Tatts as someone who has had my tv above the fireplace because in my small home it was the only place for it and watched it everyday from a recliner I can say it isn't a problem. Think about watching from bed as in a hospital. it is much easier to watch than a console tv on the floor as they were in the early years of watching tv. As kids we watched them laying on the floor. When I was looking for my 1st flatscreen I was told best viewing was 2-3 times the size of the tv as the best distance. They compared it to going to the movies.. do you like sitting up front, in the center or back of the theater? Most guys think bigger is better but where you sit from it should be the deciding factor.

I'm with those who are saying your "givens" aren't at all in the direction of elegant country. Embrace the rustic choices you've made in the fireplace, big leather furniture, animal trophies.

Change your lamps to a pair that has bolder lines and finishes. Here's one with the a rust vibe:

Caleb Table Lamp · More Info

Consider a rustic mantel and, going forward, look for large handmade pottery, not Pier 1 type items.

Living Rooms · More Info

Think about moving in a warm red direction with future rug, throws, pillows to set off your dark pieces and floor. Or add a bolder patterned rug.

Orchid Lane Dallas, TX · More Info

Put a rustic natural basket of big chunky logs on the hearth:

Rectangular Handwoven Storage Basket, Twisted Sea Grass With Wood Frame · More Info

Instead of fake plants, get a bold landscape to hang to the right of the TV to take the focus off of it: I know these colors aren't right with your rug, but think about changing your rug to bring warmer, rustic tones into the room.

"Gold Leaves." Original Artwork By Kanayo Ede · More Info

Nourison Tropics 5'3" x 8'3" Brown/Green Contemporary Indoor Area Rug · More Info

housegal, wonderful suggestions, and nicely presented.

Hi Dawn. What a great room with great light. I agree with others who have said to remove The art piece from above the TV. It serves no purpose. Better to leave the wall blank there. I also agree that your faux greenery is doing nothing for the space and I would remove it. While we are on the subject of removing items , sometimes the best thing you can do for a space it to remove everything , I am talking accessory wise, and slowly place things back into the space. If you were to do this I think you will find that less is more in your space. Your fireplace stone carries a large amount of interest on its own and an abundance of "stuff" isnt necessary here.

Do you collect clocks? I notice you have one on the mantle and one on the hearth. I have a few questions and I have some ideas for you as well once they are answered. Simple changes that will help the space.

1. Clock collector?

2. Are the sofas black? Dark brown?

3, What is on the wall behind the one sofa? Can't figure out what it is!

While I am waiting for your answers I put together an idea board for you. I can explain the ideas/thoughts once I get some answers ;-)

I pretty much just skimmed the comments, but every one I read was right on. Your space is gonna look great once you get the balance right. The biggest problem is too many small objects in too big a space. Look how clutter-y this looks:

Clutter-y and dark and heavy. There has to be a better arrangement for that back wall. The mounts are too high, the curio and tree look just plunked there, and the whole wall has no coherence.

I'm gonna work on this view of the room. This could take awhile. Back later.

There actually are detailed recommendations about where to place a TV for an optimal viewing experience. One of the organizations that spent a lot of work on this is THX. If you, hypothetically, hired an AV consultant, they would follow the THX guidelines to position your TV. You shouldn't have to tilt your head more than at most 15° to see the center of the screen. A smaller angle is preferred. And you'd likely be surprised how much lower the TV would be mounted when following these suggestions than what most people expect. Depending on screen size, it might just be two feet off the floor. For 100+" screens, it could be within a foot of the floor.

Also, you probably should be sitting closer to the screen than the average 9' that most American households are designed for. Again, there are guidelines for optimal positioning. Most people recommend about a 40°-30° viewing angle.

Check Wikipedia for some of the details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimum_HDTV_viewing_distance

Of course, all of this is somewhat moot, if there simply isn't any space for an optimally placed TV. You always have to compromise within the constraints of what is actually possible.

you can just move your eyes without moving your head...

I adopted a 120 lb greyhound rottweiler mix that attacked and broke 2 televisions when animals appeared on the screen the first weekend he was in my home. He sent the TVs sailing into another room. I bought 2 replacement TVs and mounted them a foot from the ceiling where Rocky couldn't get to them.

It actually worked out really well. I could watch TV in the family room while I cooked dinner or if we were sitting at the counter in the kitchen. We could also watch TV fully reclined in our recliners with less issue than when the TV was at the "right" height. In the bedroom I could lay down and watch TV instead of having to sit up in bed to see the TV.

I purposely placed my TV in my current bedroom about 2' from the ceiling even though Rocky passed away a few years before I moved. I like to lay in bed and watch TV for a 1/2 hour before going to sleep and having the TV higher on the wall makes viewing while laying down much easier.

Decorating rules are guidelines. They generally work, but they are not gospel. You won't burn for eternity if you choose to break the rules.

Agree.

Hello Design Interior South, love the mood board you put together. Can you please tell me where the pillows are from? Thanks in advance.

There are lots of great suggestions to improve the room above. The tv niche is great as that was your original question. I think what is “off” about the room is the ceiling color. To me it makes their room cavey and dated. A nice light crisp ceiling would make the wall color pop IMO.

HU-892909521 all the items on the mood board were pulled off of this site. Houzz. There should be links that work when you click on the board I am not sure why they aren't. Well I know why its Houzz LOL but here they are individually for you

Surya Ellery Throw Pillows, Beige, Tan, 22" x 22", Pillow Cover Only · More Info

Black, Blue & Tan Silk Pillow · More Info

Green/Tan/Taupe Embroidered Squares on Cream Decorative Lumbar Pillow Cover · More Info

Gray and tan geometric ikat decorative pillow cover · More Info

Design Interior South, I really appreciate this information. Thank you!

Very welcome ;-)

Design Interior South,

I started this dilemma and want to consider the pillows for my sofa in this room.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5758296/vintage-thrifted-jungalow-style-needs-upgrading-one-room-at-a-time

Sorry Dawn Ladner, not trying to hijack your thread. Just wanted to share this info about why I'm interested in the pillows with Design Interior South.

Ok..so we have to deal with the animals. I’m married to a hunter and that’s just the way it is. I had a hard time accepting it but it’s important to him.

The couch is a charcoal grey. I have 2 wall clocks that are important to me but I don’t know what to do with. Not really a collector just clocks that we’re inherited.

It’s not a hutch. It’s what I call “the old mans chair.” Lol

That is a hall stand, why is it in your living room?

J Williams, I believe the entry door is to the right. Also looks like doorbell on the wall.

Your new home is lovely, it just needs some tweaking. I agree with removing all the faux plants and piece over TV. While I like the look of the tall lamps, either side of TV, they would have to be low lights in order to use and not bother eyes that are watching TV. If you add, put them on a dimmer.

I would paint the rims of the light cans and HVAC registers the ceiling color, so they disappear. Some surround sound speakers can also be painted (we have them in our last house). Are you married to/will you use the built in between the walls? If not, I would remove.

I would not lower the ceiling fan. Add texture to the room - a coat or scarf and hat on the hall tree, a woven basket of firewood or kindling on hearth. Lighter rug and coffee table (iron base with limestone top). A decent size piece over the FP (leaning instead of hanging).

When I said elegant, I meant a softer tone of country. I’m fully aware that trophies are not elegant.
I agree with all in removing greenery. Things are a bit out of order since we’re still moving in and trying to find homes for all of our items.
The rug has a lot of blues and grays in it and brightened up the room tremendously.
We’re trying to use existing furniture from our move. I had 2 living rooms and I’ve trying to marry some of the items from the two rooms.
So far I do like the long dim lamps on each side. If you look at the wall close there’s not equal amounts of space on both sides of tv. Another difficult obstacle.
I didn’t care for the arrangement of trophies. I’m still looking for solutions for that wall too.

Thank you for all your responses.

Oh..and the hall chair..definitely not an entryway piece and the way this house is built there’s not a lot of wall space and chopped up hall ways to bedrooms. What next?

Was anyone able to put anything together so that I have choices. There’s been some really good feedback; I’m just a visual person. That’s why I come to you guys who can visualize it and help me bring it together for an affordable price.

PRO

Design Interior South did a great mood board above and said she would walk you through her thoughts - perhaps you missed it!

Dawn, basic principles you can apply here are to simplify and lighten. You have a light and airy space filled with dark and heavy furnishings. It causes an immediate disconnect.

I would start by removing all fake plants, all furniture that doesn't get used, and all tchotchkes. If you have no place for the hall tree, move it to the garage or sell it on craigslist.

Then evaluate what you can afford to replace. Lighter tables and lamps would go a long way to elevating this space. Instead of dark woods and deep colors, look at reclaimed woods and natural linens.

A white fur throw for chairs. Sheer drapes or linen or bamboo shades/woven. Can u show entry for coat rack? Or close to entry for it. Hang ur clock.

I’m out of town until this evening. I’ll get back to you with pics of entry way. Can you maybe change the rug up? I’m not feeling this particular one.

Oh..btw..that wall where you have the heads won’t be wide enough for all 3. That’s why they were hung so high. So what ideas do you have next?

Dawn, I didn't change the size of the mounts when I rehung them. I just moved them closer together and lowered them, so there's no reason they shouldn't fit.

A light shag would look good. (Probably not the best choice with a dog though. That's why I chose the jute earlier.)

Fur throws can go on chairs.

love the suggestions. great space. need something large above fireplace. Love the idea of losing greenery and different lamps. If you have live plants, put them in a grouping. What are folks thoughts on just leaving coffee and end tables as is but changing out what's on them or maybe painting the legs of the existing coffee table/ends for now? I think the hall stand is cool. maybe add 2 throw pillows. And anyone have ideas for her inherited wall clocks? Dawn. Do you have more pictures. I see one next to the hall stand. You don't have to do all the suggestions and/or all at once. But make a plan and start working towards it.

I'd replace the heavy leather upholstered pieces with lighter sofas/chairs, I'd use linen upholstery. fabric. Natural fiber rugs look great.

Here's a classic bridgewater sofa that works with any decor:

https://www.houzz.com/products/universal-furniture-churchill-sofa-427501-100-prvw-vr~110854827

following

Like the feather lamp. An idea of painting bottom of coffee legs brass gold like to the joint. And paint the animal heads white. Layer the floor with fur skin rug.

Really happyleg? What an odd suggestion! The mounts are not "decor". You obviously have not ever known a hunter!

Wow paint a trophy mount? Obviously not around many hunters. Guys wait years and spend a lot of money to display their trophies. Thankfully my husband doesn't have any. Just horns and a elk hide that he is happy to hang in our very tall garage. But if we had the room and he wanted them inside that's where they would be. He doesn't ask for much. Gotta say I'm glad though that he hasn't had anything mounted.

I know one hunter.......

I tied a fabulous plaid bow with greens on the antler of one such "ornament" while tarting up a recently finished home for the holiday.

spell HUGE MISTAKE?

He never let me live it down. It's been a couple decades ................: )

Painting one of those white ?! Get your headstone chosen first.

My bro was a hunter! Well hope she loves them, if they can't go anywhere!

Plus wasn't sure they"re real. Hard to tell these days.

Green & fur pillows, can be fox,rabbit.

well, clearly people feel very free to be critical and hurtful to make themselves feel superior. Having gotten that off my chest--I would put 3 good sized, rustic wood, staggered height candle holders (Pottery Barn or Pier one) on the right side of the TV console and maybe a pretty simple live plant on the left--ivy or something not too tall- nothing under the TV. I would keep accessories to a minimum--use a few properly scaled things - they make a better statement. Too many small things seem busy.

Dawn, ignore the crazy mean posts there are some good suggestions to work with what you currently have and mixing in new as desired. Enjoy your space.

Why can't the mounts be elegant? Hit Pinterest for some inspiration:

Hunting Lodges (French, English, the Caledonia Mining Expedition, etc.)

lol happyleg

corpses will never be elegant, but you can certainly do your best to make the rest of the room that way. the OP already clarified what she meant by that. also to everyone hating on your dark leather furniture, i think it goes with the overall masculine vibe of the space and is fine

Green pillows will fresh the room & brighten. A floor lamp by trunk maybe crystals.

I’m not sure what happened to my last post. Did anyone get the new pics

No pics here.