IMO, it’s all too much. I would replace the rugs with something calmer. Replace the plaid pillows and get solid color drapery panels. Let them hang straight down, no tie backs.

Agreed on the tables. They are too ornate to complement the bulk of the sofa and chairs. I would suggest a rectangular coffee table, perhaps glass, and then moving the loveseat's legs onto the rug, closer, to create that conversation area. New lamps with a color base would also accent the space. How about picking up the color from the ottoman and use it as an accessory color. A new rug, transitional, would also give you more color choices.

For an immediate update:

-Take down the drapes. (Nonfunctional)

-Remove the plaid pillows

- Remove the wrought iron bowl from the dining table (dated decor)

The above costs nothing!

I agree about the drapes. I think that your space is nice, I would add some pops of color throughout. Maybe some teal & caramel. or teal & something else. Carry it from the front door to into the kitchen.

Things to consider.

1. you do not need curtains on the living area windows or fake ones. just leave the shutters

2. Bring your furniture off the wall and use a sofa table behind the couch.

3 Get rid of all the ornate iron pieces, fruit bowl, tables, lamps, etc.

4. Don't buy rugs in pairs. With your seagrass style table, a simple rug would be much better no pattern.

5. Do you use the love seat? for lounging I mean, otherwise eliminate it and flank the sofa with two chairs.

6. Soften up the brown leather with some creamy throw blankets.

7. use the throw pillows as an item to pop some color, blues, burnt oranges, or what you like, just not plaid.

-agree about the drapes..either nothing, or functional drapes

-try to say "no" to accessories that are not personal to you in some way. Good for staging; but otherwise, whatever you have should reflect you(and family) the most..

-your wall color seems nice. But it doesn't matter what it seems to me(I am also sure it looks a tad different on my monitor, because you describe cooler color from what I see)-what does matter, is whether you like it. You spend there time, it's your home. You need to feel happy there...or at least not to struggle to love some color that you -just maybe-can't love. Maybe it's a good idea to think what would work better for you-given of course all the rest-granite, cabinetry, existing furnishings...

Maybe this color holds you aback. Maybe what you need is not to work around it, but say "goodbye" to it and find color X that will work in your space and that you'll like more. That won't be boring to you. That will be say-relaxing. Or enveloping. Or inspiring. Or..

What do you think? I know it's a hassle. Yet..

-less matching stuff. Rugs, tables, pillows..all that can be mixed and varied a bit more. Say pillows..how about bringing in different textures? maybe colors?

Rugs-either same but much simpler, or more complex but not the same..sharing the character so to say.

Tables..coffee and end ones..take your time to find different but complementing ones..nowhere to hurry. Actually there's no need to hurry at all. You do a nice job..I think though you're in a hurry to "finish" it..it happens a lot when one moves to a new place, it's natural..but don't hurry. That's how mistakes are made. Take it slowly,,,don't try to overly match..and indulge yourself some..think what colors you like, think what textures you'd want to feel, think of how your room is used everyday..be a bit of an egotist)) Consult your house of course, listen to it. Listen to yourself too. Doesn't need to be perfect. ASAP. Doesn't need to be perfect at all, actually. Beauty is always slightly imperfect..

Needs to become "you". If takes time-takes time.

Good luck to you, and have fun decorating!

I would say eliminate the eating area rug and get a larger, different one, for the living space (it won't look as "choppy"...but leave the living area rug temporarily...

My guess is that you will never use your fan light...I would see if I can remove it, or get a fan without.

Remove the pillows...plaid adds to the choppy look (keep them and get different colored ones, but just remove them temporarily)

The drapes need to go...take them down, as well as the rods...

There's so much that works in your home...but if you do these things and post another photo, we can help with the next step....

I do think that the floors, rugs, cushions, all help to make the room a it confused...so let's try with less.

Since you asked - I’d never paint anything gray. Ever. Too hard to make it look good. What’s more depressing than a dull, dreary gray cloudy day?

My walls are also Gossemer Veil and I love them. It is not a dark dreary gray either.... very light with just a tad of color to it. Similar to agreeable gray but lighter. Looks great in my space and was recommended by a designer. I would not change your wall color but perhaps try editing/changing some of the things previously mentioned. I do like your space.... just needs some tweaks.

Thank you all so much! The time you spent means so much to me. I have seen so many homes, model homes and designer pictures that put the side drapes to soften the space. It's a lot of wall and a very rectangular home to not have anything on the walls but shutters at least I think. It sounds like the drapes need to go though. Thank you all so much!

Lots of great feedback here. Regarding the drapes, shutters don't need any other window treatment mixed with them. They'll look 100% better on their own.

Doreen, you're very gracious....

Please show us your "editing"...and don't forget that if you love it, then it usually can be made to work :)

COLOR! Please. Somewhere. At least an accent. And no drapes as others have suggested. You have a lovely space with great light. Lucky you!

After you've removed the drapes, take away the pillows. Between the floors, blinds, pillows and rug, it is too many hard edged lines. Look for pillows with some soft texture in a solid color (maybe light cream or deep blue). I think you could really update the space with a new coffee table - maybe glass and metal, in a more simple design so they don't match your end tables. The windows will look fine with just the blinds.

I'm going to take a flying leap here... You moved from a northern State to Arizona? You are suffering from a lifetime of "color avoidance" and your are accustomed to 8 foot ceilings. The intense desert sun tends to "wash out" color shades which look good in lesser light. Dump the drape panels, pillows and all fake plants. Select a "jewel tone" that pleases you (think BRIGHT) and add a pillow in that color. Once you get over the shock, work from there.

Hi Chiflipper. Not quite. I lived in the California Bay Area (Gilroy) and had 10 foot ceilings and came to the Sacramento area and now how 9 foot ceilings. I think I've always liked monochromatic colors schemes and am kind of anal about things weaving together. Although I always liked a splash of color but brought that out more in the artwork that I had.

Joy, thank you so much. I fully agree with you. I like the wicker chairs and the color and texture it brings. I somehow like the linen color with black or charcoal and some neutrals. I think if I can pull some of that color or style into this room I might be moving in the right direction. Tie backs are gone and drapes are coming down tomorrow. Because everything is solid (wall color, furniture, etc. ) I feel like the room needs some pop. Wow, this has been a big challenge. I'm going at it again tomorrow to try again :) Thank you so much!

Lose the curtains! Consider some LIGHTER upholstery, as the entire room is too brown. A pale sectional versus the dark leather sofas...........even six fully upholstered parson style chairs at the dining table would help.

A larger cocktail table with a light stone top, crisp and straight base.......NO dark and plaid pillows. No exact match area rugs

The room needs color, pattern and texture!!! Monochromatic neutrals can look so tired and boring. All that brown (especially the brown leather sofas) is just too much.

Here are some examples of beautiful living/family rooms with gorgeous colors, patterns and organic texture. These rooms have life!

Roomscenes · More Info

Kiawah Beach House for GDC · More Info

Cottonwood · More Info

Long Island Dutch Colonial Home · More Info

And they aren't brown........or gray!!!

Perfect room for a large blue faux persian rug

Doreen,

I'm with you 100% on monochromatic color schemes and weaving them all together. Forget the naysayers who think you need pops of color. They will never get it.

With monochromatic schemes, texture becomes so important. This is why your dining room works well but your living room not as much so. I can see what you were going for here with the living room rug but don't think it works in the end. Here's what I would do:

1. Remove curtains. Sounds like you have already.

2. Different rugs in living and dining room. Have them be textural - jute, sisal, fluffy, just textural.

3. I love the chair that has a plaid pillow and another more contemporary pillow together. Keep your plaid pillows - they are great, just mix them up with others like the one on your chair.

4. Much bigger new coffee table to bring the space together. Again, bring in another texture here or reflective surface. I would avoid the black iron look though.

5. Your walls might feel naked without the curtains. Be sure to re-center the picture to the right of your glass doors so it is centered on the entire space between door and windows.

6. Pull the sofa and chairs out from the wall. Have the feet on the rug. Your walls will become more of a backdrop this ways and the attention will be focused on the seating area.

Show us more pics!

PS: we get monochromatic

I agree that neutral monochromatic rooms can be beautiful, but are more difficult to do well, i.e., to keep them interesting. You need lots of texture, contrast, and fine, high quality furnishings. A beautifully proportioned room with good architecture (trim, moldings, mantels, built-ins) doesn't need much color or pattern. Alternatively color and pattern can make up for a lack of architectural interest.

Here are some outstanding examples of neutral monochromatic rooms, all of them evidencing beautiful architectural touches--perfect proportions, high-quality woodwork (mantels, built-ins, trim), texture (reclaimed wood, natural fiber rugs), and carefully selected furniture and accessories.