Paste your link directly into the "Optional Link URL" field in the below the "Message" box and give it a title in the "Name of the Link" field. (Funny, second batchelder I've encountered today. An ad for the listing of the day in an L.A. real estate guide has a Batchelder reference in a Los Feliz home.) I like the existing trim color, BTW. However, since you don't, how do you feel about some version of terra cotta? That appears to be the range of some of the more highly colored hues in your fireplace and would warm things up without introducing a color that's not already there. How bold do you want to go? Personally, I love Farrow and Ball Red Earth, but that's probably deeper than you want. Dutch Pink is an interesting, paler option. You may want to consider embracing that yellow/green northern light instead of fighting it; consider one of the green- tinted creamy off-whites like Bone or Fawn. They may end up looking like intentional pale greens that are stone-like enough to coordinate with your tiles. Many of us have learned that we can't fight Mother Nature, er, northern green light. I don't think a bright white would be a great idea in there. Here is a link that might be useful: mulan47's link

Hmmm, I didn't hang the curtain rod in the first place. If I raise it, the curtains won't touch the floor. We have been here 2 years and I have been shopping for an area rug and pillows for the living room. I get sticker shock whenever I find something. I fell in love with a rug at Parade of Homes last year, got the name of it, found it online and it was $800! And it was polyester and made in China! Even pillows give me sticker shock, for something that will never be where I set it. Half the time the throw pillows and blankets are in the basement in front of the Xbox or used for a fort.

Enjoy it? :) I preferred the couch on the left wall (art could breathe) but as long as there's seating that allows for optimal music appreciation and conversation, what's wrong, really? Perhaps simply accept that this room will evolve with your needs and be an actual "living" room and not a "look-at-me-everything-is-in-a-perfect-spot" room? Is there comfortable seating for everyone, a reachable spot for each person to set down a drink or a book? Navigable paths to seats and anything that needs futzing (e.g. curtains)? Yes? Well, bravo then. You have a functional living room. That's the primary goal room for the room. If you're so inclined, keep tweaking the layout until you're both smiling but figure out why you think it looks odd now. It'll be easier to pinpoint what needs changing. For example, I'd prefer more symmetry on the fireplace wall and would want the art on that wall to be around the same size. I might also consider putting some books and records (?) on that wall (as long as they're reachable). Then again, I wouldn't want every wall covered because then the room feels a bit claustrophobic to me. Really depends on you. Regardless, it's obvious the art, books and music in your eclectic living room are meant to be enjoyed so bravo for that. :)

Since it is all so open, I would paint the same color in the kitchen, dining and living. Maybe the creamy white of your dining chairs would work throughout. If you don't want to paint the kitchen, you could bring that same color into the dining/living. Or you could take another shade from that same color strip/card and bring that into the living/dining. Other improvements: your rugs are too small, and so are your lamps. Your dining light is dated and your art is dissonant and not hung correctly. The coffee table is too large and heavy, and I would match drapes to the wall color once you figure that out. I do like your red cabinet and blue cache-pot! Have you thought about installing drown molding? How high are your walls? Here's a creamy white on walls (Navajo White) and brighter on trim (White Dove) so you can get the idea, even though this is not the style of your home.