Can you post a better picture of the sofa?

"whites/creams/off whites, non-floral, non-frilly, but romantic decor"

Right now you are bleached into blahness, which is OK. You can add color easily and cheaply. Craigslist and DIY painting and thrifting.

Romantic and feminine is not the same as frilly and fussy. Think of textures that invite the touch ... satin, suede, velvet, chenille, mohair ... but tailored like a Chanel suit. Layer things - a soft white cable knit throw on the sofa.

Add a pale natural straw or bleached wood coffee table. And ottomans.

Look at Houzz and Pinterest for "modern Romantic decor" ... slightly tailored cream sheers, ornate gold frames on good artwork, a geometric rug in either neutrals or jewel tone.

Bring in some dark greys or browns or purple for poshness (consider painting those white square pieces dark) and to anchor your room. It's all floaty with too much pale stuff.

Your design statement is: "someone in an cream colored Armani suit who is flashing a bit of silk lace at the hem"

Look at "Gustavian" decor. It's classical and traditional and feminine but unfrilly (only the Swedes could pull it off).

Take a look at some of these rooms, they'll give you a direction. Once you know the direction, you're on your way. I'd like to see a nice area rug with some pattern to distract your eye from the wall to wall and then jump off from there.

Here is a link that might be useful: inspiration

I agree with others that you mostly need to add texture and elements made of natural materials to soften the modernist lines of your furniture. A knitted throw, a fuzzy area rug, a tall clear cylinder vase holding plant material and some wicker or bamboo chairs are a few of the items I would add.

I don't know if it is feminine enough for you, but I've always liked this one

Are you allowed to paint the walls?

Go to Goodwill! I found some wonderful pieces there...a carved wood coffee table, an end table, and some great accessory pieces. As long as you have a theme in mind, it's easy to narrow down your search and find things that will really work in your space.

I like 'rustic romantic' which is more fairy tale than log cabin, at least in my space. I watch "Once Upon A Time" to get some fun ideas...have you seen the birch tree wallpaper in Regina's office? {{!gwi}}From Snow White album

If there's any doubt who Regina is, check out the bowl of apples on the table :)

Perhaps some inspiration from pinterest

Here is a link that might be useful: Romantic style interior design

You'll get more bang from your 'Target/Walmart/Ikea' budget if you source your desired items from craigslist, used furniture stores, Goodwill, etc. Since you have a limited budget, I'd probably not get rid of anything except perhaps the coffee table.

Things I'd look to add would be either a round/oval coffee table or ottoman(s). Plus a large ornately framed mirror (possibly paint/antique white). Full sheer drapes - perhaps linen. Comfortable chair, with only seat upholstery that I could easily update. Artwork alternatives, such as fabric, etc. since framing costs tend to add up. Once the kitty builds up, a nice wooden piece of furniture such as an armoire, a credenza, or similar.

Think about what Romantic means to you. Is it certain colors? textures? shapes?

I think your sofa is a good start for a sort of Modern Romantic style.

Add some sparkle--a mirror, a crystal or metal lamp, some sliver candlesticks.

Add some texture--lace curtains, or velvet drapes, a throw on the sofa.

Add some color--an area rug, cushions on the sofa, artwork, drapes, a throw, books.

Add some curves--a round or oval coffee table, an oval or round mirror, curvy lamps. And plants, for their shape and color.

Don't forget lighting. Have lights on dimmers. And candles. And have things around the room that reflect the candlelight--glass, crystal, mirrors, metals.

And the arrangement of the furniture helps, too. Create a cozy reading nook, or add a small, elegant desk at which you can write little notes. Smaller, intimate areas within that larger living/dining room. Make the TV a side function of the living room, focusing on a conversation area and a reading area (or something similar). I mean, in reality, you'll be watching TV there and that little, elegant desk will mostly house your laptop, but the appearance of the room shouldn't be businesslike. It should make people want to come in and sit down for a chat or a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

I always think of white sheers billowing in the breeze as romantic. And old, soft, worn faded quilts on a white iron bed. And flowers--real ones. But everyone's vision of romantic is going to be a little bit different.

The word "lush" also comes to mind. Somewhere in the room is something completely extravagant--the cashmere throw, the velvet drapes, the silver lamp, the silk cushions, the hand-embroidered throw.

This post was edited by camlan on Wed, Jun 5, 13 at 12:32

Here's a site with pictures which offers information in creating the romantic room.

Here is a link that might be useful: Here

Your sofa is more modern/transitional, so how about something like this:
{{!gwi}}

I know you didn't want pink, but the second look would go with any color (Tiffany blue, bluish/gray) link below, also a video.

Here is a link that might be useful: white leather sofa/two looks

Your flickr name sounds like you might be in Philadelphia. So just for the heck of it, I browsed the Phillie craigslist. I didn't see much inexpensive furniture that is commonly thought of as 'romantic', but there were some interesting inexpensive pieces. Sometimes when funds are really limited, IMO, finding just one interesting item can send your decorating down a different, but still rewarding, path. Good luck!

vaguely french side chair

Your flickr name sounds like you might be in Philadelphia. So just for the heck of it, I browsed the Phillie craigslist. I didn't see much inexpensive furniture that is commonly thought of as 'romantic', but there were some interesting inexpensive pieces. Sometimes when funds are really limited, IMO, finding just one interesting item can send your decorating down a different, but still rewarding, path. Good luck!

vaguely french side chair

Your flickr name sounds like you might be in Philadelphia. So just for the heck of it, I browsed the Phillie craigslist. I didn't see much inexpensive furniture that is commonly thought of as 'romantic', but there were some interesting inexpensive pieces. Sometimes when funds are really limited, IMO, finding just one interesting item can send your decorating down a different, but still rewarding, path. Good luck!

vaguely french side chair

Oh, good grief -- I apologize for the duplicates! My computer kept saying there was a problem and my post did not submit...

I agree with the other posters - I would throw in some serious texture, oversized gilt mirror, a vintage chandelier (don't even hardwire it, just hang it), and fab pillows. A few great occassional chairs like those suggested is a terrific idea. I added two flokati rugs from Ikea in my LR and really liked the result.

I'll try not to triple-post this time! Found several photos on Houzz that I thought were great.

The first one demonstrates that if you add a bit of black, it jazzes up a white/off-white color scheme.

[Traditional Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by New York Media and Bloggers ABRAMS

The foreground of this photo shows how even an inexpensive butterfly chair with a perhaps faux sheepskin can look expensive.

[Eclectic Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2104) by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

And in this one, I love the ottoman or pouf shoved under the coffee table (that resembles your table).

[Contemporary Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Sean Michael Design

I used to have a bentwood rocker like the one, mjlb shows in her post.

I was awesome simply because it was sitting in front of a wall outlet and at night when I pluged in the night light..the back of the rocker made the light create a wonderful pattern across the walls and ceiling. I loved it!