I really like that clock but I agree it is not working with that table and lamp. You could paint table black or a color close to your table color. I would not paint those small mirrors. Move them if you do not like them.
The collection of what you like is different. The lamp is contemporary but some of the other accessories are country or traditional. Your furniture seems to be transitional which is perfect to bridge the gap between contemporary and traditional.
I think changing the paint color might be the ticket to getting more intersst and fun in the room. Get more art with colors that go with your room.
If you replace the black clock, move the new one further down on the wall so that it interacts with the objects on the table.
You have some nice pieces to work with. Just get some more color into the room.

Here is my foyer, we are getting ready to paint.. I am trying to keep it simple also.. I also have a bench in the foyer and James the butler is also in there... I would like to do a sponge type paint on the wall with mirror on the wall that faces the door I want to hang this print.. only would like it in a black frame.wh

I understand completely. When I first moved into our little old house, I thought I wanted a soft, cottagey look and went about painting and decorating in a way that went very much in that direction. And then one day I took a look around and just realized that it wasn't me. Now, I'm not recommending you do as drastic a 180 as I did and completely drench your space with color, but I do think you could start experimenting by adding some punch to your rooms to see what you like. For me, it was a process before I found the colors and the items that truly made my heart sing. It may be the same for you.

What do you think about painting your little white table, not in all one color, but in color blocks? What I mean is, paint the legs one color, paint the top another, the "lip" around the top another, and one more color for the drawer. I think that might be really cute. Wouldn't have to be garish at all, depending on the shades that you choose. Just a thought! (And remember - it's only paint!) Have fun!

Huggybear, it might be best if you start a separate thread. Cute butler, by the way! :-)

I'll defer color suggestions to those on this forum who know more. Colors are never quite right on my monitor. I'd just like to say that I'm in love with your bird pillow and that little bird on a lemon sugar dish. I was studying your pics to try to figure out where the little dish is hiding. You do have some really special pieces that could be good jumping off points.

Can you use the light green chair and ottoman in another room? Maybe a guest room or den? I'd then put a bold throw on the sofa and bring in a CL coffee table. Putting some plants in the room and some art on the wall will go a long way towards bringing some color and energy to the rooms. The DR drapes should definitely be replaced.

oops sorry about that.. I was meaning to show how I used my mirror in my foyer over my table.. did not mean to butt in on kbmason thread.. thanks for setting me straight..
Huggy

I'm in the middle of reading Susan Sargents "New Country Color" - I bought a copy on half.com for a couple bucks. Her style is very inspirational - she uses prints and bright colors, but in a scaled back, vintage sort of way. You might take a look at that book and see if her style appeals to you - the blue and white printed roman shade reminds me a lot of her style so if you like that shade, you'll probably like her book.

Another place you might look at is (don't laugh) the Pottery Barn catalog -- their style is very much "clean vintage" - they use antiques and vintage pieces, but in a very modern stripped-back uncluttered of way. You don't have to get their products, but I do find that looking through the PB catalog (they also have a line of decorating books that spells out their style explicitly) is a great source of ideas. If you're still sorting out what you like and what you don't, I'd recommend sitting down with a pile of PB catalogs (go get on their mailing list now if you aren't already, and sign up for their regular, kids, and bed/bath catalogs) and cutting out the pages that show rooms you like. By the end of that, you'll probably have a better sense of your style, and you'll also have had a chance to look at different paint colors, accessories, and furniture placement to give you an idea of where to go from here.

Good luck!

I've been there. LOL, only now I'm going in the opposite direction. Start collecting pictures of rooms, furniture, textiles, etc. that you like.

I'm sure you'll get lots of advice from those here that are great at visualizing and making a plan. But if were my room this is what I'd do: First I would take down and put away anything that really bugged me or anything that looks very antiquey or shabby chic. Major decluttering of space. Then look at the biggest holes or blank areas in the room and replace them as your budget allows.

By the way I think you have some lovely things, but if they don't make you happy then you need to change them. I have that exact clock in my kitchen.

The best thing to do is to peruse lots and lots of decorating magazines and blogs. Find your style.

Right now you have some core pieces that cannot be changed you say. Have you considered slipcovering the couches/chairs? This is something you can do for 'decorating' purposes and convince DH that it is being done to protect the furniture investment from spills from sippy cups and markers that little ones like to scribble on furniture. Since you know a seamstress already, maybe they can be done even cheaper than buying ready made ones?

You can use the same reasoning to put an inexpensive rug over the w2w carpeting. This will bring color into the room.

I would paint the LR a deep warm color.

I would hold off on buying knickknacks and tchotchkes until the basic core look is in place. That is, unless you find a fabulous *inspiration piece* to use as a focal point.

Have a plan. Write it down. Stick to it. Don't buy every cute thing you see. Don't rush anything. There will always be another. The world is not going to run out of entertainment centers and end tables.

Take the things that are not working in the room right now, and pack them away (you may love them later) or find a place for them in another room.

Check out CL for nice items for sale that will fit your budget. You get more bang for the buck using CL.

Don't get depressed or frantic over mistakes. We all made them. I could just kick myself over some of the dumb expensive things I bought way back when. Everyone has a 'whoops' piece of furniture in their home. You can make it work.

Here is a link that might be useful: Slipcovers

Ah, thank you everyone. I am taking a deep breath. WHOOSH.

Okay - tonight, I am purging all accessories that make me nuts. The curtains will have to stay up for now, since I don't want to break it to DH that I'm not in love with them.

I'd love to do a nice, bright(er) yellow, but that's going to take some major convincing on my DH's part.

I scour CL daily. I've got my eyes open for rugs and other small pieces of furniture.

Thanks, all!

Huggy, no worries! I hope it didn't sound like I was "fussing" at you. I just thought you might get more input if you posted your photos in a separate thread, and it might alleviate any confusion of who was talking about what decor in this thread. :-)

Hey, Huggy not worried.. besides I like sitting in the corner .. James the butler can keep me company..LOL only kidding.. I just posted wrong and then got carried away.. what I wanted to say.. was maybe the clock was too high up and needed to be down nearer the table... so I am off to go sit with James.. he sure is ugly tho.. oh well... you all have a great day.. I am painting a Purple Martin birdhouse.. see ya

As a decor book fanatic -- here's my recommendation for your Research & Development LOL!

-- House Beautiful "The Home Book" by Carol Spier and published by Sterling Publishing ..... from the magazine!

Wonderful huge book with LOTS of color photos, ideas, tips etc. for your Home Work! (just teasing LOL!)

I was just sitting here re-reading my copy -- and thought of you! Bought my copy from Amazon -- but there may be a bookstore near you that would have it too! :)

Jan

Has anyone thought of putting a top on the table? As it is the lamp and frames etc. seem to be in a hole. If you have a table leaf or anything that would fit on the table top just to see if the lamp would be a better fit. I noticed that when you first posted but decided maybe someone else would suggest it. I am not a decorator or designer but I like the table and if you are thinking of painting it anyway another top would not be obvious.

dorothy

I adore your floral/plaid drapes and everything in your china cabinet and your roman shades.

I don't know what to tell you:)
Love your bird pillow, all of your drapery treatments (in dining room and the romans)and the sofa table in your 1st pic too!

I do agree to pull out the items that really aren't you and see if you can get a fresh perspective..

I also really like the dining room paint colour as well as the living room colour...but maybe you need to have more of a neutral (maybe darker) in LVRM to make it feel 'less sweet' to you.

Sorry-I'm not much help, but share your pain! I go through it all of the time, but just wanted to comment that you do have some beautiful things!!!

Good Luck:)
L.

I think you have a good plan. Take out what you don't like and choose new things based on whether you love them or not. I wouldn't worry about sticking to one style so much, because everything is meant to tell a story about you and all of your layers.

One thing I did notice on your other thread was the matching pillows on your couch and chair. I would take those off and use them on other pieces of furniture and look at other textiles that complement rather than match. If you don't want to use them, then take out the pillow forms and recover them. I think you'll see and feel a big difference once you get some color and texture variance even that small.

Your likes are very interesting. I definitely get a country vibe, but with a 50's twist thrown in there.
I'm a little surprised you don't love your curtains, because they seem to marry the two sides so well...I love them.