I agree with the no lamps unless necessary. I have two little ones and while they have never knocked over lamps, I don't have any within reach in the playroom. We rely on natural light and then a floor lamp placed behind the couch that isn't easily accessible. I would do as Tib suggested and put pretty bookends and books on top, or random toys or big ones that don't fit in the cubbies. Love the map idea over the storage. Then I would get attractive baskets for some or all of the cubbies. Then even if they aren't filled, everything looks uniform. I like uniform. : ) Serena & Lily has nice baskets (I have some in my daughter's room) and they are having a 20% off sale in a few days. Land of Nod is also running 15% off bins and baskets right now. Pottery Barn Kids has some cute ones and you can find a coupon every once in a while. Bins and baskets in general aren't cheap but I love the look and function of them. Just make sure and measure your shelves before ordering.

Long day! I returned all the trial drapes and went to Linen and Things, Sears, JCPenney's, RH AND Pottery Barn!!! The first 4 stores - really carry mostly silky, shiny drapes - but I did see the ones lyban suggested - and I like them a lot. They are much darker than the cream, but I ordered them anyway - just to try. I really loved the leaf ones that Les suggested (from Penney's) but they don't carry them in any lengths longer then 95". I might as well get it right at this point! Looked at Pottery barn & Restoration hardware... Pottery barn is a LOT less expensive - but RH were nicer in feel and color, so I ordered them as well! I still have other fabric swatches coming in, including the other one Les suggested... THIS IS A LOT OF WORK!!! LOL DH doesn't like the cream... likes the darker gold better, but now that I have been staring and staring at it... here are my thoughts. The darker gold just wasn't doing it for me - guess that's why I painted over it in the first place! I Did/do still like the terra-cotta, but now that the cream is there, it is more an "airy", "lighter" feel, plus the accessories do look better. It's a keeper for me - and I'll be posting new pictures tomorrow. Found another console table lamp... it's different, and I paused for a long while before putting it in my shopping cart. I should have paused a bit longer and left it at the store - it's ugly and one of those "What was I thinking?". It's already back in the car to return. :( johnatemp, what a great idea - that could really add a lot... now just need the panels! annz, I moved and added a few things around. Still need to find some larger items.... which I was "I dream of Jeanie" and could nod my head a bit and have it done!! Oh well...

Penny - I typically love some of the more outspoken opinions here. I'll see a post and be like "Ohh, wait til Sophie sees this!" usually because I agree with her opinions! I'm sure I would be really sensitive to hear it about my own room, but that wouldn't make it untrue. :) I was reading and considering everyone's input, but I've realized it can be difficult to reply to suggestions from multiple people at once! I really, really, appreciate all of your input. I definitely think you're right about no more furniture with drawers. It makes a lot of sense in many cases (and in the pics that people posted). Unfortunately, with 73" on each side of the fireplace, a standard chest would look miniscule, and that would leave me with putting a full-sized dresser there. With three dressers (counting the Hemnes my TV is on), it would just look like I had an elaborately furnished closet and not a family room! I actually had both chairs and the round table at the entrance for years. Since they both swivel, the table kept getting knocked down, and I grew tired of having to shimmy between the chair and the endtable all the time. Maybe I'll go back to that arrangement, but I'm liking them flanking the FP for now. cawaps - Ikea is definitely where my budget is currently - but I get the feeling I probably need to de-Ikea this room as I'm able to. :) I'll be on the lookout for consignment and thrifting bargains that might work. Anglophilia - You're so right, flat fireplace walls ARE a PITA! My last home had a diagnoal FP, and boy, I hated that, but this is still a pain! I think you're right, the ottoman has to go when we can replace it. We don't mind having a few toys here, since the bedrooms are upstairs. We hang out here frequently (and it's off the kitchen). He's a bit too big for a playpen at this point, so we choose which toys to keep in here, and we have a place to put them away, and we keep the rest in the playroom. It's a balancing act! Suezbell - Thank you for all the ideas! I will definitely be finding a home for the owl. Storage and a desk would be useful additions, I will consider those. The bookshelf is up for sale, since the height and color don't really work in here. I'll likely be replacing the TV dresser when I can to something with more interest or color. The Hemnes dresser was really only meant to be temporary - and here we are 5 years later!

I second the idea of an arc floor lamp for behind the sectional. Now about that entry wall, there is just too much clutter, nowhere for the eye to rest. Each of your decor items is nice individually, but all together they are a bit suffocating. To start with, I would paint the 3 switchplates to match the wall so that they aren't so noticeable. It's always nice to have a mirror in the entry, but I would move it to another spot where it could have more breathing room. You could replace it with four small nautical pictures arranged in a square, in quiet blues and greens to match the sails of the ship. Or a single square abstract print in soft blues, greens, and white would be unexpected and a nice contrast. The basket with shells is enough, by itself, for the bottom shelf. Good luck with your project, and remember the old decorating mantra "less is more"