Living Room Furnishings: Are You Making This Common Mistake?

Hi Everyone,

 

Today, I have tackled the remainder of Mel’s beautiful living room furnishings.

 

So, if you missed the information about the kitchen, please go here because this post will make much more sense, if you do.

 

This is just me, having fun. Of course, if Mel were a real client, I would show her a whole mess of things, go back and revise, show her some more, revise again, and probably have it pretty much nailed by the third or fourth visit.

I hope y’all are holding up well during this busy holiday season. Last night, I took a breather and did something really bizarre.

I actually watched a movie.

 

What’s bizarre about that, Laurel?

 

Good question! What’s bizarre is that I NEVER do that. Well, not on a Friday night by myself.

In other news, I was having a wonderful week until 2:00 AM on Thursday when I got up to go and tidy up the kitchen before bed, and I couldn’t believe my eyes, but right there, in the middle of my WHITE kitchen floor, was the MOUSE. The exterminators assured me everything was sealed up.

 

You’ve got to be kidding me!

 

And that’s all I have to say about that. The exterminator came and found the mouse about 36 hours later.

 

Anyway, the Hot Sales are all updated, and I discovered some awesome open box deals at William Sonoma Home and Pottery Barn. Like a very nice dining chair for 57 bucks. What??? So, please check out the Hot Sales.

 

Okay, let’s dive into Mel’s living room furnishings.

 

When figuring out living room furnishings, I often begin with a rug. For Mel’s eclectic decor, I wanted something traditional but not stuffy.

 

Eventually, I found this rug at Williams-Sonoma Home, and it’s on sale! (You’ll find it in the widget below)

 

Below is another view. I do recommend getting samples, if possible.

 

 

There’s a young designer, Josh Young, who’s created a lovely collection for Williams-Sonoma that’s a combination of European traditional mixed with some urban sophistication and California earthiness.

It makes for a very comfortable, stylish, yet accessible look. He’s like a young Ralph Lauren.

 

An example is these brocade pillows and a hurricane candle holder. We’ll see more from his collection in a sec.

 

Mel’s living room is so lovely; however, there are two things I would recommend changing, and one is the coffee table. Here’s why I would like to see something else:

 

1. The coffee table matches the kitchen table, and that is something to avoid, especially if they are so close together.

2. It feels quite heavy next to the modern sofas with thin steel legs.

3. While some wood tones in the living room a good, I’d love to see something lighter than in the kitchen, but not too light. Or, some black would be wonderful too.

 

There’s a widget coming up where I will share pretty much everything. However, below are a pair of cool Chinoiserie vintage coffee tables. These might be a little jazzy for some, but I think they’re wonderful.

 

They are advertised as end tables, but at 15.5″ tall, they are definitely coffee tables. I love them and have had them in my Vintage Hot Sales widget for a long time. If anyone is interested, you have bargaining power. I’m sure they’d be thrilled to get them out of their warehouse.

I added some other vintage coffee tables to the widget.

 

This is a stylish vignette, and I could see something like this coffee table also working for Mel’s living room furnishings. However, I’m not so fond of the wheels. Well, casters. I like them when they are smaller and on sofas and wooden tables.

 

However, the Everson coffee table from Pottery Barn is very similar, but sans wheels and a lot less money, too!

 

 

It also comes as a console table. So, it’s one or the other, or neither, but never both.

Let’s go back and look at a close-up of the Plantasia wallpaper.

 

 

Now, let’s look at the floor plan of the dining area and new living room furnishings, and then I’ll share the widget.

 

Starting at the top of the page is the dining area. I didn’t add in the ten chairs because life is too short. Ya know?

Moving down to the living room, I added a slim console table behind the sofa for two reasons.

1. It’s not so great looking at the back of a sofa.
2. It’ll be a terrific place to put in two lamps.

 

Presuming there’s no plug in the floor, but we know there’s one behind the Christmas tree.

 

So, I would use two small extension cords and connect the two lamps, running the wire underneath the table and maybe the rug. Then, tape it to the floor for a short distance. That’s not a major path.

I have added two small demilune tables on the walls flanking the opening to the main entrance. There could be two more lamps and art above the tables.

 

 

The only other thing I’d change would be the mirror. I’m not adamant about it; I seldom am. And I do like the mirror, just not here. I would maybe put this one in a bedroom, dressing room, or bathroom.

 

Okay, here’s the widget. As I always do, there are captions with more information and also, clicking on them will take you to their source.

 

 

Okay, that’s all for now. Happy Winter Solstice!

I’m unsure of my schedule this week, but I should be getting a little post out before Christmas.

My son Cale is coming on Monday afternoon! I can’t wait to spend some time with him.

xo,

 

***Please check out the big sale going on of my rockin’ interior design PDF guides. They are all 20% off (bundles are even more!) The sale is ending December 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM

 

Prices increase on January 1st. If one of these guides has been on your wish list, now is a good time to order. They make great gifts, too!

Below are the guides with a short blurb and links to more info, which will also take you to the order page.

 

 

Clicking on the links in gray will send you to the pages to learn more about each guide.

 

 

Laurel’s Rolodex

Just released, the fully updated 10th anniversary (volume 12) edition! A unique shopping guide that shares hundreds of my favorite sources and especially for decorators and designers, tells you the best sources that sell directly to the design trade. Updated annually — all purchasers receive lifetime updates. 
If you’re not happy with your purchase for any reason, I’m happy to refund you.

 

 

The Essential Paint Color and Palette Collection (two volumes)

This is a bundle of two guides, created over a span of 18 months. 144 fabulous paint colors + 40 wonderful palettes and much more!
As of October 2025, there is a newly released 2nd edition with 12 new no-fail paint colors you’ll want to know about. All owners receive lifetime updates.
 Money-back guarantee. This is a must-have guide for anyone struggling with paint colors. If you don’t believe me, there are dozens of testimonials from readers who purchased these guides and loved them.

 

 

Six-Figure Income Blogger

This should be required reading for everyone who has a website and wishes to get the most out of it for their business. You do not need to be a heavy-duty blogger. But, once or twice a month consistently will do wonders for your business. However, there are some things you’ll need to learn that I did not know in the beginning. Believe me, when I say, in the early years, I made every mistake and then some.

 

 

333 Decorating Rules & Tips You Need to Know

There is so much information, and much I’ve never seen anywhere else. The window treatment glossary alone is several pages. There’s space planning for every space, art placement, window treatments, lighting info, proportions for mantels and much more. The price for this guide will go way up in January. This will be your last chance to get it at this price forever.

 

 

The Annual Etsy guide just came out on November 30, 2025. It’s over 200 seriously cool vendors.

If you missed the shortened blog version, please read it here to get a sampling of what’s inside.

Etsy is known for exceedingly helpful, personable vendors and great pricing.

All of my design guides are on sale through December 28th.
 Prices increase on January 1st.

 

PS: Please also check out the newly updated HOT SALES and HOLIDAY SHOP– Much of it is on sale!

 

Thank you so much for your wonderful support this year — I appreciate every one of you.

xo,