We recently painted a bathroom with the Aura Matte (the regular version, not the Bath and Spa, since it wasn't out/available in our paint store back in Nov), and I'll never go back! LOL LOVE the texture on the bathroom walls, and I've always preferred the AquaVelvet/Eggshell finish over Flat paint. This is a big reason why we are having our kitchen/LR/DR....repainted, two short years after they were done during our reno. I don't think the AquaVelvet holds up as well as it used to (at least here), and the texture doesn't look nearly as nice as the Aura Matte. The Aura Matte is supposed to touch-up and scrub up beautifully (trailrunner heartily endorsed it, so that was good enough for me!).

"How do you pick art?" Art picks you. I would do that slowly, and when you see a piece of art or a photograph or a wall sculpture that really grabs you, pick it up and find its place on that wall. Art is personal and truly in the eye of the beholder.

I tend to go for bigger. And I really really like the bigger one you picked. :)

Hi Miss Rae - that is indeed a beautiful alcove! I think you've got a great start. I love the chairs creating a reading nook. Some free tweaks you could try: Move the chair closest to the window to the other side of the window. That might look a little more inviting from the other end of the hallway. If the bookshelf can fit in the spot under the window, you might try swapping the bookshelf with the console table. It will put your books next to your chairs and add visual weight at the end of the space where you need it. With the console table in the hallway, you might try a basket with pillows or blankets on the bottom shelf. They could be used in the nook or just add pattern and color in the hall space. Some things you might try that will cost money: Visually, the space reads as long and thin. To help combat that, try an accent wall treatment on the window wall. A strong or dark color, or a wallpaper pattern will help the space feel more in proportion. You might put floor lamps next to your chairs for reading in the evening. (If you prefer to keep the chairs next to each other, just one lamp will probably do.) You might pull your existing rug into the hallway space and get a larger one for the alcove. Something plush or fuzzy might make it a more fun space to snuggle up. Pull the color from the existing rug so they coordinate. Since you've got a green thumb (unlike me!), you might try a larger plant or small tree in the unused corner. I hope some of that is helpful - best of luck! Doug