I recently had a challenging 're-design' project (please note, this house WAS NOT on the market, but the owners simply wanted the room done over).  The husband was an avid gun collector (as you can see), loved his recliner and 42" TV.  This room was at the far end of the "L-shaped" kitchen, which in essence made it a 'great room' (which really wasn't all that great!). 

After speaking to both husband and wife, I learned that the guns, levelor blinds, TV and carpeting had to stay.  The wife wanted the room to reflect some of her personality and also wished for a place to display the family photos and some collectibles.  The budget that I had to work with was limited.

My first concern was finding something that could contain the television system and also provide some shelving.  In addition, since the leather sectional and all other furnishings would be parted with, I needed to find suitable seating and tables.

We have a 'corridor' of furniture stores and warehouses here on the Island, and I began my search there.  The first store that I went to was having a huge sale on floor samples.  When I walked in, I immediately saw an Entertainment Center which was on sale for $599.

It had just about everything that was needed:  shelves for display, room for a large TV, and storage for all of the components behind the glass door (glass is important because the cable box, VCR/DVD player, etc. all need to be able to receive signals from the remote).  There was additional storage for tapes, dvd's, etc.  The width of the unit was 74".

I didn't love the gold accents on the glass doors, however since the custom-made fireplace screen was black and gold, this could work!

I took a picture and wrote down the dimensions and price.

I found a few other possible choices for entertainment centers, sofas,chairs, and tables and took photos of each.  This store actually had some nice framed prints on sale as well, and I noted the prices of each.

My next stop was a Raymour and Flanagan's, but when I pulled into the parking lot, there was not a space to be had, so I continued down the road.  I went into a store that looked promising, however when I explained to a salesperson that I needed to take pictures and notes for my client, I was told that was not allowed.  I thanked her and left.  There was a Bob's Discount Furniture store located next door, and I found myself cringing at the thought of what the 'quality' of the furniture might be if it was 'discounted'.  I thought about it for a moment and then figured, 'what the heck', I'm here so I might as well go in and check it out.

I am SO THANKFUL that I did that!  I have to tell you that the quality was pretty decent and the prices were about half of other furniture stores.  There was a large selection and I was told that you could get delivery on 'in stock' (not customized) furniture in 3-4 days.  One of the things that I liked best was that, although there were at least 20 salespeople in the store, they left you to peruse by yourself.  Customers were instructed to seek out help if needed.  We women tend to be more tolerant of salespeople, however my experience has shown that most men disdain them!  So, that was a positive because my clients would more than likely end up there at some point in time.

I took lots of pictures and made copius notes on sizes and prices.  About halfway through the store, the battery in my digital went dead (poor planning on my part - I should have charged it fully before heading out!), so I asked a salesperson if there might be photos of the furniture online.  I was told that there were, so I continued to note the 'name', dimensions and prices of suitable furniture. I came upon a set called "The Hamptons" which featured a sofa, loveseat, chair, end and coffee tables.  I immediately 'felt' the connection! The couches and chair had stripes in varying shades of blues and beige.  The tables were black and very 'Pottery Barn' in style. I thought about how awesome they would look with that black entertainment center and how the style would tie in nicely with the fireplace, guns, and yes - even the levelors!  The best news was the pricing: $549 for each sofa; $349 for the chair and $149 for the matching ottoman.  The 3-piece table set was $399. 

Mind you that this photo does not show the tables that were featured in the store, and you cannot fully see the detail as to the colors in the fabric, but you can get a general idea of the style. 

I did so well at "Bob's" that I opted to call it a day and get back to my office to download and e-mail the photos and information to my client.  I began to formulate a plan of design as I drove back.  Those levelors were definitely going to be a challenge!  What could I do to 'soften' them and tie them in with the design as well as address those windows that continued into the kitchen?

I wondered it it would be possible to put something over the top to add some texture and color?  But what and how?  I went online and did a search on 'cornices' and learned that they were not terribly difficult to make.  The trick would be to find someone who could do the actual construction of the 'box' itself.  I knew that I could easily cover it with batting and fabric. 

Then, there was the issue of the guns..what to do with them so that they could fit into the design?  I hoped to come up with a solution that would make them less prominent and free up the mantle and wall for some artwork or mirror and accessories.

I e-mailed some of my contemporaries for suggestions and, bless them, they had some great ideas (and some funny remarks - one warned me to be careful because one of the guns was missing from over the fireplace!)  I was comforted to hear that my idea about the cornices was not so far-fetched.  I learned of a website where one could purchase gun-racks that held up to four each.  That would enable me to come up with a plan for a wall display somewhere other than over the fireplace.  A gun cabinet was also suggested, and while I LOVED that idea (I had never thought about that since I am not a 'gun person'), there would be no place to put it in this particular room; mind you, I would have loved to see a gun cabinet contain all those rifles in another part of the house!

I met with my clients on Saturday and we went over all of the pictures and pricing.  We took measurements and I shared my preliminary design plan.  We made some adjustments for their preferences and it suddenly all came together.  Both husband and wife LOVED the black entertainment center and I cautioned them that it was a 'floor sample', therefore if someone were to walk in and buy it, that would be that.  The husband, who is not a 'shopper' by nature was suddenly stricken with a sense of urgency to go buy that unit!  He wanted to call the store and give them his credit card over the phone so that they wouldn't sell it to anyone else!  I suggested that they go to the store and see it in person in order to make sure that they really liked it.  I also wanted them to go to Bob's and see the "Hamptons" set up close and personal. 

There was still an issue about the recliner as the husband wanted it, or something like it, to be included in the overall plan.  The wife wanted to be able to sit next to her husband occasionally and, since that was his favorite seat in the room, therein was the problem.  I instructed them to visit the new LazyBoy outlet which had opened on that 'furniture corridor' and let me know if they found anything that they liked.  I said that for now, at least, the blue recliner that was in the room could stay until we found a suitable replacement.  At least the blue would work with the colors in the sofas and the recliner was in surprisingly good condition. I noticed that the husband positively 'beamed' when I said this!

At this point, we had a 'game plan' and my clients were thrilled with all of my efforts and suggestions.  I took my leave so that they could get busy with their shopping!

Oh, what is the 'game plan' you might ask...well, it is this:  The entertainment center would be centered on the long wall.  Two sofas would be positioned facing each other; one off the wall with the angled fireplace and the other 'floating' on the opposite side of the open floorplan.  There will be a coffee table in between the two and end tables on either side of the sofa to the right of the unit.  There will be a floor lamp next to the other sofa and the ficus tree will be placed in the undefined 'corner' behind it (and to the left of the entertainment unit).  My clients loved the idea of the cornices for each of the four windows that have the levelors, so that is a 'go'.  They even know of someone who can construct the 'boxes' and then I will do the rest.  They are considering the gun-racks, so the fate of what will be over the fireplace is still in question.  Since the kitchen was just painted (a very bright yellow), we had to choose a paint color that would blend and yet still give the room a fresh look that would compliment the colors in the furnishings.  We finally narrowed the choices down to two different shades of a neutral beige. Either will work well, so I am leaving the final decision up to the owners.  While discussing options for wall decor, two amazing signed, matted and framed prints were produced and they will fit perfectly into the design. 

When I left I saw two very happy people who were anxious to go shopping and get on with the redesign.  It is always a 'challenge' when you have two differing tastes and you need to produce a design plan that will satisfy both.  I feel that we achieved that balance, in spite of the guns!

I'll update you when the room is complete.  Stay tuned!

Staged 2 Sell NY offers Home Staging, Redesign, Organizing and Special Event Decorating as part of its service. Call us for your 'design' needs today!