Need ideas for an '80s red brick timber ceiling
Hi
We bought a classic 80s home with timber ceiling, clerestory windows and red brick walls and fireplace.
It is a big move for us from the current modern town house with simple design and layout. Finding it overwhelming to think about how to decorate the new home.
Looking forward to reading your suggestions.
Some points to consider
We need to install more lights in the living
Would like to replace the floor carpet to something else
Need window dressings
Wall paint to be updated
Brick fireplace, mantle - unsure what’s needed to bring it up a bit
Cheers
Jani
Comments (15)
bigreader
10 months agoRanj Veera
10 months agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (0)Hi all. Two questions re my living room in a very cool but neglected house in NZ. Property was architect designed, built in 1980 but with a very sixties vibe. So it’s an eclectic / Interesting mixture of mid century architecture (floor to ceiling glass, atrium, flat roof, trees) but with 80s appointments (bathroom colours and fittings, crazy paving, floors, garden hardscaping, etc) After being built (to a high standard) it looks like it was neglected by subsequent owners. We bought it three eyars ago and have replaced the roof, skylights, plumbing and wiring. All stuff that had to be done. We redid the front garden because it needed it but it was also the first project we did for lifestyle reasosn as well – because we wanted to not just because we had to. Nice feeling. Two Questions : First - we’ve been here a couple years, and not really solved the living room furniture layout thing. The room is long and relatively narrow. It’s generously sized, but it always feels a little empty. It’s like it’s too large for a ‘single’ seating zone arrangement, but not quite big enough to create two distinct areas. The reality is I feel I have three different possible things I want to ‘look’ at – the fireplace, the garden via the beautiful end glass wall, and, frankly, the TV and Hi Fi. So we tend to settle on an L shaped arrangement, with the open part of the L facing the window and TV in summer, and reversing it so it embraces the fireplace and TV in winter. So what would I like? I’d like to create an area for talking and an area for tv watching / family time where the sofa s closer, but I’m stumped on how to do that without being too far away from the fireplace in winter (brrrr) or being too close to the very large window and its torrents of sunshine in summer (too hot to be comfortable and furniture fades fast in NZ high-UV sun). Ideas and thoughts welcome. Second question : flooring I was a bit iffy on the (original) marble tiling when we moved in but I've grown to love it. I hate the carpet though which definitely isn’t original. I’d like to replace it but can’t decide with what. I’d prefer something that links the three zones – kitchen and entrance area with its marble tiles, living area (currently carpet) and outside patio (grey concrete tiles). More tiles are out – pretty sure three different kinds of tiles across the three zones would look odd - so I’m tossing up w simply replacing the carpet (what kind? What colour? Grey to match tiles or amber-y to bring down colour from the brick wall?) or installing wooden floors. I was leaning towards wood except when we went to the wooden flooring shop both design consultants suggested simply replacing the carpet would look better (they’re wooden floor salespeople??????) which makes me wonder if they are seeing something I'm not. All advice appreciated. It’s a beautiful house, and any improvements I make are about lifestyle not resale value. I’ll be carried out of this place in a box....See MoreHelp to make a long passage way becoming a beautiful feature
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Comments (10)Hi Lashford, A couple of thoughts for you to ponder. The artwork over the bed is not centralised so is out of sorts. Either two items placed evenly on either side or one wider item centrally located would work better, even if the bed is not on that wall. Would you consider putting the bed on the window wall so you look out the ranch sliders rather than at the wardrobe and ensuite doors? That way also if you want to make a feature wall behind the bed it will be rectangular rather than to a high ridge line. This re positioning does not lead to any extra walking around the bed as you currently walk in the door and all around the bed to the far side of it. Ideally I prefer not to see the bed in front of you when you walk in the room but I'd prefer to face the view than face the services. For a feature wall behind the bed, I think there are all sorts of options. Wallpaper is certainly an easy option but I think many people chicken out and don't choose something amazing enough. It is a small item so go brave. The one suggested by Pottsy99 is certainly a bold one and there are plenty to chose from. I am always aware of not making the bedroom too feminine as it is a shared space and both partners need to feel like they have ownership of it. Your curtains are also very neutral. You could 'bold them up' a bit too and tie them in with the colour theme you chose. I'm also a fan of making curtains longer hanging them from the ceiling to the floor. They look better when drawn closed. Blue will work well with the existing timber and grey carpet and you can add a small amount of a bolder colour like gold/amber or orange or even fuschia. Or you could work in a full grey scheme with a spot of colour. Paint on a feature wall still works but also timber battens painted in with the wall are popular at present and take a bit of time and effort but has impact. You could also do it in the rimu or macrocarpa to fit in with the existing timber and work it in with the window. Some images for you to ponder but not limited to these ideas. Cheers, Christine....See More
siriuskey
10 months agoKay Bodman
10 months agoKay Bodman
10 months agodreamer
10 months agosiriuskey
10 months agolast modified: 10 months agoWonderful house and great floorplan, these houses have a lot of brick timber and glass and are always filled with light. I can see by your floorplan that you enter and then have to cross the living dining to access the rest of the house. I would suggest that you have a timber/tiled entrance and then a timber walkway the width of the fireplace up to timber dining room. The recessed carpet in the sunken living will work beauitfully.
siriuskey
10 months agoThis Eichler Mid Century house gives some idea of what you could do with the living room flooring using timber and not tiles.
Great lighting for Mid Century and 80's houses are Paper shades, track lights and wall up
lights
gaye50
10 months agoDare I say it, I think there is too much brick. If you’ve got the money, I’d remove half the brick wall leaving the fire place & make it double sided.
gaye50
10 months ago
PROCHRISTINE HALL ARCHITECTS LTD
10 months agoHi Jani,
Lovely spaces in the home you have bought. Initially I thought it was too much brick but it is quite well balanced with plenty of white walls and the accent timber ceiling.
One thing that sticks out to me is the white trim between the carpet and the brick. This should not be needed and a simple transition between the two materials should be implemented.
I would stick with a light carpet and the colour depends on what your furniture suits. A light grey might freshen up the space but a soft beige tone would be fine too. You are unlikely to change the carpet again so be really comfortable with your choice, especially if you decide to go with a bolder colour. If you decide on something darker, you will need more lighting.
For window treatments - I'm not a huge fan of them unless you need them for privacy. Go with a roll down blind or a simple natural fabric curtain, like linen or silk blend and make sure you hang them from the top of the wall, not the top of the window. If you can get away with it, a plain white or other soft coloured sheer curtain.
I quite like the idea of laying a tile or stone floor strip the width of the gap beside the fireplace, as previously mentioned, all the way from the front door to the kitchen and keeping the living and dining spaces carpeted. However, I would hesitate to install more slate and it would be problematic to mix something new with the existing slate - unless you plan to replace that too. I am a huge fan of terracotta tiles. I know they polarise peoples opinions but they work really well with timber and white with other neutrals and natural materials. There is a reason they have been around for centuries!!! They have to be the authentic terracotta though, not ceramic. You could lay them over the whole entry, living and dining rooms (and Kitchen) and just have large rugs for the rooms. Depends on what you like the look of.
Lighting - why not look at using some narrow black tubular pendant style fittings. Or something that has a bit more impact but not fussy.
C.
dreamer