bronwynsmom: I really appreciate your candor and understanding of what I'm going through. It isn't that easy an answer and you spelled out why! My FEELINGS are telling me to get a (slightly bluish)grayish carpet color (but slightly brownish too if that makes sense??) (which is a tad on the "cool" side) as it looks like it comes close to matching the grout/mortar in the fieldstone fireplace. It's possible though that the most COMPATIBLE carpet in terms of being on the same range of colors may be a normal "warm" tannish color due to my orange oak woodwork and camel colored chairs but that feels so same-ole same-ole. That's why I'm having trouble deciding which look will be better or more comfortable feeling. (I am a worry-wort by nature so if I can get a calming color scheme going I feel I might calm down too? Could this happen with color?) "Relax" might be the most applicable suggestion you make, because I'm not relaxed about it is why I think everyone in my family runs the other way when they know I'm trying to decide on a color for something... Anyways, I know you're absolutely right on with everything you wrote so I will do just what you suggest, give it my best and cross my fingers. Thanks so much!

I've been woefully irresponsible in my follow up - I did end up buying a rug from RugStudio right after the New Year as they were having a big sale and I was able to get a bigger, nicer rug for my budget. Here's what we ended up going with - I need to move the whole assembly closer to the middle of the room but have to wait for DH to come home and help me lift things. It's a jute/wool blend. Very soft although the jury is still out on wear - it likes to move a little bit and has some stretch (for lack of a better descriptor) so it tugs and pulls in places when the dog plays on it or we push the coffee table a bit. I put a felt pad under it (was trying to avoid using a plastic pad) but I'm wondering if a "grabby" rubber type pad would be better. Its squishy and delicious to walk on and the unbleached wool matches the grey in the couch perfectly. And with what we saved by NOT buying a gorgeous Persian rug, we made some new memories instead. Thanks again for all your help!

Okay, this is totally salvageable. If you can't go hire with the curtains, I would ditch them altogether in favor of a fabric roman shade, get a white slip cover for the couch, and bring in some color with an oriental rug and some throw pillows is a color pulled from the rug. If you are going for a farmhouse look, you could do a sisal rug and some ticking stripe pillows instead. I like your wall color.

You have a lot of ideas in this thread and a lot more swirling in your head, I imagine. I know how grief adds a particularly difficult component to home design plans. You have my condolences, btw. I think that setting up the area as you want to use it will help you decide on your reupholstery choices. So, my advice to you is get the basement functionally set up and live in it for a couple of months with the furniture as is. You might have an easier time visualizing your options once you figure out how things "feel" to you in the space. Starting with an area rug might help set things in motion. I doubt you can go wrong with Jan's textured neutral palette plan. It doesn't offer the contrast your inspiration picture does though. How you feel drawn to each type of room is totally personal: it's your taste. Nothing more, nothing less. The trick is figuring out which one you prefer and want in the long term. I know the feeling of wanting to get things DONE but I don't think you should rush yourself either. And by not rushing yourself, I don't mean falling into the overthinking trap because you're contemplating every scenario. :) I mean, setting aside things for a while while they percolate in the back of your mind. (Apologies if any of this doesn't apply or resonate. I'm sharing thoughts based on my experience. Fabric choice is not necessarily the most important element of furnishing a room with inherited pieces.) I'm in Canada as well, btw. New furniture is expensive, regardless of quality. Imo, $300 to reupholster a good quality chair with sentimental value is a good deal. As you know, a new La-z-boy is over 1K with taxes. The sleeker options are over 2K. Once you have a reupholstery estimate for the teal recliner, you'll have an easier time deciding if it stays in your plans. Keep in mind the company is always improving the mechanism and fabric selection so depending on the age of the teal recliner, you might want to replace it with a new one if you're really in the market for a recliner. Hth a bit. Best wishes with your plans. I'm sure you'll create a cozy family room for yourself.