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.

Oh, I enjoyed this thread! I have to add that the only room without books & bookcases is my bathroom & that's because it's too humid! The dining room I'd love to turn into a "library" but haven't managed to yet. Mine are sort of organized by topics within a bookcases. The two in the dining room hold all the field guides for birds, butterflies, wildflowers etc. Then there are two in the living room with (mostly) gardening. My bedroom has a row of shelves built specifically to hold paperbacks(double stacked)These are mostly beloved books that are read again and again. The breakfast room (who thought of a room just to eat breakfast in?) has two small shelves of series (mysteries)Oh and another shelf of cookbooks! The back bedroom holds all of my late mothers books-complete Agatha Christie & several other mystery series that I read occasionally. Then there are several miscellaneous (sp?) bookshelves scatteried where ever there is room-one of those tacky metal ones from college is in the hallway below where I hang my coats! Oh the livingroom has another one for dictionaries & other reference books. And after my mother passed away in 2005 I started a library at the facility where I work with mentally challenged adults-so I could clear space on the bookshelves (and I had a bad case of insomnia)Like most posters I can lay my hands on a book fairly quickly-of course some of them have been in the same place for 50 years so... Hope this is not too much information! I got a real laugh out of this as not all my close friends are readers & don't understand why I need all these books! Susan

if you do a book case, then your fireplace will be inset at least 12" or so. that might look weird. anyway to redo the fireplace and bright it out? or you could do something like this, w/thin shelving and a larger mantel that gives the illusion of depth. i'd still do smaller windows. if neighbors view is an issue, do a beveled glass. lets in light, blocks yuk view. I'd love to have either one of these.

Hi sparkleivy- I like the blue color and together with the ivory beige it looks sophisticated. I would use the space underneath the TV for either a a table or closed storage. The type of closed storage depends on your needs, whether you need a cabinet or drawers or a file cabinet, but it should be attractive. I would suggest changing around how you have arranging the things on your shelves. Your flag deserves to be displayed with honor. I would purchase a display box for the American flag, they are made of wood with a glass front, and tuck in a dessicant packet to prevent mold or rot of the flag. Make sure you get the correct size box for your size flag. A burial flag is larger. Then put the flag on top of the book shelf. Put the airplane on top of the other bookshelf. Why are you displaying a book with the front facing out like that? Do you have a living room? Do you entertain? Should your liquor and glasses be in a bar piece in the living room or is that bookcase the bar piece?