I wouldn't do built-ins unless you have boxes of books that have been looking for a home. Your wainscotting already fills the space and looks nice.

I quite like the room currently, but if you want a more classic look, you might want to replace the modern/abstract rug with an oriental rug in blue or red. Then take other accents from that.

I think a nice piece of wood (the width of the brick) would be better than the stubby white mantel on the fireplace.

You could use an end table by the couch, and a couple of lamps. Can't imagine reading a book in this room at any time of day.

I feel like the last photo shows space that needs something. A grandfather clock would work in that corner, or a storage piece, or some art on the right-hand wall...

Start with a rug and sofa and work from there. Will there be a TV in the room?

It's a lovely room. Since the toys indicate your children are under age 10, I'd hold off on replacing everything. Instead, I suggest a new, more colorful classic Oriental rug and new pillows in preppy Oxford stripes.

Thanks guys! The rug is actually FLOR tiles. I feel like every design decision in our home is dictated by what our dogs or kids cannot mess up. HAHA. The FLOR tiles can be washed down in the sink or replaced if an area is stained. TV is on the opposite wall of the mantle/fireplace. It is really hard to install over the mantle/fireplace area.

Not a Pro.

I am not quite sure what you mean by preppy. This is what came to mind for me.

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I would replace the current rug with a classic Persian and bring in a plaid element or two. When I think "preppy", my mind instantly goes to vintage Ralph Lauren.

I am thinking maybe something like this?

I agree with everyone else - the room already is quite lovely! Switching out the patio door for matching black paned windows would be great.

The curtains just on one side look out of place, but I can see where it would be hard to add them on the other side. What about roman shades? Choose a nice solid color with some texture. Best to keep patterns on the pillows where they can be easily changed out if you tire of them. Your chairs are great - what kind of look are you going for? I looked through your idea books and the word Preppy does not come to mind... except for the Maureen O'Hara one and it's more just traditional.

I would love to see the walls painted in a nice navy to really highlight all the beautiful moulding. It appears you have plenty of light... You can use a paint program online (Ben Moore, Sherwin Williams, they all have them.

I love the pics you have above the wainscot and agree you don't need built-ins - just more knick-knacks to buy.

I pulled up a few fun couches... like? no?

We had a room like this once and there was always extra space on the ends. What about a small game table on the other end by the curtained windows? Something where the kids can play board games etc? I went searching for some chairs and LOVE these! A touch of whimsy and fun but still tailored. How much space do you have over there? Could be a small bistro table or a larger round table for 4.

@M T you know what you want....That is a great start.

You can easily implement this in your room. Just recreate what you posted.

Don't the leather chairs just seem HEAVY? or is it just me? I am imagine some florals, some plaids thrown in, a prettier more grown up rug like others have mention. I love the idea of a game table. I would love to add in some console tables or a lamp.

I do not know how to tag but can anyone show me what the room would look like in navy or blue walls? I would consider doing it or even a grasscloth since we have the wainscotting below that would keep the kids and dogs away from it. I really want white walls. Our labs really destroy our house, it's so sad! I feel so limited with darker colors or greys. They aren't allowed on the furniture downstairs but they still manage to track mud on it sometimes.

Try Sherwin Williams, I believe you can upload a picture and pick paint colors

I can show you navy blue walls. I think it is more drama. :-))

or blue

https://catherinefrenchdesign.com/interior-design-blog/2017/05/preppy-style-9-different-ways/

celerygirl, we actually got a bid to do that but that mantle is so thick it wasn't really an option... they said we would have to paint the limestone if that makes sense since it would be fresher underneath where it was covered. It's fairly thick. I was thinking of knocking the whole stone one down and just doing something entirely different!

Are your other rooms in the style you want to bring into this space? What are the colors in the adjacent room? Just want to make sure this room isn't completely different than the rest of the house.

All the rooms are blue, grey and white. I was considering doing a slightly different look. Getting rid of some of the grey and adding more color, maybe yellow, kelly green or pale pink as shown in some of the inspiration photos. Maybe even doing wallpaper in the dining room. Just going for a more polished, pretty look. It's a little rustic/farmhouse now I think.

I could see you keeping your furniture but adding navy walls and brass accents and a vibrant rug with orange and pinks.

Like this from a Google search.

Thank you! that's a pretty color scheme. Do you work for one of those online design companies?

No need to remove the existing mantle. You can get this look by putting a box right over the old one. Your new mantle would be just a bit larger than the old one, by the thickness of the wood used to construct the box. I think a chunky wood mantle would look good here. Maybe in a rustic finish.

https://www.fwmadebycarli.com/2011/01/making-of-slip-covered-mantel.html

https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/preppy-design-style-pictures

https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/fun-at-home/a1925/preppy-decor-style/

If this were my house, I would start by updating the lighting, next the carpet and pause to see how it looks.

Yes, I agree about getting nice chandelier. May be someone can give better idea about it. Coffee table is in a rustic style, so I go with rustic light fixture.

Ren-Wil Aurea Ceiling Fixture · More Info

I think your room is so pretty as it is; I would be delighted to have it.

I do think it would look great in navy as shown, and I think that rugs jck suggested and roarah suggested would be fantastic.

I am not sure about the chandeliers being suggested. The one you currently have is not anything I would typically select but it looks so good in your room. I guess you want change and I can certainly understand that.

Maybe just paint your wall,s change out the rug and see where you are.

edited because I left out the word RUGS

I would totally change chandeliers if we went for a dramatically different look but if we stay with what we currently have probably not because they are new (2 years old) and actually really pretty. I don't think they photographed well because the light was on but they match really well in the space and do not look outdated. We have similar ones in halls.

The whimsy. :)

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Baxton Studio Charlemagne Traditional French Black and Gray Striped Accent Chair · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/charlemagne-traditional-french-and-grey-striped-accent-chair-black-grey-stripes-prvw-vr~39138226

https://www.houzz.com/products/dog-with-polka-dot-bow-tie-18x18-spun-poly-pillow-prvw-vr~103285776

4 out of 5 stars for $229 / W 78" / D 34" / H 35" / Kiln Dried Hard Woods

Raleigh Quick Assembly Three Seat Oak Leg Sofa, Moon · More Info

GDF Studio Ezra Classic Fabric Club Chair, Navy Blue · More Info

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https://www.houzz.com/products/gdf-studio-ezra-classic-fabric-club-chair-navy-blue-prvw-vr~99338610

At least this has the dark blue in it -

Shelter Wing Chair, Carissa, Multi · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/carissa-shelter-wing-chair-multi-prvw-vr~131238542

You might like this in the green striped:

https://www.amazon.com/Dongcrystal-Black-Striped-Pillow-Cushions/dp/B01FPOWVNO/ref=asc_df_B01FPOWVNO/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413735912570&psc=1

I do like the chandeliers you selected but what's wrong with the mirror on the mantle? To me I prefer it to a painting or art work?

It is just my preference. :-)) I wanted to tie up with walls and pillows.

Does something like this appeal to you?

You could use a darker blue for sofas if you lean toward navy.

What a fun project. So the upscale traditional of the '80s and 90s is back with updating. I haven't been paying attention for a while, but how nice to see my needlepoint pillows are in style again. Thanks to those who posted explanations of the preppy look. ;)

I'd remove the stone and redo the fireplace in a classic style that suited. No built-ins alongside. I have hundreds of books and have loved them all my life, but every tract home has had them for decades now. I'd look to a couple of very nice classic chests and/or bookcases instead. For lightness keep things more up off the floor instead dropping to the heavier look of the past. Imo the mirror and believe the ceiling light will contribute nicely.

How about not orienting the furnishing grouping to the fireplace and just allowing it to be an important but quiet architectural element that sets the tone in the background? There are pictures of fine rooms that do that and look wonderful and right. Perhaps a couple of club or side chairs angled out in front of it but facing away toward the TV and part of the grouping there?

What's pleased me, to avoid busy-ness as more detail of all sorts, including color, is brought in, has been to make most surfaces harmonize in value. I.e, walls, big pieces, floor all generally ranging either in darker, medium, or light values for more of an overall calm blend than contrast. The way the riots of flowers in English flower gardens are usually set against walls of calm green and bowls of blue or gray sky. In more bohemian days I once had (and want to do again minus the plants hanging everywhere) medium value, usually slightly muted pinks, reds, orange, yellows, greens, blues set in a medium value, slightly muted blue room; it was pretty but not jangly or cluttered because the values of all those colors blended harmoniously. My living room's currently mostly light against light, still dominated by very pale orange and blue against the white, but that's been more limiting for me to bring in more detail and layering. Anything not light stands out as contrast and becomes an accent whether it's supposed to be or not.

Just some thoughts from someone who's always loved this general look, classic, "preppy," pretty and full of things I like. .

@jck910, I like that rug you posted earlier in the thread. Where did you find it?