Just a quick first thought---have you considered moving the antique screen above the fireplace? I agree with you that it doesn't quite work above the bed and that may be what is throwing everything off for you. The mirror isn't reflecting anything other than the ceiling, so I would definitely take that down. I would leave the wall above the bed blank for a bit until you get your draperies hung and then see what you might like there. It could also be left as a spot where your eye can rest without anything to distract it. Oh, and I like the bedside lamps you have.

It is a pretty room and I imagine others will chime in soon!

Let's see:

I'm just not too keen on the current area rug in the photos. Sigh. It IS a VERY pretty rug ... but I would LOVE to see a softer gray-and-gold-and-white rug.

1)a vote for changing to a more modern starburst mirror above the bed (your white furniture is SO elegant BTW!)

2)Switch the dresser to under the artwork. OR change to a grid of six botanicals in gray mats and gold frames. Add a tall modern glass-and-brass buffet lamps.

3)Switch the sofa to sit under the window. Add end table and lamp (either the matching buffet lamp OR a standing lamp)

4)Remove the tall mirror from the fireplace wall -- and add a soft-colored artwork like a portrait.

4)Add a modern clean-lined low bench in simple creamy linen to the end of the bed.

For curtains -- basic white sheers. Soft gray velvet curtain panels from Pottery Barn.

Here's an example of a modern starburst or sunburst mirror from Lamps Plus for the spot over the headboard .... just for ideas and measurements .....

Here is a link that might be useful: LP -- example of possible mirror over bed

When I look at your pics, I see quite a number of different styles in the room...the beamed ceiling is more rustic as is the wood fireplace surround, the bed is modern while the screen is antique french. While this is not necessarily a bad thing...I'm very eclectic in taste myself...I think it does require a unifying theme to make it all come together...typically that is most easily done with color. So I would think about using color to unite all the elements in the space...

Perhaps ivory, beige and rose (to tie in with the pink in the bath, and it pulls the colors from the antique screen). Maybe use just a touch of black as an accent. For example:

Select something that combines all the colors, be it bedding, window treatment or art. Then once you select your color scheme, adhere to it strictly so that the variety of styles in the room will come together in a cohesive whole.

I agree with others that the screen is not used to its best advantage over the bed as it seems cramped by the bed posts. I would also consider painting out the wood around the fireplace so it blends better with the rest of the room.

Here's a bedroom by Phoebe Howard -- just for a few ideas ......

Here is a link that might be useful: Phoebe Howard -- inspiration photos

Love Phoebe Howard!

Found another sunburst mirror -- in white to match your bedroom set!

Here is a link that might be useful: Lamps Plus -- sunburst mirror in white

I like the rug, but to me it is a warm and cozy or rich and elegant rug, not light and bright. For me, the conflicts start there. To me it doesn't play well with the white furniture, especially the bed. I am very eclectic, so I like mixing things up, but these aren't working. Do you have a photo with the blue silk rug? Is it still an option? Do you want the furniture to stay white?

I'm agreeing with most of the suggestions already made if you want to keep these things (esp the rug) in the room, but I'd like to see the blue silk rug and see what that brings into the room if the original idea is still an option.

I will try to find some photos of my original attempts of decorating the room. It was closer to the Phoebe Howard style, though not pink.

I promised my husband not to paint the room pink, as he has had to live with pink a lot in our other homes.

Annie, you are correct, and pinpointed most likely the reason I am having so much trouble with this room. I am eclectic in my style, but lean heavily french.

The bedroom set has sentimental meanings for me, I have owned it for most of my life and I love it. It came out of my very contemporary house that was built in the mid 60's.

My husband intervened on the mantle and beams which were slated to be painted white.

rugs -

this is the original blue rug and below it is a rug I considered purchasing.

{{!gwi}}

Another picture of blue rug.

I still have it, so it is still an option, but it is smaller than the dark one.

ok, the other rug I was considering purchasing did not show up. let me try again.

Ooooo -- I do like the older rug! Very pretty!

O.K. Now that I have seen the wall where the sofa sits now -- switch the dresser to that wall ....

Put the sofa under the main window -- remove the matching pillows -- and look for one very long rectangular pillow to update its own look. Do consider adding the white bench at the end of the bed .....

THEN look for a long white console (or sofa) table -- to use under the artwork .... add the tall buffet lamp at the right-hand side -- it will look like a desk or a vanity and really anchor that wall .....

I'd go back to the original rug too. I like the direction teacats is heading, but consider a metal, mirrored, metallic paint or pastel paint console table too. You have a lot of white furniture. That's a nice place to pick up a different finish, color or texture.

I'd consider a slip cover as another option on the sofa. Again, it's a place to bring in some color and texture for an updated look and softer presence for the bedroom.

Could the screen stand in front of the fireplace when not in use? That would soften the black/white/wood combination and might be very pretty.

I don't know what the mirrors history is, so forgive me if this is sacrilege, but would you consider painting the black or dark portions of the mirror white, keeping the gold parts? That would soften it and tie it in with your white furniture. I would looking at hanging it on another wall, possibly switching it with the art piece opposite the bed.

You could use fabric to soften the bed if you like that look.

I don't think the curtains are necessarily at odds with the look you want, but they may be a bit heavy. Could you hang them from rings? Also, on my monitor they look a bit golden to go with the wall color. Is painting the walls a non-pink an option? Would you consider the blue in the border of the rug or something along those lines? A creamier beige?

You have a wonderful room to work with, and it's good that you like to mix styles. The rustic beams and more formal French need some melding. When you get it worked out, I'm sure it's going to be a delightful retreat.

ok to answer some questions.

I don't mind painting the mirror at all.

Painting the bedroom furniture is not an option. I just paid a fortune to paint it the color it is that is slightly different from its appearance in pictures. it is more of a soft white with a slightly pearlized finish.

The small white table next to the french chair can be eliminated.

I have a matching pair of those chairs with a french table I wouldn't mind using. Although the table may be too small. I have a larger country french small side board that might be too big. I don't know.

I hate to move that one piece from under the window, as it is a focal point and that piece deserves to have the focal point. But I could be persuaded.

The sofa can go away completely. I considered slip covering, but I don't like most slip covers. I could replace with a different sofa, or go with upholstered chairs.

Thank you all for the help. I am glad you like the room. I think it could be wonderful, I just can't quite get it there.

Oh, and teacarts, I totally agree with needing a bench at the end of the bed. I just haven't found one I like.

I also considered a pair of those benches with the x'x legs. I don't know what you call them.

I like the original rug, too, but is it within your budget to recover or slipcover the sofa? I think it competes with the rug too much. Maybe a solid color -grey or a blue/grey? Both seem to be in the rug on my monitor..

Many French homes mix rustic and sophisticated simply by virtue of the fact that the homes are old and retain their ancient beams and stone. I think you can pull that off with some tweaking of your fabrics. If you redo the couch in a lovely grey, you could also hang grey panels at the windows. Let the rug be your patterned piece and let everything else, including bedding, be classic and calm. Now, many French places use lots and lots of patterns-wallpaper and fabrics- but that is not easy to pull off well and I am also thinking of your DH here. :)

If your DH is not open to painting the fireplace, would he be open to staining it a different color, say a more brown color to coordinate better with the floor and the beams?

I don't think you need to paint the bedroom furniture if you go back to the blue silk rug. With the dark and warm rug, I think it would be better in a least a cream or latte tone if not stained wood, but I think the white can work fine with a lighter rug,

If the sofa doesn't need to stay, I'd probably prefer a pair of chairs and table or ottoman in front of the fireplace more than a sofa to the side, but you have the sofa. Move it over there and see how it looks under the window, whether it is too large to go across in front of the fireplace,etc. Then decide.

Consider one of the round tables at that end of the room either as an end table to the sofa or between two chairs.

If you want the piece under the window to be showcased, you have it in the wrong place. It has too much competition there -- a fireplace, the wood mantel, the black fire screen, a window and a dark mirror all competing with it. Is there room for it across from the bed if you also put a bench there? If not, I would try it at the end of the room where the sofa is but to one side. If you don't have anything under the spot with the painting, it could go into the corner of that wall and the wall where the sofa is.

Are the drapes something you had and thought you might use or something bought for this room? You might be able to make them work, but to be honest, I'd like something lighter. Silk panels would look rich. I've seen smocked gauzy white than could take the room in a much different direction. I am guessing your French leanings would favor the silk panels.or long yardage draped across the window and down in an exaggerated scarf treatment.

cyn, the sofa can go. I planned to do something different, it is just being used like a bed bench for now.

Our house is old, and beams are a feature in many areas, so we echoed that in the addition.

I have the hardest time mixing fabrics, so I try to avoid that, and my husband thanks you for keeping him in mind.

Annie, the fireplace does match the beams, but I rather like the idea of going darker.

Teacats I am sorry, my spell check changes you name. I did not catch that.

Lascatx - you are correct. the drapes are heavier than I had planned, and read gold tone.

The walls and ceiling are benjamin Moore Berber white

I felt the same way about the white furniture not working with the dark accessories. I am glad to know I am not totally losing touch.

I definitely was thinking silk for drapes.

here is some other art work I considered. I took these pictures just for me, so it is not pretty, but can't really take new ones.

I thought about the monkey picture over the bed. We put it on the side wall instead.

I also thought about a star burst teacats, but it would need to be large.

Try one of the paintings without the frame over the fireplace. The heavy frame and mantel are both lovely but compete.

I like the old blue rug better for your room. I would move the dresser away from the window and put it on the wall were the monkey art is currently. Then I would remove the monkey art and replace it with the gold screen from above the bed. That would make the piece a focal point.

I would move the sofa under the window with your drapes behind it. I think your current drapes could work well, especially if you slipcover the sofa with a light, solid color.

Move the French chair and get its mate and put them where the sofa used to be. Table in between them centered on the window. Again, with your current drapes.

I notice immediately all of the darker items that do not seem to belong, the rug and the mirror. I think everyone has already stated that.

Do you use the sofa? It seems maybe a bit large and oversized? If anything I would at least slipcover it in a soft white or get a smaller more simple sofa or a loveseat. Or as mentioned a couple of comfy chairs and a table in the middle with a larger lamp. It is hard to say without being in the room as to where I would place those items. It seems like a good idea and the natural one to put them across from the bed.

I love the idea of adding the matching smaller chair with a table or your buffet if it would fit.

I would consider that gorgeous ceiling and make sure to have some wood tones that compliment and speak to it.

I really like the screen over the bed but it might be a bit to heavy with the bed. I like the idea of the art there that you have on the wall by the window (the one you recently posted on the floor by the bed).

Finally, I think your current drapes are great and would use them for sure. Your elegant room deserves drapes.

I hope no one shoots me for saying this, bc I really love your bedside lamps. They just seem small in scale in comparison to everything else.... your tall four poster bed, high ceiling with beams etc.

I love your space! It is so calming and serene. I also want to steal your ceiling! It is stunning!

Good luck!!!

I love the monkey picture!!!!

I really like the lamps, but I feel like they are a bit small.

I like the monkey picture too, thanks.

I am not necessarily limited to the blue rug either. I am open for other suggestions.

I agree the black mirror does not work.

I love the antique screen, but it doesn't work for me above the bed.

The dresser will not fit on the wall the monkey picture is on, because it will block walkway to the bath room