I decided to just start something, so I reached for the Dremel to drill the holes for the lamp wires to run down through the floor. I had a rough idea where the lamp for the dining room would go - on the buffet, but thought I better just get it out and check the fit and placement. Not wanting to commit to either end at this point, I drilled a hole on either end. I'll make outlet covers later and feed the wires into them so they look more realistic. They may be hard to see in the second photo if you don't know where to look.
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| The dining room is difficult to access so I turned the house on its side. |
Once I had that piece out, I decided I better audition the rest of the furniture and make sure it was all going to fit. I originally planned to have four dining chairs, but after loading everything into the narrow room, I think I'll go with two.
Since I added the larger staircase, the entry space by the front door became very limited in width and height. I exchanged the originally planned entry table with the small buffet because it was narrower. I had a couple mirrors but I wasn't sure which one was going where. In the end I opted for the shorter gilded mirror for the entry space. I'll adjust the height later when I know what lamp and accessories I'll be using here. For now, it was enough just to make sure the pieces will work and to get the lamp wire hole drilled.
I had a small table in mind with a lamp on top for in between the chairs. I am glad I didn't drill the hole in the floor until I checked the fit - with the shelf and column supports there is just no room. Now I'll plan an access hole on top of the shelf so I have the option to place a lamp there. Although there is not much room, I think the two chairs, coffee table and sofa are going to work out fine for the space.
Today I am going to spackle some gaps and touch up the paint. In looking at the photos, I am not thrilled with the white corner moldings and may paint them to blend in with the walls. I'll also decide on window and door hardware and get that installed. I have material to make the window coverings and probably also want to get them made and installed before the ceiling is permanently installed. Oh, and drill a couple more holes for can lights in the dining room, and install the can lights everywhere, and install the power strip plug behind the chimney breast and, and, and...
Okay - I think I'm rolling again. Just hope I don't forget something!
Have a great weekend!
Jodi
Looks fabulous! :D I agree the corner pieces should match your wall color. It will make everything else pop more.
ReplyDeleteI got them painted today and it definitely looks better - less dollhousy.
DeleteJodi, loving your furniture placement, it's starting to really come together and look like an elegant but comfy home. Hope you are over your inertia. It can be hard to get back to a project when the next things to do are mundane or fiddly, but I think your small steps forward are the perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shannon! So many ideas and still so many questions. If I can them them to gel I'll be happy. Otherwise I am getting out the Christmas house and starting on it!
DeleteI agree, your corner pieces are almost glaringly white.
ReplyDeleteI love your furniture placement, though I have issues with the back of the couch what people will see when they look at the house. And your chairs on the opposite side seem to infringe upon your walking space to the dining room.
Have you considered a narrower, oval, coffee table and switching the couch and chairs? You could place the chairs at angles towards each other and give views a window to look in the room.
I'm in love with how your entry way looks! And the entire house is so elegant.
Thanks, Sheila - The edited white definitely looks better! It is going to be a tight fit to get everything into the space. I'll need to do more arranging again once the sofa is put together and upholstered. And I'm not sure at this point how far the window coverings will stick out so that will be a factor, too.
DeleteYour New Orleans house is looking SMASHING and your furniture arrangements are Very Well planned Jodi! I love what you've chosen for under the stairs, the proportions of the chest and the mirror are spot on! And I agree with your reduced number of chairs for the dining room as well.
ReplyDeleteI am soooo glad that you've decided to add a light to the niche over the fireplace- YIPEE and I love your arrangement for the living room too although I know that once you have your sofa built that it will change the atmosphere all over again. I love the round coffee table but wonder if you are planning to install an area rug or leaving the wood exposed?
I am really impressed with how things are looking at this stage.
My only other comment is regarding the 2 dark chairs side by side, because they tend to dominate the room and look a bit throne-ish. Have you considered separating them by angling them so there is a wider path in-between them?
This is just a consideration since I know you are still working the floor plan out.
Regardless, I'm glad that you're still on board with this build Jodi, and are working through your slump in a beautifully pro-active way! :D
elizabeth
Thank you, Elizabeth! It is so nice to hear confirmation on some of the choices. Many eyes are always better than mine alone, and I have often gone back to something and wondered what I must have been thinking.
DeleteThank you also for the push to add the light to the niche. I trust your instincts and always love what you do. I am going to add an area rug - I have to print it myself since the space is so small, odd, limited. I am also going to soften all the shiny gold with gilder's paste including on the chairs. I am still completely undecided on the surface for the column shelf top. Faux marble? What do you think?
Separating the chairs might be just the thing. I'll take some photos again when the time comes and ask what you think.
The more photos I take and look at and the longer the space between working on it, I seem to be finding all kinds of "improve" or "do-over" opportunities. I think this is going to be a project where it pays off to ask for advice, take my time, and to not be afraid to rip something out and make it better.
It means so much to me to have your advice and support, Elizabeth! Thank you again!
Hi Jodi! I hear you regarding your reply of "finding all kinds of Improve or do-over opportunities" when there is a lengthy time lapse in between. It's that way for me too. Which is usually a good thing -sometimes. :/
DeleteI like your idea for marble, but I can never really tell if something will work or not until I see it, which is why it always takes me twice as long to do anything, so if you're not sure, do a faux top and then see what you think.
I will say this though, I personally like to repeat elements elsewhere in a build, so perhaps if you do a marble top on your bookcase, you could also have it perhaps in your kitchen and/or bath.
Having seen your Amazing work and your excellent design ascetic- I KNOW that whatever you decide on will be Exactly RIGHT! ♡
The mock ups are a great idea, Elizabeth! I can just paint up some card stock with the different ideas, post some photos and get some opinions. I have never attempted faux marble, so we'll see if that is even a contender. If it looks any good I'd love to have the marble for the kitchen countertops!
DeleteGosh, everything is looking fabulous. You have such beautiful furniture.. which is only fitting for the beautiful job you are doing on the structure. I covet that Bespaq coffee table. I've been eyeing one off on ebay for ever.. lol
ReplyDeleteOh, and I concur on the corner trim. I think it would be better as the wall colour also.
Loving watching this build. :D
Thanks, Sam! I am glad to have your eyes and opinion! I have been collecting the furniture for a long time and it is always scary to see if it is actually going to work out the way you envision. I love the coffee table, too, but still need to figure out a finish for it. All my ideas so far have been kind of meh... What do you think?
DeleteI agree with painting the molding, and I think it will open up the space. When I have a block, I start on something else. That's why i have so many things unfinished. It's just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia! I did go ahead and paint them to match the walls and it does look so much better - not so broken up. I have also been tempted to start on the Christmas house, so I can bounce back and forth between inspirations. If I can get over the concern about having enough space to work on two at a time, that is...
DeleteI find it hard to place furniture and imagine a person actually walking around the room, when you're viewing it from above. I think you've found some great solutions and you're using the space well. Glad you're on a roll again :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks Pepper! I am hoping that it all looks cohesive in the end. I really appreciate all the advice!
DeleteHello Jodi,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful house it will be! I really love the dining room and I think 2 chairs really does look perfect. I think 4 would not only crown the space, but take away from the atmosphere and character you have created. I really like the furniture placement in the living room as well. Did you consider separating the chairs so as to have a larger space for circulation? I have to agree with you about the corner molding. I love a lot of molding in a room, but I think painting it to match the walls would work best in this space. The white makes it feel crowded somehow. Keep up your amazing work. It is just beautiful.
Big hug
Giac
Thank you, Giac! I think you are so right about the moldings accenting rather than competing with one another. I need to keep this in mind as I move on with window treatments. I also like the idea of separating the chairs. I may also re-build the shelf unit a little narrower to eek out a bit more space. I think this may be the first time in a build where I have actually let time pass and ideas marinate instead of just plowing forward. Time to think and asking for help is going to make it so much better in the end. I really appreciate all the great advice!
DeleteIt's looking fabulous Jodi! I love the overall style of the place, for some reason I didn't catch on that it was going to be so formal! Everything is coming together beautifully! I also wanted to say that I like your idea to paint the white wall mouldings in the same paint as the walls. They are raised up so I think you will still see them well. Looking forward to seeing more :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristine! My idea was to have some pieces that tie the house back to mixed French historical periods, but have them used in a much more casual and contemporary way. Since I know so little about all of that I am really having to stop and think, research, try and fail, and especially ask for help. I am so grateful to have our community chiming in - I'd be lost and regretful without you!
DeleteLooking amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alexandra! I think I like where it is going, but there is still so much to decide on!
DeletePoco a poco. Está quedando muy bien.
ReplyDeleteGracias Isabel! Es muy amable de tu parte comentar!
ReplyDelete