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My first thought is that you need two armchairs facing each other, which will turn that into a much more welcoming conversation area. A rug 12-18" bigger all round will allow you to tuck it under the sofa and also have both chairs with their front legs on the rug -- that helps to make the space look more united and cosy. A large plant in the corner of the room -- on the right. Something that spreads out a bit, gracefully. Lastly, a bigger coffee table that isn't in the strict, severe black style of the console and side tables. Round, perhaps.

Start with a rug. You need a larger rug than the one there now. Then choose your furniture. I would go with a sofa and 2 chairs. Then you need something interesting for the wall where the console table is now to look at when sitting on the sofa. What is the 4th wall? Can furniture be re-arranged for a better layout? Paint will be your last decision.

There is a huge 3 piece map on the wall across from the sofa. Thre isn't a 4th wall as it opens up to the entryway and front door. I like the suggestions of 2 arm chairs instead of the console table.

this is looking the other way.

A work in progress, ja? Do you notice how in the last picture those orange/gold colours add to the liveliness of the space? Consider using something like that in your throw pillows.

Everything was pretty much from our old house. A lot more space to fill and budget used up on building the darn thing! I actually don't love the golds. Do I have to go that route?

No, not at all. I like their warmth, but you might like to play with grey-blues instead, to add a colour dimension.

Rina, I have grey couch covers and blue pillows, what else should I do? should I go with a rug with blues? any links to ideas would be awesome. Thanks for taking time to reply.

Just wondering why you don't use your dining space as a dining space?

ETA what do your sofas look like underneath?

Not gonna lie, the tiled wall looks like stones? Which to me is rather informal...the coffered ceiling and arched windows are more formal...so this is rather a tricky area...

Any way of rethinking the tiling?

Dining space is playroom right now. We have a huge eat in kitchen so don't need a dining table and I like that the kids can play in there. The tile is stone, river rock. No way to change that. Couches underneath are brown and worn.

Wondering how drapes would look...?

Looks so busy, how about removing all those throw pillows and placing the rug under the sofa feet and the chair and two end tables across from the sofa, all on the rug. Then you have a walkway on the left once you move the table to the window wall.

I’d remove the mirror, the reflection is not the best. Art instead.

How do you feel about a leather sofa? Doesn't have to be a chesterfield...I just feel as if this room could go in this direction...I'm gonna go ahead and just call it "rustic-esque" Or "modern rustic"...

Rachel, apologies for the late reply -- mismatch in time zones. I'm in S Africa.

On my screen your cushions look grey, so perhaps a more definite blue?

But I'm having second thoughts -- mix in with a brown cushion to acknowledge the wall? At the moment it does look a bit as though your furniture is trying to ignore the wall. :-)

Related to that, though, I like the way Pennydesign is thinking for the room.

Ellen, I used to have it arranged that way and did not like that at all. I like this layout better. I do think I need a bigger rug as others have said. What do you think of adding smaller arm chairs instead of the side table?

Also, this room needs light because it's front windows and back are covered porches. The sun also tracks over the house opposite the windows, so I like the mirror.

I don't mind leather. I guess I am trying to ignore the wall.. wish my husband had chatted with me before doing it. I guess I am trying to figure out how to "tone down" the wall or blend my style with it. Like I mentioned I like whites and grays and blues. Or am I just out luck?

Here is a pic of the stones up close

Here are other rooms of our house. If it helps.. I enjoy these rooms.

You cannot ignore that wall. Sorry. You could possibly give it a limewash or whitewash. It would still have varying shades, but lighter...

Other than that, I would make this room more a lodge feel. But light neutrals...What color are the walls now?

I'm with you, I don't like the stone wall. It relates to nothing.

Accessible Beige

Since there is no way I can change the wall... what's

the best way to brighten the room? would going with rustic oak tables be good? going back to brown couches but adding light colored pillows, blankets? would painting the walls a shade of white help? I am definitely going with a bigger rug.

Yes... I would layer rugs...sisal and faux zebra...maybe not a dark sofa, stick with light. But look toward this sort of look (Restoration Hardware is a good place to look for inspiration, imho. It marries beiges and grays all the time).

I see no reason to paint the walls. The stone will stand out even more with a lighter wall...

What can we do about furniture arrangement? Sofa facing windows? Console table behind? It will separate the areas and create a room of your own away from the play area...

How does this look? Just playing with what I have. Big rug ordered. Will look for round or square coffee table.

Lightenupthefloor

Such a nice view out the windows but those sofas are just so big they really detract from it. I see you have a nice rocker in there that should be placed elsewhere so you can see it. Get rid of the small sofa at least.

Maybe an interesting but simple rug of black and ivory -- trying for a basic repetition of: elegant ceiling, bits of neutral stone [so the rug can't be dressy] walls sort of blending. Not in person so not sure, just trying to help with talk/ with direction.

Zuna Area Rug, 8'x11' · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/zuna-area-rug-8x11-prvw-vr~71144259

Brainstorming with ya - traditional ceiling etc. might call for a decorator's table with fabric draped over it? -- but the fabric can be switched into an organic [cause of rock yeh] type.

I think it could look good with a bit of black in it -

Round Tablecloth Sapo Spice Rosy Tan Slub Cotton, 90" · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/round-tablecloth-sapo-spice-rosy-tan-slub-cotton-90-prvw-vr~114335659

Though I love peach, I think it's too delicate a color in this room. To my eye from here, I'd keep using neutrals like map has and yes the stones --

Round Tablecloth Juju Granite Geomtric Black Cotton, 90" · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/round-tablecloth-juju-granite-geomtric-black-cotton-90-prvw-vr~82148577

When we are able to upgrade furniture, I will definitely go with slimmer and smaller scale. These were our couches from our old house and as newlyweds when we wanted room to cuddle. 3 kids later (6,3,1) those cuddling days are over.. and apparently worked. Lol. My husband is hesitant to get new when the kids are so young and still destructive, so trying to make due for now.