Need ideas to update my living room... (floors, drapes, mantel)

[MMichelle]

I like the wood (cedar?) paneling and cabnets - I'd keep that. Refinish the hard wood floors and go for a lodge look.
Replace the tile around the fireplace with a drystack stone. It's not as expensive as you might think.

[moonshadow]

Originally Posted by limike820

I just posted the picture a little bigger. All opinions welcome...

If you're unsure about what to do with the panelling I'd go with working with what you have inexpensively before painting or removing it.

A pair of complimenting pictures hung on either side of the fire place (above each of the cupboards) in lighter colours and something simple but elegant on the mantlepiece instead of the stereo could look good and all you'd have to do is hammer a couple of nails.

Maybe do that and see what you think BEFORE painting or removing the panelling? Also consider what your current storage situation is. I wouldn't remove those cupboards if you are short on storage. They'd be a great place for glasswear, cd's, dvd etc. Putting modern handles on the cabinet doors could also jazz them up quite inexpensively.

If you've only just purchased you're going to find that decorating a new home can be a total money pit so maybe go with small changes first?

[limike820]

thanks for the great ideas, i want to start with the small changes first to see how it looks. I will post the pics as soon as i do it. I also need to rip out all the carpet from the other bedrooms and stairs. The previous owners used to have a dog in the house and im allergic. I just cant wait to finally close on the house and move in. thanks

[beachmel]

I would worry about pulling the carpeting first, then see what you've got to work with. IMHO, wood floors are always worth the effort to refinish. I love you wood! All you need are mirrors and artwok to brighten up the end wall. Also, I'm a real fan of bamboo blinds (real or faux), with some fabric decorating above and/or beside the window. If you really feel the need to get rid of some of the wood, you can always upholster some hardwood panels and mount them to the walls. If saveable, I alwasy think saving wood is better than getting rid of it. Good wood is hard to come by...not to mention pricey. A large area rug would also brighten up your floor once the rug is gone. By the way, if you are willing to do the work yourself, there are tons of how-to's out there. Nothing much in the way of home renovation is brain surgery. Let's face it, most of the folks you meet, who are "experts" in the home repair/renovation industry aren't brain surgeons.....hehe....course, most brain surgeons probably don't know how to do home repairs and remodeling either. If you can read, you can remodel and renovate. You've come to a great place though. Lots of folks one here are so very helpful and the fact that you're here shows you're not afraid to ask questions....big plus!

[whoisjongalt]

Definitely rip up the carpet and restore the wood floors! I kind of like your wood wall too. It works well with the fireplace. If you want something more modern looking, I would rip it all out and re-drywall it but I would not paint it. That always looks kind of cheesy to me especially when it's paneling.

[Decorchallenged]

I am very sick of McMansions and all other things NEW. I have developed a real appreciation for any home that has some character. That paneling, speaks of a bygone era.

You haven’t mentioned the age of the home or whether the other rooms are similarly dated. This would be an important consideration to me. I think it’s nice when the whole house reflects the same period. Otherwise, the modernized rooms make it look like the older rooms are waiting for their make-overs.

[tambre]

I love the space and light in your living room. I would dry wall over the paneling above the fireplace, and insert mirrors, or dry wall , in the small shelf areas over the cabinets. I would leave the cabinets, dress them up with some molding to make them look more raised-panelled, or add new cabinet doors, and add new funky hardware. If you are refinishing the wood floors, you may want to paint the ceiling and walls first, before you rip up the carpet.

[Kele]

That so called paneling looks a lot like pine to me. My ex husband's father liked to use it when he built houses in the 1960s and 70s, his entire living room is done in it--it would cost a hefty penny to put in the same sort of thing today. I would sand it down to the wood and refinish it with a lighter varnish if it were me. Whatever you do, don't paint over it. That would ruin it.

On the carpet, I agree with everyone else. Rip it up carefully and see what you've got underneath before going any further. Many older homes have beautiful wood floors in need of a bit of love underneath ugly carpeting.

In addition, I'd go with a lighter slate or ceramic tile around the fireplace--the greyish color is too stark and cold against the warmth of the wood. Something in a warmer tone...think Tuscan.

[beachmel]

Originally Posted by Kele

That so called paneling looks a lot like pine to me. My ex husband's father liked to use it when he built houses in the 1960s and 70s, his entire living room is done in it--it would cost a hefty penny to put in the same sort of thing today. I would sand it down to the wood and refinish it with a lighter varnish if it were me. Whatever you do, don't paint over it. That would ruin it.

On the carpet, I agree with everyone else. Rip it up carefully and see what you've got underneath before going any further. Many older homes have beautiful wood floors in need of a bit of love underneath ugly carpeting.

In addition, I'd go with a lighter slate or ceramic tile around the fireplace--the greyish color is too stark and cold against the warmth of the wood. Something in a warmer tone...think Tuscan.

I was actually thinking that trying a stain on that stone/tile on the fireplace would be a cost efficient way of changing the tone. Of course, I suppose that would depend on whether or not it's porous enough.

[Kele]

I don't know--the tile looks like slate and I doubt a stain would penetrate it. I'd just take it out and go with something warmer, actual color to be determined by the rest of the room.