I so agree about the table lamp situation. There are no outlets near the furniture placement and it's an issue I've learned to live with. Behind the sofa is a library table with a lamp that helps. There is an oriental rug in the entry and a runner in the hall. I do need a larger rug in the living area and an oriental is an option there. I also agree my artwork could use some upgrading. There are original pieces in the house but mostly smaller works. I'll add another photo angle facing the dining area as well. (And my dog peeking out on the back of the sofa). As you can see, I lean toward bland :).

Alas, I'd return it and buy this pillow instead (cb2)

I love it!

Ottoman will work if you get another matching side chair to replace the wing chair.

Then positioned both to ottoman.

I dig it. It adds a nice level of sass to your space. I agree some sexier pillows would help balance it.

I appreciate everyone's input - very helpful! It's always challenging to open up your home to critique but there is value in seeing it from other's perspectives.

barncatz - yours is certainly the most budget-friendly suggestion!

JudyG - I'm assuming you are suggesting something more like nhbasket's arrangement of chairs, no?

ETA: for those suggesting different, jazzier, sexier pillows, I would love to see what you would envision. Thanks!

Love the ottoman!

I too like the ottoman. Just get a few other pieces (pillows or whatever) in similarly saturated tones. I like the ottoman with the beige couch and chair but not as much with the gray chair, so I'd add some richer color there.

I guess I'm going to be difficult...You have a very very classy home and I think the leopard looks out of place.

That said, if you're trying to move out from your comfort zone, then keep it and let it be your jumping off point.

My honest opinion is that a couple throw pillows will not instantly make this work...

I like it and I'm not usually a fan of animal prints. It looks comfy and practical. The look is good I don't think the square shape is an issue. Now how do you feel about it? What do you like or not like about it? You have a right to hold out for the perfect thing.

I like it. FIrst, I prefer squares, they are more generous. Second, I always like a touch of animal print, and i consider it very classic ... It can be OTT but i think it is the British Colonial aspect that does it for me.

Your room looks "collected" rather than matched. That's a good thing, but I would introduce some repetition somewhere to tie the items together. For example, the color of that coral throw would be a good element for repetition. I might look for a pillow for the gray chair that has the same coral.

You will also want to stage/decorate the surface of the ottoman. If you google LR ottomans, you will see what I mean. I like large trays on ottomans, and can see silver or brass in your space. (then I'd repeat that metal with an item on the small round table in the foreground). Books for the tray, maybe some object d'art in the coral color, and a succulent or small vase of flowers.

Of course, all of that competes with the function of the ottoman to some extent, so you need to balance those design elements with making sure there is still a safe and easy way to put your feet up! We have oversized ottomans and they usually have a tray with books/mags and something decorative that isn't too fragile. If entertaining, I might add a low stable vase of flowers. For me that's a good compromise between using the thing and making it look nice.

(see the link for some ideas) https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/living-room-decorating-with-ottomans-slideshow

If I came to your house as it is now with the ottoman, I would think you had a lovely home.

But, if you are asking if the ottoman is a keeper, I am not sure. For me I am not sure if it is a smidge too large ? I agree if keeping it, you should get a few heftier pillows (heftier color or pattern wise I mean ) and possibly the staging /tray thing mtn suggested might work well too. Somehow it just seems a bit too isolated to me, but maybe with a few tweaks it will work beautifully.

Thanks all for your helpful feedback.

pink - I think the thing that was bothering me the most was the shape and size. I like an animal print but this seemed like a HUGE blob of it right in the middle of the space. Of course, it is completely empty right now and adding a tray as mtn suggests with a few decorative/useful items will help.

mtn - thanks for the AD link and your specific suggestions! I was very drawn to the photo of Ali Wentworth & George Stehpanopolos' room. I have very few new items in this house - collected over the years for better or worse.

penny - thank you so much. Apparently my comfort zone is subdued :).

salvona - it's growing on me a bit but I agree the size seems a smidge too large.

I have the weekend to mull it over and try styling it and start playing around with different pillows, etc. If only my photoshopping skills were better - I need to see it! Hence, why I lugged home a big leopard ottoman.

I love it and your room, but I think it is too big. Go with your first thought.

I guess my main love is putting my feet up, and lounging. So I would rarely find an ottoman "too large" but you should think about how you will use that space and how it will fit in. Will it make it crowded and hard to navigate around? That is difficult to tell from just the photo. I have an ottoman in a smaller space and even though it is a relatively small ottoman, it still is a bit of a tripping hazard. But I love it so we keep it and walk on the wild side.

pink - no, it really doesn't physically crowd the room as much as it seemed to visually. I'm getting used to it now so it doesn't bother me as much. It is in my nature to acclimate to things pretty easily - which can be a bit of a curse. The ceiling in my laundry room is 3/4 re-painted. That 1/4 undone was all I could see at first but couldn't get around to finishing it. Now I hardly notice it. I need to get it back on the to do list.

Thank you celerygirl!! I love having the lamps there - I just need them to be battery operated :(. Looks great!

I think your rug can stay if you add black pillows and black and gold lamps.

Notice I removed your decor above the door.

I feel your pain about the outlet issue with lamps! You could however, add a gold element with a candle lamp with a brass or gold finish. And they do even make battery operated candles now.

If it's not tight, then I say go for it with the ottoman. It sure snazzes up your space. I'm a snazz gal though, not a "clean lines" person, lol!

If you're okay with moving outside your comfort zone, you do have the basic elements of a more eclectic look...I'm not a pro, but you could layer another rug (a colorful kilim, perhaps?) kind of askew over the sisal? rug that's already there. Get rid of the pillows you have and get some more interesting, colorful ones. Change out the painting over the fireplace...

(whatever speaks to you)

Cordless lamps...this one's a bit dull and stupid expensive, but they're out there...

Colorful throws...

Interesting stuff on the ottoman...

Anyway...you got this, you know you do :)

I think it looks a little too crowded. My 2 cents worth!

You have some very pretty furnishings, but I personally feel that this ottoman is "too much" for your living room. I think a rectangular shape would fit better, and I also think that this particular leopard pattern is too large (you can find smaller scale prints in leopard/cheetah, etc.). I'd try a leopard pillow instead.

The gold and black lamps make a big and wonderful impact. The intimate light they'd create would be well worth hiring an electrician if you are not on a slab foundation.

lisaam - I agree but unfortunately we are on a slab. As pennydesign shared, there are some cordless lamps out there but not that many and they come with a price. But I think it might be worth it for the right lamps! I wonder if a talented electrician/lamp person could retrofit a corded lamp to a cordless? Might check into that...

https://www.viewalongtheway.com/2012/08/lamp-hack-how-to-make-any-lamp-cordless/

I like it a lot but think it's a little bit too big.

I like it very much! Keep it! But then I love animal prints. It's a lovely room - such a shame you can't have end tables and lamps. I'd explore what it would cost to remedy that problem.

Thanks Anglo - I'm still a bit torn about the size/shape. This one is 40x40 and the rectangle is 47x26. I would need to order the rectangular one and it would be about $200 more! So, of course, I'm trying to love the square. I do like the animal print. I am going to look into the possibility of retrofitting some lamps as the current availability of cordless lamps is somewhat limited. Modern Lantern's Etsy shop has some vintage lamps that have been converted to cordless:

Modern Lantern Etsy

I’m not a fan of leopard print, but I like it in your space. I think you should keep the Seagrass and layer another rug. Definitely need a tray on the ottoman.

Some green would be nice, it seems to be a thing I’ve discovered as I have a green velvet sofa. So when I search for inspiration rooms I find lots of leopard print.

On a side note, where did you get the side table by your sofa? Love it.

Annette - I LOVE both of those inspiration rooms and adore green - particularly that apple-ish green in the second photo. Thanks - I actually got the little antique drink table from a vendor at Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta several years ago. I love it as well!

I used to go to Scott’s regularly. Maybe I’ll take a run out there.

I like going about once a year or so. This vendor is there regularly but they also have a website where you can see their inventory. I also purchased a large mirror from them that I adore.

Illuminati Antiques

I posted last night that I liked your ottoman, but I must have forgotten to hit "submit".

Here is my leopard print ottoman. My mom did it for me years ago.Not as grand as yours tho. lol

Once I found an animal print ottoman in an antique store. It had cow horns! My friend thought it was awful and laughed so hard at me that I passed it up.

schoolhouse - I love it!

Well, I'm getting closer to a decision and leaning in the "keep it" direction. I need to get some tray ideas now to be absolutely sure I will like both how it works and functions. I'm thinking about 24" square (ottoman is 40" sq) and I like the idea of aged brass or silver as mtn suggested up thread. Not finding much in the square shape but have found a black low profile one that could work. Thoughts? Ideas where to search/shop?

Etsy Tray in Black

Well just to be difficult...I like something like this...

Also, I wouldn't repeat the shape (square on a square ottoman) but I have absolutely no foundation for that reasoning except that, to me, it's too much same-ness...

Thanks penny - actually you are very helpful and not the least bit difficult! I have tried a few rectangular trays I have on hand and I think you may be spot on. Many more options in that shape as well.

I would shift the ottoman so that the pattern isn't heading toward the TV but rather parallel with the sofa. I would try for a more dramatic, colorful painting and perhaps another darker rug under the ottoman.

I put my finger and why I don’t like it...it is the color...I don‘t think that orange brown color adds anything to your beautiful room. I think you need something more like this...

That looks good, too!