Thank goodness for the home decorating forum. This site has been very helpful to me also. I have become much better at accessorizing over the years, because of looking at all sorts of books and magazines, and there are quite a few sites that will teach you the in's and out's of accessorizing (if you believe there's such a thing). What it does, it provides you with a basic understanding of tablescaping, or accessorizing. I feel it has helped me develop an eye for what works, and what doesn't. Just play with what you have until you feel good with what you've come up with. Sometimes you come up with something you like on the first try. Sometimes you have to just give up for the time being.

it looks like you have a few rust/orange accents - the DR light, the pic frame, the throw, the pic above the couch, but there really isn't a commitment to it. The other thing for me that is lacking is a variety of textures. I like the lamp that you posted - it has some of the rust/orange in it and would help to lighten up the space. One thing to look at is replacing the pillows on the couch and get some that are textured (almost 3-dimensional - I have some pillows that have petals on them that actually come away from the pillows and others that are pleated) with the rust and one of the rug colours in it. Try BB&B or Home Sense. In the DR try to bring some of the dark colour in it from the LR. How about a dark woven basket or a copper bowl for the table on top of a runner that again has the rust colour and one of the rug colours in it. Copper accents might actually be rather pretty in these rooms. A large vase for the buffet to bring some presence and to help the mirror being anchored. The candlesticks are for me, a little small. I see you have a runner on the buffet but it appears a little uninteresting. The rug in front of the door, without knowing where that hallway actually leads and what it looks like is harder to make a suggestion on. Can I make one suggestion and that is to put the area rug further under the chair and couch? It looks like it is trying to go somewhere but I don't know where. I am minimalistic when it comes to accents so when I chose I always choose something with some texture, or an interesting shape, or interesting colours in it. Raid other rooms and any entertaining stuff that you might have stored in cabinets. Are there some favourite bowls or vases that you already have tucked away that you could use. I find that through the years we tend to gravitate to favourite colours or shapes even though they might not be "trendy". It doesn't matter.

I think (?) I maybe making progress. Today I went to a second hand shop I mentioned above and bought these things for the mantel. Look okay? Then, I bought these vintage billard balls and put them in a glass container I already had for the coffee tables. Very small investment for everything. Next is the TV area. I'm telling you I have really struggled with accessories in this open plan. Next trouble area.

Pull the sectional away from the window and more into the room. There should be enough room to comfortably walk up and look out the unobstructed window. Turn the rug 90 degrees, I think it will fit better with the sectional pulled away from the window. I would put the chair on the opposite side of the tv so it becomes a conversation grouping with the sectional. Where it is now is not conducive to conversation. Remove the mirror above tv and the fake plant. I would replace the coffee table because of the forest of legs issue. Once you make these tweaks, stand back and re-assess your room to see where to go next. Your room is lacking in colour and it will be tricky to add at this point since you don't want to replace your rug, curtains and artwork. It's easy to add colour to a room with accessories like rug, curtains and artwork so you have created a self-imposed dilemma.