I'm so glad I found this forum! You ladies are wonderful. I'm going to make some of the changes today (along with cleaning house, lol) and I'll post another picture later to show the progress. My son helped me build this little house (632 square feet) after my husband died about 5 years ago. I have decorated, undecorated, changed colors, and literally worked myself into a frenzy the past year trying to get it "right". I'm a thrift store, g/sale junkie and have accumulated so many decorating things (throw pillows, curtains, pictures etc) that will not work, and it's time to clear them out, and start anew. I really appreciate your help and suggestions, they're helping so much! And Barb, the curtains have always been a mystery with me. I've never been able to get the right look. Your ideas are really good, but I think I'm going to wait until I get the furniture, etc rearranged and step back and see how it looks, before making a decision. I live alone, a very casual lifestyle, the house being a little wood cabin style on the edge of the woods. I actually like the open look at the windows so I can see the trees, squirrels, etc, so don't want to get it very formal, if that makes sense, lol. I saw some wheat colored simple long linen panels at our newly opened "Dirt Cheap" store last week that interested me. I'd like something I can pull back during the day to let in the woodsy view. Just some thoughts to ponder. I have the black loop clips to match the black rods (somewhere, lol) Again, thank you all! And I'll report back soon as I make some changes. Jo Ann

Thank you for doing those images @mommyjoy!!! They are so lovely looking and I agree once some of the larger elements(rugs, furniture) are in place I will use accessories to tie it together. @aktillery9 I do love the rug but it may turn out to not work so great. I have a round rug if you can see in the wide angle image that is grey and purple with a vintage feel. When I think about the rugs together it makes no sense but when I see them next to one another I think they do work. Hopefully it does work as @mommyjoy said there is a vintage theme going on too. Next up is my floor plan! In looking at the room do any of you have ideas for how it should flow and how the placement should go? As I wrote it is a bit of a challenge, large room but not huge, not super narrow but not wide with walls of windows looking at the water and that alcove. I can take more photos if that would help any of you help me! Thanks!

You begin by drawing the room, and using a measuring tape, you add the dimensions. You post it here. You include the size of hearth, windows, and especially the opening to kitchen and hall area. Nobody can see around a corner here. You ask , am I going to have a tv? How many folks will sit, What will they sit on, and where will I put that seating? What size will that seating be? It isn't going to look good, or be passable to foot traffic, with much more than a sofa, and two comfortable chairs. Take the sectional word out of your head, from the looks of the photo. You ask yourself, how do I want the room to feel- what's my style? And the first thing you consider, BEFORE running to any store, is unifying the hardwood and eliminating the edge to edge carpet in the space. Then you consider losing chocolate brown walls : )

***clapping. And you said this didn't come easy to you! You are doing great and this room looks nice and open now with all the smaller brown furnishings out and the light bright choices! Great Job!! Can we replace the entry light and the living room light?