Help with living room

[madmarchmare]

I like to think I'm quite good at interiors but I'm in a flap with my new living room.

It's a new build, but has high ceilings, so not typical new build. The room also v large -30ft by 13 ft. It is easy west facing with a large bay at the east end and another big winDow at the west end. I am thinking the walls are so large that I perhaps should break them Up with a picture rail and even a fake chimney breast to create an alcove just to make a focal point. I had planned the couloir scheme in pic attached - I had already bought the Graham and Green print behind the large green sofa and the Lucy tiffney throw, and was thinking of getting the sofas reupholstered in different greens.....however, a sample of the f&b paper Helleborus paper has come and it's greener than I thought, I thought it would be more yellowy....also if we did the chimney breast should I paper that or have it painted? And if so what colour? Would I have paper above the picture rail or just below? Any ideas/advice appreciated!

I thought a fake chimney breast a bit like this one although it looks v modern and the other things I have chosen are more trad?

F&b suggest these couples with the paper

*colours

* that I perhaps should break them Up with a picture rail and even a fake chimney breast to create an alcove just to make a focal point.*

Please don’t

It is a new build that this will look daft and won’t age well

@madmarchmare

I thought a fake chimney breast a bit like this one although it looks v modern and the other things I have chosen are more trad?

Ah something like that could work

But where are the logs going in that picture?? Will you have a wood burner?

No not a wood burner.....just for show I suppose! Wouldn't necessarily put logs in. Candles maybe? Do you really think picture rail would look daft? The ceilings are so high I think it could take it.

I avoid anything for “show”. So to have a fake fireplace rammed with logs that aren’t used... daft.

Picture rails look contrived in new builds - in my very humble opinion anyway.

I like your colours and it sounds like a nice room.

Keep it fresh and focus on light. Nothing wrong with a new build - so don’t try and inject age

But it’s your home

So if you like these features - damn we’ll do it and enjoy it!

Do you think coving would also look contrived? You can get modern styles, not ornate Victoriana.....

Don’t do a false chimney because that affects furniture placement

I think we have worked out where furniture will go and it will still allow for some flexibility

I disagree and absolutely think it's a good idea to add in some older features to a new build - it will benefit from adding character. How about panelling instead of a picture rail? I like the concrete chimney breast and of course you can have wood logs if you like them - it's very cosy and the added texture adds interest.

What about painting the ceiling colour part way down the walks similar to this.

pin.it/7g8ppHf

pin.it/3kV63LG

How about a sectioned bookshelf like this rather than a fake fireplace? You could fill it with plants and art if books aren't your thing.

Sorry wrong thread - have asked for it to be moved.

I remember the late 1980s, early 1990s when couples moving into new builds were putting in dado rails.

Maybe 1989 is back in fashion.

Personally I’d make the most of the lack of features. While I love out old house every wall has something ‘in the way’

What about some amazing string shelving and floating sofa placement?

What is string shelving? And what do you mean by floating sofa placement?

I like the idea of a sectioned bookshelf

Maybe something like this