Check out the amazing selection of slipcovers at "O ----- stock.com" (Gardenweb doesn't like us to print out that website's name because of business "issues" with them) I would look for the slipcovers first -- and then choose a neutral paint color. Consider re-staining the bookshelves to deeper brown and adding new silver hardware. (check out the Minwax Polyshades site -- combine their Mahogany and Walnut colors for a dark chocolate look) Change the hardware on the end table to silver. Add a selection of family photos -- re-do in black-and-white and mat in creamy white and frame in dark brown -- for the area over the sofa. Switch to dark chocolate or silver lamps! OR check for those crystal or glass "stacked ball" lamps for an updated look. Add a matching standing lamp too! Clear the older silk flowers -- look for updated versions -- like silk orchids in simple ceramic containers.

More great ideas - thank you! Newhomebuilder, I'd love to see your updated shelves if you wouldn't mind posting pictures. I see what everyone is saying about using primarily books and adding little accents here and there and unmatted, smaller photos. I also like other suggestions to use some larger objects so it's not too cluttered or random. I've edited the shelves down a bit. All but one item in the police collection went in DH's office and my Bell glass jars found a nice place on my dining hutch where they seem to complement my green milk glass. I'm definitely not one to just buy home decor items just to fill up space so I won't rush out to buy anything all at once. Most of the ones I do have I found while antique shopping or they were handed down to me and new things aren't as appealing to me as old. For now, I'll leave most of the pictures up and replace them with more books as time goes on. I like the idea of using the matted framed pictures as a display on the wall (love ttodd's picture wall) or on pictures shelves down the hallway. Lord knows I go up and down that hallway several times a day since the laundry and kids' rooms are at the other end! I'll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy seeing them :-D

wow this does look really good. I would continue to work at this. I think the idea of lightening up the inside of the bookcase with the fabric wrapped foam would also help bridge everything. also maybe decorating the mantle with lighter objects to pull the lighter color over to that wall. maybe replacing the the stone around the fireplace to something lighter as well. overall it looks really beautiful; I'm just nit picking.

I was also thinking you could take a couple of the matching book sets you have (like the one on the bottom shelf to the far right) and put them on the top with decroative book ends. That would give you more space on the shelves to spread things out and add some decorative elements. Below the bench I would look for some baskets to use for the small thin childrens books or storage of non-book items. Also note in the photo that I posted above that one shelf has the books laying down with a clock on top. This is a nice break to the eye and adds alot in interest to the shelves. Not every book has to sit up and down.