In the ever popular, open-plan home, many people have a great room that serves several functions and is quite large and open. Sometimes it is hard to tie everything together to create a cohesively designed space in this type of room.

See how I addressed this homeowner’s new great room with her design dilemmas, below.

Here are the images of this spacious great room that had been freshly painted in Benjamin Moore White Dove.

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Before pic - How To Tie A Great Room Together For A Cohesively Designed Space

Before pics - How To Tie A Great Room Together For A Cohesively Designed Space

Here were her questions for this great room.

#1. “What type of breakfast table would work best in this space? At our previous home, we had some beautiful pecan trees. From the day we moved in, our children relished collecting pecans from the yard. After a few years of drought, though, the trees started dying from the inside out. We had to have the trees cut down. The pecan wood was so beautiful that I had the largest tree cut lengthwise, into huge planks. My cabinet/furniture maker collected the wood to sticker and dry. Now, the pecan is ready and we would like to make something special from the trees we loved so much. I was thinking of having it made into a round or oval breakfast table, large enough to seat 8. However, I’m not sure about the shape OR if a darker wood is the right choice for the space.”

My Response:

I LOVE the idea of the pecan table. Not only do I love the story and the fact that you have this wood, but the room needs this material to create some variation in the finishes on this side of the room. A grand table that people could sit comfortably around for extended periods of time would be perfect.

Think of it as a "gathering table" more than a "dining table". At one end of the table two people could be playing a game or working on a laptop, at the other end, 3 people can be chatting over drinks and a snack. It's a multipurpose room and it needs a table that will fill the space. So, something large, with a meaningful family story behind is just perfect!!!

I like this idea for a table base, with the base made out of wood. I like that it is rather simple, but has a touch of traditional detail. I like the x design here with this table and the little curved foot.

Not sure if you have enough wood to build it all out of the pecan, but maybe the base could be made of something similar and stained to match the pecan.

Dining table base for pecan table top suggested for Great Room “gathering” table.

#2. “What would you do with the weird plate rack things on either side of the fireplace? Initially, I planned to paint the wrought iron bars to a gold tone. However, I don’t own a collection of platters/plates and don’t really want to own one.”

My Response:

You can have a carpenter build you some cabinet doors to cover the bottom portions of the niches there, so that it looks like a cabinet. Then remove the plate racks and bars in the top section and do some wallcovering on the back and just hang a piece of art or mirror in each niche.

That's not too much construction there, but it looks logical and like it was designed to be that way. Plus, you don't have to buy out an antique stall of plates and platters that you will have to dust regularly. :-)

Quick Sketch - How To Tie A Great Room Together For A Cohesively Designed Space

I actually kind of prefer to hang mirrors on each side and have a piece of art on the stone wall over the mantel, picking up your accent color. Maybe something abstract and modern?

#3. “How would you dress the TV wall? To me, the wall looks naked.”

My Response:

I think you need to add two pieces of art above the tv, to sort of make a larger vertical rectangle shape overall. Then, I'd add some kind of tall wood type item on each side, like a tall candle sconce or something, to sort of add a decorative touch.

It would be nice to bring some traditional elements to the wall decor there. I like The Frame tv and the fact that it is a modern look is good, but you need to balance it with some carved wood items to make the wall feel married to the rest of the space. Maybe some carved wood frames on the art?

In my sketch, attached, I think the overall wall layout feels designed and intentional.

Here's a 30" tall candle sconce, you could do black candles to echo the cabinet and chairs you have below.

Here is another candle sconce option at 30" high, and a simple style.

#4. “Curtains or no curtains? I've purchased Suzanne Kasler linen in the color Peony. I'm planning to have it made into curtains for the wall of windows and doors. Is it a good idea? Is it too much color?”

My Response:

That's a beautiful fabric and color, but I think, because your doors aren't really symmetrically placed there on the wall, overall, that the bold fabric color might create an off-balance look.

I've got a photo here where I put some color onto this wall to show how it would be viewed.

I do like drapery here, since you have tile floors, the fabric does warm up the room. However, I think going with a soft white that echoes your wall color would be a good choice to add softness without putting any emphasis on the placement of the doors.

You could add that color, using that fabric, in the room on the dining chairs. Then maybe a tailored, skirted round table somewhere? I see you have that color in pillows in the seating area, so that is a good start for this type of idea, adding color around the room in various places, rather than a big statement on the wall.

As far as dining room chairs, something substantial and upholstered, including head chairs with arms, will make a comfortable look over on that side of the room.

They come in a slipcovered version, not sure if you could buy without the slips and then make your own with the peony fabric, but you get the idea of what I'm talking about.

I would go lighter on the chandelier, maybe something like this.

Flemish Linear Chandelier in Gilded Iron

I love the simpler style of that fixture, the gilded iron finish and subtle curves bring an elegance to that space. It's a great size too, for a long, rectangular gathering table. I would do a big rug under the dining table to soften the space even more.

I like the idea of a light background with some of that peony color in it, if possible.

Here’s an example of color on the window treatments vs. color scattered more throughout the room in the way I described.

Example of color on the windows in window treatments and color strategically spaced throughout the room. Carla Aston, Designer | Designed in a Click Consultation Service

Overall, I think you would have a room that has color, feels cohesive and light, yet cozy, colorful and comfortable. I think it would be easy to live in and you'd use the whole space well.

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