How would you decorate a living room from scratch?

Start with the rug...

Here you go OP. Dark and Thundery

Everything you need is here.

Every SINGLE thing. Seriously.

I always like two sofas flanking fireplace if possible...

r4, I would prefer two loveseats.

[quote]Start with the rug...

That is the biggest con job decorators pull. Sell a very expensive rug right at the start. They can be fired the next day and still get commission on an expensive rug.

These colors?

Do you live on a coast? Shop around there.

If not, what the heck?!

OP, I know it's not your kitchen, but is there some way you can incorporate these amazing backsplash tiles? Maybe in a small bar area? I adore them. And I'd say they are sort of darkly coastal.

I can't use dark colors; I get SADD.

Where are you, Opie?

I'm reluctant to offer advice without knowing a bit more. My own home is decorated in shades of blue, green, and purple. But my home was built in the 1920s, so I tried to be respectful of the original architecture of the home. I think I would have decorated differently if my home were Victorian or Mid-Century. I also inherited a number of antiques, and it was important to me to incorporate the nicer pieces. If you have no antiques, that's pretty liberating. And a new home also has less 'baggage', so that should free you up a bit.

Think about how you will use the room. You can break the room into different areas. This will determine how you place your furniture.

Keep the colors neutral and use pillows, rugs, slip covers, pictures, to figure out what colors look good where in the room. Bring the item to the paint store and have the clerks match your paint color to the item you like.

Lamps can act as accents but they are a utilitarian item,. Things like floor lamps and potted plants help move your eye vertically and you want that.

Groups items geometrically. Think triangles and ovals.

Have fun. Sounds like you have a great project.

R7 and R9 -yes that's in the neighborhood of the look I want. I like this photo from Jennifer Aniston's home, only I want something a little more stormy. Ugh, I can't describe it!

Why not paint the walls gray/charcoal and accent with teal, green, navy? That would be more stormy, less cheery and bright.

How about this? The warmer brown accents (curtains, wood floor, wood table) subdue the brighter blues.

Holy crap, I honestly thought the thread title said:

“How would you decorate living room for a snatch?”

Thought you had a woman coming over.

R16 Me too!

Have paintings of shipwrecks on stormy, rocky coasts? If you are near a base, invite sailors over for ...fun? Fishing nets could be hung from the ceiling?

Your living room is only 14 x 18? You either live in a trailer park or NYC.

I recommend a large square ottoman on casters. Great to wheel in front of the fireplace and fuck on, on a cold night.

Lighting is really important. If you're not good with it, talk to someone who's knowledgeable. Makes a big difference no matter how you decorate.

Go refined and classy.

Is that a souvenir picture of your last colonoscopy r22?

Forget the rug, get a dumptruck full of sand delivered and spread that out all over the floor. Add carefully selected arrangements of dried seaweed, shells and some colorful sea glass. Make your own lamps using old buoys as the base. Large pieces of driftwood can serve as additional seating.

Scotch Guard everything and be sure to include slipcovers and antimacassars before you decide to "christen" the place.

That's really nice R7.