That chandelier you put in pics picks up the feel of the fireplace. INice, but still don't see that being swapped out. I still think couch is too big.

BU, what does the chandelier look like without the shades? I'm thinking it might be a less fussy look, more of the French country you like and less French provincial.

I would be tempted to use a more horizontal piece of art, or the antler mount, over the fireplace and not anything vertical to draw attention further up in an already tall space. I would try to keep the focus down and make the scale more human, less outsize.

76.5" x 39.75" remeasured couch.

Becky, agree. That's kinda why I want mantle lowered, but agree with Flo of unnecessary increase in expense. I've heard of faux beamed mantle covers that might work. I've got the antlers which are a gift and has a spot. Like the idea of humanizing the scale. Artwork on the other walls might do the trick. Lighter frames and hues. Needs eye to move in peaks and valleys.

Flo, I like antlers, but not skull, but means a lot to bro. I have seem skulls with mosaics or fabric over them that's more pleasing. Interesting thoughts you and Becky have about artwork above fireplace. What about the mirror behind the "buffet"? Can I use that above fireplace. It would reflect loft.

Need scaffold to get to chandelier.

Budget-think design on a dime. Going for the look.

Please, for god sake, do not do anything with FP! It is so great feature in room.

As soon as you put big wall art above the mantle...everything would be balanced.

Malvern Rug is from Ballard Design

It's got to be the right blue. In comparison, I like the white better. Maybe 1 wall only or 2 opposite walls.????

I've been busy.

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This is kinda the furniture arrangement I was thinking of, but still think existing furniture too big. Just using what I have.

Nothing is facing the TV in your layout now.

Imagine tv and bookcase swapping spaces and getting rid of big cabinet/"buffet" under tv. Thinking something narrower and sleeker, disappearing into wall.

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Red chairs swivel. Dual purpose of conversation and tv.

Thank u celerygirl for the white and blue room comparison with the blue rug!

TV components can potentially go under stairs.

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I forgot about the hide. This would look good under a glass table.

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Rug needs to be bigger, don't you think?

I always vote for bigger rugs :-))

Is there a closet behind the bookcase? Pros often hide TV gear in a closet and mount the TV on the wall. I think you could do that and put your console table under the TV. That would eliminate the current cabinet under the TV which feels quite out of place. The bookcase is typically French, so that would set a theme if you keep it. I like all of your chairs for an English hunting lodge, but the sofa needs replacing with something more typical of the grand era of fox hunting. Google English hunting lodge for some inspiration. It would include larger, darker rugs (maybe Persian you find 2nd hand.) I think you could get by with one wall (behind the TV perhaps) painted dark hunter green. Maybe hubby will give in if the paint is limited in scope.

Do you have any daytime photos? And photos of the staircase and ceiling?

Found this today on my houzz page. SW Anew Gray…beautiful.

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Leave the stained glass windows...

Which are your favorite pieces? Which are your husband's favorites?

I would run fast unless this is honestly your style. I see a money pit in the making it is to me all the horrible design ideas of a mcmansion with no thought to actual living in the space for real families.

I have to go back and read everything but I really like the room-it is all of the furniture that should be phased out.

Looks like a comfy den to me.

This is a really neat room. You just have too much furniture in there, and the furniture doesn't go together. I would pick out which things you love and start building the room around them.

Would it be weird to make it even darker and paint the ceilings (I can't see many of them in the photos but they seem light)? Blue, or red. Or something that matches the new rug. Maybe not all of it, but that nook with the recessed lights needs the ceiling painted out.

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Pics of ceiling and stained glass (just weird color combo of blues and purple).

House was built in the "70's and agree with the McMansion thought, but I'm stuck. This is what I have to work with. Looked through the french and english hunting lodge images. That's what I'm after. The english seem to have the comfy furniture idea I'm looking for and the french have the lighter colors and softness I'm after. I like the reds and greens idea, but I feel I have to work with these windows.

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animals seem to be breeding. The real ones I have to keep, but don't know if others should go?

Since you like bargain hunting, measure what size rug you'd like, then keep your eyes open on craigslist etc. for a few months. Giant rugs like you'll need are much harder to sell than 8 by 10's on the used carpet market (for individuals, not necessarily for stores). If you are flexible on colors, aim for a blue-ish or blue-accented mostly-red wool Oriental. Check consignment stores, too.

I like the top ceiling as it is, but the lower ceiling in the one (?) spot could be concealed a bit.

You're on the right track I think. Just ignore the windows. They will take care of themselves.

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My Keepers: Bookcase, 'buffer", swivel red chairs, but willing to chuck it all. Still like all these pieces and not sure where they would go, but know just the person to come over and help me with that. I'm open to everything, but leaning toward lighter more soothing, resting room that draws me in. Now, avoid this room at all cost.

Hubby's keepers: green couch even though it's 28 1/2 y.o. and tv where it's at. I'm open to new fabrics, colors and rearrangement

Agree: need much bigger rug to ground space or unify color choice.

Ahh, thanks for the upward views of the chandelier and ceiling plan. Agree that it's a cool room with great potential. I know you mentioned the difficulty of reaching the chandelier - not sure I'd replace it, but would simply explore the idea of removing the crystal bead chain from the design. Like the shades and the general structure and scale of the piece, but will read much more streamlined and English Country hunting box versus stately home. Renting a tall enough ladder (or compact lift) for a weekend would be much less expensive than the cost of a replacement fixture and installation labor at that scale. Cheers to your project and progress - you're already off to a good start!

The long console/buffet had good lines, and would be a good place for two large table lamps.

The lines of the bookcase aren't as good, and it's a very bulky piece in a room where some of the furniture has to go anyway.

Are the red chairs worth having slipcovers made in a lighter fabric? Blues and greens with some cream would work well to lighten up the room, and would also work well with the stained glass window. If you want to keep the chairs as is, I would at least switch out the throw pillows for ones with some blue and/or green, like this (at Pottery Barn),

Your current table lamp looks a bit fussy, and also squat/short for the space. I'd get something taller with cleaner lines, like this; keep thinking about channelling Charlotte Moss : ) ,

I know I said this before, but in case it got lost, try the chandelier without the shades. Not with new/different shades, but no shades.

I think one dramatic antler mount (without the skull) would be great in this room but I don't think it needs more than one. The others could be saved for a man cave : ) .

I don't blame you for wanting to avoid the room. Take hubby furniture shopping and let him plant his butt in some down-wrapped heaven. Bye bye Green Monster. Is it facing those cabinets? Does anyone even sit there? This room deserves a top-to-bottom do-over. I gave my old furniture to a battered women's shelter, it made it easier to part with old friends knowing they would give comfort to others. I agree that the curio cabs make a heavy room heavier. What ever you do, don't blame the room and do something irreversible. This is about the wrong furniture in the wrong place.

I like JudyG's founding although your room has definitely charm for me.

While you have the scaffolding (or date palm ladder) out to put shades on the chandelier, see what you can do to freshen the paneling. Maybe test a low spot. But it looks dry and tired. I don't know what it needs, but imagine how lovely it would be waxed or polished or oiled or maybe just cleaned.

I agree with sofa shopping trip for hubby. You need to "gift" that sofa to someone who can appreciate and move on. Please. Any thoughts on my suggestions above?

I also had another thought for the antlers. There is space above the TV and the large set would work nicely there as well. The other ones, no. Don't overdo a good thing in this room. Furniture and placement is key here.

I am in the minority here but I hate the Victorian windows. They call my attention every time I look at them and scream faux Victorian. I think if you replace the Victorian windows with clear glass or a leaded clear glass it would completely change the look of the room. Then you could avoid painting the judges paneling and focus on the fireplace. Replace the current mantel with one that is deeper and make that your focal point. Flo has given you some great décor ideas and you can definitely make this a nice room.

Lake lover I think you are correct on both those points-boy the FP could use about 8" of brick taken off the top and replaced with a properly sized mantle. But they are minor compared to the feel of the furniture in there.

You are getting great advice here-decorating is expensive and can take normal people like us years. I am looking forward to seeing your progress!