Dominique, Wow! What a reaction. Thank you for looking at my room (and my dish pantry). Punk, Frankly I was getting embarrassed by all the wonderful comments on my room so I didn't want to do a new post of the same room. I understand everyone's comments on the windows. I do love my windows and had to tell the contractors many many times that I wanted wood windows! Painted windows wouldn't have looked right with my style of decoration. Nonetheless, I don't like to sit right in front of a big window when I can't see what might be out there looking in. I am following a room I found in a log home magazine which has plaid curtains. Once I find the right fabric and/or curtains, I'll be posting that. I really think everyone will like them. Slinky, I understand how you too would leave the French doors uncovered. I agree with the valances. The window to the right of the French doors is half in the kitchen and, ironically, will be the one that is left without a window treatment 'cause at least so far I can't figure out what to do with it, and it's fairly close to the range top so I'm afraid a window treatment would get dirty fast. I could change my mind on that... Lynn, thanks again for the compliments! The beams were designed by DH and aren't real support beams--they're there just for looks. He wired them so the chandeliers and fan actually hang from the beams. He had to put the wire inside the beams 'cause you can see the tops of the beams from the stairs. Now he is considering putting an as-much-hidden-as-possible outlet on the center beam so I can put lighted garlands up there for Christmas (this was actually HIS idea, I swear!) - Magpie

Pattiem93, your drapes look great on your tall windows. And I really like the creative way you hung them. lol at your hubby comment. My DH would hang them but probably mutter a few choice words while doing so. ; ) Kat, yes, I'm in So.Cal near the town of Wrightwood in the San Gabriels. I'm a native and not going anywhere soon, especially when I see the frigid temps elsewhere in the country. Brrr!!! I found another plaid I like. I may like it even more than the other one. The colors are calmer and more in keeping with our cottage style. The plaid is a little smaller but I've seen lots of pics with a plaid this size so I know it can work. Another plus, DH likes it a lot. This pic shows it with some other fabrics I brought home. I picked the polka dot because I like a little whimsy in each room. I might make a pillow from it. Here it is in my dining room. There is a framed opening between it and the LR of about 6 ft. so I'd like the two rooms to coordinate. There is a bay window in this room. I might use it in here or the floral - haven't decided yet. I don't know if I'll get any of the others just yet. DH likes the blue and it would look nice on the red chair. It has a small pebble like texture. But it isn't a very thick fabric and I don't think it will hold up well as upholstery fabric so I'll keep looking. I do love the floral and have thought of using it in my kitchen which has three double hung windows side by side over the sink area. I would line the floral with the plaid and do a window treatment in which both fabrics will show. But the floral has a very large repeat which could limit my window treatment options. Decisions, decisions . . . Thanks for all your help, fellow plaid lovers! : ) Diana

Thanks for clarifying the use of the space. It originally sounded like a room for the kids mostly. I think it is nice that your DH likes to be involved. Plaids and checks are hardly just country, but if that is his thought and he is immovable on that, so be it. LOL I was confused by your comment about the swirly wall areas not being able to be painted. They are painted the ceiling color, aren't they? No special maintenance to paint them another color, and I really think it would make the room feel more spacious if they were the wall color. I like the changes you have made - the room feels so much brighter.

The point with paint is, pick your battles. Make sure the bathrooms and kitchens are completely up to snuff first, with a clean, well cared for look. Make sure the carpet isn't all ratty, and if it is, have cleaned and maybe get some judiciously placed area rugs. Entrances and exits, doors and windows looking in good repair, clean and fresh. Make sure the walls are in good repair. If you have all that, then repaint, sure. I'm not sure what percentage of people are discouraged by a bad paint job. Here's the deal though, I looked at a house that had been completely re-done, with the most outlandish and garish colors and finishes imaginable. The house was immaculate and maybe the owners loved it, but eeee gads it was so disharmonious to me and my SO that even though the price was right and the layout looked good, everything would have to be redone--paint, floors, surfaces . . . If your whole house is as assertive as the green color of your living room, then maybe yes, paint could make a huge difference. My SO detests green (I love it but that is one of the few areas we are not in agreement on) so he might immediately get a bad vibe with your living room. I love it.