Modsy living room (pic heavy)

[k3am]

So we got our design plans in. I had a really hard time indicating my design preferences, so that was a pain, even using their style quiz, since I like a little of everything. Their quiz pegged me as "Modern and Minimal--Rustic and Warm--Traditional and Comfortable--I'm not sure about my style"

DH apparently hates all styles, so he was no help.

We gave them a blank canvas. Our only instructions were that we have kids, this room is going to be primarily for TV watching, comfort ranks over style, and that I need a space to workout in that can be easily reconfigured. For reference, here's what our room currently looks like. The furniture was bought 3 moves/11 years ago, and the rug was a "we won't be living with it long" purchase that I hate. We have nothing up on the walls yet. (The empty room off to the side is our dining room)



Here's what they came up with:

Design 1: I think I like the layout. The style is not our style. 













Design 2: I hate the layout, but I like the furniture better. I really dislike having the couch off center in the room/window. I get what they were trying to do by making a separate TV viewing area, but I'm not sure it looks right. From the 1st angle, I actually like it, but others, not so much. 










I also realize that I wasn't clear with them - I let them know we have kids, but this is really intended to be aimed at the adults and no toys or toy storage items in this room. They have full run of the family room.

[Mrs.flang]

The furniture in the second option definitely seems more comfortable/family friendly, but the couch being off center with the window bothers me. I do like the layout of the first one, but don't think there is enough comfortable seating. For a primarily tv watching area, I'd want much cushier couch and chairs and a place the whole family could snuggle up on.

[kittycatlove]

I definitely like the furniture better in the second option, but the off center couch would drive me crazy.

I think part of the problem is that Modsy's whole aesthetic leans more modern, so everything is going to be simple and more design/decorated and not as "comfy" for living (with children too), if that makes sense. So if modern isn't your jam, the furniture options probably won't really work. But I think you could definitely work with the layouts and ideas.

[k3am]

Is it weird that in option 1, you walk in and look at the back of the couch?

I think we’ll probably have them do a revision to option 1 at least and see if they can try for something more comfy/lived in. And also with less earth tones.

[kittycatlove]

I don't think it's too weird. If that's how you're going to use the room, with that layout then it is what it is. But you kind of have that "dead" space until you get to the couch. If your plan is to use for your workout area than it should be fine, but if you had envisioned using all the space for living and being able to workout in it, then the 2nd layout does that better.

[sandandsea]

Nov 14, 2018 16:43:07 GMT -5 k3am said:

Is it weird that in option 1, you walk in and look at the back of the couch?

I think we’ll probably have them do a revision to option 1 at least and see if they can try for something more comfy/lived in. And also with less earth tones.

I agree. I like the layout of #1 except there seems to be a lot of extra stuff. #2 seems really side heavy and imbalanced to me. I think it’d be easy to do #1 with better furnishings for your style. I think the table behind the couch makes it not weird.

[fryjack2]

I actually love #1 minus the rug

#2, I agree that the set up is not great.

I’m not sure how Modsy works (do you pay for these mock ups?) but can you tell them you like the items in #2, but can they rearrange them and resend a new mock up?

[k3am]

fryjack2 , you pay a flat price and they give you two layout options. You can then have them do revisions to the mockups. You can also go into their 3D editor and change out furniture from the stores they work with... It takes forever though. I think the furniture here is probably too crowded (and I didn't worry too much about furniture colors - they don't really match) but I like it better. And DH will insist that at least one of those chairs be a recliner, which I haven't seen on their site.

[Mrs.flang]

I love the new rug!

[k3am]

Nov 14, 2018 20:33:15 GMT -5 Mrs.flang said:

I love the new rug!

Me too. I’m sure DH will have strong feelings about it. 😉

[mrsukyankee]

I like your re-do a lot better (including the rug). You can always find a recliner elsewhere.

[dr.girlfriend]

I agree that I like the new rug. If you're bothered by seeing the back of the couch, you can always put a shallow console table or bookcase there:

[sandandsea]

Nov 14, 2018 19:04:24 GMT -5 k3am said:

fryjack2 , you pay a flat price and they give you two layout options. You can then have them do revisions to the mockups. You can also go into their 3D editor and change out furniture from the stores they work with... It takes forever though. I think the furniture here is probably too crowded (and I didn't worry too much about furniture colors - they don't really match) but I like it better. And DH will insist that at least one of those chairs be a recliner, which I haven't seen on their site.

We have a similar sofa and one end is a recliner and the other a chaise. I love it. It’s similar to the one on the picture.

[k3am]

sandandsea, where'd you get it?

[sandandsea]

Nov 15, 2018 12:47:22 GMT -5 k3am said:

sandandsea, where'd you get it?

I’ll pm you.

[dr.girlfriend]

Nov 15, 2018 17:22:06 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

Nov 15, 2018 12:47:22 GMT -5 k3am said:

sandandsea, where'd you get it?

I’ll pm you.

Can you PM me also?

[memenee]

There are things I like/dislike about both layouts but if the main goal of the room is to watch TV then I like something more along the lines of #2 since all seating seem to kinda face the tv.

#1 looks like it’s set up more for conversation and the chairs don’t seem well positioned for tv watching.

[k3am]

Nov 15, 2018 20:53:51 GMT -5 memenee said:

There are things I like/dislike about both layouts but if the main goal of the room is to watch TV then I like something more along the lines of #2 since all seating seem to kinda face the tv.

#1 looks like it’s set up more for conversation and the chairs don’t seem well positioned for tv watching.

The couch and one chair would be more than sufficient for every day TV watching. The others would probably be rearranged in to less pretty arrangements for game days or whatever reason we have more than just the four of us here.

Currently all four of us watch TV from a 3 seat couch. My kids aren’t happy unless they’re on top of me. They’ll outgrow it eventually I hope. Or break me. (ETA: I also hope they don’t outgrow it)

[k3am]

We got our revision back for design 1. I don't love it. They also didn't listen to my request to not include any kid focused areas, so once I take those out, I have a weird empty spot.

I came up with two options I think I like.

Option 1: One couch, two side chairs. The chair on the left might be better located on the right in a grouping by the window. I would also pick one set of shelves to flank the TV, not be mismatched. I'm not sure if the couch is too large or not.






Option 2 is a two couch option:








I also asked DH to play around with it, and he apparently likes this:



(I promise, we won't install a TV in the middle of our window pane as shown below:

[mrsukyankee]

My personal preference is the one big couch and two chairs look.

[zarapipe]

I really like option two. I love that rug and the blue sofas.

[sandandsea]

I like the couch and chairs option. Have you seen the living room in Modern Family in Phil and Claire’s house? For some reason I’m thinking a layout like that might work for you too.

[k3am]

Nov 21, 2018 21:51:42 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

I like the couch and chairs option. Have you seen the living room in Modern Family in Phil and Claire’s house? For some reason I’m thinking a layout like that might work for you too.

I am so TV illiterate it’s not even funny.

[lilac05]

Our room layout is different, but we’re purchasing furniture to set up the room like your H suggested. Two couches and two chairs. We host 10-12 people weekly, so extra seating was important for us.

[sandandsea]

The furniture seems a little large (and dated) but it seems to be a similar set up with the sofa and chairs with an open space behind it.

[sandandsea]

I’ve been thinking about this and would do a sofa where it is facing the fireplace with a chaise on the side by the window. I’d do a comfy side chair opposite the chaise and a shelving unit on each side of the fireplace. I’d get a coffee table for the middle and a coordinating console table behind the sofa with a lamp and plant on it.

And keep the rug!

[k3am]

I think we’re getting close. We’ve already bought the couches, so we’re committed to the blue - they’re the same size and similar style, but not exact. The pillows that come with it are a thick navy and white chevron pattern.

The art is more than I want to spend, so we’ll hold off until we’re further along.

The only part we’re not in agreement on is the media console under the TV. It’s way over what we want to spend ($2600), but the right size. The color is cool, but I think IRL it looks kind of like suede, which I don’t dig. I’m finding it impossible to find something I like that goes well with the other tables in the room. Any suggestions on places to look? Or links?

Is there anything that’s absolutely going to drive me nuts (or someone with a design eye nuts) that I’m overlooking?

[fryjack2]

k3am I'd look into having something custom made.

I couldn't find a credenza that fit what I was looking for so I send ideas to a local furniture designer/maker. They are making me exactly what I want for $1900. A bit over what I wanted to spend, but Im getting exactly what I wanted and couldn't find. Its a big piece and will not be replaced anytime soon so worth it to me.

I looked at Allmodern, Joybird, and IG midcentury modern accounts before contacting the local designer.

[Mrs.flang]

Where are the couches from? I love the color and how it goes with the rug.

Regarding the art, I’d check out Etsy for something similar, that’s what I did and found something with the same colors for a quarter of the price.

Have you checked pier 1 or places like home goods for the console? Maybe even ikea or target? I honestly don’t love the print on it and would probably look for something in a wood tone, although I know it can be difficult when you have multiple wood pieces.

The only other thing I wouldn’t like is that there isn’t much storage or closed space in any of the tables to hide random clutter.

[k3am]

Mrs.flang , the couches in that design are Crate & Barrel. We actually ended up purchasing these from LaZBoy since DH was dead set on recliners. 

Right now we have no storage in there, so I'm hopeful that the console under the TV can provide enough. Toys and what not are supposed to be housed elsewhere.