Love the fabrics and the furnishings you have so far, but more info would help.
What is this room used for?
What's the rest of the room look like?

Since the linen curtains match the fringe and the sofa, why not just get some blue ribbon or tape or whatever curtain makers call it and put it down the edges?
Just a thought.

The sofa and fabrics are beautiful. Are you open to painting the room? To me, that would be the least $$ fix for your room. Either a soft bluey/green or even the olive color(not as dark but the same tone) would be beautiful in there and would give you some contrast between the drapes and sofa.

Perhaps some crystal lamps on the tables. Or paint the lamps you have. A mirror would be beautiful over the sofa - check out antique stores for something unique. Pull the picture you have down closer to the table.

Smiles:)

Crystal lamps are an option.
If I do a mirror I don't want to go antique because I want to get away from the room looking too oldish. To me it looks old. :(
I am trying to modernize it a little more. Maybe make it look a little more restoration hardware. Less antique /traditional/ornate like.

The room has a darker cherry like armoire in it and it is a formal LR but we are not huge TV watchers. Often I read in here or one of my daughters reads in here or watches TV in here or at night my husband migrates in here to watch television or the game or something. Hence the leather chair.

I just painted the room cognac a few months ago. LOL. I fought with myself over painting it a blue but could never decide on a blue that did not overpower the room being it was a fairly small room. The other walls are just the same and plain. I can snap a pic if you like. it is just four plain walls that lead to my foyer.

Thanks for the extra info. Photos aren't necessary unless you'd like to share.
I'd look for some trim in blue to add to your current drapes. Though it might be hard to find something not traditional. I'm not really sure what's out there since I haven't been to a fabric store in awhile.
I like the idea of two framed mirrors or what about adding black and whites of your daughters above the sofa? Either would ad a more contemporary look.

It need some pattern, texture and height. A tall green plant in the corner, or even interesting twigs in a floor vase would work.

I like your paint color, and your sofa. I know what you mean when you don't want it too look too traditional. I just revamped our home because I wanted a fresher look. I think a new end table, new lamps would help. While the ones you have are nice, they are not the look you are looking for. I like your pillows, but I think the fringe makes them look too traditional. I would add art work, or a mirror to bring in some color, such as blue. Even a blue throw over the sofa would be nice. PB has a nice one with texture that's not too expensive. Right now from the angle you show, the curtains aren't doing anything for the room. It looks like a wall of fabric. Maybe a picture from a different angle of the window would help. How about Roman, Woven, Bamboo or Matchstick Shades? (Something more contemporary and lighter looking) or even pull the curtains to the side and put the woven shades under them. Take a look at the PB site http://www.potterybarn.com/shop/furniture-upholstery/family-room-ideas/?cm_type=lnav to get some ideas. I am not a PB fan, but they do have some nice photos of rooms. I also like the pillows they show...they add more pop than the ones you have now. I hope I didn't offend you. I just figured I would throw out some ideas since I had the same problem.

I'm not offended at all! I have considered new pillows even though these bears cost a fortune and were custom ;) I have even considered ordering new from the company, as these zip off. I like the idea of shades maybe?

What about these pictured here, bamboo shades and glass lamps and two large square double mirrors above the sofa.

http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/ab/images/dp/products/201016/0043/img91l.jpg

http://www.potterybarn.com/pbimgs/ab/images/dp/products/201016/0007/img24m.jpg

I actually really like that candle piece in the background for the other wall.

Ooooh, I hate to show you this $200 lamp, but it sure would look good. Perhaps you can find some contemporary or transitional lamps that are similar but less expensive. That would go a long way to contemporize the room.

Your furniture is fine. The shapes could swing either contemporary or traditional. The pillows are very traditional though.

Great colors in your room.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Glass Table Lamp

oye! love! I think I need to find something like these somewhere! I thought a while back I saw a pair of them with rounded bases (several rounded areas and then a shade the glass areas in blue)

I love your fabrics and colors but I think you are in the place I was a few years ago. I have a similar color scheme but the blues and warm beiges and golds lacked punch. I added a pumpkin color. You, too, could use an accent / punch color. A coral, orange, red, cranberry, even a green could bring that extra something to your space. Then you could find some art to really finish off your room.

That's exactly what I mean. I love the candle thing and actually that whole room, as well as those pillows in the next photo. Those lamps awn03 posted are beautiful and perfect. Do you have a Home Goods store near you? I find it a great place to shop for good buys. You just need to go often as they always get in things. I don't think you need to repaint..just add some punch to the room. I also know a few people who put an area rug on top of the carpeting to add color, pattern and overall interest. Oh yeah, plants are also a great addition of color.

Summie

join the club of stumped, frustrated, had enough when it comes to decorating! It's a lot of work, time & $$$$

That said, I have read, re-read your posts

BTW you have a lovely room & elements -

At the risk of offending you (NOT meant to) - Where I keep going back to is the wall to wall carpet - It looks nice & new but the color is fighting all the other elements in the room -it is reading a taupey grey for lack of better explanation - & many elements read gold - while all lovely I think changing the carpet would be a HUGE difference in the room - Wonder if someone could photoshop a different carpet or some hardwood flooring >...

just some random thoughts

best to you

I would paint the room the color of the blue/green in the fabric on the right. That would go better with your carpet and that would bring in the color you want, and then I would add some chocolate brown accent pillows to off set the dark leather chair you have. I would replace your two lamps with something in a nickel finish to bring in some modern elements. I think two abstract canvas paintings with some of your colors, browns, blues, greens would look great over the sofa.

Summie,
Did you say you have painted the room? Do you have a pic of it?

What do you think of this room?

Mirror or framed botanicals? Gourd lamps. Wall to wall seagrass rug. Something green (alive). An animal print somewhere.

Smiles:)

My colors are different than yours but similar tones. I have the pumpkin color to spice up the room.

And I have a touch of black and animal print in the room as well.

I like that room you posted. I am going to look for gourd lamps in the blue I think and a throw for some color. I looked for pillows today and didn't see anything. I am going to either order the ones from PB or look at Homegoods soon.

The sofas cannot be swapped out for smaller ones. They were costly and to get rid of them for new would be an expense I could not do right now.

ooops I posted the sofa comment on the wrong thread. It belongs on my greatroom furniture placement thread. LOL. We need edit feature

ooops I posted the sofa comment on the wrong thread. It belongs on my greatroom furniture placement thread. LOL. We need edit feature

Yes, look for some pretty lamps, pillows and a throw.
I would also look for a large, antique type mirror for over your couch. You are almost there.... :)

Here is a link that might be useful: mirror

summiebee, if the pillow covers come off, just buy new ones instead of the whole pillow. JC Penneys has many pillow covers and shams.

Your's looks to be Euro Shams, type that in at JCP.com and you'll get a ton of them. I ordered some for my living room for the summer. Saved a lot of money!

I love those aqua lamps that awm03 posted. Those would look good as a replacement for the pair in that room. I think you have enough pillows and your furniture is beautiful. You might think about an area rug.

Maybe a series of prints on the wall or some vintage travel prints.

Just wondering if you could take photos of the whole room ...

Here's a possible wall mirror from Lamps Plus .... with the round circle motif on the frame -- it might work well with those "stacked ball" lamps ....

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: Lamps Plus -- possible wall mirror

Possible lamps ....

Here is a link that might be useful: Lamps Plus -- possible lamps

Coming to this thread late... Please forgive me if I'm repeating anything someone else has already said.

I think the room is beautiful, and what you've got in there so far is great. But it's a little monotone. Not that I'm any expert on paint colors, but you've got those great pillows on the sofa - I would paint the walls the exact same blue-gray. That would make the sofa stand out more. Then maybe a more modern-looking coffee table and modern lamps to balance out the traditional sofa & pillows. I don't know about the crystal lamps - that still feels traditional to me (or art deco, or something). Then you'll need some more color in the room for accent - some punch color, as threedgrad suggested. Finally, a large colorful piece of abstract art over the sofa would also pull it away from looking too traditional. I've seen traditional looking rooms look awesome with a bold piece of abstract art. (And, okay, I'm a sucker for colorful abstract art. ;-))

Just suggestions. Can't wait to see what you do with the room! As a VERY SLOW decorator myself (LOL!), I completely get that you had to stop after the sofa to get used to it and start visualizing what to do next...

I keep looking for two prints. (I tend to want to hang square prints in doubles for some reason) Or a mirror that is less ornate. I think the lamps need to go for sure. Something with color added. I like the table that is closest in the picture. It is more modern. The one in the far corner is older. I bought it at an estate sale. It looks exactly like a new piece I saw in a store for an insane amount of money later on. I think I am going to run to homegood tomorrow and see what hits me. I think I need to look into new lamps and possibly drapes. A throw ans and a large not overly ornate mirror for above the sofa. Also a floor lamp for the corner. I also want to see about new pillows. If the lamos are enough to spice it up for now i will hold off for a bit. I am searching overstock now for rugs. LOL.

OK, here's thinking outside the box...

I noticed you've got two threads going about two rooms that just won't seem to come together. Well, what about swapping some furniture around? You could you try the two white slipcovered sofas in the LR, facing each other with the ottoman in between (place a tray on top to serve as your coffee table).

Then in your FR, you could keep the slipcovered chair The leather chair, and the beige sofa and ottoman. Place the sofa against the window, the monster TV across from the sofa, and then the two chairs opposite the fireplace.

It might not work, but it could be an option :)

Summie, did you like the mirror that I posted? That was not ornate...

Loribee,
I like the mirror, but I think the issue is it is going towards what I always do. it is going towards what I always have done in the past. Too traditional,and looking at all these of these decor blogs I want to freshen up a bit and make it look a little bit different. :( I am trying to lean my house toward cleaner lines and a little more crate and barrel, bright and cheerry. Pottery Barn more so. I know I cannot take this room all the way that way I think I could at least take the room pottery barn simple line mirrors with no detail to them. I do like it though. Don't get me wrong! :) I meant to post too. I have been making up my notes for a final.
I think the pillows are going to have to go. Even though I really hate to waste $. (My upbringing)
The more ornate piece to the left is down. (My sister will be happy she has been eyeing it)
The lamps are going.
I am thinking just the lines of the sofa and leather chair and linen drapes. I am half tempted to paint the room blue (as suggested). This is SUCH a stumper for me! I don't know why! *tears* Everyone has been so helpful! I think the lamps will help bring some color. DH says to get the 200 dollar ones if they will fix the issue! Haha! I wish I had purchased these ones I had seen at HG a couple months ago They were more perfect than these even. I want to try to bring some blue out before I break out a brush and paint the room. I will if need be. It has happened before. Several times. I have one last final to take on Friday and then then this gets taken care of. I really like the pillows I posted from PB more and more each day. I like how they had red in them because I have a lot of red in my home.(My favorite color) If I get them and dislike them for there. I will put them somewhere else.

We are getting our foyer which is off of this room painted soon and it is going a neutral color with a seagrass storage bench and black framed mirror and black and white family prints up the wall of the foyer and a large clock on the other wall (two story foyer) I hope this will inspire me. It is curretly wallpapered(gag).

Sorry this got long!!! I have been thinking about it a lot!

You are all so sweet and I really appreciate it. I live several hours from my family and do not have a lot of feedback from anyone or many people to bounce things off of. So I really appreciate you helping. :)

Ok. So what do you think about this color? I found it inthefoyer section. Any guesses to what it may be??

{{!gwi}}

That is a pretty color--I have no idea what it could be though-

I really don't think you are that far off from getting your room done-

You meantion a mirror over the sofa and not wanting to go too ornate--My first thought was one of those long wide framed mirror (like a leaner mirror, with a chunky/wide frame) but hung over the sofa.

I see no reason to get rid of the pillows--My ONLY thought on paint was that everything sorta blended BUT once you get either art and/or a mirror up on the wall(s)--it will break it up...But IF you decided to paint, my first thought was pulling that brownish color of the scrollys in your pillow...

BTW-Home Goods always has a good selection of mirrors...

I still think your wall color and furniture are lovely. All you need is art and accessories with a punch color included. I like the idea of an area rug, perhaps one with all the present colors plus your new choice of brighter colors that will be in the art. Your items are a beautiful calming background. Now is time to add something bold and beautiful on the walls. Maybe just one very large print over the sofa. My dining room was much improved when I bought that large print of The Palm House.

threegrad...what a beautiful dining room...your art certainly does pull that room together (and the fabulous cat decor on the table is brilliant...LOL).

I was thinking along the same lines as Vampire -- a rug with some blue in it would add interest, and better harmonize the carpet color to the rest of the room. I think the rugs Vampire chose would look terrific, altho' maybe not take the room in the contemporary direction that you desire.

I prefer really large scale art or mirror, but you could perhaps stack two mirrors over your sofa to get that large, contemporary scale. West Elm has a nice mirror - see link. I'd add some more very straight lines in side table or console. And just changing the lamps will make a huge difference. If you post more photos, you'll probably get another round of suggestions.

Here is a link that might be useful: West Elm mirror

I like your room and the colors. I agree with other posters that you just need to accesorize more. The round table next to your sofa is throwing me off. Would you consider having a long skirt made of a chocolate brown, perhaphs with a deep fringe along the bottom, maybe even have the top made bigger. That way you could add a plant, framed picture,some type of small statute or books along with your lamp. I also think textured shade under your drapes would really be beautiful. As much as I love the color blue , its often a cold color and then you have to match your blues too. You really have a lot going for your room just haven't found you focal point. Good luck.

Okay, I think that I totally get the look you are going for now and honestly, you are sooo close. I would stay neutral on the paint color, keep your pillows, maybe subtract one or 2 and add 1 or 2- say like the hotel pillows- or grain sack pillows. I'm sure those aren't the proper names so hopefully you know what I mean.
Try the Christmas Tree Shop for less expensive beachy blue lamps or even better -plain colored clear lamps that you can fill with shells or pretty blue seaglass-
I bet you could find some simple prints there too- :)

the mirror is definately something I like. They have a leaning one too I see. It is the direction more I am heading rather than the tradition fringe/ornate/scrolly look the room started taking. I am wanting to veer away from that by all costs. The pillows need to go for sure I am thinking. Unless I find a piece of artwork to make them seem less traditional and more youthful and upbeat. It just looks as if it is leaning towards a little too old than what I am.

Don't get overwhelmed. You have so much going for you with the room. I agree, you just need some artwork, and perhaps an area rug. Keep going to Homegoods. They always get in new art, lamps, area rugs. And the best thing about them is you can take things home and try them out. I wouldn't repaint right now. You haven't given the room a change. I think I would take off the beige color pillows and leave the blue and perhaps add on another pillow that adds punch. Or just leave the blue and brown (didn't see them before) Is the paint color Ellen Kennon's cognac? I would do the cheaper fixes first like artwork, lamps and that end table. I think that's all you need and it will make a huge difference.

The color is called Dromedary camel from SW. My kitchen is EK Cognac. They are very close in color IMO. It reads a cognac color. Not too tan, not too yellow. It's a great color.

http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/Lite-Source-Light-Blue-Contour-Table-Lamp__H3459.html#readreviews

The color in that foyer you posted kinda looks like Texas Leather to me. It's pretty!

Summie, try not to stress over home decor :) Aren't you taking classes right now? Don't get discouraged--it WILL all come together eventually.

FWIW, I do not think that your LR looks "too traditional" at all. That club chair is quite chic, IMO. I also am loving the end table! I'd suggest bringing the art down a good 6" though.

For behind the sofa, how about a gallery wall?

I know you just painted in there, but I could really see a nice blue-grey in that room. Keep the pillows!

Ok. So I think I like that gallery wall! My SIL said she bought some cute shelves like that recently online and is sending me the details. I saw two lamps at Homegoods today and nothing else. I did not buy them because I was not 100% on them. I was not even 50% on them I liked the base of the one but it had this flower thing on it??? I was like ummmm I dunno?? Maybe too busy? It had the color I was going for though. I think I like the pillows from pottery barn and want to lean the room that way more. They also had no throws and nothing else to set around. I was like throw me a bone people.
here they are....Also what is the rule for mismatching lamps? Can I do it and shelves can I do a dark espresso or black?

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

I love the furniture (with the pillows!) and the drapes. I also love the wall color but I don't love it with what you've got. I think it's too much of the same color and I also agree that it's competing with the carpet.

If it were my room, the first thing I'd do is paint and the 2nd is add an area rug. And then accessorize. I don't think accessorizing at this point is going to do you any good because until you get the basics right, the room still won't look right to you. And you also run the risk of wasting more money, kwim?

I was cruising RH today and found this mirros, but it's 500$

Summie, I do like that mirror a lot!!! I wonder if you took that picture to a glass / window shop and ask them how much to make a mirror like that. You can buy those brass nailheads in strips I think.

If you're going to hang that style mirror behind the sofa, just note its depth -- the frame part may protrude into your 'head' zone.

summi,
I keep reading this post every day waiting to see if you repaint. I think the search for "things" isn't going to get the room changed into the look you want. The pale blue/grey walls will cool off the room and give that relaxed feeling you are after. The tan-on-tan is not bad if there was a multi colored rug or light cream, but the taupe color in the carpet kind of disrupts the tan flow. If the walls had the blue-grey paint, I think they would blend with the carpet a little better and give a soothing background.
I do agree the lamps need replaced, but I just think the wall color is the missing part.

I am still deciding what I want to do. Mulling maybe is a better word.
Sallymo,
I had a painter out for my foyer yesterday. He is coming back with my estimate today and the foyer will be painted withing the next month regardless of who paints it. I may decide to go that way while I have a painter here. I am sort of focused on my finals until Friday and I may run after and see what I can find. I thought perhaps some pictures matted in cream (black and whites or sepia) of my children and family would bring a good feel to the room and the cream mattings would brighten things up a little if I went that route.
I am also am looking at pillow covers on Etsy in patterns to cover my pillows. I thought I could still use the same forms and sizes and find a brown linen, a blue linen and then I really like the pottery barn ones. They should fit my current smaller pillows. I am sort of getting a vision. I want new lamps and I just need to find them!