Congratulations on your new house and have fun decorating. I believe bringing pops of color to the rooms will help a lot. A colorful throw, vibrant pillows, etc. will go a long way in warming up the area. Not sure I would have the couch hugging the wall and any rug in the room should have the furniture legs setting on it. I would definitely move any chair closer to the couch so the person sitting in it doesn't feel so isolated. We love scandanavian/mid-century furniture but it might be done to death? Who cares, if you love it then do it. I think everyone should decorate with pieces they love, not what is on trend at the moment.

I had a spot much like that one after a tree died. I used it for as many different types of plants as possible. Spring bulbs, Varigated Iris (the sun coming through the leaves in spring is beautiful, sedum as a ground cover, and also the bulb Lycoris Radiata for early fall. In the center I put a statue of St. Francis. Here's the first picture with the Iris Pallida just having been divided: This is a later fall picture when the sedum turns color after a cold night and the new foliage of the Lycoris springs up to add greenery over the winter months: There's usually something blooming there except during the depths of summer (when I don't want to do any maintenance at all). As it is, all I do is deadhead the bulbs after they have passed and keep the Bermuda out of the ground cover. The basic idea is a largish focal point in the center, with whatever you choose surrounding it. You will have lots of fun with whatever you do I'm sure, but it is a good chance for you to incorporate all sorts of bulbs for spring/fall display....................Maryl

You haven't given us much to go on regarding the use of the place. Is it a second home? Will you be renting it out as a vacation home? Devote budget to consisent flooring downstairs. I just read Patricia Colwell's observation--no vinyl flooring. I decided I agree. When you have natural materials like wood, vinyl just makes everything look cheap. Maybe others will weigh on on most compatible flooring, but it should all be the same--maybe tile? Real porcelain floor tile. (Might weigh too much for a house on stilts--we have so little to go on with the kind of question you asked.) Take a look at the flooring by doing "log cabin living room" to see what harmonizes well with wood. Yes, to tweedy berber rugs for upstairs. To start out, deep clean the wood panelled walls but don't paint anything but lower kitchen cabinets and wood walls/backsplash in kitchen. Whitewash rather than fully paint backsplash wood and lower cabinets--ivory or off-white. Remove top cabinets and replace with open pine shelves, particularly useful if this is a second home and possibly a future vacation rental. If those are wood countertops, then stain and seal them to harmonize with finish in adjacent areas. Change out hardware to something modern. Remove curtains. Are the photos from previous owner with all their furnishings? If so, then put your money into lighter furnishings suited to lake house. Go for this cozy feeling enhance with textured throws, covers, leather pieces, wood, great lighting. Mix of light slipcovers and leather furniture.

What would you do with this space (front foyer/hallway)? Need it more "adult" like, a simpler streamlined look/less cluttered and need proper storage (general and for shoes). Need a little space for hanging coats; seating is optional, not required. (Wall is 9 feet long, opposite the basement (door) and tiny utility closet (door). I'll post some pictures of ideas I've come up with - do any of these options work the best? if not, what are some other good ideas/options?