My electrician is coming early next week to install recessed lighting in the room. Before he comes I need to make some decisions about the direction the room will go, so I know where to put the lights. Currently this is our music room/formal living room. It’s where I take grown up company when we want to be able to hear each other over the noise of the children. It’s also where my children practice the violin and piano, and where I teach voice lessons. I could see it turned into a formal dining room at some point.
The room is approximately 20 x 15 with 8 foot ceilings and 2 small windows. The smallest window looks out onto the covered front porch and never gets direct sunlight.
The only architechtural interest in the house is a beautiful curved staircase. There isn’t any crown molding, or interesting wood in the rest of the house. I’d like to fix that.
Here’s what I’m starting with. It looks nice and bright because I used a tripod and a really slow shutter speed to grab as much light as possible.
I’m definitely putting crown modling in the room, but am wondering if I should add a little more interest with a faux coffered ceiling? I can use 1x4s to add texture without lowering the ceiling very far. I’ve seen tutorials that just use the 1x4s but I like how This Old House adds small molding to the inside edges for a really finished look.
http://photos.hgtv.com/photos/viewer/coffered-ceiling-/coffered-ceiling-in-airy-white-kitchen
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/step/0,,20745179,00.html
I’m thinking about building in bookcases on either side of the larger window with a window seat between them. They would be floor to ceiling in white.
http://sandandsisal.com/2014/11/playroom-storage-ideas.html
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2014/12/gift-ideas-guys-guy.html
But with a deeper bench seat like this:
http://www.homedit.com/62-home-library-inspiring-design-ideas/
http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/remodeling/before-and-after/ranch-house-remodel/#page=9
Like this but white.
Here are my 2 delimmas with the built ins….I have ducting and electrical on the wall (but I think I could pop those out to the front of the built ins pretty easily with a solid platform) AND they would limit my tall and wide dramatic curtain options. I think I would have to go with a simple bamboo shade hung just under the crown molding….I’m ok with that right now. But will I be ok with it long term? Built ins are not a temporary whim.
So why even consider the built ins? Here’s my reasons for them:
1. Storage (most of our books are still in the attic from when we moved 4 years ago)
2. Architectural interest
3. Cozy up the room (it’s really big and I think this would make it seem more welcome) It would also give me a reason to pull the sofa away from that wall to bring the conversation area closer together.
What do you think? Would you do the faux coffered ceiling? Would you put in built ins?
I would do the built ins, but not the ceiling, I think your ceiling is too low. I would put crown molding up though. I think built-ins would add a lot of character.
Ditto! Built ins are great and imagine the memories of kids curled up in that window seat!
I like the built ins. Yes dramatic curtains are awesome too but I think in the long run having access to your books will make more of a statement than curtains . An you will stil have fabrics for layered shades , pillows and seatcushions.
For the ceiling… Have you thought about a faux tray or vaulted ceiling instead? I have seen 4 inch moulding then a 1/2 in round moulding 2 inches down the wall and 6/8 inches into the ceiling border all glossy white. Then another ceiling border 8/12 inches around the room painted 2 to 3 shades lighter than the wall. And the center ceiling white.
The final result is really classic and eye catching
Can’t wait to see how it goes . I love the ideas of the built ins having shelves on top and doors on the bottom. I need some spaces to toss and go
http://lifeatlydiashouse.blogspot.com/2012/02/creating-faux-tray-ceiling.html?m=1
This is similar to how to connect the bookcase with the window and a slightly different take on the faux ceiling . (Cause we all like pictures !)
I would do the built ins, but likely not the ceiling….or maybe just the planked part of the ceiling, or the squares….but not both?
Yes to the built ins. You can add coziness with cushioned window seat and pillows. I’ve done several built ins and reply love them. It’s not too difficult to pop vents or electrical through to the front.
I’m not a huge fan of built ins, but my kids LOVE to sit in a window seat and read so I would (and will be) do it.
Built ins are great. I have seen where stand alone bookshelves are made to look like built ins. The molding is put up as if they were, then when you change things all you have to do is take the molding down and the pieces are free to go where you want. The walls behind only have the wholes from molding install.
I thik built ins are a good idea. i only suggest to add some sconces on the side walls of the built ins just in case your kids want to read there in the evening and they do not have tu turn on all the recessed lighting.
What a great idea! I never would have thought of sconces.
I love your built-in idea!! Cozy reading nook with lots of character and storage! Adjusting the duct work might be tricky, but it will be worth it! I think a clean ceiling with crown molding would be my vote. Love your ideas!!
I would do built-ins and the ceiling. Dramatic drapes are still doable, too. https://www.google.com/search?q=built+in+bookshelves%2Bwindow%2Bbench%2Bdrapes&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&hl=en-US&prmd=isvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_hKnA7PDMAhVHQCYKHWRIC1sQ_AUICCgB&biw=320&bih=496#imgrc=jbfK_Pr8xGR40M%3A
My wife has recently started redecorating our living room. I really like the look of the blue bookcases with the leather couch. I would love to have my office look like that at our house. Great article.
Thanks, Gregory! I love getting a man’s opinion on the space.