Like what? Adjoining dining room is papaya color. The furnishings and red Persian rug do appear lighter IRL, and the south-facing room is very bright.

Photo of the rug? Could take a color from that.

Do you still have the papaya paint? If so, paint a smallish square on one of the walls to see how it looks. Keep both the floor trim and ceiling trim white.

The rug got wet, it is still at the rug cleaning place, so no more photos of it!

I'm curious as to what made you want to paint the trim dark and the bookcase white? Please don't do either.............

I think your room is working well now. What is it you don't like exactly?

You have an eclectic mix going on and you have done it rather successfully. The only thing I would switch out is the light, lacy curtains. A heavier fabric and more dramatic color/pattern will tie everything together.

No, that won't have the desired outcome unless you want the room to feel smaller.

Any suggestions for curtains?

Is the red rug shown in the pics the one that is staying?

Yes

I wouldn't mess with what you have going on now. You naturally have great taste! What a cozy room. I want to curl up on that couch with the fire going and read a good book.

Venezia Flatstick Roll Up Window Shade in Spice Finish, 72 in. W x 72 in. H, 8.5

sorry for the delay - I think curtains are not desirable in your room for 2 main reasons. 1. Any pattern will compete with the rug and 2. You have such a great eclectic vibe going on. These blinds will not detract from that sensibility but will tie in all the gold tones.

Introducing natural woods and fibers will help to tie in all the elements and is desirable.

I hope you like them?

I could see the dark window trim with white linen curtains but definitely NOT dark crown moulding.

[corrected]

I agree with previous posters. I think painting the trim dark will make the room feel smaller and closed in.

You have a beautiful home, and I love that fireplace!

If anything, I'd paint the walls a soft, light neutral, and keep the trim light. I like the suggestions above for heavier (in weight, not darker color) curtains.

Good luck!

I like the original pictures, sorry. I agree with Rugknots, your space is great as is :-)

What about keeping the white trim and molding, but adding these curtains? Keeping white sheers over the window panes, adding these panels to the sides, removing snowshoes and dark mirror. Painting bookcase same white as walls. And painting mantel the taupe color on the curtains?

Yea the snow shoes can find a new home ;)

I'm not crazy about adding more white to the room because it does not balance out the visual weight of the dark furniture combined with the red Persian rug. Please don't paint the bookcase white - I think it will just look like a white painted bookcase and not a built in.

I personally like the mantle the way it is.

I'm still voting for wood blinds.............Let's see what everyone else thinks.

Best.

Painting the bookcase will not make it look better? Or look built in? I thought it would make it blend into its alcove! And look like a built in! Will it just make it look cheesy?

I like the idea of the blinds, except I don't want to block any light at all. Light is precious here at 9,000 feet elevation! I thought choosing curtains with an earth tone in them would add that weight.

Can you send a shot of the FP wall straight on making sure to show what is on the right side of the FP as well? That will help us decide.

The curtains you showed read white even tho there is an earth tone in the pattern - do you see what I mean? check out match stick blinds - they let light filter in. You could buy one and just tack it up to live with it for a few days and see if you like it.

Does this help? There was/will be a trim around the door frame - the kind that has vertical lines with little squares with circles in them at the two top corners.

The wall to the left of the fireplace (where the bookcase lives) is quite deeply recessed.

ok M Mag those pics def help me.

IMHO I think if you paint the book case to the left of the FP it will not work because it will look like you were trying to make it look like a built in. The fact that there is not a matching book case on the right, meaning symmetry is lacking, is the issue. We know that the existing design, prior to the water leak disaster, was quite successful, correct?

Regarding the mantle and the wood trim that will go around the door opening to the dining room - I'm thinking they should coordinate with each other since they are so close to each other. Therefore, how do you feel about painting your mantle white as well as the trim around the door opening white?

I'm sure other Houzzer's will give their opinion!

But isn’t the symmetry even more of an issue with the dark wood bookcase?

i thought having the bookcase the same color as the wall would make it blend in more. It won’t??

I DO want the bookcase to look built in. It won’t?? See what I know!

Houzz’ers cautioned me AGAINST painting the mantel white because of the TV, which will stay...

I then thought to paint it the color of the pattern in the proposed curtains, a kind of dark linen color...

Thoughts?

Re: symmetry of bookcase - What we know is the bookcase looks great with the fireplace as is, right? Everyone loves the room and no one suggested painting the bookcase white. I think it works because it coordinates so well with the visual weight and colors of the stone in the FP plus the big black TV screen. It would be a nightmare to paint the bookcase white and then regret it. How about covering the shelving with white paper and see if you like it?

I am rethinking painting the mantel white - so on second thought don't do it, pull a color from the stone - I like the color it is now, but why don't you is the question.

I'm not liking the curtains you choose only because they read too white to me and don't coordinate that well with the Persian area rug.

You seem to want to add more white, do you know why? Is it because you find the room too dark? Have you thought about dropping high hats into the ceiling? Or a flush mount ceiling fixture?

There is no ceiling there now, so I guess the time would be now. What is a high hat?

YES!!!! Great! Round ceiling lights dropped into pot cans. The trend now is less that 4" diameter, dimmable LED bulbs.

Do some research on HOUZZ - there are several different looks and options. I'll look for some pics for you.

I want to add more white because I like it, and because I think maybe having the bookcase white will make it more harmonious or something...

[Seaside Escape[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/seaside-escape-traditional-living-room-san-diego-phvw-vp~3996137)

I'm assuming there is a second story over the room, correct?

I was also leaning towards painting the mantel one of the lighter shades in the stone - maybe the same "natural" color in the curtains..

Yes, the one where the pipes broke! Will I need an electrician, etc., to put in the lights? I am pretty tapped out with all of the extraordinary expenses associated with the break...

I would paint the walls a pale but warm blue, whitewash the fireplace, put up cream-colored, thicker curtains with a white or cream pole, have blue and soft red pillows and do what you think is best with the bookcase. I would leave that for last. Right now the contrast between the lower and upper half of your room is too great, and the white looks boring. You could paint the walls a warm cream if you're against the blue wall color. I wouldn't put anything on top of the mantel or the bookcase and hang the snowshoes elsewhere. Also remove the two items off the base of the fireplace. In a smaller space you don't want clutter, and whatever is there should be meaningful and beautiful.

Yes, you will need an electrician BUT it will be money well spent and you won't regret it. I hope you can make it happen!

I understand what a drag it is to go through water damage like you had. Just remember you are getting an upgrade- that's the silver lining in all this.

Best.

I wil have to go and check on the ceiling progress...and see if they put up the drywall yet or not.

Even if they have put the sheet rock up, that is fine - they cut the circles out and install.