What to do here - Update in comments!

[MrsDarcy]

Hey! We have this little area essentially at the end of our dining room, it’s right off the foyer. Currently it has the piano in it, which id like to keep there. Otherwise, I’d love to figure out more attractive/functional furniture/pieces for this area. I often like to use this space to read or talk on the phone. Any good ideas?

[MrsDarcy]

[sandandsea]

What if you got more of a chaise or slightly bigger/more comfy chair and put it in the corner with a little side table or just swapped the chair to the corner at an angle?

[zaneyzoo]

Maybe a round rug to soften the square-ness of that room and I agree, a chaise. Maybe add drapes?

[dr.girlfriend]

I'd make a little conversation area with two or three (low-backed smaller-size) armchairs and a small coffee table facing the piano.

[MrsDarcy]

Great ideas, thanks! I was thinking maybe a chaise or two chairs - seems like I was on the right track! I think a round rug would be a great idea.

[dancingirl21]

I agree with others and would do two chairs kind of angled, facing the piano. Also love the idea of a round rug.

[ellipses84]

Even in the first pic, what strikes me is how high the space is for the size, and that there is nothing to draw your eye up. I’d do something dramatic. Add a large pendant light or chandelier, but have the lowest point higher than your dining room fixture and make sure they are complementary. Cove lighting around the edges could be cool too. There is crown moulding that has a gap behind it for an LED tape light, so you mount it lower on the ceiling and the light shines upwards. Add a large canvas or sculptural piece of artwork to a high wall. Or keep adding to your gallery wall to make it taller and add some larger frames in it.

For function, I like the mini library/ music room / conservatory idea. You could add some tall bookshelves on one wall, although I’d hate to take away from the chair rail. You could add a bench below the window, low shelves on each side and still have room for a round rug, a chair or two, ottoman and / or tables. The footprints of the furniture just need to be small.

[Pilsy]

I don't have ideas that aren't already mentioned here, but I have to say how much I love that space!

[simpsongal]

Jan 5, 2022 19:57:50 GMT -5 dancingirl21 said:

I agree with others and would do two chairs kind of angled, facing the piano. Also love the idea of a round rug.

Agreed, we have 2 barrelback cane chairs near our piano and I move one all the time to sit in while I teach DS piano.  So I would consider chairs w/mid level backs so they don't take up too much visual space and can easily be moved for parties or company.  Also drapes for sure

Try to put the piano on the opposite wall too.  It appears to be in the nook space, and I wonder if it might look better on the longer wall.  Maybe even w/the cello next to it?

[MrsDarcy]

Jan 6, 2022 10:41:11 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

I don't have ideas that aren't already mentioned here, but I have to say how much I love that space!

I love it too, we call it the music room. But, I want to give it some love, and make it more interesting than just an area for the piano, bass, and that lone chair.

[MrsDarcy]

ellipses84, love your ideas for adding to the gallery wall upwards!

[ellipses84]

It’s probably way more than you are thinking of and I have no idea what the outside of your house looks like, but if you ever replace your windows I’d consider a way larger / taller window there, and possibly a pop out rectangular window you could build a window seat into.

[MrsDarcy]

Jan 6, 2022 21:30:38 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

It’s probably way more than you are thinking of and I have no idea what the outside of your house looks like, but if you ever replace your windows I’d consider a way larger / taller window there, and possibly a pop out rectangular window you could build a window seat into.

Ha, Probably more than I’m looking to do now, but would have been a good idea! The other window In the dining room is oversized, so it would have matched, at least inside. I’m guessing it wouldn’t have made sense outside. Thanks for the thought though!

[dr.girlfriend]

I like the idea of drawing the eye up, and maybe you could have an architectural-looking piece above the window if it fits your style?

[af1212]

Jan 6, 2022 11:44:33 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Jan 5, 2022 19:57:50 GMT -5 dancingirl21 said:

I agree with others and would do two chairs kind of angled, facing the piano. Also love the idea of a round rug.

Agreed, we have 2 barrelback cane chairs near our piano and I move one all the time to sit in while I teach DS piano.  So I would consider chairs w/mid level backs so they don't take up too much visual space and can easily be moved for parties or company.  Also drapes for sure

Try to put the piano on the opposite wall too.  It appears to be in the nook space, and I wonder if it might look better on the longer wall.  Maybe even w/the cello next to it?

Looks like that other wall may be an exterior wall? You can’t put a piano on an exterior wall. Or you shouldn’t anyway.

[RockNVoll]

Jan 7, 2022 19:40:11 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Jan 6, 2022 11:44:33 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Agreed, we have 2 barrelback cane chairs near our piano and I move one all the time to sit in while I teach DS piano.  So I would consider chairs w/mid level backs so they don't take up too much visual space and can easily be moved for parties or company.  Also drapes for sure

Try to put the piano on the opposite wall too.  It appears to be in the nook space, and I wonder if it might look better on the longer wall.  Maybe even w/the cello next to it?

Looks like that other wall may be an exterior wall? You can’t put a piano on an exterior wall. Or you shouldn’t anyway.

I've never heard this before and Googled because we keep our grand piano in a corner between two exterior walls. Multiple sites say it's a bit of an old wives' tale because modern homes are so well insulated. Keeping away from heat vents and outside doors that would let air of extreme temps blow over it are good ideas though.

[af1212]

Jan 7, 2022 20:23:08 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Jan 7, 2022 19:40:11 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Looks like that other wall may be an exterior wall? You can’t put a piano on an exterior wall. Or you shouldn’t anyway.

I've never heard this before and Googled because we keep our grand piano in a corner between two exterior walls. Multiple sites say it's a bit of an old wives' tale because modern homes are so well insulated. Keeping away from heat vents and outside doors that would let air of extreme temps blow over it are good ideas though.

Interesting! Thanks for letting me know. I have never lived in a home less than 80 years old so I wonder if it is still true for me 🤔

[ellipses84]

Jan 7, 2022 20:25:20 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Jan 7, 2022 20:23:08 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I've never heard this before and Googled because we keep our grand piano in a corner between two exterior walls. Multiple sites say it's a bit of an old wives' tale because modern homes are so well insulated. Keeping away from heat vents and outside doors that would let air of extreme temps blow over it are good ideas though.

Interesting! Thanks for letting me know. I have never lived in a home less than 80 years old so I wonder if it is still true for me 🤔

I’ve always heard this too.

Heat/cold will cause expansion/ contraction for any wood so it’s always good to leave an inch gap between furniture and the wall and be more cautious if you can feel condensation or heat / cold when you hover your hand over the inside face of the wall and have $$$ antiques.

[MrsDarcy]

Little spruce-up is complete! Thanks so much to everyone for their input.

[mrsukyankee]

MrsDarcy, very pretty!

[dr.girlfriend]

Yay! I love it when people post before and afters!

[libbygrl109]

That looks so pretty and cozy at the same time.

[MrsDarcy]

Mar 29, 2022 15:48:51 GMT -5 libbygrl109 said:

That looks so pretty and cozy at the same time.

I found my husband’s coffee cup in there and asked if he was enjoying the new space. He said he likes to drink coffee there and do his Wordle. 😂

[MrsDarcy]

Mar 29, 2022 15:43:13 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

Yay! I love it when people post before and afters!

me too! I’ve been dying for MH to put the curtain rod up so I could post a pic!

[definitelyO]

love it - great job!!

[af1212]

Love it!!

Where are the chairs from?

[MrsDarcy]

Mar 29, 2022 16:50:35 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Love it!!

Where are the chairs from?

Thanks! Pottery Barn

www.potterybarn.com/m/products/soma-isaac-upholstered-armchair/?pkey=s%7esoma%20isaac%20upholstered%20armchair%7e2

ETA: the price has gone up a bunch. I paid $199 each and now they’re $349 each, both regular price.

[dr.girlfriend]

I think a lumbar-sized throw pillow would look really cute on those chairs too! This one is only $16. :-)


www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/freshmint-logan-geometric-jacquard-oblong-throw-pillow/5623558?skuId=69741642&store=&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_homedecor_online&product_id=69741642&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=&creative=224230473969&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&rkg_id=0&utm_campaignid=71700000037211535&utm_adgroupid=58700004139982674&targetid=92700034278910091&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3IqSBhCoARIsAMBkTb3Kwf44CD2x2dpD5LpOfKloMcZlTUZYtiaw5fAjo4bj2lsFGRYk9BMaAqKbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[darby]

It looks very nice & super relaxing!