Decorating ideas??

Question

I need some help, I am considering moving into this little country house. Which is old and a little run down as most older country homes are. It has a lot of potential to be cute. I just need a little bit of help fixing it up. Now I dont know if the landlord wil be replacing the carpet as of yet. But I can pretty much do as I please to this. I do not want to get carried away as i dont have tons of moola. Any suggestions as to Brightening it up? Making this corner old fashion fireplace thin functional??? There is carpet thru out except kitch, and bath. I was thinking maybe doing tile in the room with the fire place, and carpet in the upper level, not to sure if that will look good and what colors, the kitchen floor was recently replace with that cheap "wood paneling" lienolm or whateva you call it. However it is cute and give it an ritzie feeling. How should i tie in the tile and carpet with this?? see image of floorplan

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n241/lexismami/misc002.jpg

now of course if the LL put new carpet in i will not do tile... you can see from front entrance straight threw to the kitchen

Guess i should have mentioned the furniture.. Well my main problem room is the lower level with the laundry unit in it... that will be the living room. I have a sofa and love seat farely large so i know things will be tight which im not happy about but I can deal with it. I also have a entertainment center and i know there is not much space between the fireplace and window area to the left for that as for one sofa will have to go in that general area but other then that that is all i have for living room furniture.

Answer 1

Well since cash is tight I would not tile the fire place as my modo is if you are renting and if you want to snaze it up always make sure you do so and you can take whatever you do with you. The furniture should be placed in an angle direction. However you situate it place a nice area rug to accent the room. For the fireplace hang a nice mirror over the top and place candles around, on and in the fireplace and making the fireplace a focal point and with the lighting and mirrors it would give the room a little more depth. Since it is a country house, accenting should be country living with vintage. Try the website below.....their prices are great

Answer 2

If you would like to send me some photos I would love to give you some ideas. The floor plan you did is helpful if I knew what furniture you have. Go with angled furniture such as the couch, occasional chairs, the bed and such. It adds a nice casual touch and opens up interesting pockets of space for decorating with plants and such. I love working with the fake potted trees and uplighting them from behind for a really dramatic effect. If you budget won't allow the larger trees you can put smaller ones on a stand or table and get a similar effect. When you do this it throws cool patterns on the ceiling and adds a really romantic touch. I am good with arrangement, lighting and such. Not so good with colors because of my partial colorblindness, but good with light/dark issues on color.

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Answer 3

Don't replace any floors in property you don't own. Have the carpets clean [ hopefully by landlord ], and painted.
Place your sofa and loveseat at right angles to the fireplace, if they fit [ dimensions would be helpful ]; and entertainment center at diagonal in corner next to fireplace.
Assess the colors you already have in upholstery etc., and decide one or two which you want to emphasize. Add a complementary color [ ex. - you have sapphire blue and emerald green - add lavender ] or a contrasting color [ rose or melon ] or a coordinating color [ lighter blue or green ].
Add large accessories [ rugs, pillows, curtains ] in one of the colors or a print with two or more in it ] and small accessories [ lamps, candles, vases, picture frames ] in one of the other colors.