Funny, anele, but the things that bother you don't bother me. It's the rug that overpowers the room and makes the accessories look out of scale. Not sure what to recommend in its place though. What do you think of this idea?

It seems like you have some big contrasts going between the red and white?
Maybe some more color on the window? I actually liked the yellow paint

Hi Anele! What bothers me, fwiw, is the high contrast between the sofa & the window treatment. The sofa is dark & heavy, while the window is super light & airy.

I like your idea of black toile. What about black toile panels, a combo of black toile pillows & black check pillows, & a creamy throw? At your smaller window you could just do a toile valance. You could then bring in more black & some red, to accessorize your mantel & coffee table. With more color up on the walls via the window treatments (& some art) the black field of the rug won't seem so overpowering as Awm03 pointed out.

I think you have a lot of potential there! I love black & cream toile & I'm excited for you that you have the backdrop to make that fabric work. I think you're on your way to creating a very charming living room.

Hi Anele. I really like your paint color. As for your concerns:

1. Your mantle. I would keep it simple as all your furniture faces away from it, so it isn't really a focal point. Maybe just a nice potted plant on it?
2.I think the little lights on your bookshelf are terrific! I'd keep em.
3.The stand up lamp? Again, very nice. How about trying to find a shade of green for the shade that matches what you have in the material you are going to use for your curtains?
4.Pillows- if you keep what looks like a dark maroon on your upholstery, the black is going to disappear into the maroon. I'd go with lighter colored pillows myself.
5.Your bookshelves look great! Hurrah for kids who love books!
6.Curtains. You have a gorgeous window there. I would bring the curtain rod right up to just below the crown molding and make sure the length of the curtain reaches the floor. Cote de Texas blog just had a fantastic review of curtains, check it out.
7. Side table. I know what you mean, but it was free right? So let it stay until you find something better or are sure of what you want to do with it. I really like the lamp you have on it.
8. And last but not least: RASPBERRY MATELASSE? YES! YES! YES!!!!

awm-- I agree. My dream rug would be a faded hooked rug. But, the reality is, the one I have is a thick wool rug that is comfortable and withstands my children-- and I paid $60 for it. (Sadly, that gives you an idea about my budget.) I don't know what I could get that would be cheap and functionally as good, esp. with my young children.

kjmama and Sinky-G: ITA about the contrast. I posted so many things above that it was easy to miss, but there WILL be curtains (green ones, with a vintage pattern) on the picture window. I have the fabric, but need to learn how to sew them! I was hoping it would help with the contrast-- while I keep hearing that you should match the wall (or even keep WTs lighter) I had a feeling the sofas would look way too heavy that way, which is why I opted for darker.

kjmama: My DH liked the gold, too, but mostly because he didn't want to repaint and/or spend the money on paint. I hated it after about a year-- it was not "easy on the eyes" to live with it day in and out.

Stinky Gardener: I might have enough fabric to do a valance with the green fabric on that small window. If not, maybe a patterned lampshade would help? I'm glad the black toile sounds OK . . .was not sure if it would look too busy. If you have any suggestions on art and where to hang the art, I am all ears! Love the cream throw idea . . .that might help lighten up the couch a bit.

Keep the suggestions coming! It is great to be able to "see" this room I have been working on for so long with new eyes!

Hi, it's me again! Just looking at your pictures some more, & I don't think that little shelf over the mantel is doing anything for you. I don't know how you feel about it, or if you're attatched to it, but at least in the pic, it is reading "ditsy." With those large-scale sofas it's just not providing the impact you need. One really great (substantial) vase of flowers to fill in that corner may be more effective.

Also, imo, the picture to the left of the shelf is distracting. (Hope you don't mind my candor!) To me, it doesn't add to your color scheme or the feel of your room. You probably don't need artwork there at all once you get a more dramatic accessory on the mantel.

I just noticed your pretty needlepoint pillows. They could mix in very nicely with the toile! If you move forward with adding the toile you'll be bringing in charm, warmth, texture & color to your existing pieces, which are very nice.

You have an exciting project in store! Enjoy the process!

Let's see:

1)Fireplace mantel: Switch the single dark artwork over to the wall with the other rectangle artwork. Hang the smaller one above the larger one. Try hanging small plain white dishes (perhaps saucers or bread plates?) on each of the side walls to "fill in" the area. If possible -- place a small teacup and saucer (maybe in the black-and-white toile?) on each of the shelves?

2) Bookshelf lights -- I love them! Very functional indeed -- and they do suit the modern bookcase and TV. Nice choice!

3) LOVE the lamp!! But look for a modern "drum" lampshade in white or even black for a change!

4) Yes -- if you do the black-and-white toile -- try a selection of simple black (and black-and-white toile) cushions on both sofa and the loveseat. Perhaps the cushions could have a plain side and a patterned one for fast-and-easy changes?

5)LOVE the books on the bookshelves -- but simply stack some of them horizontally and mix in the family photos. Sit a photo on a horizontal stack of books. Play with colors etc. to find a pleasing mix.

6)Curtains -- yes -- perhaps black-and-white check or toile. Or even simple heavier plain fabric like linen?

7) I love the side table -- it works SO well with the coffee table -- but it might be better in white to match? Or perhaps paint BOTH tables in black to balance the heavy visual weight of the color of the area rug and sofas?

Just some thoughts!

Jan

Love the little lights on the bookcase. They're an unexpected touch but the first thing that caught my eye.

Agree with the others about the contrast of the heaviness of the red furniture & rug but the light & airy feel of the pale walls & white curtains. Perhaps the drapes will bring it together. What do you mean about 30's or 40's style green print. Can you post a pic of the fabric?

I understand your concern with the corner fireplace. I have one as well & still struggle with what to do with it. To me, the little corner shelf seems unnatural paired with the dark heavy art next to it, plus it makes the eye travel back further into the corner. What about putting the picture on a stand on the fireplace, or having some type of corner overmantel made?

Hi anele,

I like a combo of Jan and stinky's suggestion for the mantle. How bout either a plant or vase of flowers, in the middle, and then plates surrounding.

I have a corner shelf like that. It was my mom's and I didn't want to get rid of it. In our last house, it was in a corner in the powder room, with pretty little things that could be showcased better because of the small room size.

I hope you found another place for your first rug. It has a very nice pattern.