My inclination would be to paint it black, not with chalk paint, but a high-gloss finish. Love something like this canvas for your room…bridge cables. $69.00 each…an industrial take on the high back dining chair. Rug has to go anyway, but it isn’t the right size/shape. You need something that is at least 2’ bigger than the table. Probably and 8 x 10. The wall decor, I am glad you are replacing it. I don’t think that mirror is the answer, though.

Your rearrangement of the seating is a huge improvement. For balance, you really need a longer couch instead of that dinky loveseat. Depending on budget, I'd keep the two black chairs (if they're Ikea's Poang chairs, I know they're comfortable) because they're neutral and allow great flexibility. When you do a gallery wall, don't use those frames with multiple openings for snapshots or anything like that cluster you have now. Choose your very best candid shots; remember, this is your artwork so it should be compelling. You can create a cohesive gallery wall by framing all the photos the same, or by converting them all to black and white or sepia tone. It's pretty inexpensive now to have them printed on canvas and stretched. One of my favorite uses of family photos is this:There are some articles on Houzz about creating gallery walls. The trick is to keep your grouping tight, to vary the sizes and orientations of frames, and to arrange them in a way that creates balance and movement. Houzz doesn't seem to be working right now. I'm going to quit my browser and return.

Don't have time to answer all of your questions but here's what I can suggest: 1) Lower the mantle on fireplace a little, as well as the painting in the niche. (See #2 here) Consider changing the mantle to something less rustic and paint in color A (see next suggestion) 2) Open spaces should be cohesive - which you can easily do with paint. Choose 2 colors or 2 shades of the same color and vary placement in different areas. (see #5 here) Consider adding a simple chair rail to the dining area. For example, with minimal effort, you could use color A below the chair rail in dining area, as the dominant color in window treatments fabric (I"d use draw drapes) , the back wall of niche, throw pillows, lamps ac, and maybe an area rug in living room, and in accessories (see #3 here) in living room and kitchen. I'd consider adding some of that color to kitchen also -- back of open cabinets for example, recovering bar stools and dining room chair seats to match drapery fabric and possibly slip covering one of the armchairs in the living room in a pattern that incorporates the wall colors with other colors in the space. You want to use coordinates, not just the same solid everywhere so look for different textures or patterns to add. Hope that helps. I've inclluded links to additional info about topics I mentioned that I think you'll find helpful. 3) see #2 - I'd choose lamps with either a base or shade to match color A. (See #7 here) 4) Add plants. If you aren't there often enough to take care of them, use artificial greenery.

I'm so sorry! I know you didn't mean to post that, but you gave me the first good laugh I've had all day! 😂 You should see a button to edit your post ... not sure where exactly it's located in your original post, but I believe it should still be there. Failing that, you can always flag your own post and indicate it "inappropriate". The moderators should remove it (eventually), but in the meantime you can just post a new thread on this topic.