Don't junk up the only surface you have. Beyond that? Tale a picture with the LIGHTS ON ? : )

Another problem - no lights except my little lamp behind the sectional! I'm on the hunt for a chandelier for that room ... right now we have the foyer chandelier on at night and it helps alot, just not quite enough.

I had to take the photo in the late afternoon because we get beautiful morning sunlight pouring in and you can't see anything in the room photo as a result. It's a wonderful problem to have, really.

I'll see if I have any photos in the sunlight.

A pair of standing lamps behind the sectional. Andr add a lamp and LOSE the plant. Photo's are still too dark to see the SPACE

Thanks Jan.

Do you have room to pull the chairs back and open it up alittle more? The space just looks cramped/uncomfortable to me.

I would remove the round side table with potted plant. You are trying to ignore the fireplace, but putting a table and plant in front brings your eyes and attention right to that area.

Spread the side chairs just a bit and you might be able to put one of the narrow martini tables in between them.

I don't think I would use the square tray on the coffee table. Just place a nice low round succulent arrangement (real or faux) in the center of the coffee table for some color and texture.

I wouldn't do anything else to the space.

Looks like a San Diego house!

Move the art to the right just a bit and find something more interesting for the coffee table. Then you're finished.

This is a very nicely done space in what is obviously a beautiful house. Everything fits and is coordinated, and the TV on an easel is a delightfully different idea.

In spite of all that this area does not seem cozy and homey to me. One problem is actually mine since I don't like large areas of cold color such as the navy blue. What also strikes me is that nothing has a pattern. I wonder if at some subliminal level you might be feeling that also.

I don't imagine that you want to change anything major here since you're just asking for finishing touches. That being the case, I will just say that if this were my house I would change the color of the curtains to the softer blue of the pillow that is closest to the TV. I would find a much larger carpet that covers most of this area (in spite of your beautiful floor) and which has a pattern and incorporates several colors, including the dark blue you like but also other colors. An Oriental carpet that is more linear than a typical Persian, perhaps a Kazak or Turkish tribal carpet, would be my choice. I'd probably also have a few pillows in stronger patterns, and perhaps a furry one, although yours are gorgeous. The basic idea is to make this area more comfortable and easy-going, but I've already said more than enough.

Thank you, everyone. I'm trying some of the ideas out and adding more photos and details on my 'project'.

chispa: I changed the chair placement and position, they swivel, and moved the small table away from the fireplace. Looks better already! I'll have to figure out the coffee table. I want to make it 'pretty' while keeping it everyday usable with tv remotes, drink coasters, etc. while avoiding clutter!! Thank you for the "San Diego house" compliment ! : ) We're in South Orange County - not so far away...

Ingrid: I so appreciate your encouragement! All of the things you see in the room are newbies, so you're right that I won't be making any major changes. I'm counting on this being the home stretch (no pun intended!) . The big pillows actually have a lot of pattern; the blue in the drapes is the same as the blue in the pillows.

I agree that I need a bigger area rug. That would help warm up the whole room. This was a great find at Home Goods for the price and time being. I know the 8x10 I have is too small, but the problem with a bigger rug is the floorplan with all the inconvenient angles! Bigger rugs will push against, or not even fit, in the angles of the fireplace and the angled side wall. I've tried laying it out with butcher paper and tape. I wouldn't mind trying it with a real rug, but I have to find something 1. I can find a way to get home and 2. I can return if it doesn't work.

Looking at my photos, I see that so much of the UN-coziness of the room is because of the HIGH ceilings - 20 ft to be exact. I'm looking for a chandelier that will add light, a design element and help define the upper limit of my family room so it doesn't seem so cavernous. Thinking about an orb ...

More photos

Not usually a fan of sectionals but that one suits the space perfectly. Like the windows -- have you considered adding some colorful -- lots of reds -- Tiffany type stained glass hangings or ornaments to them?

Since you have no overhead light and little, if any, room for end tables and lamps, you might consider adding swing arm wall lights. Like this Houzz one:

[https://www.houzz.com/products/kenroy-home-21011-sheppard-1-light-plug-in-wall-sconce-prvw-vr~37335319[(https://www.houzz.com/products/kenroy-home-21011-sheppard-1-light-plug-in-wall-sconce-prvw-vr~37335319)

Would not even attempt to decorate above the window height -- unless you're considering birds and/or tree tops/limbs:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/20758848259035794/

https://www.ironaccents.com/177.html

https://theartssection.com/art-and-wall-decor/wall-art/metal-wall-art/40071/metal-wall-art-branches/

Boy that dark blue area rug really sucks all the light out of the room.

Because the different arches, I would have brought the drapes to the top of the windows. Also a tall canvas or 3 framed canvases behind the sectional would provide better balance in the room.

That looks much better! I like the idea of an orb chandelier that will fill the space, but not block the lines of sight.

This might work in your space: https://www.crystorama.com/libby-langdon-sylvan-8-light-dark-bronze-chandelier_6171.aspx#.WrQ1HJch0uU

I have this one in the vaulted living area in our guest house: https://www.crystorama.com/crystorama-solaris-9-light-bronze-sphere-chandelier_4477.aspx?EID=1601&EN=Category#.WrQ2H5ch0uU

The Old Glory rug would punch up the space ... if the colors work with your things in the room. You could order a small one to confirm colors, return it and then order the full size one.

That rug you posted is gorgeous! It's by Company C and they have a sale that ends today - 20% off. http://www.companyc.com/product/old+glory+rug.do

Hi neighbor:)

you did a wonderful job by now-i especially love the easel TV

we had similar thing going on in our previous townhouse-on the first floor-very high ceilings..feeling of a ballroom a bit..(we even had angled fireplace(a double one).

I decided to ground the space. Darker flooring, brighter, colorful furniture..concentrate colors and patterns in the lower part of the room

the walls were already somewhat deeper color

you chose lighter shades, very pretty too. I agree though that patterned, stronger, with more character so to say rug will make it all more striking-and also more human-scale.

No, this is not a crazy rug you've just posted..no rugs are too crazy for me though))

also, as somebody who loves plants I rush to their defence....it's light in such rooms like there is no mañana...it's a pity not to use it, in terms of plants, one rarely gets a room with such great natural light

(since we've moved my fig leaf tree is still doing great, being under the skylight..the orchids started being in trouble. Now I need to use certain spots, kitchen counters, window sills..or go for easier plants. And I was already used to "hey, everything's blooming just because")

as for personal accents..take your time..whether you go to one of the famous flea markets in the area, or to galleries or festivals in Laguna, you're bound to find something that speaks to you, sooner or later. Whether it'll cost a penny or a pound, be it vintage or hand thrown..you'll find it. It, and and a story of a beautiful day when it looked at you and asked you to take it home.

I like your black and white shot-very smart idea to get a feel of thev space, isn't it?

This is a lovely room that only needs a little tweaking. Once you have chosen your ceiling light fixture and maybe add a table lamp I'd say your there! Well done.

For the table, maybe do 3 round things. I would keep the shapes round since you have enough lines in the room. A round succulent arrangement, round drink coasters in their own matching round container and a round lidded box to hold the remotes.

I love the idea of round things for the table..my suggestion would be a tray, first of all, because it's also insanely practical in my opinion(every family and its policy, but our family room is food-friendly..))

If you find that you can swing the Old Glory rug I think you'd love it. That rug would convince all visitors that you are committed to coral and not just flirting with some pillows. Meaningful relationship!

You could have broadloom cut to the same angles as your room and bound. Then you could layer your smaller rug on top. You've done a wonderful job. Everything works in this room.

Ok, I just ordered the Old Glory Rug! It should be here the first week of April. I'll post photos when I have it on the floor! : )

Thank you all SO MUCH for the great ideas, advice and encouragement! I'm excited about my family room again.

chispa - I'll take a look at the chandelier links. Thanks.

Aprilneverends neighbor - : ) I love live plants, too, and will incorporate them once I get the other things in place. I have my first elephant leaf fig tree in our "great room". I love it! It's still getting used to my care, LOL.

Round accents (3) on the coffee table is just the thing. I'll start my hunt, which happens for me exactly as you described Aprilneverends, How did you know?

Stay tuned everybody - I'll definitely need help with chandelier choices!

Blessings ~ Dawn

Moving the plant from the fireplace to near the TV is surprisingly effective in giving the room more softness and personality. I think the rug you've chosen will give great interest to your room and I can't wait to see it in situ. It will go with everything you already have while at the same time "lifting" the whole ensemble to a higher level. That was quick work; I think that rug was waiting for you!

had to start pretty much anew here in 2010)) that's how I know..

we'll stay tuned!

We think moving the round table with the plant was a good move, and getting another rug will be really nice. Perhaps try some different art on the wall by the TV once you get the new rug?

High-End Traditional Home: Family Room · More Info

Thanks for your thoughts Heather. We've thought that it may need a different wall/different room eventually. That's it's home for now until I find another treasure. Most of the art we have in our home are family heirlooms. My husband's aunt was a well-known artist in her part of the country (Kansas, Arkansas, Arizona) during her lifetime. She passed away in the early 1960's. So, the pieces we have and love, while not to everyone's taste, have great sentimental value to us. The other pieces I have are originals from one of our favorite artists - Maya Eventov. I've gotten quite spoiled having only original art in my home. Dare I say it will take me awhile to find another piece of art for above the sectional. : )