)in height. If your windows are very short or very tall, you may want to vary the length of the fabric you use. I would say to err on the 'buy more' side though, so they don't look skimpy. The fullness adds richness. I generally use 1 1/4 yards of 54" wide home dec fabric to make the valance. You will need an equal amount of lining fabric. If you choose to put trim on the bottom (it adds a lot to the treatment, IMO) buy 1 1/2 yards of trim to make sure you have enough to go across the length of your 54" wide fabric. If your fabric is wider than 54", buy enough trim to cover its width. Cut your valance fabric and lining to equal lengths. I always measure the side edges of my fabric and mark the length before cutting. It may have not been cut straight at the store, and you want to be sure that your left side is the same length as your right side. Pin the two rectangles of fabric together on all sides, with the RIGHT (front) sides of the fabrics inside, facing each other. Before putting the fabrics together, I mark lightly on the back which is the TOP of the print (if using a print) and which is the bottom, so your print will end up right side up! Depending on the type of rod you plan to use for the valance, you need to leave openings on each side that will become your rod pocket. Continental rods (the flat wide plain ones) need a 4" rod pocket. If you use a decorative rod, with finals on the end that screw off, I would recommend making your rod pocket 2" wide. For a small tension rod, I'd make the rod pocket 1.5" wide. You don't want to force your fabric onto the rod - allow room to make it easy for you. Measure down from the TOP of your pinned together fabric, and make a light mark with pencil on each side, the size of your chosen rod pocket, plus 1/2". That 1/2" is going to be the width of your top seam. You'll be making a mark on the left and right sides 4 1/2" down from the top if you use a Continental rod, for example. Stitch from these marks down each side to the bottom, using a 1/2" seam. You'll need to leave an opening in the top or bottom to turn your valance inside out when you're done stitching. I'd suggest a 4" - 6" opening for turning. If your rod pocket openings are 4", you don't need to leave another opening, you can use them to turn it inside out. Mark the opening you need to leave, then stitch across the top and bottom edges, using a 1/2" seam, leaving your opening...well...OPEN! Clip your fabric corners off OUTSIDE of your stitching. This is just a small triangle of fabric from each corner. This will allow you to get nice sharp edges on your corners when your turn the valance right side out, as it reduces the bulk of fabric there. Turn your valance right side out, pulling it through the opening you left. I use a wooden chop stick to push the fabric gently at the corners to make them nice and square, once I have turned mine right side out. Don't push too hard, or you may poke a hole through your valance! At this point, you should have a lined rectangle of fabric, with rod pocket openings near the top of each side. Close the opening you left for turning, either by folding and pressing the edges in and hand stitching it closed, or use 'stitch witchery' type of fusing tape to do it. You can also sew it closed with your sewing machine, but you want to do it right at the edge. You want to make this closure as 'invisible' as possible, so I always use fusible tape. Carefully iron your valance. Use your fingers to work the edges, so that you have your seam right in the middle of each edge, so you don't see the front fabric on the backside, and you don't see the lining from the front. Now, to stitch the rod pocket. You will be making one row of stitching across the front of your fabric from side to side. Measure down from the top edge, so you have the same length opening on each side. The size of the opening you left on each side was determined above by the type of rod you're using. You can lightly pencil on the line that you need to stitch across, or do what I do - Place the fabric on the sewing machine, and put the needle down on the place where you'll start stitching. Take a 4" (approx) length of masking tape, and lay it against the upper edge of the fabric, to the right of the needle, and stick it to the sewing machine base. You can use this tape edge as a guide to hold the top edge of your fabric against as you stitch across. It helps you make a straight, even rod pocket. My sewing machine has tape on it for all different widths of rod pockets! If you chose to put trim on the bottom of your valance, do it now. I use 'Aleen's OK To Wash-It' fabric glue that you can get at WalMart or a fabric store. If you use glue, just follow the directions on the bottle to glue your trim evenly to the front bottom of your valance. I lay my valance on my kitchen island, and let it set overnight, while the glue dries. You can also stitch your trim on, either by hand or by machine. I prefer the glue, because you see no stitching on the back side. (I'm anal.) Now to make the ties. You can simply buy ribbon (such as grosgrain) or use purchased cord (see my dining room silk ones in the link) or make them out of fabric. Use either the same fabric or a coordinating one. Here, you first need to decide if you are going to tie your valance up with bows, or do knots. Bows take longer ties. Allow yourself a MINIMUM of 36" long ties. You can always cut them shorter if necessary, but you can't make them longer. I suggest hanging your valance up and using string to tie them up temporarily to see how long you need to make your ties. (It's longer than you think!) Cut your strips of fabric approx 4" wide and the length you have decided on above for your ties. Fold and pin the strips in half the the short way, so you have a long strip of fabric that is 2" wide. Make sure the right sides are together, (inside) because you are going to turn them inside out after stitching. Stitch along the pinned edge of each strip, about 1/4" from the edge. Now the fun part - turn those narrow strips inside out. My chop stick comes in handy for this, but use whatever method you choose to accomplish this. Press the ties just as you did the valance rectangle, making sure your seam is even on the edge. I fold in the raw ends and use my fusible tape to close them, but you can machine stitch them closed or do it by hand - Your choice. Your valance is done! Put it on your rod, using the rod pocket. Hang it in your window. Now, take the ties, and simply drape them over the rod on each side, having half of the tie fabric strip hanging in front, and the other half of the tie hanging behind the valance. Now, gather up one side of the valance in your hands, and reach behind it it grab the dangling tie in back. Tie up the valance, by tying the front and back pieces of the tie together, either in a knot or a bow. Do the same with the other side, making sure your ties on each side are tied up at the same length. Now stand back and make sure your valance looks even at the bottom on each side. Use your hand to 'finger fold' and drape your fabric until the look is what you want. You'll be surprised at what a difference it can make in the look by spacing your ties closer together, or moving them further apart on the rod. Also by tying the ties higher or lower... This is where you need to play around until you get the look you want. On the HGTV message board, a woman made these and kept posting pics asking for advice - Higher? Lower? Move the ties apart or closer...It's really all up to you. Hers looked GREAT when she was done, and she was so pleased to have made her own custom valance. I hope you all feel the same way, if you try them!

BTW, what is the name of your inspiration fabric? I'm looking for fabric for my bathroom, and I'll look for yours while I'm at it.
Dee

Until you decide on a sofa, not much else can move forward. If you are going to keep the blue recliner, then you would be wise to decorate in a style that works with it. If you are going to replace it, then hold off on window treatments and wall paint colors until you know what is coming in.

As for the Kijiji sofa, you are going to get tired of that floral print quickly and it will limit other fabric choices. Better to get a neutral color sofa and build from there. And it doesn't lend itself to adding other pieces, IMO. And I doubt that your husband will feel comfortable sitting on it. I would pass.

Hi Dee -- I can't believe I didn't save the name of that Schumacher fabric. Something tells me it was $250/metre and that's why I didn't even bookmark it. I guess what I'm looking for is a fabric that has a bit of blue, red, pink/rose and green in it without being too girly.

Hubby just gave in and told me to do whatever I wanted to the living room. You can't believe how long I've been waiting to hear that; we've been sruggling -- and so doing not much of anything -- for four years.

...Pam

All right! He's a trooper and won't be sorry :)

I think the sofa looks limiting, as well. Take measurements of the area it will live so that you have some guidelines while you're looking. It looks like you'll be able to bring the sofa into the room more and place a long table behind it for lamps. Measure your door so you know if you'll be able to get it in the house, too.

As far as a piece for the TV, it depends on if you want to close doors or if you don't care that it's out. I'm one who doesn't care so I've used a dining room buffet and now my bedroom dressers until I find something that can accommodate what I need stored and I can afford. Sometimes you just need to work with what you have :)

Thanks for the encouragement, Alex. Finding the right sofa for the right price is going to be tricky. I'll think of it as treasure hunting. :-)

...Pam

Neutral seating, sisal or seagrass type rug, floral my3dog valances, stripes on the wall and lots of plants...
Good luck on your treasure hunt! You can do this, Pam!