I wrote a long post last night and lost it, as I'm still getting used to my laptop (grrrr!) One of my ideas was to possible float the loveseat , as kmg, suggested, placing the tv on that wall. If the room can take it, it would give you seating while watching tv; seating facing the fireplace and a good arrangement for chatting with company. You've mentioned your budget. With that in mind, you can always put off purchasing a tall entertainment piece that would hold, not only the tv, but with bookcases on either side to display books and art pieces, etc. And when I say "art pieces", this can mean anything from a 5x7" card of a nice picture displayed in an inexpensive-but-bulky wood easel frame to a boldly colored large bowl; a basket of silk or real greenery, etc. The possibilities are endless, as long as they're not delicate or too busy. When shopping for an EC, I'd look for a piece with closed door storage along the bottom, as everyone needs more storage these days! But, figure out the best seating arrangement BEFORE buying any tables. This way you can get tables that work with the space you have left. And, look for pieces with some closed storage. Being a mom myself, I know how much clutter they can generate ;^D One way to bring in extra seating and not add too much bulk would be to use two small cubes with storage compartments in place of one large coffee table. I'm not sure how long trays balanced on top of cubes would last with small kids, but even two low, round, sturdy wood tables there might work. But, you first have to come up with some color to add. What colors come to mind when you think of your favorites? Colors that you enjoy seeing and having around you? Use one as your main color and one or two others for your accent colors. Your main color is NOT brown; that's your neutral color. For instance, my family room has a brown leather sofa and chair. I love red, so I've added it (in a more rusty hue) along with green. I've added green via another leather chair and in pops of it in our art and accessories. Red in my throw pillows, a large chunky candle arrangement on my coffee table, and in my art. In Spring through Summer, I add pillow covers in a mellow yellow (my third accent color)with red and green print. The bottom line is to pick colors that YOU like, as you're the one who has to live there. As My3dogs, suggested, add color. You can do this with throw pillows, art, throws, pottery, candles, etc. My own added advice would be to think BIG. You have big pieces of furniture and you need large accessories to balance these. For example, look at your fireplace mantel now. Your accessories there add nothing because they're too small. Think chunky, big, bold, colorful. You can save money by getting large chunky lamps at a second-hand or discount store and repainting them a bold accent color. Add new shades and you've added a great piece to the room that's also child-resistant ;^D This way, you can save some money for big artwork. What kind? Art is so, so, so personal . . . or it should be! Again, you're going to have to live with it day in and day out. What do YOU like? Landscapes?Contemporary still-life? Whatever you like, you can find many with brighter colors that work with your room. A print can be fairly inexpensively double-matted and framed. Spending the extra to have it double-matted really makes a huge difference. I do have to mention your fireplace, though. Everyone loves a fireplace. They're warm, welcoming, cozy and a great architectural feature. But, the way yours is at the moment, it's the wallflower of the room . . . fading into the background. You've furnished the room with big, bold dark brown leather pieces and you have this delicate white and gray marble fireplace that's blending into the light wall. Is there anyway that you might consider giving it a face-lift? My first thought was a beefier mantel in a wood or stone and some glass or ceramic tile on the surround and hearth. These are just quick pics I found online googling "tile fireplace surrounds). If you want or need to stay with the fireplace as it is now, I think you need to repaint the walls a darker, deeper color to make that fireplace stand out. I don't have time to address the drape issue, but you're getting some great ideas here already, Lynn

I am also glad you moved the sideboard! Funny how small things make a difference. I agree that a rug would be nice. I googled Craftsman rug and there is a lot out there, at a variety of prices. I have found rugs very difficult to buy online. The colors never seem accurate -- usually duller IRL. I think the New Castle Marigold by Company C is very sweet, but maybe it's too casual for you. The colors might work though. Tough to tell. I am not loving the stained glass piece on the wall. Somehow, I just want to see something lighter and brighter there, with more contrast to the wall color. White mats would look to me, to go with the woodwork. And three of something, hung in a row. Maybe woodcuts or Japanese blockprints or something....clean and simple, just like your style! Would you consider painting the inside of the built-ins? Or maybe lining the backs with an interesting, heavy weight paper to bring some light and interest there? You could use some 3M removable adhesive squares and play with some craftsman style papers. Or just a solid color. I have a dark Chippendale style glass front bookcase I plan to line with some Italian marbleized paper, just because it seems so dark to me. If I were to paint your cabs, I would go with a pale creamy gold pulled from the light fixture. The way the light is streaming into the room in the first pics makes me think that something glass and sparkly would look nice there. Do you use this DR? Would a big glass bowl be a PITA at mealtimes? Something along the lines of the glass bowls with apples, only bigger. I'd put a few pieces of McCoy on the sideboard. Here is a link that might be useful: Here's an idea for the table...

I know having a desk in your bedroom isn't ideal, but millions of college student living in dormitories make it work. How about if you move the bed all the way to the "bottom" of the room (away from the window), rotate the wardrobe and put it at the end of the bed, and put your desk by the window? That would give you a pleasant work space, and create separation between work area and sleeping area. With the desk gone, you have room for living room furniture. Your needs there depend on how you will use the space: reading, entertaining 1 or 2 friends, watching TV? Once you determine how you will use the space, it will be easier to choose furniture to suit your needs.

Hi! have you thought about adding a pergola or a covered area of some kind? I don't know if you like to eat outside, but that may be a place for a dining table or firepit. adding a gravel or concrete area around a fire pit would give the area purpose. Add a circular or square retaining wall around it to define the space. you can fill in with plants, small bushes, your favorite flowers, etc. If you are tired of looking at the side of your house, add a modern slat trellis for flowering vines to grow on. you can wrap this around one side of the firepit for privacy as well. Maybe you could incorporate your paddles into the benches around the fire pit as seat backs? either screw them vertically with the wide part up or sideways. I thought the second photo was a really pretty array of what colors you can add to your yard.