Wishing I had pix - my mother's home is full of lamps made from antiques: a large coffee grinder, wooden planes (the carpenter's type) & several kerosene lamps like the 1 pictured above - a couple have dark green glass shades, which look very nice w/ the brass. My dad made them all back in the 50s & early 60s, when it was all the rage, apparently. My parents did a lot of antiquing back in the 50s - they lived in Long Island & would drive out into the country on the weekend to auctions. Here's a pic(not mine) of what the wood planes look like - the lamps have brass tubing & drum shades covered w/ natural burlap...

You need something quick and easy, if you want it done by Christmas! I like this huge Ikea map-- http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00316354/ and maybe add a couple of shelves http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S09110872/ on each end for decorative objects and books. AuntJen's idea for a memo board is great, or a chalkboard or chalkboard paint. Maybe some adjustable wall lamps up above? I would not reuse your old wall decor-- in my opinion, the wall words are way past their peak. You could use the photos on some shelves. Here are a few ideas in photos--

Orbital sander and carefully sanding some of the clear coat off. It depends how deep it is in there. I would take maybe 150 or 180 grit and sand some of it off and then stop and do some hand sanding on the burnt area spot as with orbital sanders they can often burn through something you don't want them to because they are so fast. Once you have it sanded out, clear coat it again with 2 or 3 coats. If its gone down into the wood and stain its self then orbital sand the stain off and unfortunately you will have to re-stain it.

I love that chair, Terrilynn, it looks comfortable and functional. There is plush carpet in the room so I will check it out for a swatch and version that does not roll. The pillow captures all of the main colors in the painting, how did you do that?? Checking this on my laptop there is no ability to thank the last several posters for responding--seems I can only do that on my ipad, how bizarrely this site functions (or doesn't) sometimes. I appreciate all the feedback and suggestions. I had been avoiding this room because it was so jumbled and unfinished. At least at this point it is together enough to leave the door open, which reminds me to come in and take care of the stuff I need to do. I've ordered a lighter blue textured duvet cover and hope to use that with the navy quilt folded at the foot of the bed. Hopefully the new blue will be in the right range. I haven't been able to find a print that's just right and may just table that. The curtains are bossy enough and I am finding solid colors very soothing these days. Even though we have been living here two years I haven't even started on the big room downstairs; it is still a repository for all the furniture I couldn't let go of and a few new, inexpensive things. Big surprise though, the gigantic leather sectional from IKEA has been used, abused, slept on, eaten on, and everything else-ed on and it is wearing like iron, so whatever I do it will stay. When unpacking my mother's stuff I came across a pencil drawing of my father and, incredibly, a colored pencil drawing of my mother! I'm having both framed and may need help finding a place for them :)