Julia: Amanda - yes! I have been to their blog and I love it!! I haven't seen that post before though - it's perfect! You need to come over and give your opinion this weekend![Feb 4, 10 @ 2:55pm]
Amanda: Ah, setting up furniture...always fun...here's a blog with lots of usefulness for you:
http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/10/rug-rules-101/
I definitely think that the furniture in a living room should never be all on the rug...always hanging off a little in all directions.
Maybe one of those amorphous cowhide rugs would spice it up a bit ;)[Feb 4, 10 @ 7:38am]
Julia: @Sarah - nope - I've been looking at it for nearly a year and haven't figured it out. Now time for your help...
@Monica - What rugs did you purchase?? Glad to know you like the rugs! We had the loveseat on the other side for months - but then realized that company NEVER sat in the family room when I was in the kitchen. It must be a harder spot for conversation. My mother-in-law moved it and we suddenly had people in there more! It's unfortunate because it does block the view/flow some.[Feb 3, 10 @ 8:00pm]
Julia: @Lynn - Thanks so much! I'll check out her blog! My first concern might be softness for a future baby though. And yes! We do eventually want a table there! If you happen to know any that you think would look good there - please let me know! I found one, but I think it's too tall. [Feb 3, 10 @ 7:49pm]
Julia: Thank you SO much for the feedback and advice!
@ Taneha - I'd love to see a picture of two rugs used. I think I've only seen rugs layered (like an animal rug on top of a regular rug).
@Aimee - I would totally do that, but Tyson said no way. He said he wants to "sit at the focal point of his 7.1 surrond system"...oh well..
[Feb 3, 10 @ 7:44pm]
Monica: This will open up the walk way into and out of the house. I would also consider putting an accent chair in the corner by the sliding glass door. It will look pretty and can be pulled up for seating when company is over. Good Luck!![Feb 3, 10 @ 6:52pm]
Monica: I completely understand what you are going through. We just bought two large rugs also and it was not easy! I highly recommend Overstock.com and RugsUsa.com. It is a little nerve racking to order online, but the cost-savings are awesome. I definitely support what a previous poster said about bringing the couch back a little bit and putting a console table behind it. Also, I would consider putting the love seat on the other side of the couch, so that it is facing the sliding glass doors. [Feb 3, 10 @ 6:51pm]
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com: I think this is the sort of thing that takes standing in the room to figure out. At least, I hope so, because I have NO IDEA what to do in your shoes. Good luck![Feb 3, 10 @ 5:37pm]
Lynn Soon: Oooh, so many options with this floorplan! There's so many things I would do, here are some suggestions:
1.) Bigger rug, have you ever thought of seagrass? Check out Cote de Texas blog - she's a huge fan of seagrass and it looks so good and is apparently affordable.
2.) I would totally bring that couch back and put a console table behind it and use that outlet in the middle of the floor with some lamps! That would also free up space to add a variety of seating on both sides![Feb 3, 10 @ 5:32pm]
Aimee: What about the couch and loveseat facing each other with a chair in the corner? So, if you were sitting on the couch you would be looking at the sliding glass door instead of the TV. [Feb 3, 10 @ 4:47pm]
Taneha: Oh, and good luck! I'm sure whatever you decide will look great![Feb 3, 10 @ 4:15pm]
Taneha: I'm not a decorator, but here are my thoughts...I personally like the couch sitting farther back. It looks like it opens up the room more, which would be great for when you have company over; and I prefer to sit farther away from the TV when watching it. As for the rug issue...my parents had a similar problem with their living room. They solved it by getting two rugs and placing them side by side. It made the room look complete and not like everything had to fit on one rug. Hope this helps![Feb 3, 10 @ 4:14pm]