Oh my goodness, when I scrolled down I was expecting a train wreck but your rooms have tons of nice features. The columns are a little awkward but I wouldn't call them hideous.

Are you willing to paint? Your room color is nice but I wouldn't call it contemporary or fresh.

Yes, we will definitely paint and change furniture/rug/ almost anything!

This is a lovely house....if you want to re-decorate, that's one thing. But the layout isn't unworkable. I'd probably put something like a console table under the picture in the living room and a pair of sofas perpendicular to the wall to create walls where you have none. Or even a pair at right angles so you would enter the dining room behind a sofa. Something like that.....

Me too, i was very surprised by the lovely space -- not horrible or hideous at all!

Is the space feeling too formal for you?

Any inspiring photos that show spaces you admire?

I'm with the others -- I was expecting something awful, but these rooms are light and airy and lovely! I do think painting the rooms a unified, lighter color would bring in a much fresher feel, but beyond that, I can't see much more that I'd consider changing.

The one thing I see is that the LR rug overextends its' space so that the walkway to the dining room is awkward. Is it a rectangle and if so, Try turning it the other way (even if you're not keeping it - try just for size) so that the other chair is also on it. The whole sofa doesn't have to be on it.

I do like the freshness that the shutters and wainscotting bring to the space but the chandelier is much too ornate. I like the idea of a simple arm chandelier such as this link - [simple arm chandelier. [(https://www.houzz.com/products/simple-sweep-6-arm-chandelier-prvw-vr~27334512)

It's a little more transitional than what you have posted. If you google simple arm chandeliers a ton of them will come up.

I do like that dining room table.

Is the triangle side table staying? Please say no, it's not strong enough to hold it's own.

Do you want the two spaces to read as one or twos separate ones?

I don't see any lighting in the living room - yes/no? Plans for that?

Thank you for the compliments, but the rooms feel stuffy/ tired and I'm sick of the colors. I am wondering:

1, Does the style of the sofa work? I keep thinking that the tall sides don't look right... Or maybe it needs to be longer? Is sofa placement working?

2. The chairs were were very inexpensive and bought as temporary placeholders a number of years ago. Should I go with something bigger, smaller or??

3. I got rid of the end tables and lamps recently, and the little triangle table isn't staying- end table ideas?

4. I am trying to make the rooms feel fresh, cooler and more contemporary.

Well, as I have recently learned, Gold and Red is Out. Over. Googling deeply confirms this. I think you have decent things to work with and have a good sense of how to make things work, but consider ditching one of those colors.

A few minor updates would make a huge difference in making it all look current.

I think the sofa can work, it seems like a transitional style. What colors do you like? I can see your walls being a medium blue, maybe turquoise or another shade from the painting. The wainscoting seems so formal, would you consider painting it glossy black, maybe a mid-tone greige for your dining space?

Bumblebeez: I know that gold/red is out now, but for me it's been out for a long time. The colors look old and dated, plus I think I'm just due for a change. I'd like to incorporate gray somehow and definitely ditch the gold! We bought the painting behind the sofa on a trip to Montreal years ago. Although it's not my favorite painting, Dh loves it. Can I pull a color from the painting for the walls/furniture?

Melle_sacto: I would consider painting the wainscoting, and love the grayish look of painted wood. Our new island will be gray, so I'm definitely open to it. As I said, I really want to get away from the red/gold heavy look and am trying for a simple and fresh feel.

Could you move the painting to a less prominent spot? That style is also, to me, somewhat out. Definitely pull a a gray from it and as your dh loves it, you must keep it. But it doesn't have to be over the sofa either.

Your home is lovely. I would get rid of the burgundy but keep something in the tan/gold family. I know that everyone wants gray now.....but it can make a home so dreary! Please do not paint the wainscoting. It is beautiful.

Bumblebeez- Dh says he's willing to move the painting into the DR, so maybe we could pull a gray from the painting and use that on the DR walls. What color should the chairs be if I do that?

grapefruit: DH just said he wants the wainscoting to remain white, but he's open to whatever I want for the wall color. I live in So Cal and long for dreary! I've lived here all my life and am not a fan of hot and sunny weather! Lol My son lives in Seattle and I love the wether there. Of course if I actually had to live in it, I might go crazy and yearn for sunny LA.

What about the sofa? Stay or go? If it goes, what should I do differently?

I'm right there with you on wanting Seattle weather not CA sun ;-)

I am not a pro by any means so take all of this with a grain of salt.

The sofa seems dated, I would get something more angular with straight lines.

The chairs look fine IMHO as far as shape and color.

The piano would look more modern if it were painted black, lose the wall clock above it as it looks dated.

The painting above the sofa is pretty but I do think it should move to the dining room.

A new chandalier is a must but I think the one you posted looks too modern, I like the style that blfenton posted and think it would work better with the space and overall architecture of the area.

Is the light in the entry staying or are you wanting to change it as well as the chandalier?

I think gray could work for the walls, giving you an overall grey, white, black color scheme with pops of color.

Finding the right gray will be the tricky part though.

You have a very nice house; certainly not ugly at all!

I think removing the columns and squaring up that opening will look very nice. Your woodwork, windows, and blinds are quite traditional, so I'd avoid going too contemporary, but transitional will work.

I think if I were you, I'd start with finding a rug you really like. A square would help break up the long rectangles of the rooms. I think I'd consider two sofas facing each other, or a sectional, or even four large chairs circled around your coffee table. I think having some furniture facing the windows, and separating the room from the entry would help it feel cozier and less like a waiting area.

New paint colors will make a big change, even without changing anything else. A soft blue or green would look nice. You have such nice high ceilings, you could do any color, even something bold. Pale gray walls and a pale blue ceiling would be pretty, and maybe something bold in the DR? Emerald, teal, royal blue?

Once I scrolled down and saw the live edge walnut dining table everything went out of my brain and droll ran down my chin and created a puddle on my lap.

Here's a few photos, maybe something will catch your eye.

Timeless Transitional · More Info

Family Chic · More Info

M/I Homes of Raleigh: Overlook At Amberly - Hawthorne Model · More Info

Modern Coastal · More Info

The Sandberg Home · More Info

Aubergine Palais · More Info

I find that having an inspiration room, one relatively do able, to be very helpful in providing direction and focus. You have to carefully identify what exactly it is about the rooms though that you like so as to make them useful.

You seem to know what you are doing and I think you will make good choices.

I wish I could be more helpful but without being in the room, I think I would give bad advice.

Texas_gem: I agree that a slightly longer, straight sofa is more along the lines of what I'm picturing in my head. I'm definitely planning on having the piano painted black, and the clock is moving into DHs office or somewhere else out of the way. Yes, I think i am trying to pull off a gray, white and black palette with color in throw pillows and artwork.

Jic712: I was wondering about a sectional... Would the return be in the corner and go under the window or on the dining room side? Every photo you posted had be yearning to pull off a new color scheme and breathe some life into this space.

Bumblebeez: lol that you think I know what I'm doing. I am pretty clueless, thus my indecisiveness!

Justgotabeme: lol I love the live edge dining table and bought it almost a year ago. How sad that there are no chairs for it yet! If I don't do that room soon, Dh is going to kill me. What chairs would look good with it?

Can I pick out chairs, lighting, sofa and rug and then have the rooms painted? Do I need to have everything chosen before beginning? My biggest issue when it comes to decorating is that I cannot decide on everything so I end up doing nothing at all. I need to know where to start.

Start with the rug.........everything else will flow from that selection, upholstery, paint colors etc.

Pick one thing that you LOVE and build from that. A rug, piece of art, just something.

Paint is the easiest thing to change. For me, I would look at different styles of furniture to see what style I would like but I would probably pick out the rug first. I was just thinking that with your living edge table and your metal/glass coffee table that the word organic came to mind. Anyway I came across this site. The rooms are a little large and perhaps a little grander in scope but they might give you some ideas (or not!).

organic/rustic living rooms -

It's really hard to pinpoint a direction for you as we all use different definitions for a decorating style. It's good to know what you don't like as a start. Here is a sample of chairs that have been put with living edge tables. If you can narrow down that, it might give you a jumping off point for the rest of the space[- chairs for live edge tables[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/live-edge-dining-table-phbr0lbl-bl~l_39340)

WOW is all I can say to Bev! That first picture especially. LOVE the color. Makes the room pop.

When I first opened the thread I thought I was going to see such a horrid room! But, it's truly lovely. Just a little freshening up is all you need.

And I have the same problem as you. I can't seem to get started sometimes, and when I do I don't feel I can pull it all together. That's why pictures help so much. I need an inspiration to guide me (or someone like Bev!!!)

decormyhomepls. Thank you for your kind words. For all of us, even designers, sometimes we're too close to the problem and can't see the whole picture. For this living room, I have to admit I am being heavily constrained by the painting, otherwise something much lighter could be assembled. Also, there is always the option of doing a monochromatic almost no color scheme for the room. Hard to make recommendations without see the complete picture and how one room affects another room.

I thought it was going to be something awful too, but instead very nice just something you are tired of.

My 2 cents, I think I would consider changing where the couch faces. Seems like it is more a pass through lobby than a nice place to sit and have a conversation. I don't really see any dimensions so not sure what might work, I just picture myself sitting on the couch looking at the staircase. If you want to change up colors, I think I would stick with the more warm earthy neutrals in both paintings you are keeping rather than the grey tones if the wood on the table is the other thing you want to feature.

If you're just tired of it, it's time for a change. I personally don't care if my red and gold is "out", I'm happy and it's MY house.

I found it amusing that the chandelier over your dining table that you hate is almost exactly the chandelier that another posted just moments ago was thrilled to find on CL! I personally like your decor but it is YOUR house.

Thank you Bev for giving me the visualization I've been lacking! It really helps! I agree that the colors In the painting have been giving me difficulty. I may try to move it into the DR or another room, but it is quite large, so I'm not sure. In any case, you have helped me feel bolder about getting started on this project. Thank you!!

Chucksmom: I I00% agree that if you love something, it doesn't matter if it's "out". In my case, I do think I'm tired of the colors and need a change. Since the whole house needs painting, it seems like a good time to implement these changes. The chandelier was something I really loved for a long time, but I need a aimpler look. I have a friend who wants it and it will be perfect in her DR.

Kippy: I've always thought it was strange that the furniture faces the stairs. Maybe it's partly why the room feels weird to me. That and the high ceilings make it feel cold. We actually never use that room other than when there are large gatherings that spill into that part of the house. We all congregate in the FR. Kitchen and backyard, though the cats like to curl up on the sofa!

I didn't read all the posts, so maybe someone else suggested this, but is there any way to switch the dining and living rooms? I think I'd much rather sit on the sofa and look out on your back yard than the stairway. If you are switching out your dining room light anyway, maybe it's something you could consider?