Help with interior decorating

[maureenirl]

We are building a new living room onto our family home. it'll be a fairly big room with a chimney and stove. I want the room to look well and be comfortable but I dont know where to start with decorating it. I dont have a fortune to pay an interior decorator. Is there any websites where I can get help and ideas, or an online decorating service. thanks

[mojay]

Given that opportunity I'd simply emulsion cream/ivory etc and wait a while to get the feel of the space and atmosphere before making a decision

[Zacs-Master]

What sort of look are you after. Minimal & contemporary, shabby chique, country cottage?

[maureenirl]

Definitely not country cottage, not minimal either. Sorry if thats not helpful. Unfortunatley mojay some decisions have to be made during the build, such as what type of chimney to have. I've searched the web for fireplace or chimney designs without much success.

[Zacs-Master]

Is by a couple of interior design mags if I were you and get some inspiration.

[mojay]

I was about to say that Zac - but also - my thoughts are not to make a big feature of the chimney etc because when you tire of it - it's expensive to change - and then you tend not to bother but it becomes an irritation

[maureenirl]

Will do that. Good idea. Thanks for your help

[annie0000]

sometimes all you need is one piece to build your design around, that could be a sofa, a pair of curtains , wallpaper or even a cushion or onrnament.

Find one thing you love and take it from there :o)

I saw a pair of Laura Ashley curtains I had to have and the rest of the scheme just fell into place. I have a limited pallet of colours I have in my home and each room has one or a combination of those, mine are a pale green, red, teal, duck egg and some neutrals added (pale grey, mushroom, ivory). My livingroom is ivory, grey and red and is really warm and welcoming.

[welshlibranr]

I would definately have an inset fireplace, so cosy, but I'd keep it simple!..........

[annie0000]

these are the curtains I started with:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...ize&item=261002417603

[annie0000]

not sure that link is working:
http://www.ebay.co.uk...4f4d5c3#ht_2554wt_932

[owdhamer]

Me lady alex is a good start

[maureenirl]

Curtains are beautiful annie. Will take all your advice on board. Not sure what you mean owdhamer.....

[owdhamer]

me lady is well versed in such matters

[rowanwitch]

Find one beautiful thing you really love a painting...a rug or a piece of pottery and work from there once you know the look you generally want google it e.g Home Decor warm tones latest trends and work from their the paintand wallpaper companies websites are often good also the bigger home ware and textile suppliers. Magazines help... create a theme board with the ideas you like and look at it at different times of the day...

I have designed gardens and my first question was always this...

Which would you instinctively choose

A earthenware pottery mug.... A modern 'printed' mug A china teacup and saucer, A modern class and chrome coffee cup... or a stay hot coffee container...

Answer this I will come back later

[maureenirl]

I see what you're getting at. I like pottery mugs but not a room based on that country style theme. I'd veer more towards the modern printed mug but not as far as glass and chrome.

[rowanwitch]

Ok next question

tulip rose fern cactus

[tinkerbell23]

Have a look through websites like next or b&q etc xx