For a fresher updated look:

Actually -- the fireplace does have clean updated lines -- but you might want to paint out the bricks in a soft cream OR to match a new color on the walls IF you pick new furnishings.

1) Remove the carpeting. No matter what else you do to this room -- the carpeting will continue to date the whole look. What is under the carpeting? Laminate flooring -- that looks like hardwood -- might be the answer.

2) Clear the space. Look at your (or her) local Craigs List. It is AMAZING what furniture can be found there .... consider switching to a updated small sectional to sit in the corner where the TV now sits. IF possible -- switch the TV to another wall. Try bamboo or natural blinds on the windows -- and simple straight curtains.

3) Try some fresh artworks -- and lamps. Just switching the accessories can really help too! Check places like Target; T.J. Maxx; Ross etc.

Hope this helps!

Jan

Are you saying she wants to part with all this furniture? It is so BEAUTIFUL and looks in excellent condition. I dream of having such lovelys! And clutter? where is any clutter? My first thought seeing the pictures was the drapes. They could be replaced, extended much wider with a crisp valance and giving the walls a better balance with the FP. I also thought about crisp cushions on each end of the FP for a simpler look. There are ways to change the FP from black to a softer lighter metalic look. Is this the kind of change you had in mind?

I'm with teacats~removing the carpeting and replacing it with an area rug would give the room an entirely *new* look. I don't see it as dated either, but more classic. It's a look many are trying to achieve.

Do NOT get rid of the sofa! I recently bought a new one, and don't even want to tell you what I paid for it! It doesn't have quite the amount of tufting(buttons), but the arms/shape are almost identical.

I would add drapery panels, but leave the sheers for privacy. ;o)

It's so funny Teacakes and Bodica, we've never talked about removing the carpet. I guess we've been used to having it in the living room it never occurred to us to remove the carpet. I know she thinks downstairs the floors are kind of cold in the winter. We had discussed painting the FP, but weren't sure what would look good. The furniture: I know it's a classic look and she "kinda likes" it, but my sisters and I really don't. It's not comfortable anymore, she's had it for over 15 years and doesn't seem to go with a more updated look. Pattycakes, maybe it is the amount of tufting that seems dated to me.

Bodica, you're right it's not really cluttered as much as it's "full." It's very neat and clean, but every wall, corner, top or floor space is covered with something. Mom calls it cluttered, but I think it's because there's no clear spaces except around the coffee table. I know she is planning on replacing the vinyl peel-and-stick floor in DR and kitchen. With the suggestions so far, (keep them coming) I'll ask her about changing the LR floor too. Any suggestions on what might look nice?

Well, ok then, I'll come get the sofa, loveseat and dark blue chair out of your way. It will be alot of work but they will be perfect in my boudoir.

I agree with the others about the carpeting but I also think that three sofas are way too much for a room of that size. Eliminating some of the furniture would make a great difference. I'd also eliminate the valences and get great curtain rods that resemble the colors of the lamp base. Put up lighter colored draperies to match your wall color (whatever you choose) and you're halfway there. Then you'll have room to reconfigure the room. The entertainment center and the display cabinet will show off much better. When you get to that point,post a picture and I'm sure you'll get lots of ideas on how to place the furniture. Your Mom is lucky to have you!!!

Just ran this by Mom. She said she likes carpet, it makes it warmer and cozy. She said underneath the carpet is concrete, that makes the floor colder, which is why she wants to keep carpet. I know there is in-floor radiant heating, but have no idea of cost factor. The only reason she wants to keep the carpet is because floors are cold, she said, "My old bones get too cold without the carpet."

I'd say that the style of the furniture definitely doesn't go with the style of the fireplace. I could see some clean lined MCM pieces in there. I think the windows would look good with woven wood shades and side panels like in this post from Brutuses

Hi Terriks. Thanks for the link for the wood shades. I think my Mom would like that look. The challenge is because this is the downstairs of a split level, it can get kind of dark, but this is a nice compromise that would update the room.

I agree with painting the fireplace. IMO it is a must-als okeep the sofa maybe new side chair, lamps, glass& metal coffee table, window cover as suggested.

Do you think that tearing out the raised side hearths would be a good or bad idea? Mom is receptive to either that or as someone else suggested cushions on each side. It looks like whatever is decided the brick will be painted. Thanks again.

I would leave the side hearths. But I would also get more brick and run it all the way up the wall, just from the highest parts on either side of the chimney area - so it surrounds the whole hood and chimney, and makes the fireplace a real intentional focal point. Then I would paint the brick.

Cushions on the hearth would be good.

Is the carpeting mauve? That may limit what you do colorwise. Think greys and olive greens for colors to consider.

I would not do a sectional. Get a smaller couch (or recover or slipcover one of the ones she has, if they are worth saving) and invest in a pair of really comfy chairs. Then an upholstered ottoman that can double as seating if needed.

Ditch the drapery and get some great woven wood blinds to add some texture, and that can be a bit wider than the windows for visual balance.

I am not a fan of overhead lighting, so you are fine without it. But rather than a torchiere, which throws all the light up to the ceiling, get some good table lamps and floor lamps once you decide on your furniture.

I would certainly check into switching to a more neutral shade of carpeting -- think of sand or basic beige that would work with so many updated things like the sofas or accessories.

I do agree with Les' idea about finding more lamps that would create warm pools of light in the room rather than the light from the torchiere which illuminated the ceiling.

If you can, bite the bullet, take out the side hearth, and run the wall on the diagonal up to the ceiling to hide the fireplace hood and vent. The hearth and popcorn ceiling date the room and really clash with the furniture.
Keep carpeting in the room for the warmth she wants, but pick a lighter color.

I know I have seen hoods refinished but I'm not getting the best clues from Search. Maybe some one else remembers- I did find Rustolium High heat paint in almond or silver- what I'm thinking, if the hood and wall was the same neutral color or can metal be rea$onably fabricated to face an existing hood?

I agree with some of the other posts here....remove the carpet and put in hardwood, love the idea of brick to the ceiling and painted, change out the window treatments(I love taking window treatments all the way to the ceiling),and eliminate or recover some of the sofas. The only thing extra I offer is possibly taking down the "iron chain curtain" on the fireplace and using a 3-fold wrought iron screen. I had a shiny brass insert with glass doors in my fireplace for years and replaced it with a wrought iron screen that has doors, so that I didn't have to move the screen to use the fireplace. Looks 100 times better. Also, what about some crown moulding in the room?

This is actually a very lovely and unusual fireplace. I love the side hearts. It would be wonderful to sit and watch and get warm there while the fire is going. But the black hood and the chimney takes over and you can not see the fireplace. I would definitely leave the bricks alone. They are in nice color. But the hood and chimney has to be painted/refinished, whatever they need to be taken out of the focal point. They should be in a background color nothing shiny/metallic either. How would you do that? I don't know. But unless you figure that out, nothing will look good.
There are too much furniture there. I woud go with sectional and keep the single chair. If you don't want to get new furniture, You need to take out the slip covered sofa, move the two seater to its place. Then move the single chair to the two seater's spot.
Take off the valances and put a decorative rod for the windows. But I would not put blinds on them. MOst important thing is the light. You do not want to cover them.
Good luck.

The light in the room is really off. The sofas are a cream color and the carpet is actually a light beige, very neutral.

Les917 - I like the idea of taking the brick to the ceiling, would definitely make it a focal point. I did a mockup below. Not very good though but gives the idea. Thank you for the suggestion.

Suero - I'm not sure I understand your suggestion. Did you mean framing and sheet rocking it in like on top of the triangle sections so the entire FP is covered except the bottom portion with the screens? If so, that is inventive. Umm, maybe finding some way to put recessed shelving on the side. But wouldn't there need to be access of some type if service needed? I'll have to run it by Mom. I'm also going to try it as a mockup too.

Teacats and Les, good idea about the torchiere. They do put out a lot of light though, but it is all on the ceiling. :-) Just what she needs, to highlight all that popcorn. LOL

Bodica - great reminder about making sure it's a paint that can take the heat.

Angeldog - The iron screen would definitely update the look. I've thought about crown molding, but I think the popcorn should come down first.

I'm going to visit Mom this weekend and I am going to take ALL your suggestions. I think she will be so excited. I don't have Photoshop, but I did a quick mockup of taking the brick to the ceiling and I really like it. Unfortunately, I don't know how to paint it in the program I have without making it look like a solid color with no brick pattern.

I love the idea of taking the brick to the ceiling. If you can match the brick (hahahaha), you wouldn't even have to paint it.

Cushions for the sides, definitely. Have them made (or make them) with two straight sides and a curve, so they fit the little seating area exactly.

High-heat paint... Krylon makes it, and I think it comes in a burnished, warm-brown, coppery color. Yum.

Keep the carpet if she likes it. I like the idea of painting the black fireplace a coppery color. The black is harsh.

I think the room needs better light. I see one table lamp and 2 floor lamps that light the ceiling.

Maybe get rid of some of the fake plants.