First of all, your color scheme is perfect for a reading room. I say that because that is almost exactly the color scheme in DH's man cave, and it's cozy and inviting. Have you considered shelving on brackets for the walls flanking the fireplace and the short walls perpendicular to those walls? That will give you plenty of bookshelf space without conflicting with the mantel or heating vents. You could put a door stop on the French door to limit the swing. How often do you use the French doors to the living room? Can they be blocked with easily movable furniture so that you can make use of the space in front of the doors but allow for the doors to be opened without too much of a hassle when needed? Here's a suggested layout. I included two Leathercraft chairs and ottomans that are comfortable and small scale enough so that you can fit two in the room. They're not cheap, though. But fhey do have wheels, so they are movable.The H&M reading chair and ottoman are much larger, and you could only fit one ottoman with two chairs. Here is a link that might be useful: Leathercraft chair and ottoman This post was edited by suero on Fri, Feb 21, 14 at 12:12

you want an aniline dyed leather where the color goes all the way through, not where just the surface is dyed. we have cats and the very minor surface scratches they have made show an ugly white. if the leather were aniline dyed and the black color went all the way through, it would just add "character" and not show a different color and look tacky. It was the sales rep who recommended that because the chair was for home use I didn't need to spend the extra money for a top grade leather. I am distressed that I followed that bad advice because I usually opt for quality and longevity.

I had actually determined NOT to buy anything more than a new sleeper sofa (the other was old, and was amazingly much more comfortable to sleep on than to sit on, which was its primary intended use) and a few book cases to replace those hideous formaldehyde-filled presswood things I could afford back in the late 80's when I first started out. Oh, an office chair, as the old one had died a few years back. I did ditch a bunch of books, but there were a LOT of presswood book cases, so I have replaced some of those with pine bookcases I've stained myself. I got an IKEA sleeper sofa. I bought an IKEA Poang chair, that I didn't count on. All area rugs are new except for the 2 inherited Oriental rugs from Mom. ( sold the largest 15 years ago because I knew it would never fit anywhere.) I am still halfway between both places. I gave away Mom and Dad's traditional dining table and chair set, it just wouldn't work here. I will bring up my table from the old home, which is meant to be a "kitchen" table, not a dining one, but it does have the ability to insert a couple of leaves when I have company. (Their table did NOT physically fit at the old home at all, but Dad hoped I'd be able to use it here... no, it is nice, but it doesn't work, and I found it a new home.) I have bought more things than expected. And a couple of those got "lifted" when I moved them up here, none of which were valuable except the wonderful quilt my old housemate made for me years ago, and if I ever find the culprit, I'd consider poking his eyes out. With downsizing, I am selling a dresser once belonging to Dad, and an extra office desk he left me when he moved to Virginia. He passed away about 10 years later. I have a chair I inherited from my grandmother, which I love. It is still at the old home, but have no idea at all if I can use it in my new place, without it taking up too much footprint. No photo right now, but I do want to keep it. I may not have the proper space for it, however. Basically, since I think the word "updating" is not remotely a positive concept, I'd rather work with the idea of: Do I think what I still own is functional? Or, comfortable? Is it within transportable distance? Do I like it, or still like it? Do I want to spend extra money to replace something? Does it make me happy to have it, changes or otherwise?

I took Mark's words to heart...or at least to see what I could get if I made some adjustments. I didn't change the kid's room layouts which were most important to me. By moving the guest room to the window wall, I opened up that space for a nicer craft room and separate large exercise room. The girls bathroom is smaller than I would like, but still think I can do a 7 foot long sink counter and separate the tub/toilet for some privacy. Not sure what I will do about a makeup counter for the youngest is Bedroom 1..but had enough space for a "Glam Closet" for the oldest in bedroom 2...with room for a makeup counter and even some space for a Chaise lounge for her to toss her clothes on.