I'll get back to you after I catch my breath! WOW!

LOL@ mlraff53

I don't think that a gray would be the best choice against your wood tone. Cognac is a beautiful color, but it may be too dark in your space.

Rather than picking a paint based on liking the shade, I would suggest that you test a range of acceptable colors next to your wood. I agree, it does need warming up.

The couches blend in with the carpet almost perfectly... if you do keep them, use a large rug to help divide the carpet from the couch. LOL, did that make sense?

Luckily, it looks like you have plenty of room to play with the furniture arrangement. A new layout might help give you a more transitional feel. Right now, it feels more traditional and ridgid.

Congratulations on your new home!

Hi,

What colors are you drawn to? What colors would you bring into the LR if it hadn't already been furnished?

What direction does the room face and where are you located?

These are just a few of the things I'd take into consideration when picking a paint color:-) Your windows are great and if it were my room, I'd want a curtain with some wow factor, something that popped off the walls.

Not knowing your color preference or where you live (which for me changes the color palette I use), I'd consider getting a traditional rug to ground the center area around the FP as already mentioned and since the room appears to be large enough, add a few chairs opposite of the FP or even rearranging that area so that the 2 chairs flanked the FP and face the sofas. The area by the windows would make a nice reading area, game table area, etc. A big round table with books on it and a large centerpiece of fresh flowers and the chairs around it would be great there.

If you're keeping the white carpet, you'll have to keep that in mind when you pick colors. Something elegant and cool would be lovely in that room, like a Gustavian blue grey or green-blue grey. Very muted, understated, and yet inviting. Then you could throw in some accent pillows in those colors, use a little black in the room to ground it.

It's a lovely room!

Excellent thoughts above!

Other things to consider when choosing a color -- artworks?

I'd choose a deeper neutral for the whole room -- not just a single wall! That move alone will dramatically change the feeling of the room. Then add bamboo shades to the windows with future silk panel curtains (hang them high on the wall to match the drama of the room)

Yes -- for now -- put one of the sofas facing the fireplace (with the addition of a possible sofa table behind it) -- and leave the other facing the window.

Add a couple of armless chairs to the open side to create a cozy conversation area. Add two small rectangle zebra-print pillows to the chairs for a touch of modern drama.

Add a darkest chocolate modern coffee table and modern table between the two chairs. Add silver-and-crystal for alight touch OR silver-and-black lamps.

Add a dramatic mirror above the fireplace -- perhaps round? with a row of simple silver votive running along the mantel.

Consider (in the future) adding bookcases on each side of the fireplace -- books and artworks add so much to the warm ambience of a room.

My old living room was painted with BM ladyfinger, which I love.

The room faces southeast and I am in Northern VA.

I like the idea of a game table by the windows. I would not have thought of a rug over the carpet.

I was also thinking of maybe getting white and black patterned chairs to match the sofas and piano or would this be odd?

Here's an inspiration photo!

Here is a link that might be useful: Living room

Wow, beautiful house. Your foyer is as big as my entire house. LOL Love, love, love those stairs. Could never climb them, but love to look at them anyway!! I get overwhelmed in a big house like yours so I'm not sure how to recommend you decorate. I'm going to leave it to the professionals. Maybe after I hear a couple of ideas, something will come to me. Can we see photo's of the rest of the house, if that's not being too nosey? We love to drool you know!!

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I can start to picture how I want it to come together.

Teacats: your description is exactly the look that I would love. In your inspiration photo the curtain rods are mounted directly below the crown moulding. Is this preferrable to the height shown in my first photo?

RE: Height of curtain rods

Yes -- the higher you hang them -- the room will then appear to be taller to the viewer. The original owners of your room SHOULD have hung their valances much higher too!

I wish I knew how to stop a slideshow and post just one of the photos -- but do check out this website -- check the private residence in Baton Rouge -- and look at the living room ....... might have some ideas there too ....

Here is a link that might be useful: Ty Larkins interior designer -- inspiration

Here's another website for possible inspiration too!

Here is a link that might be useful: Bunny Williams interior designer

Oh, teacats, that's it exactly!

there's even a game table in the back:-)

Yes, your curtain rods should be up higher, esp for windows like yours, to take advantage of the drama and height in the room.

the picture that Teacats posted was very understated and subtle, good fabrics, good furniture, a nice balance with an elegant feeling. I wouldn't go for the black and white patterns over a whole chair if this is the look you like, only because the contrast would be too harsh. But an animal print in the room is always fun, and balances out any florals nicely, so as Teacats suggested, zebra or leopard print pillow in a good fabric would be wonderful!

The rug they used in that picture might be a great jumping off place for you as well. This palette is muted, so just look for a rug with a pattern ( I like the Harlequin pattern they've used here) that blends with the carpet color and your accent colors.

Because the room faces SE, I might think about the grey/grey green/blues we talked about. They are nice historical colors for the region you're in as well, so they fit with your home in that sense. And since the room is bright, I'd want to ground it with something and give the walls some pigment, but this is a matter of personal taste. I only say this because you mentioned grey when you first posted, and I think it could work nicely in here.

I just finished looking through a lot of my inspiration pictures because I'm looking at these greys for my LR right now as well, but I can't find one single picture! If you got to Veranda or House Beautiful site and search Gustavian color palette, you'll see what I'm referring to. There are greys and greyed blues and greens, with linens and mohair velvets and some pops of black and even bits of lilac (flowers, etc).

Here is a link that might be useful: Veranda Gustavian Blog discussion

Yet another wonderful inspiration photo slideshow from interior designer Ginger Barber ......

Here is a link that might be useful: Ginger Barber interior design

Take a peek at the various color threads in the Gallery section & see if anything begins to strike your fancy. Most people listed the brand & color names that they used, then let the fun begin!

Sigh --- another one to check out ..... LOTS of wonderful ideas here!

Here is a link that might be useful: Barbara Barry inspiration photos

I think EK Cognac would be beautiful! For another warm color, I also like BM Wilmington Tan.

Laurie