Thanks, kitch! You’ve been a big help! I think I like that look best as well. I have just been admiring that big light blue pottery barn vase for a long time now and was excited to try it out. Maybe down the road I could try it on the floor in front of the mantle (at this point my toddler would have a field day with it!). Debating if I should keep it or return it and possibly rebuy later. Got it for about $100 during the friends and family sale. Hmm... What do you think about these looks for my mantle refresh? I appreciate your input! :) Option 1: current look + new throw basket (I’ll probablt put a burnt orange throw in the basket) Option 2: new vase with eucalyptus leaves + new plants on each side Option 3: swapped out the leaves for berry stems Option 4: removes small plants from left Option 5: Swapped out small plant for a slightly different plant Option 6: swapped out plant for one in a tin vase Option 7: swapped out the small plant for a small white vase Option 8: basically same setup i have now, with the addition of the vase! I really wanted to try to incorporate the mercury glass candles since I have mercury glass in other areas of the house. Any of these groupings can use the eucalyptus leaves instead of the berry stems; I just didn’t feel like taking two photos of each look! :)

We have an engineered hickory floor throughout our living, dining and office. We used the tile shown here in both the entry area that adjoins them as well as the hearth. I wish I had done the kitchen at the same time The tile has both light gray and light brown in the stone effects, so looks nice with our gray walls but also the varied shades of brown in the wood floor. https://www.artwalktile.com/products/monocibec/ethnos/ethnos-tile-huron-54850. But your kitchen colors, especially the cabinets, would be a big factor in tile color choice! Good luck!

I think you have some very pretty spaces here and have already done a more than respectable job with the decor. For the living room in particular, it only needs tweaks, such as raise up the art higher (and pull that sofa a bit from the wall, so that no one feels nervous about hitting their head on the art); take everything off the media unit that has height and make the decorations low bowls or trays. Plants look wonderful in that room, so bring in as many as you can handle. Are you completely averse to a light toned shag-type rug for your living space? if that doesn’t work for you, a sisal is fine. That rocking chair in the corner of the dining room isn’t going to get used, so I’d replace it with a plant. In the other corner, instead of sticks, get a free standing or wall mounted wine rack. For the dining chairs, I would go for ones in colourful or transparent plastic (these come in different colors) or if you prefer the comfort of upholstered go for bright colors, florals or graphics, or solids. Coral, aqua, — whatever you like. You could have a livelier linear light fixture, either something curvy or feathery or with shine. What you have is fine with your chairs, but after you switch out the chairs, maybe you’ll want a new fixture. I love your glam Monroe headshots in the kitchen. A more fun and flashy kitchen clock would be nice, as would pop-style utensil holders, fruit bows, dishtowels, fab dishwashing gloves and a great cooking apron or 2 I would make bar stools the last purchase. My problem with macrame is that it collects dust. If you like fabric arts (and they can be inexpensive and easy to hang) look at batik wall hangings and Japanese noren curtains — that kind of folk art, which can have bright colors or subtle designs.

I would use a lighter natural wood to lighten the room. I think that will help bring it forward to a more current style.