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Design Chat: Decorating Her First Home

September 26, 2018

I’m back with another installment of my Design Chat series. This time around I’m helping Krystian who recently purchased her first home and needs some help with space planning and decorating. Here’s the message I received…

Hello Shelly! Good morning! I found an article you’ve written online a couple of years ago. Although it’s older, it is still relevant to me. I recently bought a home, I’m younger and horrible at decorating. I have a brown sectional, yet I’m trying to lighten things up. What accent color can I use to lighten things up other than teal or coral? I feel these would darken things. I can’t afford to change the couch right now, so I have to work with what I have. I’m looking at a lighter colored area rug, but I’m not sure on how to position it. Would you be able to offer help? Would it go under the couch at all, or just in front? I’m really confused, all of the rule of thumbs seem a bit overwhelming! Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I asked Krystian to send me a few photos of her home so that I could see what she was working with.

THE LIVING ROOM NOW:

When you enter the house you walk directly into the living room. The space is open with no walls or architectural details to define it. In a space like this, the furniture and rug will that will do that.

There are three large walls within the room which make it possible for several different furniture arrangements.

With only two small windows to provide natural lighting, the colors used in the room need to brighten and enliven the space.

There is one small challenge when it comes to decorating this space. The location of the cable jack and the large wall vent that limits what you can put on that wall.

After looking over the photos and tossing around ideas, I outlined two design plans for Krystian.

This first plan uses the existing sectional and adds in new furniture pieces to finish off the space. To add more storage and display space to the room, I recommended a console table on the wall between the windows and another on the wall to the left inside the front door.

I’m also suggesting a set of bookcases, a new tv cabinet and table lamps to enhance the lighting throughout the room.

DESIGN PLAN #1

The second plan replaces the sectional with a sofa and a pair of accent chairs. It also orients the furniture so that the sofa is on the largest wall in the room. As with plan 1, this plan also includes a console table for storage, a new tv cabinet and side tables.

DESIGN PLAN #2

To address Krystian’s concern about the room being dark, I selected decor and accessories that will brighten the room. Here’s a look at the decor plan I created.

AREA RUG: I choose an area rug with a neutral background ad colorful pattern. Patternwork and color create visual movement and in turn give the impression that a room is larger than is actually is.

When it comes to selecting the right size rug, it’s always best to tape off the size on your floor to determine what will work best. Ideally you want the front legs of furniture pieces to sit on rug. In Krystian’s room, I recommend either a 6′ x 9′ or a 8′ x 10′. A large rug will help define the sitting area and anchor the living room.

PILLOWS: A good rule of thumb when buying accent pillows is to pull colors from the area rug or artwork. Krystian can remove some of the brown and tan pillows on the sofa and replace them with more colorful options.

COFFEE TABLE: A round coffee table is best for this room and will provide a contrast to the square and rectangular furniture pieces. A glass top will make the room feel more open.

CURTAINS: Ivory curtain panels will add soften and another light and bright element to the room. Framing the window with curtains will actually make the windows look larger.

CONSOLE TABLES: I’m recommending console tables in two different finishes and styles. The iron and wood table has an open base which will add to the openness of the room. The sectioned console will be great under the TV to hold electronics and decor. Adding a few baskets to the shelves will bring texture into the room.

ARTWORK: Colorful artwork is one the best ways to add interest and personality to a room. The colors in the floral artwork tie back to the colors in the rug and pillows. And the artwork will create a focal point within the room.

LIGHTING: Krystian’s living room can benefit from additional lighting so I’m recommending a couple of table lamps. Ivory ceramic lamps incorporate another material into the room and ties into the other ivory elements in the space.

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Krystian has a great living room space to work with. Using one of these space plans along with adding color and personality through decor will give Krystian the space she’s dreaming of.

FYI–Knowing that budget is important to Krystian as she decorates her first home, I shopped Wayfair for all of the decor. Wayfair is one of my favorite sources for stylish and budget-friendly furniture and accessories.

Hillsby Saffron Area Rug

Camber Round Coffee Table

Navy Knot Cotton Throw Pillow

Elliott Knit Throw Pillow

Edwards Velvet Lumbar Pillow

Miltiades Table Lamp

Rena Console Table (wood and iron)

Salinas TV Stand (multi-section)

Solid Room Darkening Curtain Panels

French Cottage Bouquet Floral Art

Round Minerva Accent Mirror

***this post is not sponsored by Wayfair. I’m just sharing one of my favorite resources and wanted to show you how you can create a beautiful space using their products.

Design Chat: Small Living Room Design Plan

July 18, 2018

Hi friends. You might have noticed that it’s been pretty quiet around the blog lately. I was at the Atlanta Gift and Furniture show all last week and the blog took a back seat to work.

I’m back and have a new Design Chat post for you today. If you’re not familiar with my Design Chat series, it’s where I help one of my readers with a design challenge they are facing. Today, I’m helping Ulochi with a decor plan for her living room.

Here’s the message that Ulochi sent me…

Hello, I bought a remodeled mid-century ranch and with these old homes, the layouts can be “interesting”. For instance, the living room is driving me nuts. Its rectangular and small, with a picture window. Even the TV placement is a hassle. I want to add plants or standing art but I have to fool-proof it from my 8 month old daughter. The home has an ‘urban farmhouse’ feel with elements like barn doors and shutters. I bought a tufted gray large sectional and it makes me want to do something romantic and cozy. I can’t seem to find a way to design this space and make it feel like home. Please help.

Here’s a photo of the living room, facing the front door…

and a couple of different angles looking into the room...

and a view of the wall space that anchors the sofa.

Decorating small rooms can definitely be challenging so before I share my design suggestions for Ulochi’s living room, here are a few tips for small space decorating.

SMALL SPACE DECORATING TIPS:

Don’t be afraid to use larger scale furniture in a small space. Larger furniture will actually make the room feel bigger than it is. With that said, do pay attention to how furniture would fit in a room and it might impact the traffic flow in and out of a space.
Small spaces often times lack much architectural or visual detail so create your own by painting one wall in an accent color. The furthest wall in the room is a good option because it will draw the eye into the space and actually make the visually recede, creating more depth.
Hang curtains on the wall with the rod as high as possible to make the ceiling appear taller.
Add decorating elements in the room that create visual height and width like bookcases and artwork. And when selecting artwork, don’t shy away for large pieces will can create a focal point within the room.
Create an interesting accessory mix so the eye has lots of pretty things to look at around the room, taking the focus off of the size of the room.
Make sure there is sufficient lighting in the room. Lighting enhances a space and there should be multiple lighting options within a room.

Ok, here’s one more look at Ulochi’s living room…

Design Plan:

The room really needs some finishing touches to create the romantic and cozy vibe the Ulochi wants. The first thing I could recommend is painting the back wall in a soft aqua color like Benjamin Moore Heavenly Blue. The color will work great with the grey sofa and keeps the room feeling light and airy.

Then I’d add a few accent furniture pieces and decor to bring the room to life. All of the pieces I’m recommending for this space are from Wayfair, Target and Pier One and this entire look is less than $900.

Design Plan Details:

Sawhorse Ladder Bookcase from Wayfair–leaning bookshelves are a good space-saving option that still provides for storage and display space. Ulochi can place plants on the higher shelves so they will be out of the reach of her daughter. The lower shelves can be use to decorative accessories and books. And a basket on the bottom shelf will provide concealed storage and add texture to the room.
A round coffee table like this Carolyn Coffee Table from Wayfair will help to visually break up all of the rectangular shapes in the room and anchor the sectional. A round coffee table also makes it easier to move around the seating area in a small room.
The Dmitry End Table, also from Wayfair will anchor one side of the sofa and provide an additional surface for someone to use. I recommend a light grey finish to provide visual contrast to the stained wood floors and furniture.
Right now the only light source in the room is the overhead ceiling light. The Adesso Hamilton Floor Lamp placed behind the end table will provide additional lighting and add an element of visual height.
The wall opposite the window is an ideal spot for a piece of artwork. The goal would be to create visual impact and that can be done with one larger piece of art or a grouping that reads as one statement. With the fabric and furniture colors, I think the Watercolor Poppy 1 art from Wayfair would be dynamic. This piece is available in several sizes and also had a coordinating mate if someone wanted two pieces of art.
The finishing touch beyond accessories would be pillows. Pier 1 has a great selection of pillows to fit the color story I’m building. I choose the Textured Striped Mineral Pillow along with the Luxe Velvet Mineral Blue pillow for the sofa. Pairing a solid and stripe are a great balance with the floral art.

When it comes to shopping for accessories, there are so many some great options for budget friendly decor. In addition to Pier 1, Wayfair and Target, here are a few of my favorite stores to shop for decor:

ACCESSORY RESOURCE LIST:

Kirkland’s has lots of options that will fit a farm-house decor theme and it’s also a great resource for artwork and bookcase accessories.
HomeGoods is a given when shopping for bookcase decor. I love their selection of trays, vases and decorative objects. And it always pays off to take a stroll through the pillow aisle.
I recently discovered that At Home has a great pillow department. Even though lots of their pillows don’t have down inserts, many of the cases have zip closures so it’s easy to change the insert out. I also like their selection of inexpensive accessories.

Ulochi has a great foundation started for her living room and with a few additional pieces and some accessorizing, she’ll have the home of her dreams.

Design Chat: Sectional Styling & A Family Room Refresh

June 16, 2017

I continue to get emails from people who have read my blog post or found my pin How To Style A Sectional Sofa. I wrote the original blog in 2014 and there are over 25,000 re-pins on Pinterest. And when I wrote the post, I didn’t realize so many people are challenged with decorating around a sectional sofa.

My most recent email was from MJ who is looking to update her family room. She wants to trade in her current sofa and loveseat for a new sectional with chaise. And she wants to replace the recliner with two accent chairs. Here’s how MJ posed her design challenge to me…

“Hello, I came across your article on Pinterest and was hoping to get your advice. I have attached two pics of my great room as I want to purchase a new sectional (would love a chaise), but with a corner fireplace, I am not sure how or if that would even work. Also get confused on how to determine if I need a right arm facing or left arm facing chaise. One picture shows the wall across from the stairs where the chaise portion of a sectional would be placed with the longer sofa portion obviously along the area across from stairway. My plan is to purchase two complementary accent chairs to be placed in front of window wall. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

Here are the photos of MJ’s family room now. As you can see, MJ’s family room is not large and the brown/beige color palette that takes it cues from the carpet and wall color.

After studying the room layout, I created an inspiration board and outlined a few suggestions that will help MJ execute a new look for her home.

The Inspiration

Family Room Refresh: Design Suggestions

FIND FURNITURE THAT FITS: With the size of MJ’s family room, a large sectional will fit with ease. I recommend a left arm sectional which will position the sectional on the long wall opposite the TV. Selecting the right size sectional will allow for side tables and lamps on each end creating a cozy sitting arrangement.

tip: When looking at sectionals, left facing and right facing refers to the arm placement when looking at the sectional sofa head on (not when sitting on it).

CREATE A COLOR STORY: The foundation of every room is its color palette. The current color scheme in MJ’s family room is somewhat flat. The main color in the room is brown with a little deviation in tones form one brown to another. What I recommend is combining more shades and variation of tan and brown which will give the room depth, dimension and visual interest. Since the sectional will be the largest piece in the room, a lighter color fabric will provide a contrast against the walls and carpet.

PUMP UP THE COLOR: I also recommend pumping up the use of accent colors in the room. Right now the only significant accent color is the teal lamp shades o n the table lamps. Using the teal as the accent color I would bring in more of this color with patterned pillows and drapes. Curtains will add softness to the room and define and create a focal point around the windows.

tip: when adding patternwork to a room, combine patterns in different in scale so they don’t fight with each other and each individual design stands out.

tip: hang your drapery rod as high as possible to maximize the visual effect of taller ceilings and a more open space.

MIX UP THE MATERIALS AND FINISHES: Another way to add depth and dimension to a room is by using pieces that are made of different materials and/or finishes. My suggestion is to replace with wood side tables with tables made of iron and glass. The glass will not take up any visual space and the iron will keep the tables from looking whimsy. For additional contrast, I’d place a painted wood accent table between the chairs in front of the window. Painted furniture will introduce even more color and another finish in the room.

ADD STYLE WITH SHAPE: Having little to no variation in the shape of furniture within a room is a common decorating mistake. Having too many elements in one shape (i.e. square or rectangular) can result in a room that feels heavy and overloaded. A combination of square, round and other shapes creates visual interest and movement for the eye. In MJ’s room I’ve suggested round side tables to add that needed contrast.

PERSONALIZE YOUR STYLE: In addition to new furniture and a pumped up color palette, here are the other suggestions I had for MJ…

Hang the mirror over the mantel versus leaning it. Hanging the mirror will balance the fireplace and create separation between the mantel and the mirror.
Hang a larger piece of artwork on the long wall facing the TV. A larger piece of art will add color, visual interest and create a secondary focal point within the room.
Replace the lamps with a style that has more substance and shape. Your lamp base and shade should feel proportion to the scale of the furniture in the room Lamps are also an easy way to introduce more color into a room. Note how the lamp shade color in my recommended style picks up the lighter neutral in the pillows and curtains.
Upsize the TV cabinet with a larger piece. The current TV console is a bit small and makes the entire TV arrangement feel diminutive. A larger tv cabinet will work better with the scale of the fireplace and furniture within the room.
Paint the inside of the front door an accent color. Painting MJ’s door will add so much visual interest within the entire entrance/family room space. And the color will visually link the two areas together. The inspiration photo for the door is below.

One other thing I wanted to point out is that while MJ’s room could benefit from a patterned area rug, I wouldn’t recommend it because of the plush wall to wall carpeting. It’s fine to layer a rug over a low pile carpet with plush carpeting an area rug tends to crawl.

Do you have a design challenge? Leave me a comment and your space just might be featured here on ConfettiStyle.

SHOP THE INSPIRATION BOARD:

Sectional Sofa // Round Pedestal Table // Floral Pillow // Teal Velvet Pillow // Plaid Tattersall Pillow

Abstract Art // Brown Accent Chair // Glass Table Lamps

Geometric Blackout Curtains // Round Glass and Iron Side Table // Black TV Cabinet

Design Chat: Accessorizing Bookshelves and adding the finishing touches

February 14, 2017

I received an email from one of my blog reader, Megan who was looking for help with the wall decor and accessorizing the built-in bookshelves in her family room. The bookshelves and the walls have been empty for 3 years and Megan doesn’t know where to start with a decorating plan. She is also struggling with the sofa, which she’s not a fan of but others in the family are.

Here’s a look at Megan’s family room…

And here’s my design vision for Megan’s room…

THE COLOR PALETTE

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The tan sofa, beige walls and white built-in shelves create a neutral color foundation for the room. The area rug has different tones of red, browns and green in it so that should be the jumping off point for accessorizing the rest of the room.

The expanse of white shelving surrounding the TV needs a major pop of personality. Beyond getting the right mix of accessories, I recommend that Megan either paint the backs of the bookshelves in an accent color or cover the backs with a grass cloth wallpaper. Wallpaper would achieve two things–1) color and 2) visual texture which would really enhance the space.

When painting the backs of bookshelves, I usually recommend that you go a shade or two light or darker than your wall color.

ACCESSORIZING

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When it comes to decorating bookshelves, the items you decorate with are just as important as how you arrange them. Here are a few tips on accessorizing bookshelves and a graphic with accessory groupings that always work.

Create depth ‘top to bottom’ and ‘front to back’. Arrange items so the pieces are not at the same level or position of the shelf. Your accessories should feel layered and not uniform.
Vary the size, scale and shape of your accessories. Decorate with a variety of items to create visually interesting arrangements. And also keep in mind that if your shelves are adjustable you can create wider openings which will allow for larger decorative pieces.
Create balance from shelf to shelf and side to side. As you arrange items, step back to make sure the overall look of each shelf and each side of the fireplace feels balanced.

For more bookcase decorating tips, read my post 5 Ways To Style Your Bookcase.

WALL DECOR & SOFA STYLING

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Wall decor is one of the most important elements of accessorizing a room. In many cases your wall decor will serve as the focal point for the room. In Megan’s room, the wall decor will provide a dominate impact statement within the room so it needs to be dynamic.

I recommend a large piece of artwork flanked by starburst mirrors for the most visible wall in the family room. A piece of art will add color and draw you in to the room. Mirrors will add a graphic detail and enhance the light coming in from the opposite window.

To enhance the sofa, Megan should add accent pillows and a small-scale bent arm floor lamp at the end of the sectional providing much-needed task lighting.

FUNCTIONAL DECOR

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The other decorative items I’d recommend is a console table behind the sofa, an accent chair near the built-ins and curtain panels for the windows.

A console table will visually extend the partial wall behind the sofa and create an additional surface for a lamp and accessories.

The accent chair will provide additional seating and create a more balance space, filling the now empty corner.

Curtain panels will add softness and another pattern element within the room.

THE LOOK

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Unique accessories and colorful wall decor is all that is needed to bring Megan’s room to life.

Design Chat: Arranging Artwork For Impact & Style

January 26, 2017

One of the things I enjoy most about writing this blog is sharing design tips and helping you solve your design dilemmas. Last year I started a series called Design Chat series where I answer your design questions and provide decorating tips and inspiration. I’m excited to continue the series in 2017 and today I addressing a design challenge that Jennette has.

Here’s the comment and question Jennette sent to me…

“Shelly, I found your blog in spring 2016 while searching how to style a sectional sofa on Pinterest. I love your design tips! Right now my design dilemma is how to hang art on a long, odd wall when there is already one picture over a chair.”

Artwork can be one of the most challenging aspects of decorating your home. Once you’ve identified the type of artwork you want, you then need to come up with a plan for a dynamic wall statement.

As you can see in Jennette’s family room, she originally hung the artwork over the chair to anchor that seating area. While this isn’t bad, the rest of the wall is left blank and feels somewhat disconnected.

Here are my suggestions to pull the room together…

My suggestion for Jennette would be to create a gallery wall arrangement on that wall using the piece of artwork she owns as the centerpiece. A collection of framed pieces will create a focal point on that wall and anchor the space in total.

I also recommend a few other changes…

1) add a tall plant in the corner to add height and color. The small stool would move to the opposite side of the tv cabinet.

2) replace the double arm floor lamp with a fun table lamp.

3) add a cushion to the top of the bench and maybe even lean a couple of pillows on top.

4) a larger cabinet under the TV to give that wall more impact and to feel more proportionate with the TV.

On the opposite side of the room where the sofa sits, here’s what I recommend…

Hang candle sconces on each side of the mirror to give the wall over the sofa more impact. And remove the wall mounted light and position the double arm floor lamp next to the side table.

And my product picks for Jeanette’s room…

candle sconce // table lamp // fabric for cushion // black cabinet // plant basket

Overall, Jennette’s family room has a great foundation. With a few tweaks and additions, I think she’ll have the space she desires.

Looking for tips on creating a gallery wall arrangement, read my blog post here.

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If you’ve got a design challenge, email me and we’ll chat!

Design Chat: What Size Area Rug Do You Need?

May 19, 2016

Hi friends. The focus of this Design Chat post is area rugs. Quite often I get questions from readers who are challenged with what size area rug to get for their living/family room.

The most recent question came from Rocio who was having a hard time with a rug for her family room. Here’s the question Rocio posed to me…

“Hi Shelly, I have a sectional it measure 9 feet by 7 feet for the chaise part of sofa. I have no clue on what size area rug I need to buy. I do have a rectangular coffee table/ottoman in front and just order 2 Moroccan poufs. Do I need to place the poufs on the rug? Please help!!!! Thank you so much! Rocio”

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SELECTING THE RIGHT SIZE AREA RUG

Many times the shape and size of a room will dictate the size of rug the room needs. Other times the size and scale of furniture will influence which rug is best for the space. Selection the right size rug boils down to a few simple things:

The rug (size, placement and color) should like its part of the overall design plan of the room. The rug will serve as one of the key focal points within a room.
The rug should anchor the seating area and help create a sense of coziness.
3. The rug should not overpower a room or the furniture that surround it but should enhance the space.

Here’s a visual graphic I created that with tips on selecting the right size rug.

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After providing a few tips and suggestions to Rocio, she purchased a rug and sent me a photo of the design and color she selected. Given the small footprint of the room, this rug size works well to anchor the sectional and not impede into the dining area to the left or the area to the right. And since design is all about the details, here are some additional suggestions I have for Rocio to really pull this space together:

♦ Add a couple of pillows to the sofa at will bring in more color and pattern work.

♦ Replace the grey throw with a lighter color to highlight the lighter color in the rug.

♦ Add a side table on the short end of the sectional. A table with a metallic finish would relate to the material on the metallic poufs.

♦ Hang curtain panels on the window to anchor the eating area and add additional softness to the room.

And I quickly pulled together an inspiration board to illustrate the ideas.

SHOP THIS DESIGN:

Blue Ikat Pillow / Gold Metallic Leopard Pillow / Navy Velvet Pillow / Gold End Table / Woven Throw / Navy Curtain Panels

Gold Metallic Pouf / Navy Velvet Ottoman

Until next time…

Design Chat: Selecting a Sofa (and developing an accessory plan)

April 28, 2016

I’ve got another installment of Design Chat for you today, where I answer and provide design advice to a readers question.

Like many of the other Design Chat questions, Kimberly’s design challenge centered on finding the right sofa for her living room. Here’s the question Kimberly posed about a sectional she was considering…

“I read your blog about the do’s and font’s of a sectional and I am strongly considering this sectional for my room. Here are my questions…
1. Is the sectional too dark? I have tons of sunlight. I am wanting to steer away from the tan/beige, and I hear grays are very neutral, but I don’t want it to be a fad thing. The size is 115 X 115.
2. The back of the sectional would face the direction of looking into the room to define that space b/c I don’t want to block the bay windows.
I have a family of 5 and we purchased a single couch with the intent on adding more chairs, but they hated it b/c we couldn’t all sit together. Therefore, that’s why I am looking at the sectional, I know it limits us when it comes to moving furniture around. What do you think? ”

Here’s the space that Kimberly is dealing with. You can see that the room is pretty large, has a great span of windows at the far end and a fireplace and bookshelves that sit on one wall.

And here’s the sectional that Kimberly is considering. She spotted this piece at End Up Furniture in Greenville, SC.

Ok Kimberly, here’s what I think.

Given the size of your room I think this sectional is a great option. The scale looks good and the sofa will really anchor the room. As far as the color goes, the darker grey get two thumbs up from me. Grey is definitely considered a neutral and are a great alternative to a lighter khaki or tan colors. You can feel confident that grey will not go out of style in the coming years.

Looking at the other elements in the room here’s a couple of suggestions I have to round out the space.

♦ Place side tables at both ends of the sectional piece that sits along the wall and add tabletop lamps to make that sofa functional for reading etc.

♦ Highlight the window with drapes. You could either hang panels at the far ends of the bay window or at all the break points along the window which would give you four hanging panels. Curtains will add softness and allow you to bring some color into the space.

♦ I’d also suggest to create vignette or small sitting area at the window so that space feels purposeful. Maybe place an upholstered bench under the center window or two accent chairs with a small side table between.

♦ Finally, I’d hang a larger piece of artwork on the wall over the sofa to balance the TV wall and overall scale of the room. And relook your rug, maybe adding something with minimized pattern work. Both of these areas give you another opportunity to bring some color and pattern into the room.

Here’s a quick inspiration board I pulled together, to give Kimberly an idea for a color and accessory palette to work with her new sofa.

update: Kimberly purchased the sofa and it was delivered earlier this week. She’s on her way to a new space for her family to enjoy.

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You might also like these posts (click on image):

Design Chat: The Perfect Pillow Formula

February 29, 2016

image via BHG

Happy Monday friends. I’ve got another round of my Design Chat series for you today and I’m answering a question about selecting and styling pillows for your sofa.

Deziree is having trouble selecting pillows for her living room sofa and posed the following question to me…

” I have had the hardest time styling my living room. I have purchased probably 8 sets of curtains, multiple pillows, hand-made covers, and I still have not finished it. My walls are a grey taupe and my sectional is tan and I currently have natural ivory off white linen curtains. I would love help with picking pillow colors, patterns, shapes and amounts for my sectional. Any suggestion”?

I’ve gotten this question on more than one occasion from readers and I hope the tips I’m sharing will help you if you’re struggling with your pillow decor.

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