Okay, y’all. I’m vlogging again today. 🙂 It was just too much fun chatting with/hearing from you about the living room on Monday, and I have some new things to show you in there today!
Now, here’s what else you need to know:
1. Another reason I don’t want ceiling-height cabinetry on the sides of the fireplace is because I want the fireplace to “win”. Meaning, I want to the fireplace to be the main focal point on that wall. Think of the cabinets as it’s soft-spoken sidekicks. 🙂
2. The doorway between the living and dining room is not 11 feet wide….it’s 9′-2″ wide. Oops. :-/
Equipped with that new measurement, I did the math. I measured one of the (50″ wide) curtains hanging in our dining room. It’s only about 10″ wide all “stacked” together. Sooooo, if I use 60-ish inch wide panels (that measure 12-14″ wide when they’re pushed together while hanging) it’s totally possible to cover that 112″ inch wide doorway! Woo hoo! 😀
So here’s what I’m pondering now: Do I want curtains that can be pulled across the doorway opening for privacy (a couple times a year?), or do I want to skip the curtains and maximize my storage by building 3-and-a-half-ish-foot wide cabinets that almost completely span the width of those 4-foot wide walls?
I do love the idea of breaking up the vertical space on that side of the room with some more softness, but man I’m a sucker for storage too. Hmmmm. Choices, choices.
Thanks for thinkin’ with me!
PS- Our house didn’t come with any window treatments when we bought it (3 years ago), so I’ve been slowly but surely dressing the windows since then. I’ve been using these curtain panels (in Sandalwood) and these window shades (in Buckeye) whenever I see a good deal. For instance, the last 4 shades I bought were during a 35% off sale that included free shipping and when you bought 3 shades, you got 1 free. They seem to have those kinds of sales quite often, so definitely keep an eye out if you’re in the market for something similar!
Rachel
Please please please… You don’t need curtains for the doorway. You will never ever use them. Maximize your storage potential always.
Debbie V.
Love the videos and your decorating style but sorry, not loving the curtains in the doorway. Voting for the wider cabinets with a library ladder that could move all the way across that wall so you can reach the upper cabinets on each side. You could then hang curtain panels on removable hooks from the ladder rail In the doorway whenever you needed privacy!
Karen Tuffy
I agree with the above replies there is no need for curtains in the doorway. Also I donut believe there is enough space even if you 2:1 fold over it will still look like a sheet if and when you need to open it.
show off your trimmed openings and leave the doorway open planked with bookends.
As always I enjoy your wonderful posts!!!
Sandra
With a little one on the way, you’re going to want more storage EVERYWHERE! And fabric near a doorway is going to get all schmutzed up until your kids are about 17. I’d stick with something wipeable rather than something that needs to be taken down and laundered.
Rebecca
I don’t remember how many bedrooms you have? The number of bedrooms or lack of must be the reason you are making your living room do double duty?
Layla
Yep! We have a 2-bedroom home, Rebecca. 🙂
Rebecca
I raised 10 kids in a 4 bedroom home and so I know a little something about making space do double duty. I have seen bookcases that slide to reveal a Murphy bed. I love how easy Murphy beds are to use. We had bunk beds, trundle beds, futons, sleeper sofas as well as regular beds. My husband built a Murphy bed for my grandson’s bedroom. He didn’t make bookcases because he didn’t need them. That Murphy bed moved up or down using just my pointer finger and it was very comfortable. More so than any other beds I had. And I like things that are easy to put away for myself and my guests. Just a thought.
Abby
I wonder if a wide roller shade would work across the doorway- out of the way when not needed and gives privacy when you do! Thinking something that you might use for an indoor/outdoor porch? Good luck!
Jennifer
Nice video! It really helps with visualizing your ideas, and how they fit into the layout of your home. The built in storage idea is fantastic. Our two bedroom house has closets in every area, but there is never enough storage space. I think it’s better to dedicate that wall to built-in storage instead of a “curtain door”. It wouldn’t do your lovely home justice. If it’s really important to close off that space, there might be another option? Have you considered looking at folding doors (shutter/bi-fold doors) that could collapse into the sides of the doorway? I think the built-in storage allows for it. The folding doors could even be identical to the storage doors, so it looks consistent across the wall. Just an idea 🙂
janelle
Layla, look at these “barn doors” and see if you can maybe come up with an idea… Maybe your handy man carpenter can build something for you? I think they would look okay on your dinning room side.
http://www.buildsewreap.com/2013/09/sliding-barn-door-how-to.html?m=1
kelly
I’m a little behind on commenting (sorry), but I just wanted to chim in on the curtain idea, too….I like the idea of softening the space, but I think I agree with some of the other comments about going with more storage and not doing the curtains. I feel like it might look a little too visually cluttered, too? Maybe because of the other curtains on the windows. Perhaps you could do a mock up with the billy bookcases and some temp sheets to see what it looks like? Ok…that’s all I got. 🙂 Keep vlogging! It makes it so fun, like we’re all smelling (haha…love that) coffee and talkin’ design!
kelly
Also, I wish I could vlog back to pick your brain about some areas of my house! I live in an old 1920’s 850 sq foot home, so we are constantly changing things around to better utilize the space. 🙂
Miranda
Okay sweet lady, that fabric panel looks beautiful! Not at all what I had pictured in my head. I was anti fabric (due to my own experience) however, that panel does not look heavy or intrusive at all. I imagined a much different fabric. Always follow your gut, you’re amazing.
Barbara
Boo hoo. I can’t get either vlog to play. Have done everything I know to do. Phooey. Even typing this comment isn’t easy. Pale gray fonts, hard to see,but most of all the words are delayed and often all letters aren’t there. ????
Layla
Hmmmm…sounds like it might be a browser issue. Have you tried viewing it on another browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) or maybe even on another device/computer?
Barbara
Yes, and have been trying again this morning. Using two servers/four devices, three browsers (don’t tell but I’m trying it from my work computer as well) – nothing. One has choppy movement and no sound on the vlog, the other nothing. It will not move from “0” on the counter. ??? No problem watching videos, YouTube, etc. so am stumped. Wish I could ask the office IT guy about it but that would give me away. ; ) Guess I’m not supposed to see these for whatever reason……………… Phooey.
Layla
Hmmmm…that’s so strange! I’m going to start posting them on my YouTube channel from now on, so hopefully they’ll be viewable that way if you want to try again! XO
Dianne
A relative had a similar situation to yours. She had bookcases built, BUT with pocket doors behind them. That solution worked perfectly. The doors were there when they needed privacy, but stayed hidden most of the time. However…since your opening is wider than hers, I’m thinking the pocket door frame might have to be custom built, because I don’t know if standard doors would come as wide as what you need. Just a thought!
Carrie
1) you are adorable.
2) tell me about your jeans. Love the wash and fit.
3) I dig all the curtains. Fabric, fabric, fabric!
Layla
1) you are sweet.
2) American Eagle (I think…I’ll have to double check)
3) Yay! Yay! Yay! 😀
Lauren Baxter
You are so cute to watch! There is so much excitement in you voice when you talk about your ideas & décor. Love the vlogs 🙂
Excited to see more and what you decide! I really like the softness of the curtains you are thinking. The barn door I think would be too heavy for that space and would be too much.
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx
Peg
You are ADORABLE!!! : )