And the flowers are perfect sisters with the paint. The grey sofa isn't in the 'natural' warm direction, but contemporary, which you want, I think? Can still add natural look [idk what this is, but repeats paint and wood and flowers?]. Others sold bring in blue.

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The only things that I really need to keep are the photos so everything else is up for the donation pile if necessary. I'm not planning on doing any painting right now. I think the room will eventually go to a soft gray/blue maybe. The couches are blue now (they may look gray in the pic). I would like to go to a more transitional look and away from the country-ish stuff. I just put everything on the counter for you all to see.

Since you aren't attached to anything except the photos, I would let it all go! Then you can gradually replace it with things you love to look at which support your transitional goal.

Would you consider getting rid of the free standing shelf, re-framing the family photos, and creating a gallery wall where the shelf was?

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That way the built-in would be free to house a few beautiful, impactful pieces and they would have room to be really seen and enjoyed. I'd keep the jugs, books, and birdie (stand her stop the black box for more impact) for now along with the set of scales. You might have different faces though :)

It's good to have open spaces.

Do you have toddlers? If not, pull everything forward to within a couple of inches of the edge!!

I mean, not everything right on the edge but nothing right to the back! Lol

The really tiny pictures would do better either as a collage or in much bigger frames with wide mats. They are lost in the shuffle, can you see that?

Think in threes or fives. So a group of three photos or five photos, high medium low, with a space between that group and the next.

Any better? The plate on top doesn't work and the scale was too heavy to take down. Maybe I should just paint behind the shelves?

Lots better! The right side is heavier than the left so I'd try the black box with the bird in front of it on its left where the starfish are and move the starfish to the right side. Some books leaning in the space above the black box.

You really have to repaint the walls.

That salmon color clashes with the orangey wood of the built in. Select a paint that's neutral so your shelves and objects show better.

I think lindsey is right in that you should edit your items only keep what you really like. It's always going to be a work in progress. Keep your eyes open when you go to estate sales or craft fairs, etc. You could add books, a basket... or a piece art you love, or a stuffed animal or pottery or anything you find that you like. (is that an old fire extinguisher in one of the pictures? Love it!) As far as your family pictures go, I think if you get some small picture easels of differing heights at Michaels, or another craft place like that, you can elevate some and get a more interesting "landscape." My only other thought is that if you're going to keep your big bookcase piece where it is - and I'm guessing you are, you might paint what would be the back wall of the bookcase - using the bookcase as your template. .I don't know what color to suggest, because I don't know the rest of your color palate, but it might help to make stuff in there pop. Bottom line: don't buy stuff to fill it up. Accumulate things that make you smile and put them on display. Enjoy!

I happen to like paint color, and I wear the peach /rust. If you really hate it, paint it [hubby though?] If you want to update with current paint, no green, but blue more [but less is more? so no greenery or mint vase].

You need to paint that wall unit and ditch the smaller piece. You need to repaint the walls a neutral color. Then pick a theme and pick a color palette. Example ... pigs and star fish don't go together.

Me again like a broken record [many houzzers are working right now I guess] -- if you're not loving paint or unit, reduce number of colors of items, even if neutral. The baskets are fine. [Poor piggy though.]

More Books!!

Hey staceyonion :) Here's my feedback about the new arrangement:

I think the starfish, art, and mirror make a great composition.

I would try the two vases at the bottom, in front of the mirror.

Push the baskets closer together so there is only 2-3" between them.

How are you feeling about it after living with if for a day or so?

Yes! not little white floral vases, but make any white stand out like mirror does. And rustic nice. 3 little piggies/ baskets in a row. Dark blue plate. In a way, you're ignoring the paint.... ? ok.

If it's not your fav paint, then don't play up the color with pink flowers or vases... ?

I think the trouble is partly the wall colour; notice how everything brown or beige kind of blends in? And blue things really pop. The painting looks fantastic against this colour and the bird and agate which are so beautiful just kind of disappear.

But with so much display area, not everything should 'show'... closer in person you see the itty bird...?

Stacey, I saw your post yesterday and was going to suggest trying the baskets in the 3 sections on the right. I like it. I tend to agree with lindsey regarding things blending in with the wall color. She also mentioned stacked books. Maybe try that with the 3 wider shelves on the left. I would stack some and have some vertical. Have open space between the book groupings.

Up close especially, the bird and textures, etc.. speak for themselves [no color needed]. Blue plate and art and you're going!! imo.

Better and better. I like the 3 baskets on the right side shelves, but would remove the things in front of them. I liked the extinguisher in your very first photo, mainly because I like the color with your wood, and because it's big enough for some impact. Can you move the middle shelves to make room for it on the bottom?

I wouldn't put anything on the top of the unit. Mirrors don't reflect anything nice, and I wouldn't use them.

I left the computer, and thought: for fun bring in all your blue/white pieces [which you may have done before].... then we'll see the assorted brightness look. But you have that [in other room], was just ....

Oh my everdebz, I think I should leave that space alone!

Unfortunately, the shelves don't move. I have some gray paint, would that work?

I could definitely imagine that birdie in front of a vertical stack of books. I just think she deserves More! :)

Yes...as partim mentioned, nothing in front of the baskets.

I like that metal fire extinguisher. Could it go sideways on one of the shelves, maybe on top of 2 small blocks to give it height? I like the texture and the color with your other things, and it is the right size to have some impact on its own.

I also like your black plate, and the 2 white stars. Could they go together on a shelf?

One other thing is the longer basket that is on your other shelf with flowers. I think it would look good on this larger shelf, without the flowers.

Stacey, just making sure you don't want COLORRR. The bird will in my view, will get more lost in front of books. little things.. but try if you want. FExt. is another implement I thought you didn't want. I wouldn't keep it, sorry cause it's either industrial loft or country....

You did it!!

Looks great :)

That's nice!! [and to be particular about your paint comment: no peachy-pink feminine stuff vases to emphasize the paint].

Very very nice.