Rate My Space

Rate my Space

Living Room

Let’s face it, we’re not all interior designers. We want our house to look the best it can, but sometimes we need help. That’s where we come in. We find houses, just like yours, around the Red River Valley for our expert team of designers to assist you in bringing out your home’s true potential.

Living Room

Living Room

Katie’s living room needs some work. She doesn’t know what to put in the corner or how to handle that awkward window on the back wall. She uses this formal living room on a regular basis, either to read or gather her thoughts, while her kids take a nap so she wants it looking it’s best.

Type: Formal Living Room

Location: Fargo

Year Built: 1994

Allan Meisner

First off your color selections and color blending are very well done. What the room lacks is punch and definition. I would recommend that you paint the wall behind the other sofa the same deeper blue; the sofas read as a pair and the walls should too. Next carry the weight of the deeper walls across the room to the window. A contemporary print could be used that reflects the colors of the room…not white. The curtains should hang ceiling to floor but do not need to cover the glass, simply frame the window on either side. Move the single chair closer to the conversation grouping and put a sofa table or console under the wall hanging. Another chair could be used in the corner with a floor lamp behind it; a wood framed accent chair with a red upholstered seat. Finally, if the fitted carpet is flat you could further define the conversation grouping with an 6X9 area rug under the coffee table and add accessories such as good looking books and a plant. You are well on the way to a very comfortable room!

 Julie Erickson

The dark blue is nice accent color with the art work… I would change which wall is painted-painting the wall behind the sofa blue and painting the window wall the taupe of the rest of the room. Use an area rug with texture and print, implementing the colors from the art. Replace two pillows with orange ones that draw the color from the art. Furniture can be brought out from the wall by angling the rug at 45 degrees and then placing the furniture along the new lines that have been created. The chair should be brought into the grouping by pulling it closer to the rug and add a floor lamp. Large greens would add life to the room. To add drama and warmth hang window treatments ceiling to floor. More art is needed and a mirror to reflect more light.

Dining Room

Dining Room

This dining room is seldom used, only to entertain on the holidays. Some of the big concerns that Katie has are what does she do with the two different colored light fixtures (she even went as far as spray painting them black.) She’s also curious about what to put as a center piece, what kind of tablecloths should she use and if family pictures belong in the dining room. To break it all down: Katie needs a lot of help on her dining room.

Type: Dining Room

Location: Fargo

Year Built: 1994

Allan Meisner

In this area I would remove the fitted carpet and continue the hard wood floor. The table should be turned the other direction in that it appears to be a barricade in the room. Again a large contemporary area rug could be used under the table to anchor the table and emphasize the focal point. A larger hanging ceiling fixture could be used with a deeper finish. Add a few crystals or baubles to create a bit of bling. Keep the table cloth off and use a runner if you like with a center piece; this could be a floral or a big decorative colorful bowl on a base. The recessed area needs a console or buffet with a big piece of graphic art above it. The family pictures belong in a hallway or bedroom; we like to keep them in private areas. Again the windows need to have curtains with substance, not filmy sheers. Run the curtains ceiling to floor and here you might want to cover the glass at times for more intimate evening gatherings. This room needs large pieces of furniture and art to create interest and intimacy. Bon appétit!

Julie Erickson

In the dining room, replace the tablecloth with a runner that has colors from living room. Rehang the curtain rod so the window frame is not exposed at top of drape. Another color could be added to the panels on each side, employing the color blocking concept. A sideboard for storage and display could be placed under the family photos.

Bios

Allan Meisner: 

Allan is the founder of Total Picture in 1996.

Has been an interior designer for 35 years.

Has worked on hundreds of homes, even having one of his projects featured on HGTV’s “House Hunters.”

More info on Allan and Total Picture can be found at www.totalpicturedesign.com.

Julie Erickson

Julie is the owner of Designing Women 2 along with Linda Birmingham, Kris Carlson and Mary Lystad.

Julie has worked as an interior designer for 16 years.

Some of her recent projects include Great Plains Financial and Hair Success.

More info on Julie and Designing Women 2 can be found at www.designingwomen2.com.

To have your own home critiqued by our team of experts email info@ designandliving.com. We’ll come in and take photos a few of your rooms and our experts will give you, cheap, helpful advice.

 

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