I wrote a long post last night and lost it, as I'm still getting used to my laptop (grrrr!) One of my ideas was to possible float the loveseat , as kmg, suggested, placing the tv on that wall. If the room can take it, it would give you seating while watching tv; seating facing the fireplace and a good arrangement for chatting with company. You've mentioned your budget. With that in mind, you can always put off purchasing a tall entertainment piece that would hold, not only the tv, but with bookcases on either side to display books and art pieces, etc. And when I say "art pieces", this can mean anything from a 5x7" card of a nice picture displayed in an inexpensive-but-bulky wood easel frame to a boldly colored large bowl; a basket of silk or real greenery, etc. The possibilities are endless, as long as they're not delicate or too busy. When shopping for an EC, I'd look for a piece with closed door storage along the bottom, as everyone needs more storage these days! But, figure out the best seating arrangement BEFORE buying any tables. This way you can get tables that work with the space you have left. And, look for pieces with some closed storage. Being a mom myself, I know how much clutter they can generate ;^D One way to bring in extra seating and not add too much bulk would be to use two small cubes with storage compartments in place of one large coffee table. I'm not sure how long trays balanced on top of cubes would last with small kids, but even two low, round, sturdy wood tables there might work. But, you first have to come up with some color to add. What colors come to mind when you think of your favorites? Colors that you enjoy seeing and having around you? Use one as your main color and one or two others for your accent colors. Your main color is NOT brown; that's your neutral color. For instance, my family room has a brown leather sofa and chair. I love red, so I've added it (in a more rusty hue) along with green. I've added green via another leather chair and in pops of it in our art and accessories. Red in my throw pillows, a large chunky candle arrangement on my coffee table, and in my art. In Spring through Summer, I add pillow covers in a mellow yellow (my third accent color)with red and green print. The bottom line is to pick colors that YOU like, as you're the one who has to live there. As My3dogs, suggested, add color. You can do this with throw pillows, art, throws, pottery, candles, etc. My own added advice would be to think BIG. You have big pieces of furniture and you need large accessories to balance these. For example, look at your fireplace mantel now. Your accessories there add nothing because they're too small. Think chunky, big, bold, colorful. You can save money by getting large chunky lamps at a second-hand or discount store and repainting them a bold accent color. Add new shades and you've added a great piece to the room that's also child-resistant ;^D This way, you can save some money for big artwork. What kind? Art is so, so, so personal . . . or it should be! Again, you're going to have to live with it day in and day out. What do YOU like? Landscapes?Contemporary still-life? Whatever you like, you can find many with brighter colors that work with your room. A print can be fairly inexpensively double-matted and framed. Spending the extra to have it double-matted really makes a huge difference. I do have to mention your fireplace, though. Everyone loves a fireplace. They're warm, welcoming, cozy and a great architectural feature. But, the way yours is at the moment, it's the wallflower of the room . . . fading into the background. You've furnished the room with big, bold dark brown leather pieces and you have this delicate white and gray marble fireplace that's blending into the light wall. Is there anyway that you might consider giving it a face-lift? My first thought was a beefier mantel in a wood or stone and some glass or ceramic tile on the surround and hearth. These are just quick pics I found online googling "tile fireplace surrounds). If you want or need to stay with the fireplace as it is now, I think you need to repaint the walls a darker, deeper color to make that fireplace stand out. I don't have time to address the drape issue, but you're getting some great ideas here already, Lynn

The idea is to lighten the top half of the room both in color and in style. Use the slips on just the armless chairs. I think that will look fine since the armchairs are over to the side. Designers often use a different look at the ends of the table versus the sides. Do you have a lighter colored bed sheet? Why not try laying it down over the carpet. That will give you an idea of how a light colored carpet would work. Also, you will want to change some of the artwork. You need to bring the blue up to eye level and get rid of the jewel tones altogether.

Maybe something similar to this. Your other piece of art needs to be centered. Is it possible to pull the couch away from the wall a bit and get it out of the corner?

Furniture is an investment. I would feel more comfortable sitting on the couch that I plan on buying. If it's to hard or soft, you're going to regret the purchase. My friend gets a new couch every few years and spends very little on it. I get a new couch every 20 years and spend a lot (Ethan Allen custom). Depends on where your budget and decor frequency lies. I got a very tightly woven fabric. Have a nice long talk with your furniture person to get the type of fabric you want. It's not only if it's a "performance fabric", it's also how durable it is. If you want something that's indestructible, traditional tweed will do the trick. I used to have a cat, and he couldn't ruin it.