I love being asked for decorating help by family and friends. It’s rare but being able to pitch in an opinion when someone is doing a room is so much fun. It’s important to keep their style and their needs in mind but having an open mind is essential in creating a room they’re going to love.
My friend is elderly so she has certain comfort/medical requirements and her apartment is small. She chose a leather loveseat that can accommodate her need to recline and put up her feet, easy to clean and care for. It’s similar to the one shown below with dark leather and nailhead trim, but it does have a center console for holding her drinks.
She also has a leather lift chair…as you can guess, style is limited but we were lucky to find one with similar color and shape to go with the loveseat.
Apartment walls are newly painted white but work well with the dark furniture, she wanted to add a little bit of femininity to soften up the masculine vibe of the leather and a fun color to lighten things up. She loved the suggestion of blue color paired with the dark brown.
Here are a few accents we found locally where she could see before buying…
area rug and pillows from KMart:
Curtains and rods (Target).
The drapery isn’t shown below (only the pretty medallion sheers) but they’re a pretty blue/gray-beige pattern that matches the pillows above.
The tv console is perfect height and has a lot of storage (so helpful in a small apartment).
(source: BonTon)
End tables and coffee tables seem to be the hardest part of furnishing a room. I’m so indecisive. Here are some beautiful accent table options. Which would you choose or is there something completely different you would suggest?
A lift top coffee table might be very functional for her, bringing things within easy reach.
Thinner-style end tables would be perfect for the limited space on either side of a love seat in a small apartment living room…
Something along the lines of wooden trunk coffee table would also be a great solution for much needed storage…
(images source: Cymax)
Any suggestions? What do you think so far? It’s hard to tell without seeing the room, but this is a start. I’m sure I can get her to share the completed reveal once we’re done. Next up: Art and accent pieces!
Great ideas, how nice of you to help out a friend. I like the second choice for the end tables. Not only will they not take up a lot of space but a taller table will prevent her from having to reach or bend over to get to the top while sitting in her chair. The first choice is neat but I'd be worried it might break over time.
I am in L-O-V-E with the drapery and pillow colors against the chocolate brown sofa. I'm not really one to ask about the coffe/end tables because I have the same problem you do!! I am lucky enough to have my sister that helps me when I get in a pinch!! She's Maggie at the White Farmhouse. When I first saw the love seat I thought of her because hers are almost identical. Awesome work I can't wait to see it when you are done!! You are a good friend!!
I think you made wonderful choices…I can't wait to see the finished room
Great that you're helping a friend. I bet it's a lot of fun. I haven't done that in years. Love the rug, pillows and t.v. console. I like the last set of tables to mix the wood tones a little. Looks like it's going to be a great looking room!
I won't be on much over the next few days, so wanted to wish you a Happy and Blessed Easter!
XO,
~Michelle
I love the first coffee table and the thin end tables. The other set just seem to masculine for me. My has the same color scheme, but I added a touch of off white the soften it up. Love what you are doing.
The lift coffee table will be OK only if she can operate it independently. Maybe just a taller table would be better. If she is reclining a lot, does she even need a coffee table or will it just become something she will bump into or fall over?
Just some thoughts from someone who worked with elderly people for years.