This is probably way too late, but if not....I was flipping the channels the other night (be so glad when the writer's strike is over) and came upon the last few minutes of HGTV's Color Splash, with that David guy. (He's very talented, but can only take so much of him.) The segment was "Dramatic Den Makeover" - (the number for the episode is HCLRS.304 and it will be aired again on January 28 at 8:30 ET. Anyhow, he transformed this space to a gorgeous libary setting. Took prefab bookcases and added crown molding and it was phenomenal! You might find it interesting.

I couldn't take good pictures of my tables when this thread started. They and a bunch of other stuff were jammed into the dining room/entry hall due to work in the family room/kitchen/breakfast room area. Here is the dining room table: It is rosewood from a Scandinavian import furniture store in the 70's. There is a matching sideboard not in the picture. It's style is very consistent with our MCM house. We like the pedestal base which keeps out of the way of chair placement. Also, the base doesn't need to move for the table to expand. It has one leaf in this picture. The second leaf expands it to 108" and without leaves it goes down to 70". The very modern simple thin legs on the chairs have been a problem. If my DH wasn't so skilled at woodworking repairs, they would be long gone - I think each chair has had at least one repair. So while we really like this, I'd look for something more sturdy if replacing it. Here is our breakfast room table (used for most meals): The chairs aren't as consistent with our contemporary style, but the table and chairs are very sturdy. It is oak. We bought it partly because the chairs are very comfortable even though they aren't padded which worked well with a growing family and now with grandchildren. This table also has the pedestal base staying out of the way of chair and people legs and the base doesn't need to move for the table to expand. It goes up to 110" with all 4 11" leaves in. In addition, storage for the leaves is built in under the table top. This one could probably be used for 100 years without needing repairs. We bought it from a local furniture store. It was made by Richardson Brothers.

sable, as you'll see I followed your suggestion about adding some books to the mantel. I also hung up the picture instead of just putting it on the mantel and now I'm not sure which version I like best. My husband, who has a good eye, has been hounded so much about the decor in the last few days that he told me he was no longer able to care. He's a man, a little of this stuff goes a long way, and he's been tested beyond his limits. The roses in the garden are from at least two years ago and are from early June, after we had some rain, I think. We did have 3 inches in the last storm but nothing since, although they promised us one storm after another. I think most of El Nino is going to happen in the more northern parts and up into south Oregon. I still hope for more; the rainy season isn't over yet. You might get more than I will here. That's a really nice area where you live. patty, I'm glad you like the flower picture back on the mantel, and I hope you'll also volunteer whether you like the picture better propped up or hung on the wall, and the area with or without books. These are important decisions! I'm with you about agonizing more about the little stuff, maybe because there are so many more ways to move small pieces around than large ones. I like your idea of a blue/cream theme, which would look very fresh and charming. Putting it all together, of course, would take some thought and work, but if it's something you're enthusiastic about it could also be a very creative, enjoyable process. If you collect blue and white porcelain that is European it is much cheaper than the Chinese stuff, which has gotten very pricey and you have to really know what's genuinely antique, because there are tons of fakes around nowadays. Mt. Helix is in west San Diego county whereas we're in northeast San Diego county, in a rather rural area, which we love. Mt. Helix is a very beautiful area to live in but I work nearby so this was the logical spot for us.

Doreen, I'm with you 100% on monochromatic color schemes and weaving them all together. Forget the naysayers who think you need pops of color. They will never get it. With monochromatic schemes, texture becomes so important. This is why your dining room works well but your living room not as much so. I can see what you were going for here with the living room rug but don't think it works in the end. Here's what I would do: 1. Remove curtains. Sounds like you have already. 2. Different rugs in living and dining room. Have them be textural - jute, sisal, fluffy, just textural. 3. I love the chair that has a plaid pillow and another more contemporary pillow together. Keep your plaid pillows - they are great, just mix them up with others like the one on your chair. 4. Much bigger new coffee table to bring the space together. Again, bring in another texture here or reflective surface. I would avoid the black iron look though. 5. Your walls might feel naked without the curtains. Be sure to re-center the picture to the right of your glass doors so it is centered on the entire space between door and windows. 6. Pull the sofa and chairs out from the wall. Have the feet on the rug. Your walls will become more of a backdrop this ways and the attention will be focused on the seating area. Show us more pics!