When Your Decorating Plans Don't Go As Planned

Hi Kim: Now, I know that you will come up with the right solution on your own, you always do and it always is just the right one But, you are asking so I will answer. I am coming across as "anonymous" these days, and if I were smart I wouldn't sign my name, but I will just in case you like my idea. Another rug. Maybe the natural tone is a little dark? I think that would tie everything together for your eye. It could be a solid color or something with a small pattern that wouldn't fight with the wallpaper. I'm sorry!! I've got your back!..xxoJudy

I do love the room as well, but for some reason, the first thing I see is the wallpaper. Personally, I think it might be too busy or something. That would be my choice---remove the wallpaper. Will be anxious to see what others see and say...Jane in Florida

I am NOT a decorator, but I think everything about the room is perfect, except the green valances. To me, they look like heavy eyebrows on a beautiful face. I would be looking at a white lace type valance, especially for the spring, summer months. To me it would just add that elegant light touch. But maybe that is not what you like. Still so pretty!

I'm sending you a huge hug......I have walked in your shoes!! I wound up hanging fabric on the wall until I got the perfect background. The flowers became a fine pinstripe....color on an off white background. I loved it for years!! Good luck, I know how hard it is!! Blessings, J

I believe it could be the DARK green valances. OR maybe the fabric of them. Are they to heavy ? They don't seem to have the flow and ease as the rest of the room...they are kinda stiff. The rest of the room look very easy and comfortable. I think I could also take a nap on the couch.

Personally, I think you have too much going on in the room.
Sheila

I think that your room is charming.

I love this room Kim. It is so cottage and pretty. I know what you mean when you cannot get something to work. Here's my opinion and only an opinion lol! I would remove the wallpaper. Yep you heard that from me who loves wallpaper. Or put wainscoting half way up the wall in white. I love the green and white together and the check to the sofa. I love that wallpaper but that is what is hitting me. The other option I would try if you can is to put the couch on the green solid wall that faces your bay window. Opening up the window wall with wallpaper might look really good too. If you have enough space on the green wall. Just a couple of ideas. I hate when I get stuck like this too. I love all the combo wallpaper, fabrics and furniture you added along with your new floors. So it only makes sense it should all work. Unfortunately sometimes it is just something that one thing that does not make it all fit. If you leave it alone it still is gorgeous. Hope you can figure it all out and it will make you smile every time you come into this room. Hugs. Kris

Your room is pretty as it is but in our house, something was lacking until I added our rug. If not a rug, the window seat cushion could be a colored fabric - maybe the pale color in the wallpaper?

I think white valances on both the wallpapered wall and bay window. ( you know 2 1/2 to 3 times the width of window.
Somewhat shear.
Leave the red floral pillow and red one.
Then try red table again. It might work now.

I'd keep the white lamp and the table that has white legs. Add a small pillow that is same colors as flowers in wallpaper in the bay window with the other green/white ones. Add a pillow same color as flowers in wallpaper on couch with the green/white one. try a throw on couch either white or same color as flowers in wallpaper. Try flower arrangement of roses same color. like the green curtains. and maybe a white furry rug in front of the couch to break up the brown floor.

Remove the wallpaper!

I truly love each and every element in your room even all the tries. Love the wall paper and the green check couch but I think it is the check in front of the flowers that throws the look off. Is there any way to move the couch in front of the green wall (I can’t tell from the picture if this is possible)? If not,I would not get rid of anything, maybe a red throw over the back of the couch or even a solid green one.

Lovely elements in the room. If it were me, I’d paint the trim a slightly darker version of the green on the walls if the wallpaper is staying put. That wall with the beautiful wallpaper and lovely gingham sofa seems…unanchored? That’s the impression I get. But, of course, that is an impression based simply on one photograph. All of the elements used in the room are just lovely.

I love green too! I would use the green and white pillows and maybe put a rod up high at the wall paper . Add some light green shears with white ones and just let them flow on each side of the wallpaper. With sheer curtains you would still be able to see the wallpaper.

I think the green valances are too heavy, the print ones weren’t right either. I would prefer the couch up against the solid wall if possible. I did like the white table and the pillows with red vs the dark table and green pillows. Overall, I love the wallpaper, checked sofa print and overall color scheme. I actually still have a folder of idea cutouts with very similar prints but I now live on the water and it doesn’t seem to work for me here. Good luck, you’ll figure it out.

Hi Kim,
Your room is lovely. I would absolutely keep everything! I think you just need to bring in some more of that beautiful rosy red color. Maybe with some pillows, a quilt, or an area rug layered on top of the rug you have. I also think that moving your sofa to the wall opposite the love seat would help to distribute the color and pattern if there is enough space for it. Of course, in my book, you can never have too many flowers! You did a great job!

For me, it's definitely the rug. It's the wrong color tone/texture for the rest of the room.

Hi Kim: I am a designer who also lives in small spaces. Scale and proportion are critical in balancing a room. I also know that sometimes you just need to do what is right for you so please, take everything I am saying with a grain of salt.
Not knowing the size of the space or how the house relates to the rest of your home, how you need to use this room etc, all I can give you are impressions. It appears to be a small room and the sofa feels too large for the space. It feels forced and the room is dwarfed by comparison. I agree if you can move the sofa to the other wall opposite the bay I think you will give yourself more breathing room. If that's possible a simple sofa table where the sofa is now, would be a nice addition. At the very least I would lose the end table and center the sofa on the wall, and do a floor lamp. You need space between the arm of the sofa and the bay. And breathing space to the left of the sofa as well. It shouldn't be crammed into the corner.
The colors in this room are fresh and charming and the wallpaper is very cottage as said. I think the other part of the problem is all or nothing. Either remove the paper which I think would make you sad, or paper the rest of the room. Focal walls sometimes have a purpose but this isn't one of the times. The room is too small. I agree a chair rail with paint below could work if you papered the entire space above a chair rail.
The problem is your eye has no place to rest. The focal point is unclear. Is it the window seat or the sofa wall. Now, they are in conflict with each other. In a small room less is more. Now I am a maximalist, but I know when to be spare. The green paint is lovely too. There is just to many places for your eye to jump too. It needs calming down.
When you can, change the rug/carpet to a much softer neutral cream. I agree the green valances are too heavy. An unlined cream colored linen roman shade valance would be better and if you wanted to add some green grosgrain ribbon 1.5" wide that would look great.
No coffee table required. Move the ottoman to the center of the room put a tray on it and call it a day.
I wish you the best of luck and hope these thoughts are of help to you. My blog is https://fortheloveofold.com if I can be of further assistance to you. The best of luck!

To me, the green wall calls for too much attention. I love everything but think the wallpaper and gorgeous sofa would really shine without the green wall. Just a suggestion from a retired designer. It's beautiful if you decide to do nothing. Also think an area rug would help tie it all together. Good luck.

I think the sofa needs more room. Either center it on the wall it's on or try it on another wall.

Hi Kim, I'm going to go in a slightly different direction. I think you should ditch the window treatments you have for lighter bamboo shades. Also, instead of a traditional coffee table use the ottoman with a nice tray on top. Perhaps you could also use that small white table you have as an end table with an overhanging light. And, I can't tell from the pictures but maybe you have room for a rug with a little bit more pattern to it. Good luck ~ you will get it just the way you like it!

They all look good together in your samples, so I can understand your frustration! First I thought maybe the wallpaper was too much, but in the shot with the couch and paper it looks great. I do wonder if a light valance would make a difference, the green seems heavy. Good luck!

I absolutely love all your red and decorating. So soothing to see the red check curtains. When I look at your room I see the green valences that to me appear to be too long. They are heavy at that length. Lace curtains aren’t my favorite and almost feel a beige/muslin colored fabric might work. Something a little more casual.
Thank you for all your emails and good luck.
Louise

I love your accent wall colors Kim and I think you need to bring more of those colors down off the wall. Pillows in those colors would be nice and I think you should try some different shapes beside the square ones on the green and white squares of your fabric. I also agree that a small area rug, to tie in your colors, under the table would be good idea. I continually change things in my decorating choices all the time.

I love the wallpaper & the sofa. The thing that struck me first is too much green. I liked the floral pillow on the sofa. I would say red/pink pillows on the sofa instead of the dark green...whatever blends in with the wallpaper. Your room is so full of cottage charm...I love it. Wish you'd come over here & give ME some advice about my blah room!

To me it`s the carpet everything else ties in except the brown carpet , the room flows but the carpet immediately drags your eyes to the floor it`s to dark it`s just one block of colours especially with the floorboards being dark wood as well a gentle pattern rug I think work better one with no harsh lines or zig zag crazy patters but a soft flowing pattern in 2 tones of the same colour with a leafy or flowery Ivy type pattern

Just a thought, before even thinking about removing your beautiful wallpaper if you are considering going with a solid color or to just give your eyes a rest from the wallpaper; pin cloth the color you think you might want there and live with it a few weeks to see if that helps the flow and cohesiveness of the room.

Ditch the valances on the window seat. Add red pillows/flowered pillows. Paint lamp red. You need window covering and I believe the Roman shades would look nice, but the lace curtains add to the cottage look. Use the white end table or get that one painted that Mr. Wonderful uses. The rug is ugly--please replace it, maybe something you like with a pattern, since you use this room so much. You asked and I answered!!!

I wish I had some suggestions, but I stink at decorating. 😁 I’m just in awe that you can make all of these beautiful things work together. I love that wallpaper and sofa. They are just beautiful!

Hi Kim, I love all the colors and the patterns. I do agree that the rug is taking away from the space. And that the valence is heavy. I also agree that your home needs to function for you. Sometimes we have an idea in our heads but reality trumps it. Like you said you have to keep the ottoman and the table. And that's fine. It's your home and it needs to work for you. I think with a few more tweaks you will get it to where it needs to be. And it will be perfect for you.

Hi Kim I love all the patterns and colors. I do agree that the rug needs to go and the valence is a bit heavy. But also it needs to be a functional room for you. So keep both the ottoman and the table. If you cannot use the room as intended then its useless. I know with a few tweaks you will have a room that is perfect for you.

First of all, I absolutely love your home & how you have decorated it!!!! I think you already have all the components you need. I would go with the coffee table with the adorable skirt, & make some throw pillows out of the skirt material ( if you have some ot that material), put up the lace curtain & call it a day ;) You really do have such a gift of decorating so don't second guess yourself

All of it is a beautiful combination! To me, the pattern of the wallpaper and the pattern of the couch are competing with each other for focus. My thoughts are to paint the wall behind the couch, green and add the wallpaper on the window wall, where it becomes more of an accent. There are other great ideas in the comments that may be more cost effective.

Ok, Kim....don't remove that wallpaper! I adore that room and love the way the wallpaper enhances the cozy, cottage feel that your beautiful couch anchors in that room! I agree with the above comments about swapping out those dark, green valances. Maybe try tying in the beige shade from your rug into your window treatments? Maybe a burlap fringe window valance? Something a bit more plain and natural. To me, that would tie in your sea grass lamp and rug nicely. Good luck- I often wish I had a room just as cozy and inviting as that in my home but I sympathize with how you're feeling because I have been there too!

Hi Kim,
I truly love your style and you’ve made a great change to your living room! I do agree with others that the green valance is a bit heavy and a lace valance would look very soft and match with the delicate roses on your wallpaper. I also was thinking about a lighter colour rug as well. Have you considered changing the green wall colour to white? That might be a little more bright looking and also compliment the wallpaper…just an idea!

Oh and one more thing, I know that white painted floors are a real cottage look and I have recently done the same in my living room (with yellow walls and white furniture) - it’s truly the best thing I have ever done in that room and it was easy to do with rustoleum floor paint!

Hi Friend,
Well... we just painted our dinning room and did a color change and decor change. It really is making me smile now... but I had to do some changes with cushions, chair placement and artwork. And I had to decide to not have so much... it was just too much to look at. Not sure if this makes sense. ;-)
Good luck... looking forward to what you come up with.
Love, Carla

The wall paper is beautiful - however...and don't be mad...I think it takes something away from the sofa and makes the space maybe more busy than you intended. Since replacing the sofa is out, I would tie the walls in a little more. Maybe you could add a floral print to some toss pillows. The colors work well together, so do the prints. But there is a sharp transition to the green wall and wallpapered wall. I know you will figure this out. I do the same thing in my own home and so wish I had a decorator friend to help draw out the vision in my head! Your home is beautiful, though. (:

I've always read that every room needs a touch of black somewhere.

What a charming cottage space. The choices you made are wonderful. Love the wallpaper and sofa especially with the kitchen nearby. For me it’s the lack of symmetry that always leaves me unhappy. Also I think the two patterns being of similar scale the room needs a third small print. I’d add more to the room, not take away. Try pulling the sofa forward and putting a slim sofa table behind it replacing the need for the end table and coffee table. On it put some books and matching lamps with pleated shades in a small print on either side of the window. center the sofa on the wall. Hang similar sized art with maybe a pretty plate over each piece or mirrors (the one you had looked very nice) on either side of the window so the the paper is more of a backdrop than the main focus. I like the suggestion of draping the back of the couch with a red throw to further delineate it from the floral paper. I like the red floral pillow with the red pillow plus a solid, green ball fringed ones and throw in the Happy Place lumbar pillow too. Make lace cafe’ curtains for both windows. I also liked the suggestion to frame the wallpaper wall with green painted trim. In that case I might try framing the artwork with wood frames painted in the same green. You’ve done all the hard work of design , it just needs the bits. Another throw with a sleeping cat on the ottoman might be nice too! Oh, the rug was mentioned several times. Maybe bare floors with a rag rug or braided rug. Pamela

I’m seeing the room again and just noticing your kitchen table chairs so add that woven basket texture in too either through a floor basket to hold or shallow basket on the window seat or somewhere like you did with the lampshade and placemat in a couple of the iterations. Pamela

I am not a fan of the dark green valances and wonder what a lighter color rug, perhaps round would look. Definitely not liking the current rug as it looks too dark to me. Just my opinion.

Dark green valances and the rug seem too dark. How about a lighter color round area rug?

Kim, I want to say I love your homey decorating style. I think that lace curtains would look nice and I also like the white and red curtains in the 9th photo that you made with the matching pillow. I hope this was helpful. I hope you show us what changes you make to this room for spring/summer.

In my humble opinion, I love the wallpaper and would carry it onto the wall with the windows. To me, it looks a little odd just stopping at the edge of the wall. I would recover the window seat in a stripe which has all the colors in the room. Add some natural elements such as a seagrass rug if you can and maybe some sheer cafe curtains, or remove the curtains, and I think you have it. I love your style!

I love your red and green complementary colors and the swatches look lovely together, but in the actual room the green plaid against the wallpaper makes my eye twitch. I wouldn't scrap it entirely, but I think every scenario you showed would be improved if you added white wainscoting or board & batten on the wall behind the sofa up to mid window to create a calm background for your bold plaid sofa. Leave the wallpaper on the top half of the wall. Personally I like the addition of your red accent pillows on the sofa and window seat to repeat touches of red in the room. I'd probably do simple white valances on all the windows, but switch out for the deeper green in colder seasons. I'd definitely replace the brown rug - it's too close to the color and value of your beautiful wood floor. It also seems modern vs. cottage-y. I'd go with a lighter round rug to repeat the curve of the bay window and offset all the other rectangular shapes in the room. Looking forward to see what changes you make to meet your vision.