People have picked up on some very salient points, such as the visual weight of the pergola vs the arbour, and the need to cover up the bases of the posts. I agree with Ink too that taking a step back is what's needed here. I'm guessing your sequence of events was something like patio... arbour... pergola, but now the arbour doesn't fit with the whole picture. I don't mind the glider, which is something that looks moveable so doesn't count in my mind as a "design" element, but I really don't think the arbour goes any more. The only thing you could do to make the arbour work is to have it lead TO something, like a little fenced vegetable garden or even a pathway, or have it be part of a fence or hedge all the way around the patio. Currently, it is just standing there for no apparent reason. As far as where your patio should begin and end, what I think bothers me is that you patio has no overall identifiable shape. It is almost a rectangle, but it has a little extension here and then the block edging all around that defines a shape that dominates the shape of your patio. I think my eye feels like it wants the dominant shape to be that of the patio, so the blocks are maybe the wrong edging for the patio as they overpower it. And I think the patio should probably extend to the edge of the house on the pergola side. That is a nice pergola, by the way (and Saypoint, I'm sure your septic system is lovely). The pergola kind of raises the bar for what is situated around it. It also leaves the dining set looking a little naked. Have you considered moving the table and chairs under the pergola? Hope that helps. KarinL

First, I would declutter. Second, if, after declutering, the two wall mounted shelves are still necessary, I would move them to an accesible location, such as putting both of them lower down on the wall to the right of the washer dryer. Both of them appear to be so high up the wall you must have to stand on something to reach them or you are over 6 feet tall. Are you able to raise and lower the clothes pole over the washer dryer? If not, your next move would be to add a useable clothes pole, if you really use one. Given that this area seems to be some distance from where the clothes will end up, you may want to consider buying one of those carts with a clothes pole on top so that you can put your folded clothes in the cart and the hanging items on the pole and move all of it easily from one area of the house to the other. I cannot tell what is going on with the whitish object on the left, what is that? Will it be staying? Do you iron? I see one in the picture. Where do you usually iron? Is there a TV here that you can watch at the same time your ironing?

I like the sofa but it needs space.....consider emptying the room of anything on wall, table, or mantle so it is basiccally empty, and place items removed on dining room table for future reference. Put the sofa on any wall where it has room for end tables. Put the chair where it can have a conversation with the sofa. At this point I would redo the curtains to coordinate with the wall and do them in a linen type weave. Remove the crystal chandelier and replace with something simple and maybe oil rubbed bronze. Go shopping for a large piece picture in a simple or frameless style that blends with the plaid pillow; take the pillow with you if necessary. So far so good. If you have end tables and a cocktail table put them in the room only if you like them. If they are wood that should be fine. Send us a picture of the whole room taken from another room so we can see the size etc of the room. I am showing this inspiration room because it is very simple with very trad furniture, but the mantle is very low key and would work nicely in your living room style I think. Also note the colorful throw on the arm chair. This is same room, but wood tables and metal cocktail table, simple window treatments in tones found in living room, and antique armoire that is similar to your Moms tallish piece by fireplace. TV opposite sofa and easy chair for great viewing This looks great; metal table, magazine rack in oil rubbed bronze, brass Pharmacy lamp for reading. Would work next to Mom's chair......these items can be found on line at Ballard Design and other places too; overstock.com, wayfair.com with great prices and great selection. Plaid pillows, one bright color pillow and another item in room (the end table, but could be lamp, vase, picture) done in a bright color to match pillow in intensity. And the upholstered ottoman adds a fun touch, but sized to match the sofa. Again a rustic trad feel with a pair of large photos over sofa. Great ottoman, lamps, footstool. Pillows match colors in photos of family members.... These are just inspiration but it might help you select the items that the room needs to frame and support the sofa style and colors. Nothing set in stone but a place to begin.

Looks to me like you have no overhead lighting which is challenging in a DR where there is generally a hanging fixture over the table. Is this an option? I feel like there are too many hard surfaces-tile, stone, metal and you need to inject some color and warmth into the space. A larger rug with colors tying the DR and LR together would be ideal. I like the idea of flipping the table, think it will fill in the space better. Maybe also a runner and some floor plants. I would not move the tall cabinet to the long wall. Not the right shape. Keep the large artwork or add a long credenza to better use the space and also allow you to add lamps. I think the LR looks good. Maybe add something on other side of the window for balance? Again seems lighting an issue. Could add a floor lamp in corner or accent table with lamp and floor lamp to other side. Your rug is fine, if you pull out the sofa and loveseat to put the front legs on the rug, you’re all set. I wouldn’t put a shag rug under a DR table.