I'm picturing a sofa opposite the television wall and club chairs to either side. Then I'm seeing either the table you already have (opposite the TV) behind the sofa, or another one-- maybe with the same lamps on to-- either that or a long low bookcase. I am seeing maybe a sage sofa and dk brown club chairs to anchor the space. Hmmm, still thinking-- I will chime on more later.

Looks like you have an abundance of windows, light, and great looking plants -- I can see why you would be drawn to West Indies or Asian influences.

When you walk through your front door, the eye will tend to go to your dining corner. Therefore, I would add a great chandelier over the table, and add more visual weight with an area rug under the table. If you intend to keep your dining table and chairs, you might consider adding a tablecloth topped by glass for a more finished look. I'd eliminate the bookcase, and instead add a tall narrow bookcase between the dining and living area windows. The proportion of the short kitchen wall might be improved by framing and trimming it out to create a tall open space.

It looks like your seating area has some architectural interest with a tray ceiling and fan overhead. It's hard to tell from the photo, but often replacing old fan lights makes a big difference. For furniture placement, I'd consider placing the TV on the wall where your mirror now is. Then place a sofa opposite (between the two windows), with similar, but unmatched chairs to either side -- one with an ottoman. Add a coffee table and a large area rug underneath. Then some incidental pieces and lighting.

Just throwing some furniture out there -- assortment of blue, quasi West Indies style, and a dash of modern.

Like mjlb the first thing I would do is move the wall-mounted tv to the place where the mirror and table are on the opposite wall. That is all wasted space because you need the walkway from the entry, yet most of the time no one is standing or walking through there. You could have a narrow cabinet below for your DVD player, etc.

Then you could put a larger couch on the wall where the TV is now, and flank it with two chairs. You could add end tables on either side of the couch, which would serve both the couch and the chairs, and you need lamps on both of those. You can then place your very nice area rug correctly in relation to the couch and chairs, rather than having the couch part on, part off, and the rug not centered with all the furniture.

I would move the table with the lamp from the chest to the space below the pix that on the wall that you see straight ahead when you enter the front door. Move the small chest to the wall space between the window in the kitchen and the window to the left of the current tv placement.

Stop using the fan for light - it casts huge shadows, and washes out the colors in the room. Save that for when you need to clean. Lamps with 100 watt bulbs on either end of the couch, on the small table, etc. will give you a great amount of light.

I would think about a medium shade of green for the living room, something perhaps pulled from the rug (if you are keeping that one), and that works with the aqua in the kitchen.

I would get longer curtain rods that would permit the curtains to sit more to the outer part of each side of the windows. It will make the windows feel larger, allow in more light. Get white rods to match your trim, or dark rods if that is the direction you want to take with the accessories and furniture in the space.

If you can, consider changing out the dining chairs to something in a woven grass or wicker. Something like this, with the existing glass table, will give you a richer, west indies feel, I think:

sonita chair

Think about painting the tray ceiling in the LR in the same aqua as the kitchen, and then all the rest of the ceiling space in a warmer, richer color, perhaps something like the floor tile color.

mjlb, love where you're going with this....

Any ideas on where to start? Should I start with a rug or piece of furniture and build from that? Or should I start with a wall color?

First of all, I think your house looks really nice as is, but I understand that you want some tweaking.
I have to say that I generally am not a fan of sleek furniture, but that first chair (marlena?) that mjlb posted,is incredibly gorgeous and "looks like"* it would even be comfortable.
* key word looks like cause we all know it's tough to know until tried and tested.

Start with a rug and build from there. Go through magazines and cut out pictures of rooms and styles that appeal to you.

I would like to see you replace your ceiling fan with a chandy of some sort to make that tray ceiling more dramatic.

I echo the recommendations of the first poster, and also suggest taking that large square coffee table out of the dining area and either putting it in front of the newly-located sofa (in front of the tv) or removing it from the room entirely.

I would also pick a single wall colour for the entire floor, as your rooms flow into each other, to unify the space. And, I would try to buy a wall unit that could hold the books that are currently on the oak shelving in the dining room plus your tv and anything on that unit in the living room. Put everything on a single unit on that wall in the living room, freeing up the dining room space for a very large painting or print, not hung too high. I like the black look for a new entertainment/wall unit, and would suggest something in that range. You might be able to replace the glass top in your dining room with a larger round, say 48" or 52", which would give you more seating but remain airy and not bog down the area visually.

I'm glad you resolved the issue with your mother's estate, by the way. Sometimes those problems that drag out make it more difficult to complete the grieving process. My sympathies on your loss.

Thanks, j-e. Many times, I would say to start with a rug that you love, because the person who designed the rug already made some discoveries about colors that look great together.

But that might not work so well with your desire for aqua in the room, at least if it's on something large, like furniture. In that case, a textural neutral rug, or possibly a natural rug such as sisal, or even leather might work better. In your case, maybe the Asian artwork next to the TV could be an inspiration for the more neutral tones needed to balance the aqua.

Definitely, start accumulating a photo collection of what you like to help guide your purchasing -- it's great fun and refines your taste.

Draw a floor plan and make a list of furniture and other items you want to replace. Include an estimate of price next to each item (you can use Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware etc. catalogs for a rough idea). This is really useful to avoid running out of budget before you've transformed the room as you planned. It shows you where you want to splurge and where you may need to find a "more creative" solution. I can't say enough about craig's list or used furniture stores for things like side tables, coffee table, lamps, etc.

Matched panels on all your windows looks great, but the photos make them appear bunched up -- maybe they need to be steamed? I could also see tall white plantation shutters to further the West Indies influence.

I would suggest you start with a budget first; how much do you want to spend? Then you can begin to prioritize how much you can afford on new furniture and big ticket items. As for the layout, try sketching your floor plan and layout several ways. You can even just move the furniture you already have to try the layout you think will work best before you go out and buy new stuff.

I think the wall you have your TV on now works well; you could buy a low stand for flat screen HDTV like you mention or you might go with a larger entertainment cabinet that gives you some display space and will create a natural focal point in the room.

As for paint color, go get some samples and paint decent size swatches on the wall so you can compare a few possibilities before you decide which one you like the best. Then you can choose things like an area rug, colors for new furniture, etc. that complement the wall color.

I'm envious; not all of us get the chance to redecorate an entire living or family room at once like you have! Enjoy your project and don't rush into anything; you'll be much happier in the long run if you take plenty of time to visit showrooms, look at pictures online and in magazines, etc. before you make your choices.

PS - if you get HGTV, they have lots of great shows on their that may give you some good ideas or you can visit the HGTV web site too.

Here is a link that might be useful: HGTV Web Site

You are off to a good start...the house has some nice furniture and colors. Looks like the best help is already in your living room though...Candice Olson on T.V. :)

BTW - I would love to know why you came up with the name of Jock Ewing from Dallas? lol

Jockewing, first, condolences. Glad the protracted struggle is behind you. My first suggestion is to only spend a portion of your inheritance now and save the rest as the financial outlook is bleak for the near future. (I know, that advice is a drag!) But truly, my advice would always be to upgrade slowly since finding quality pieces you'll love for the long haul takes time. That being said, I also know how important feathering your nest is and think you will enjoy getting a few pieces now. I have lots of general suggestions below, but really want to encourage you to take your time finding good pieces which will work over many years rather than succumbing to throw-away purchases.

Unless you have enough money to buy everything now, I'd start with the DR since you call attention to it with the accent wall color. I'd look to replace the bookcase with a wonderful marble topped buffet, a Danish rosewood or walnut credenza or a taller antique secretary. Really consider older furniture pieces which are generally much better made than the particle board stuff readily available. Antiques don't have to be stuffy or ornate, and with luck and patience you can begin building a wonderful, clean-lined collection. These days, without a really big budget it's hard to find quality pieces unless you have a great consignment store neraby or shop ebay. Center your new DR chandelier on your table. I think all the wrought iron legs in the DR (as well as the hodgepodge end tables) add to the busy-ness you don't like. Earlier it was suggested to place a larger glass top over a table cloth if you keep the table, or I'd consider replacing the set with a wood pedestal DR table w/o a cloth. Look for some comfortable DR chairs; I love simple leather chairs which hold up really well. Rattan is a good look but not as practical with crumbs, cleanability, etc.

In the LR, start with finding a hand-knotted rug, larger than your existing LR carpet and a runner in coordinating tones to replace the striped rug. Get two small patterned carpets for the front & dining area entry doors, unless you find a nice area rug for the DR, then you will want only an interior rug at the front door.. Overstock (must really read descriptions as photos aren't always accurate and avoid lead based dyes), ebay and craig's list are great sources, but many higher-end mfgs sell dicsontinued rugs directly on line at close-out prices. The trick is to be patient and wait for a wonderful bargain rather than spend a lot for instant gratification. Hand-knotted for the large rug(s) is best as it will hold up well.

Extend the drape rods as was suggested to add presence to the panels. Your wall color has to coordinate with the taupe tiles unless you can upgrade to HW or laminate. Assuming you have to work with the tile, I'd be cautious of cooler, darker hues since that can be drab and depressing and you already have a sophisticated darker tone in the kitchen/dining area. Consider deep non-yellowy cream toward raw silk/linen tones (I find it helpful to look at art mats and/or fabric and have paint matched) which will combine well with the DR wall and the aquas, green and brown you love and that you're currently inclined to eventually bring more into the LR.

I like your tv in its current location because it allows you to keep a cohesive conversational arrangement in the LR. HDGuy's advice to consider whether you want/need display/storage area is a good one in determining what size piece to look for btwn the windows. I'd consider 2 love seats (in a neutral tone to accommodate changing accents as your taste evolves) flanking the media wall, much sleeker than the bulky one you have, but still comfortable. Put a console table or low bookcase behind the one on the DR side. Definitely add more lamps, up lighting behind plants, maybe a torchiere in a corner and/or a swing arm low floor lamp by seating. Replace the ceiling fan with another more beautiful fixture, even if you elect to keep a fan there. Replace the two chairs with more compact ones, even a sleek recliner as long as it has raised legs. Or re-upholster the burgundy chair and just get one new chair. Get a large leather ottoman which can pull double duty as a coffee table. Consider tucking a power strip behind the small console under the mirror to minimize the cords. Definitely place all your lights on dimmers.

Before you begin, scour this site and others as well as mags to find the style that most appeals to you and use them for inspiration. Best of luck!

Painting or staining the curtain rods and replacing the bright white shades with bamboo, wood, or something less obvious would go a long way in pulling the look together, I think. You have a mixture of woods, but I think the darker tones are nicer with your fabrics and art.

Replacing the TV and stand would give you a more sophisticated look, as well, and also free up some wall space for a great piece of art. I'd also replace the little tile top table.

I don't know where you live, but many Craigslists have great pieces for a fraction of what new would cost.

It's fun shopping with someone else's money, so:

TV stand possibilities -- think mid-to-tall (about 5-ft high)would better balance the windows on opposite side of room).

Hey mjlb, you have my taste pegged. I love everything you are suggesting. I'm just worried about the $$$. Basically, I really only want to spend about 3-4 grand on the rug, a couch or loveseat, 2 chairs, some art work, and new light fixtures. I know that's not much, but then again, I don't have to necessarily buy everything at once. I'd rather buy quality over time instead of being forced to get junk just to complete everything all at once. I have found a really nice light fixture I was considering for over the dining table. I'll post it when I get home from work. What items should I buy first that will make the biggest impact? I was thinking of getting a very neutral rug with maybe some type of soothing pattern or texture, even a bound piece of a nice carpet. I find that the rug I have is too busy for a small room. Right now, everything I have is basically hand-me-downs and mix and match. I've got to unify things somehow. Maybe get two chairs and a nice chenille loveseat as the seating? With a leather ottoman than can be used as a coffee table?

I agree with mjlb and les917 about moving the tv to the opposite wall. I think that will open up the space and give you a lot more room to place the other pieces in the living room. You could try it with the pieces you have now before you invest in new furniture.

Wow, great ideas! I strongly urge you to look on Craigslist for the furniture etc-- if you are in a metro area, especially there are wonderful deals to be had. Ikea also has some things along the lines you seem to like, too, and is very reasonably priced.

I think the biggest impact would be dining light, sofa, TV stand, and area rug. Since the fancy blue chair is probably not in the budget, I'd bring some of the blue/green color in with the rug.

Then I'd keep an eye on craigs list, etc. for vintage dining room chairs, and another chair or two for living room, etc. Ideefix also suggested bamboo shades, which would look great and are usually inexpensive.

Presumably you'll need to lose the bookcase, loveseat and pink chair, but the other chair looks comfy, and could be jazzed up with an aqua throw maybe. Your existing vintage table and cabinet I'm sure can be worked in with new additions.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

Prices on some of the possibles that I posted:

Nelson lamp - $329
Dining table base - $279 (add round glass top)
TV stand - $499
Sofa - $1,900
Area Rug - $210 (8-ft sq) or $270 (10-ft sq)

Total - about $3,200 plus shipping