I have a feeling that the shelves with pictures and objects on them may be a passing trend, one that I personally have never found terribly attractive. I do think that more could be done to make the living area more attractive. I'm afraid the rug in the dining area is too small, and the little round rug in front of the couch looks not quite right. I would get a large rectangular rug that covers the whole of the furniture area and find a warmer color that harmonizes with the furniture rather than picking up the cold gray color of the fireplace which doesn't really harmonize with the color of the adjoining cabinets. I would choose different rugs for the living and dining areas. With larger rug areas the sound level in this huge area would probably also be dampened. The picture with the yellow sofa has a much more modern vibe which makes more sense with the shelf arrangements, and probably would look blah without the yellow couch as an interesting focal point. Your colors are all very safe and neutral if you will compare them to the photos of high spaces posted above. I think more lively colors, beginning with some bolder choices of rugs, pillows, etc. would keep the focus on where people are living rather than the high walls. You have a beautiful space (love the windows and views), and to have the furniture turn its back on the view seems a pity. A lot can be done to resolve some of these issues, and perhaps seeking some professional help would be a good direction to take.

I’ve lived with both. I absolutely love a two story great room. Our current new build has 10’ ceilings because there was no real way to design a two story along with all the other elements in the design with the constraints we had on our lot. Even though we have just under 7 acres, we have a creek on one side of the building pad, and slope on the other. So we could not stretch out our house the way I would have liked to. But, if there was any possible way, I would have done a two story for sure (or at least 15-16 foot ceilings). Very high ceilings completely change the feel of the room and gives you the opportunity to have HUGE windows (which I love....I’m all about the windows!). And with a two story you can really have some ceiling drama with beams etc. We have not moved in yet, but already the ceiling feels low and makes the room seem much smaller. And even though we have two full walls of floor to ceiling windows, it still feels closed in to me. It’s a completely different feel (not one that I like). I do think though that a 15 - 16 foot ceiling can give you a similar feel and is also enough room for ceiling drama. I would have gone for that as well (if possible). With rugs, furniture and fabrics, you should be able to control the echo. I never noticed a problem with that. We’re in a rental now and the great room and breakfast area are two story...there is zero echo. I think a good design of the space makes a difference (which is where a talented architect comes in).

You can still do tone on tone with blues, as suggested earlier..ground a bit with a touch of dark...very light touch-say something hidden in art? Accent pieces? White, you have plenty, but white and blue together gives you huge choice in accessories-ceramics, fabrics, you name it. It won't read monotone at all-yet still will be calmer room, with a very luxirious feel..add a touch of metals..Art, that goes without saying. Can take time-well so what. Or maybe you already have something you love. Switch to a chandelier..it's a big room, you're very free -or, to put it differently, you're not that limited..)) Maybe by budget, that, i wouldn't know. Would help to know a bit..say a sofa..if the room is as big as it seems to be from the photo, you can go for shapely seating in here, the room can take it. Rounded lines, repeating windows and arches of the mirror etc. Something that looks great not pushed close to these windows. Many interesting silhoettes right now. Obviously better to check how it feels before you buy, and what is the fabric (say cotton velvet will look very cool and real deal, but poly velvet will be very easy to clean..) Depends on an attitude of course too (some people worry more than others), and how one lives..if I wear something white much more chances for me to spill something on it. Other people-they somehow get away with everything white much better. Then my DD-almost lost cause, in terms of keeping white white..I can still hope white will be intact.. I don't know where you/family fall on that scale, but you know. Leather is most foolproof of all..and can be very beautiful..the better it is the more expensive will be..and comes wit its own minuses What is the climate you're in? Will the carpet stay? I agree-better to have a general plan for the room first..what's going to be there? The main things? How they'll relate to each other? A seating plan? Then, you narrow down to such and such pieces. It's almost a parallel process, but general picture still comes a bit earlier

Yes. I know there is a very small chance of him climbing over, again it’s just truly only part of the reason and would be great to have a upstairs that is it’s own space. It is just going to be a wall so I guess that’s that. Thank you palimpsest for the photo. That is exactly what it would look like. Beth H. Yes I would love to redo my stairs at some point, but it is not currently in the budget. We are updating the chandelier next. Thank you for the ideas. Hopefully someday soon we will be able to update them as well.