I agree with something more substantial on the windows, and with a punch of color.

I was going to say the same thing. The room is homey and warm. The white window trim stands out, and then the little bits of fabric look insignificant and a bit winky. Panels might not be right without room for them. How about some valances like MyThreeDogs, only a little more tailored? They cover the top and sides of the window trim.

agree to soften it a bit with drapes and I am liking the corner light BUT am wondering if it would look a bit cozier or warmer to have a light that hangs over instead of directed up? Great room tho, and what is really missing to me is 'Jack' sitting in the chair lol

Here is a link that might be useful: lamp

I like the chaise. I think maybe you should get rid of the black chair and ottoman. Also, do you have room to put the loveseat perpendicular to the couch(so across from the fireplace) instead of on the corner like it is.

I think you have too much furniture in the room, and too much of the same color. I would like to see 2 more colors added to the room, I would pick them out of your area rug.

I really like the details in your home..the fireplace, columns. I also like your wall color. What color did you use? Very warm color. I do think there is too much furniture also and I agree that maybe valances would be enough for the windows. Something a little more substantial, like the roman shades you have in the adjoining room. A reading light is also a good idea, as stated above. Otherwise, the room is beautiful.

Nice, welcoming room! Beautiful fireplace and lovely wood trim. The black chair and ottoman picks up black from fireplace screen. But the chair/ottoman does look a bit cramped, and (like mahlgold), I'd consider relocating it, and squaring up the the loveseat to directly face the fireplace.

Short answer to your other questions: I would not do panels at window, nor paint fireplace an accent color. I don't think a sunburst mirror is a great choice for over the fireplace, but if you really like it, you could make it work.

Long answer: unsolicited, but well intentioned:

We see 3 sides of the room - if you could post a view of the 4th side (behind loveseat) it might generate some better furniture placement thoughts. e.g. there may be potential to reverse sofa and loveseat.

Your throw on chaise looks lovely. Don't want to go crazy, but maybe another throw would take emphasis off not-so-attractive backsides of leather sofa or loveseat. Or you could add table or cabinet behind one.

As mentioned by prior poster, the window treatments seem a bit wimpy for the room. IMO the Roman shades that are visible in the adjacent room would look great - adding some visual weight to windows that can't really handle any other sort of drapery.

The camera angle captures some very nice views of the room, but it looks as though the view from kitchen (I think) may not be as pleasing. It looks as though sofa, side table and chair are placed between two hefty columns. Furniture probably needs to go there, but integrating it with the columns would be ideal. A symmetrical arrangement (maybe sofa with narrow table behind) might work.

I'd prefer a rug that picks up the geometry of the pillars and fireplace trim. In a contemporary vein, a rug with more rectilinear shapes rather than the slow curved forms in your existing rug. In a more traditional vein, an arts & crafts style pattern.

You've organized your TV cabinet well, but you could add doors on all or part if you prefer closed storage.

Your room looks very cozy (I love the fireplace). I think you should use the romans on all the windows. I think you should also pull the sofa forward (so the legs are on the rug). Your tv unit looks very symetrical, so I think you need to balance the accessories a bit - perhaps two identical plants on top of the columns? You might also want to try two square pictures side by side above the tv. As for the fireplace mantel, I love that picture (almost bought it myself!). The colour of your candles is competing with it, trying a softer colour candle so the painting stands out more. Maybe take the throw off that beautiful chaise and drape it on the sofa or loveseat?

Yes, sofa across from the fireplace. I think you could lose the black chair to make way for the child's chair. Also will agree that the room has too much of the same color.

For the window treatments I would say a vote here for cream if you want to stay safe (no rust) but I would rather see some of that light blue from the room on the window treatments. It would make for a more balanced (and interesting) room to have both warm and cool colors present.

As far as the mantle,if you bring a little bit of variety in with some different colors, then it could stay. I'm more concerned with the picture over the tv that I feel isn't working because of the overdose of the same color/shape.

WOW, thanks for all the wonderful and appreciated feedback!
I totally understand your thoughts on the existing window treatments! I wish I could change them but my DH would have a heart attack since we spent $$$ on them just last May. It's one of those things...I wish I knew then what I know now. I would have done something different. You live and you learn I guess. So, my only option for that is to add panels! Ugh..

I'm adding another view of the room and as you can see...it's an area for my kiddos:) It won't change for awhile, unfortunetly! Ha! oh, well....suggestions would be great though! I can start thinking ahead so I don't make any more mistakes!

I totally agree that there is too much of the same colors going on! You should see the kitchen cabinets...they are that same honey color...ugh! Help! :)
I like the idea of a table or cabinet behind the sofa!
So much to think about....ahh..

Everyone has given such good advice already.

A couple things......

I would not paint an accent wall in such a small room.

You do have way too much furniture. The one seating item I would keep for sure is the chaise. Can you go with just the chaise and couch in the room (and of course the kids chairs). Then move the couch forward a tiny bit so it is on the rug and more connected conversation-wise with the chaise. I don't think you need a table behind the couch since there are the pillars.

Since your DH doesn't want to get rid of the current valance could they be used in another room? The get something different for the living room?

Add another color with art and accents. Right now they are all in the same color family and do not have that 'wow' factor. I would not do a sunburst over the FP. Something else less Modern would be better.

Hi again,
Just to add...I wouldn't change the mantle. I like the red tone candles and what you have now. I also would not put a sunburst mirror. Most of what you have is more traditional. If you ever change your area rug, I would agree that a more traditional pattern.

I would get rid of the valances and leave just the blinds. I think you need larger, taller artwork over the TV to give some height to the furniture there. I think the white matting works great to tie in the white trimwork in the room.

The black chair seems to crowd the space too much. Move it out and place the love seat at a right angle to the sofa. The would kinda hide the toys from view as they'd be behind the love seat.

Can you add some white items to the shelves? A large white urn, or a white picture frame would bring the white color down to another eye level.

How about some patterned throw pillows with a little white in the pattern? That's another wy to spread the color around rather than just seeing it in the wood trim.

Could you find another piece of artwork for the mantle? Again, I'd suggest something framed with a white mat.

Your room is very nice. The only thing that bothers me is that your colors seem to appear in "layers". I think a room works best if the colors are used at different heights in a room. Think of the room height in thirds. Right now white is in the top third section of the room. If you can bring it down to the lower "thirds" I think the room would work better.

Oh, I just noticed that you have no lighting next to the sofa or love seat. And you have no place to set a drink or book down next to these furniture pieces, either.
A floor lamp or a small end table w/lamp would be nice in the corner of the "L" seating space. And even a coffee table in front of the sofa would add some "liveability" to the room.

Lovely home, and lovely arts and crafts details.

Do you need the loveseat and the couch? If not, I would move the loveseat out - too much brown leather and too crowded.

Keep the couch across from the tv, move the smaller dark leather chair and ottoman to the right of the couch. Get ALL the front legs of the furniture on the rug, as well as the ottoman- it looks like you are avoiding touching it, or have cleared the furniture away to hold a dance in the middle of the room. LOL

I don't see panels on the windows, but I would like to see larger valances that are hung above and outside the trim. With the blinds you have already, the little flap of fabric inside mounted is too small and looks lost. Color is good, tho. I think I would look for something with some pattern and more colors in it, perhaps some green and blue tones pulled from the rug.

This plaid might work:

bridgett autumn

Or this

vatican multi

I don't mind the art, but I would frame it in a darker frame and hang it so it is a bit higher than the current window frames. Then put the pieces on the mantle a bit in front of the corners of the artwork, for more of a layered feeling, rather than a lineup. Change out the candles to a blue or green.

Hang a cute mirror above your cubby storage.

You would do well to have more lighting in the room, too. Something by the couch for reading or doing paperwork, etc. Are there plugs in the pillars at the base? Could you do wall-mount, plug-in lamps on the pillars?

The only artwork I would change is the one over the tv. It almost feels like a second tv screen staring at you. Instead, get a series of three items, perhaps some interesting iron pieces or a group of plates, to add some shape and texture but not be another 'picture' competing with the tv.

What a beautiful room you have!

Before you do anything try taking the two shelves on
either side of the TV away. Storage, garage,.. anyplace.
Move them out because they are crowding your gorgeous
room. It feels heavy and might be more open with taking
the bookshelves away and simply using the bottom portion
as the TV stand.

Would it be possible for you to get a Arts and Crafts
style rug with a smaller pattern? Something simple?
The rug you have is fine but it goes too well with the
other elements and looks like a JCP catalog ad. Not that
JCP is not a great store it is just the elements are too
blended.

You might find with this area being lighter the window
treatments are noticed more. Because they are lovely.

A rug like this that keeps the Craftman lines but
is simple and different enough to add not blend.

I know this is not yours but this is the idea I am
trying to express. Just the tv on top of the table.

You can move the art and keep the wall with nothing.
Plain. Simple is the key to being less crowded.
Other rug ideas

I'm with Les...she has such great taste~
What do you think about her ideas???

Really nice room, great ideas here. Question: Can you please share the make of your fireplace? I love it with your doors.
Thanks.

joanie38~ the fireplace was designed by my DH and the carpenter and the doors were just from Home Depot!

I LOVE all your suggestions! THANKS!!!
We moved the black chair into the office with actually worked beautifully in there (I think). I moved the couches onto the rug as mentioned. I like it! I can see getting a different rug! Maybe, just maybe I can re-use the window treatments in the office??!
Interesting idea about taking the bookcases out.
I will post some more pics when I make more changes, thanks so much!