I have been sidetracked lately! We have been thinking about adopting a 3rd cat, and now are thinking of a 4th, too. A lot to ponder! My husband thinks I am crazy. Just hope we do not regret! Anyway, back to my sad room. JGBMe: Are you sure you are new? I knew someone here with a similar name and they were always so helpful to me, just like you! No, I am not married to the color in the sunroom. I did not paint it. I just like that it feels sort of done. The PO put in those nice, matching Restoration Hardware curtains and I would not be able to stomach getting similar ones for the same price! You are right, though, the undertones in general are a problem. Part of the issue is that I picked the paint when different lighting was in the room (sconces that were so dim and cluttered the walls). Now the new can lights are good in the daytime (very dark without them), but feel VERY cold and too bright at night. (I dim them, but everyone gets annoyed at me!) Makes the paint look its worst at night. I also agree that it is very monotone. And, you are right about the brick-- that is why I have done nothing! It is just that the brick is so "busy." I feel like the contrast of the bricks makes it look like a Caricature Fireplace. The mirror I have there will have to be toned down if it stays with some Rub n' Buff, I think. Lirio, thank you so much!!! You are a wealth of information. I can repaint the sunroom. I agree that the shades are way too stark. I did not pick them (PO). In fact, I never use them in the sunroom, so I could take them down completely. In the LR I am either going to replace them with something more natural OR get sheers. Part of why I want sheers is that one of my views is my neighbor's stark white house. It is glaringly white, and a very boring view. I wish I could go paint some nice picture on the side of their house, haha! Can't plant anything because the shared driveway is right there. The stained wood trim does complicate matters, for sure. I also don't get why the baseboards are a nice size, but the crown molding is on the wimpy side. Why??? It simply would not fit the character of the house to paint the trim, however. Our stairs are really pretty in the same wood and I love the color of the hardwoods (matching) in the DR and sunroom. I played around with the BM site, painting the ceiling the same color as the walls. It helped, I thought, with not just the trim issue but everything. I will think about painting just the crown molding, though it would be a problem with the trim around the sunroom. I also appreciate all of the painting tips. It is making me feel better because I think NOT not painting the ceiling is not an option. What?? In other words, I have to paint the ceiling! It will make a huge difference. How neat about your honeybees! We just went to hear a talk given by a local beekeeper. Amazing. I bet your hive boxes are the talk of bees everywhere! I'll try to remember them and keep the fun in decorating! annkh, WOW. Love the paint colors you chose. It really makes such a difference. What I like is that the ceiling works so well with the wall color, that it doesn't stick out. Very warm and inviting! Roarah, you are right-- the ceiling contrast is not quite so jarring IRL, but it definitely does nothing for the wall color. The problem is, wall color aside-- it does nothing for the trim. And yes, the curtains look pretty horrible with the wall color. I just put them up for now (didn't mean to use them) because I also am tired of just seeing the stark white shades. I am having a problem with the linen curtains because the fabric I've found is either too yellow or too brown. I don't know where to get a simple "off white." I am also considering muslin, if the color would work better. You are so right that paint should be last-- I broke this rule and am paying for it! Thank you so much for the compliments. I really need them! I get very discouraged looking at the room. I don't even want to be in it sometimes, because it feels so thick with the brown mud walls! And, it's not always clean! There isn't a lot in the room for the kids to mess up. :) Of course, since we are still trying to figure out how to prevent another flood in our basement, we lost a major part of our house and toys are encroaching areas that do not have enough space. Me and my first world problems!!!!!! Thanks again, everyone. I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you helping me with this!!! Seems like there is a lot of work and $ ahead, but I will take it slow. You have helped me focus on major areas that need attention and how to approach them.

Anglophilia- We love the idea of the “triangle of light”. It will do so much for the space. I totally understand your rant of lack of tables/lights! You can find me reading pitifully curled up next to the only lamp in the room, with my drink out of arms reach on the coffee table. I think that these suggested ideas of where/what types of tables and lights to add in will make this a much better space to hang out in. Artemis_ma- Thank you for the insight! I appreciate it. That seems to be the general consensus of what to change in this room. I love this red brick, so I’d much rather design a room around it than to paint it! Lascatx- Great advice, thanks. And thank you for the helpful LED information, I’m sure that will make all the difference. We’ve already started the hunt for a new rug—we’re excited to see what that does for the room and where to go from there (for the coffee table, etc). Artdreamer- Thank you for the advice! We used to have a beautiful palm tree in the corner, but unfortunately it only lived a year or so. Not sure if I just don’t have good luck with plants, or if it didn’t like our cold, dark winters. We may try again! Those are great rug suggestions, and I like the idea of adding a mirror to reflect light to further brighten the room. Thanks! K Fitz- No problem! I’m sure it will be more messy and difficult than the internet makes it seem (aren’t home projects always this way?) but… 1) We plan to follow this set of directions to remove the brick: https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-a-Damaged-Brick ). 2) We will then cut the brick in half (either with a circular saw or by hand with a chisel https://www.thisoldhouse.com/more/how-to-hand-cut-brick ). 3) We will then re-insert the brick, pushing it back in until it is flush with the rest of the brick wall.

Something about rectangular shapes [of windows] and several together -- fp item with irregular shape [cause it's sculptural] -- adds interest. There'd be another spot for art - the opposite wall where there's nothing right now. Maybe large canvas, and it could have contemporary vibe if it's the thing, the main thing in that area... have at it on a store-bought canvas: you with a color, and him with a color!!! ;-)

LOL @Flo Mangan yes for sure it’s scary in that picture!! IRL I’d not just leave it on in the dark by itself like that - just to show how tall the effect is (more gravitas to balance that built in)..... when the console lamps are on, the effect is quieter and didn’t photograph. Agree, about not filling every space. It starts to feel busy. I like it calm but don’t want it to look sparse. It is a good start and not sure when or how I will do more. You know how hard it is when you move and have a million things to do and get. I don’t think they are wrong about the console not being long enough, but just tossing it out and buying something new isn’t how I roll. It’s different and I like it. If you see the right pillows (or lamps for that matter), I’d love your input. If you see my inspiration photo in the original post, it’s a light room, and I don’t want to kill that mojo. Wish I had a decent camera to show that the room isn’t dark at all.