I love your house! The floors and the board walls are great. The pictures remind me of a gallery space in the Berkshires that really struck me. I love simple and old styles, but this gallery had a living space attached that was spare and modern, and it looked outstanding. The gallery itself had a small collection of large objects, including a wall of huge clocks from an old factory arranged on the wall going up the stairs. I think the walls call out for few, but large things on them. The one area that doesn't seem right to me is the board and batten door under the transom, and the table next to it. The horizontal battens jumped out at me -- I think painting them the same color as the door would be more harmonious than having that contrasting color. Since the doorway is tall and narrow, emphasizing the horizontal battens is going against the grain, to my eye. I get the feeling the original door was frame and panel like your other ones. Also, the height of that door and the window next to it seem to dwarf the table. I think it looked better under the opposite window. As others said, take your time and find the right pieces to do justice to your beautiful and unique house. Enjoy!

Great idea about the foamcore Kippy, that would be fabulous and so much easier than painting. I'll give that some thought. I need to get bold, there are so many amazing paints out there. Everytime I go to Home Depot, there is a new line of metalic spray paints. jlc712, I think that the bookcase is where I can make the next biggest impact in the room. I hate to get rid of our beloved Little House on the Prairie set, but if I find a niece to send it too, that will make the parting a little sweeter. Maybe if I thin out some movies I can store books below in the cupboard. My audiophile husband loves his sound equipment, however. To think, I can't turn half of it on! Great idea about the calendars. Clever and budget-savvy. So hard to throw away those beautiful calendar pictures. I've got to put 9 frames of something above the fireplace. That wreath comes down this weekend, its the Feast of the Presentation so the time has come. Maybe I'll find 9 pictures of the Blessed Mother to frame. There is an endless number of painting of her, and I could gaze at those forever. Of course, my husband would want pictures of National Parks, so I guess I've got a lot of thinking to do. Tibbrix, you are right, this big room needs big furniture. The coffee table is 48" and the sofas are 72" so it gives a foot on each side to sit. Remember, we walk behind the sofas, in front of them, beside them AND we chase Captain around the room! It's really a dog run, I guess. I would have loved to buy large English-arm three cushion sofas and lovely accent chairs, but it's the fact that we move the loveseats (sometimes daily) to watch television or play video games. I know this seems crazy. We only have one functional TV. With seven kids on board (well one is gone but we still have her bedroom that she shares with a sister), all of our rooms are full of kids. I figure that when the time comes to change the furniture once again, I have seven people who would love free sofas. ; ) Need to work on paint, don't have a budget for that now. Thank you so much for your thoughtful replies. It means so much to hear your opinions. -Cupofkindness

Hi Julie, I arrived home from visiting my daughter in Austin this past weekend! I thought about looking you several times as I was noticing the Austin Stone. Quite a variety of shades and sizes. I saw some near the homes of Zilker Botanical Gardens that was lovely. I will keep looking for chairs but am am hosing two large gatherings in mid to late October that I could use them for. Have not looked anymore on the pictures. There is one local artist that I like his work but have not contacted him yet. I was wondering if I could do a collection of three or four large pictures instead of one large canvas. The one canvas seemed overwhelming to me but I did try to embrace it. I am looking forward to adding the bright & bold colors into the room.

Julie- I tried the picture upstairs and it’s too big. Do you think I Should keep the picture for over the couch or return it? I do like the colors with a small streak of brown/orange to tie in my kitchen cabinets (that I wish I could paint - side note haha). I feel like there is something off. I’m not sure if it’s the picture or the pillows. Love to hear your suggestions. Thank you!