one suggestion for filling the space w/o being crowded
tripod lamp
wall art
stacked poufs/ottomans

Cliff---Room looks Fabulous!

I think the key to designing an amazing small focus is to actually not focus on the fact that it is small. Great your dream space. Incorporate all the things you love then devise a plan to make them work with the space you have.

I have an amazing blog post that I think may help.

http://timothyriversinteriors.com/2015/01/19/decorating-a-small-apartment/

double post
see other post

The rest of the room...yes I am fine with painting the wood paneling. Do you think there should be a mantle. I think it's strange there is no mantel.

Mantle should be about 12 inches above the fireplace box but it can be as thick as 10-12 inches.

Is it possible to get more views of the space.As is, it's difficult to give a reasonable suggestion for improvement.

This is old are we done?

You can layer the cowhide rug over some light coloured large area rug, it will highlight the entire seating space and make it look a little less busy
You can also add some window treatments preferably of a linens/cottons for a more cozy feel

this light might look nice in r space in keeping with the arts and craft feel

and what to put on the walls now .....

Further ideas for lighting the foyer look at Hubbardton Forge on our website www.lightkulture.com

A long console with standard size tv (wall mounted)
This arrangement would free up space for yr vase and art work.
pic submit for "balance and arrangement"

I think you have a lot of brown in your room...brown couch, brown art work, brown shelves, tall brown vase...I would go with a lighter finish on the console. And, I'd add some pop with colorful pillows on the couch and interesting lamps. I wouldn't go with a 74" console because you see it as too big, and I think you always would. I'd go with 64" because you seem more comfortable with that size. I disagree with always following "rules" just because they're rules...I think sometimes we should go with what just feels right to us!

Year old post

Yes Teresa, It can be "neverending!"
Projects tackled with love, Tho.
Enjoy.

Hadn't thought about grey/blue but I can see how that might work. Any suggestions as to how blue it should be or palates I could view? Thank you!

I would choose a grey that just hints at blue being careful to stay away from plummy greys. Sherwin Williams Aleutian, Jubilee or Solitude would work.

lefty 47;s colour palette suggestion house
ranchwood
willow
overcoat

cont'd
amsterdam
prairie lily

choices for door colour

Take your time. The Dutch colonial gable and shakes are setting a tone that you should try to enhance, not change. Search the web for Dutch colonial gable and Dutch colonial shakes to get some ideas flowing. When budget allows you might consider installing a Dutch door - they are so interesting and pretty, IMO.

Old post.

check out this landscaping!
could be modified for yr needs.

new windows that replicate the ones in this ref pic would look nice.
I'm not sure that this is a consideration but you mentioned windows in yr dilemma.

Lefty is usually correct when picking colours for houses.
The lanscaping ideas are stand outs ,also.
Worth looking into.

These would look great in front of the bare walls near your large double windows...

Definitely landscaping. Mixture of plantings and hardscapes with colorful accents will help you get that "pop"

Rina, well done.

jayhawkers61, this is a post from 2014.

Could the right half of the home be bumped out with a window instead of a door, removing the porch? That way there would be more space inside and it wouldn't look as if their were two entrances. It would also create a united front between home and brick.

In answer to the trunk as a coffee table
Coffee tables can be higher than the seat in some cases, though. An example would be using a large steamer trunk for a coffee table. It may be higher than the seat but does not look out of place due to its overall proportions and original intended use.
I hope this will answer your question ;-)

This site might be helpful to you.
http://asyoulikeitdesign.ca/2010/03/08/some-useful-decorating-rules/

small wall hangings on either side of the tapestry will help too! Consider urn for accessory.
Pendants can be played with also...

Like the tapestry hung on the side wall - looks good!

I see the diff from season to season but does the house colour change also?

"Exact" is always helpful !

I think a paprika colour door with grey trim would suit you naturally stained cedar siding
ref pic

How much does it matter that the door is mostly glass? We're only painting the small border around the glass and the glass appears green, white, gray, blue, or black, depending on what's being reflected in it at the moment.

I don't think it matters that the door is mostly glass and reflects. We trim windows in a variety of colors and they also reflect the outside world.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

the wall paint in the ref pic is blue but I think the beige headboard with the nail heads
and white furniture would look nice in yr space with toasted walls
The rest of the decor would look quite nice in yr space, also.

Thanks Doris. I agree that this would be a great choice. I have to say the photo of your Amerson makeover is a dream. The colors and textures are amazing.

I like the woven headboard because there are varying degrees of your wall color and the texture would add interest. It would be a neutral look, but not boring.

this house similar to your with landscaping

ı would go for black

HI -- Really nice house . Paint everything that is green to "Ranchwood " or "Willow" and paint the front door black . Make the front steps the full width of the landing so it's more grand . You don't need to paint the brick . Then fluff up your landscaping .

You might be inspired by the following colour palettes

Lessismoore, that set up is beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration!

Hey! So happy I'm being helpful ;-)

how do you feel about this table /chairs/hanging fixture?
modern but would suit your cabinets and floors and window surround

I don't think you need a large valance if you just wish to cover the roller top. Just do what you need to, to cover the unattractive roller. I have even hot glued trim to do this!

some table options...

this might be a consideration for the TV wall

how about mixing it up a bit?

That's a great idea! Painting a band onto the wall is a creative way to circumvent my husband's request.

1. You might want to flip the furniture around so people are not silhouetted against the front tall windows and put the TV under the clerestory windows. Then you can put another nice piece of art work above the sofa.

2. Get an armoire for the TV and audio/sound equipment. It will hide the modern equipment and fill the wall. Get a short but long one if putting under the clerestory windows.

3. Paint the walls a pale beige. Although some of your pictures show a color darker than the trim work so they may be fine the way they are.

4. Get rid or the rug..its dated... get something with a more modern pattern in blues and beiges, along with cushions to match or complement, with a splash of very dark brown. Pale blues with a dark chocolate brown color is a nice combination.

5. The window coverings are fine, but turn the blinds the other way so the light bounces off the ceiling and illuminates the room

6. Invest in nice piece of wall art/painting for the entry area. The picture there is too small.

the tall mirror with console table seen on the landing would look nice in the foyer space.
As Vielle Frances Interieurs suggests

another suggestion for furniture placement

ref/insp. pic

Hello! Pertaining to the FOYER:
1) Add a large area rug (under that table)
2) Replace the mirror with a large floor mirror (at least 5' High, and 36" Wide). The bigger the better, to brighten and open the space.
3) Hang beautiful fabric or drapes on either side of the new large mirror.

The flowing drapes, large mirror and area rug, with your existing table (placed in front of large mirror) will create an inviting cozy atmosphere!

Please post new pic after you've refined the area.

Liked the console table in foyer, need larger rug, and paint the mirror black. You will be good to go.

what do you think of the furniture colour and accents
they'd fit nicely with yr wall colour

Thanks, Sue. What a peaceful image.

Love the art above...

I think this ref pic reflects the rustic/industrial(mild) vibe you are seeking especially with the ceiling beams.
The blue tray on the ottoman interprets the blue vintage phone.
inspiration pic

Keep looking for rugs, the faux worn rug is way too contrived, it looks like someone threw bleach on it to try to get it to look old. It's a very obvious nonsensical treatment, you can do much better.

Place looks great, like your picks. :)

see ref pic for colour suggestions

http://houzz.com/photos/6092615

http://houzz.com/photos/125654

plantation shutters on windows almost similar to yours for reference

Definitely don't cover them! They give the home character.

Thank you o much. Problem solved!

Not quite funny but it doesn't look right.

lefty47 speaks the truth

I love your Tile and timber selection- complement each other perfectly. I agree it's unbalanced. Add another row of tiles, reattaching the mantel without the supports would look brilliant, though a lot of hidden metalwork would be involved. Failing that - tile behind and up to existing mantel height.

one of many out there: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1045345/teak-wall-mirror.jsp

first, you might consider slipcovering your dining room chairs in a natural fabric
ref pic
insp. pic

We went with one color throughout all public rooms...bedrooms and baths are different. We love BM Healing Aloe...very soft and a great coastal neutral.

You have a lovely house!!

Thank you, Beachilly! thats a lovely color you chose.

Have you considered not putting a rug under the table.
Much easier clean up w/o rug.
also, the light fixture is traditional and the rug contemporary and in this instance I don't think the twain should meet. ;)

You also try and move the curtains up closer to the ceiling.

Thank you all. I will plan to hang the mirror (very heavy) and raise the drapes per chipette's and groveraxle's comments. Remax-Lisa, thank you. I tend to do too matchy-matchy. I appreciate your insight, and anne dee's comment on the contemporary rug versus traditional light fixture. I hadn't paid attention to that before, but definitely see the conflict. I love the geometric gray rug option that groveraxle suggested - thank you for giving me a visual!! I'm going to work on these things this week and repost the outcome! Thank you all very much!

That looks nice ,Grover.

Now for this post - if you want bling add a beautiful chandelier to catch light.

I suggest your getting a beautiful ceiling light first and then a mirror that complements the light. A starburst may not work with the traditional style of your table. You may do better to search for an antique mirror. One step at a time -- light fixture first.

Is this kinda what ya mean, Darzy?
Try to arrange the furniture so that it looks something like this. I know that the arms may be in an awkward position but you may free up space.

Try the suggestion(Family Room) above but move it 90 degrees to the right so it will end up as a U shape with the mid section facing your TV.

It seems there are a few variations.
I think it can work if you give it a try.

Try it out and see if it bugs you. If you would only see the backs when you're on the stairs, it might not be toooo bad... If you see it from another room, it might be 'icky. (Technical term, hehe) personally I think I would prefer tv against the windows, but if you're up for moving furniture, you could try both way and post some pix of each?

Just a thought about placing the TV in front of the railing......if that turns out to be the best placement for furniture, etc, it might be possible to attach a screen or panel from the ceiling to be behind the TV and block the view of all the wires and such,as you come up the stairs. I looked in the products section and found shoji screens and bamboo blinds. Both of those would be light weight and would still allow light through, but hide the wires, etc! I've also seen floor to ceiling window panels in IKEA, and those already have the hardware for attaching to the ceiling!

Good luck!!

a couple of abstract paintings would look nice in the 2 storey room
pic submit for inspiration only

i posted for reference only.

You're right, grover, colour never hurts ;)

Do the window treatment with light color fabric and same color rug on the floor. white looks beautiful in contemporary style. you can put end tables at the both side of TV and put some decorative items on it. round glass table is perfect for contemporary style. you have option to hang family photograph or wall art on the wall above TV. see contemporary living room designs http://www.theclassyhome.com/comersus_listItems.asp?idCategory=397&Furniture=Stationary+Living+room+Sets

To soften the echo you might want to adjust your draperies further to right and left so they are over the wall more than over the window frame, and then add another pair flanking the center window. Since you could use a pair of coffee tables, make one of them a fabric hassock/footstool style to soak up more of the echo. Consider putting a tapestry,rug or fabric hanging on the wall above the TV for more sound absorption. In cool weather, use some throws as well. Start injecting some color into your space via art and rug

I don't believe you need to paint the cabinets.
new hardware on the cabinets
new faucet
new hanging fixture over the island
everything should sparkle.

Spend as little as you can because you don’t know buyers’ taste.

I really don't think it had anything to do with the granite. It was more the market changed.

gourmet meals from this kitchen!

Nicely done. Good work.

Looks great - I bet the new hardware really finished off the look.

Lefty's got a point.

Ok, I know money can always be a problem. I would still remove photos, looks strange. And small mirrors. Just look cluttered. There is peel and stick stencils that would work there, not expensive. Go on line or local Home Depot, Lowes. I would go white birch trees, very easy to do. There are many to choose from. Find one you like. Not sure of style of home.

Leave the wall empty. Its a small space and can easily look cluttered/messy

This could be an idea(or similar) to fit yr small space and will balance with the bureau
It appears a bit vintage to suit yr space

vintage charm for relaxing at the fireplace

@decoenthusiaste: That's a great illustration of different lamp types and dimensions--thanks for sharing. We did try the bureau to the left of the window before and felt that there wasn't optimal room to access the drawers, but perhaps we'll revisit it.

Am late to the party, but really enjoying teh suggestions! Congrats on the headboard, which centers the room and adds some real interest, as well as drawing attention from the furniture at the sides.

I wouldn't sweat the table you have -- it matches and is unobtrusive. I agree with those suggesting a taller lamp there to better balance the tall stuff opposite, but that's about the best you can do -- you have to work with the space and its constraints without making yourself into a pretzel in search of perfect symmetry!

this ref pic may be an inspiration for furniture placement

Here's something big & creative for those walls. Wall fountains are great natural humidifiers and will prevent your hardwood floors from drying out. Check out more at http://www.luxewaterwalls.com/

I added a table and moved chair out of corner until I find other items! It looks a little put together!

I would keep everything simple.
Remove everything from the end tables except the lamps
The lantern is too large for the mantle
remove the pot from under the end table
remove the ceramic stool
It's difficult to make out what else is in the room from the pic on the right side which appears dark on my monitor
good luck!!

I think it looks fine for showing.

I think you've done a great job! I agree with Anne Dee accept that I like the ceramic garden stool. I would just remove that throw too, from the angle the picture was taken it looks bulky though it may look good in person. Finally, just add some fresh flowers and you're ready to sell!