What if you returned the sideboard back against the wall and placed the chairs so they were both facing the fireplace?

A large plant in the corner behind the chairs, an area rug in front of the chairs and some more artwork along with some collectibles on the sideboard would start to give a cozier feel to the room. I might select a larger table to place between the chairs that would hold a suitable lamp for reading.

Because of the scale of the room, I think the framed art might benefit from a wider, "weightier" frame.

I think using this room as a reading room is a wonderful idea. The window brings the outside in for a sense of calm and serenity. Once you have some accessories in there to give a personal touch to the room, I'm sure it will be lovely and just what you've envisioned.

I like the sideboard on the wall. Try moving the chairs back near the window with the round table between, but off center from the window, angled to the right and toward the fireplace. I agree with monablair, you need an area rug to tie it together. Of course, you will need to find a lamp for the table.

I like this. You could get floating shelves for the walls. I think a rug, round or octagonal, would add a great deal to the room. Think of it as an English gentleman's folly room. Be eccentric--hang some stained glass in that big window and some carnivorous plants on the sideboard. Maybe a big stuffed animal head over the mantel. Those chairs cry out for brandy in big snifters.

And those columns, with part of the top surface exposed, make me want to shove them over. What was your builder thinking? It's not your fault, and no one will ever see them, but the photo makes my fingers itch.

What about putting the sideboard on the wall that we don't see - the one on the right side. Add some art above, nice lamps, etc.

Then put on chair with its back to the wall where the console was originally, and the other chair at a right angle to that, in front of the window. The two chairs could then share a nice table in the corner.

Maybe an octagonal rug?

Thank you, all, for your suggestions, insights and encouragement. I tried everything noted here, and as of this moment, the sideboard and chairs are more or less right back where i started (along the "fireplace" wall). So all of that movement, only to end up in the same place! :)

Something still doesn't look right to me, but i guess i just have to play with it a little more, get a few more personal things in the room and so on. Plants, of course, can hide a multitude of imbalance for minimal cost, so maybe i'll get a few plants before i do anything else.

Thanks again everyone!

Cheers!

I think you need to decide where your focal point is... is it the window or the fireplace?

If it's the window, turn both chairs so they have a view out the window.

If it's the fireplace, pull both chairs closer to the fireplace.

And if it's the fireplace, I also think maybe you need a low table -- something to put your newspapers/books/coffee/wineglasses on -- and maybe, when no one's looking, your feet.

A low, round table... Something sturdy. Mission, maybe, to go with the leather chairs and the sideboard?

And then, of course, a rug. Round or octagonal would be best.

It's a beautiful room.

No matter what, I would not block the window with the side board. Have it on one of the walls. Then have the chairs angled by a table in the corner opposite at the side of the window.

Having the sideboard on the wall where it is now and the chairs on the other side in the corner with a table, will offer more privacy and solitude from the rest of the house. Having it the other way with the sideboard on the opposite wall and the chairs in the corner opposite will seem more inviting. Add a rug.

ideefixe - The columns are correct in their placement. Half under the support beam, and half off. I am sure the placement looks better from below than it does from above.

Like les917 says, out the sideboard on the wall that we cannot see (nearest the front entrance.) Place the chairs around the fireplace with or without a lower table. You badly need a rug, plants, paintings and personal decorative items. Curtains or blinds will greatly improve the coziness of the room. A large and tall plant in the window corner will fill that space up.

:)

OK, the first picture is where i originally began and returned to as of last night.

Today, i tried what i interpreted dilly_dally's suggestion to be. Oddly, i tried this general set up on the reverse walls and didn't like it. But i think i'm really loving this set up on the flip sides! What do you all think? Improvement? Note that the table obviously is just a placeholder, and must eventually be replaced by something larger.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

I don't care for it. Reminds me of when I was in grade school, and the teacher made us sit in a chair facing the corner when we were bad. :)

I like it better when your chairs were more centered in the middle. I would just move the sideboard and place in on a wall such as you did in your last pics.

Beautiful chairs by the way.

Joanne

Using the second pix arrangment, just turn the chairs so that they face into the room. Add a larger table in the corner between the chairs, shop for a rug and get some accessories and wall art.

I second Les's suggestion. I like the last arrangement, except that the chairs need to face into the room instead of the corner.

That suggestion would work.

I just noticed...you need to lower your print over the fireplace. A warmer painting may make the room to look more cozy, too.

I may be off the wall here, but if you want a "library" feel, won't you need some bookshelves?

I could see a large floor to ceiling bookshelves on the wall where the sideboard was originally. What a great opportunity to use a library ladder with those tall ceilings!

The chairs would go facing the fireplace.

Have you thought about closing one of those openings off with portieres? They would really add to the library feel.

Yes, I saw your pic the other night but couldn't post.....turn the chairs around from your 2nd photo. Get a large round drum table or even a skirted round table - atleast 36" D. A gorgeous over the top lamp to go on it.

Bookshelves on the big wall - not deep ones. You could even buy premade cheap ones - paint them & dress them up with mouldings to make it look like one big custom piece.

Then go to Tuesday AM - someplace reasonable - unless you want to $$ custom & buy silk drapes or linen - add 2 or 3 panels on each side of the windows - it would cover the walls on each side of the windows & really add softness to the room. Consider adding a boullion fringe on the inside of the drapes - full length.

I really like those chairs - gorgeous - & add 2 upholstered ottomans in front of them to kick your feet up - maybe in an animal print!!

Smiles:)

I would place the two chairs a little closer together semi facing the FP as well as facing each other. The little round table placed on the left side of the chair (if your sitting in the chair) and a smaller square table on the left of the other chair (if tour sitting on the chair)
Place a couple of your favorite books that you like to read on these tables. I have a small little table next to my chair in my family room with my favorite books and it, (it also serves as a landing place for my tea cup)
In the right corner a small writing desk and chair placed ca-ti corner so that you can glance out the window.
On the big wall on the left, two tall large bookcases. I say bookcase because it's so much neater looking than book shelves. Also a small square-ish table in front of the chairs for games, etc.
The side-boad, would you consider painting it darker?
Perhaps you can place it on the wall between the two bookcases.
It looks like you have a couple of small tables in there to use as props, to see if you like my table suggestions.

Love the chairs, they are so rich looking as well as the little round table, that's why I see dark furniture, and bookcases in there.

Joann

I'm wondering how the chairs would look on the wall to the right as you enter the room. Another way might be to place the chairs on the same angle as the fireplace only facing out from the right-hand corner. Not sure how I feel about the table in front of the window since it is so much higher above the window sill.

Beautiful room and I love the chairs! How pretty a round rug would look in there.

I like Monablair's idea.