A BIG thank you to all of you for your honesty - I truly appreciate it. I have been every direction and back again on these trying to make something work. Actually, I have always gravitated toward solid, but I have gotten off track a few times for different reasons...need to head back that direction. hoosiergirl, thanks for the vote of confidence. blondiel, thanks for your additional help. The solid is a good suggestion. I too think the stripe would add something to the room in the form of pillows. jerseygirl, thanks for all of your comments on this. I want you to know that I always enjoy seeing what you have done with your place. You have actually inspired me to evolve my style somewhat. :) jjam, thanks for the support. P.S. I love your dining room drapes! les, thanks for your honesty. I didn't think you liked this, but am glad you officially chimed in! :) I have shyed away from banding these drapes because I have been told I have too many rectangles in the room and that would be another. Who knows? Cheifneil, no you were not too blunt. Thank you. I completely agree that there are too many things going on in the room. Good news is I am getting rid of the plaid and the wicker chair. Getting two matching chairs by the fireplace and moving the leather over to the window. I hope that will help the situation. I haven't picked fabric for those chairs yet as I am waiting to make this decision first. I hope no one thought I thought my room looked like the cover picture! I know they are very different, I was originally just wondering what people thought of the vertical drapes. Thanks again everyone.

The best advice I can offer is don't try to make your house something that it isn't. You'll spend a lot of money that you won't get back when you sell, and you'll end up with a house that has lost its identity. It may also become a misfit in its neighborhood. If you don't like your house and want a different one, it's much more effective and efficient to buy what you really want and move.

I was in a funk when I bought that ugly sofa but will work on other things first. So much brown! I also am very tired of the cabinet & considering placing TV on fireplace wall vs. no tv and large decorative fireplace wall item. Our books & records are important to us; we don't have space for bookshelves elsewhere. This room is used primarily for reading, listening to music, talking with friends. Will rearrange shelves as suggested by deegw (above) & add some colorful decorative objects Paint the shelves? Will definitely replace fireplace screen as well as wrought iron railing going upstairs. Any advice for end tables, lighting/ lamp ideas? I like the teak coffee table suggestion; I was also considering large ottoman. Accessory color ideas? The dog stays!! Thank you. Appreciate your comments so very much.

I agree with Lynsy…wool rugs can be found on websites like Wayfair in all sizes and prices…the key to selecting them is to look for “tufted” …and even “thickness”…at the entry you really don’t want to scrimp with a too cheap rug…as it is the introduction to your home…we use them …even in the kitchen..and bathroom….as they have more substance and won’t buckle or move around when walking on them…i chose patterns with more color depth but less variation/ or pale shades….they are so simple to clean because the tufts are tightly woven and they absorb less…a damp sponge….a good spot remover …..and occasional vacuuming has kept them in top shape for 15 years…the best part is …these traditional rugs go with everything …every style of decor…as an interesting feature in every room…one tip is that you can order a small one to just see color,etc. before you order the big one….i usually kept the small ones as they make great entry rugs ..at the back door…or-any other exterior entry