What's up with people who have the nerve to expect to see around someone else's house, or rooms, just because they're curious about it? I've been in my very old house for decades, but I can't recall that happening back when it was new to me. This is a hot issue for me because it seems like something has changed recently. Perhaps because the whole country got into a real estate frenzy a few years ago and nobody seemed to want to talk about anything else except houses and real estate and renovations. I am often amazed to read here about people who redecorate or update kitchens or do renos and then face the expectation/social necessity that they must have a party to "reveal" it (like that TV show?) and that guests somehow are owed a tour of the place when they visit. That wouldn't fly in my house, and if I got caught off-guard and felt forced into it, somehow, by a guest, you can bet that person wouldn't be invited back very soon. And I also can't imagine a more off-putting party scheme than being invited to a visit just so the hosts could show off their newly updated house. Sheesh, it's not the opening of a commercial space - it's a private house! To my way of thinking, thoughtful hosts don't focus on braggin' on their stuff, they focus on the welcome and comfort of their guests. And guests should have good manners enough to at least hide their curiosity (if they have any) about the fittings in a private house. It's enough to notice how pleasant (or whatever) the room is, and then move on to other topics. I've been to a couple of parties recently were the hosts spent the nearly whole time giving detailed tours as if it was the whole purpose of the get together. (Probably was, come to think of it!) It would have saved time if the guests had simply been handed a list of the components, including furniture makers, paint colors and appliance model numbers at the door. With that out of the way, then we could have socialized, danced, talked, flirted, whatever. Anyway, to the OP's concern: I wouldn't let myself get pressured (and from a work situation, no less!) into "offering" my house as a party venue before I was ready. But at the same time, I wouldn't hold off having any party you actually want to have until some future moment when it will be fixed-up enough, or fancy enough, to be good enough, for guests. That mindset is the product of a false definition of true hospitality. As long as the place is clean and prepped (which you would do to any space to do honor to your guests), then it is ready for a party, which should be about people, not real estate. Gussy your place up with some fresh flowers, lay in some booze and tasty eats, turn on some music and you're ready. When I was in prep school, one of my best friends was the daughter of a family of (minor) Italian nobility. I spent one holiday visiting her family in Italy (and doing some skiing afterward). Her family line is old as the hills, and the house probably hosted the Medicis, so it was quite swanky in many ways. But the plastered walls (with ancient frescos) were cracked (and missing a few divots) here and there. The "sanitary arrangements" assigned to some guest rooms were pretty basic, to put it plainly. Even though many of the walls were hung with lovely tapestries, some of the halls were blocked off with a couple of big chairs plunked across them to bar entrance. The family clearly didn't put much emphasis on having the surroundings perfect, but, the glorious welcome and charm of the atmosphere made that visit one my most cherished memories! The focus was on people, and their comfort and pleasure. Even after many years, that visit stands out to me as the epitome of the luxury of hospitality. Not because of the luxurious surroundings, which while elegant, were certainly not in perfect, "guest-worthy" condition (and perhaps hadn't been since before Columbus sailed) but because the hosts simply lavished their attention on their guests. Such generosity of spirit and effort is my constant goal as a hostess. L

these "entertainment centers" don't seem to be that much different from the older "out of date" ones except they are more open or a very light wood. Based on recommendations to give away my entertainment center to help it not be a large dark hole, I have moved two of the ends of my entertainment center to the back bedroom we use for our exercise room. The remaining entertainment part I am still trying to work with. I have appreciated and moved toward the suggestions that the houzz people have suggested. Excellent forum to get help.

I would take off the indent above the fireplace, replace the mantle with the same size piece of wood, and update the tiles. Gut the area where the TV is now and have a custom cabinet, flush with the fireplace wall, with an open shelve for the TV just a few inches lower than what it is now. Below the TV two wide drawers, one about 5 or 6 inches deep and the other about 11 or 12. Above the TV, two cupboards.

Thank you so much!!! Your ideas are very appreciated!!! Below is pic of rug that is in there. It has splashes of green (ties to kitchen) and lite blue (ties to gray living/dining walls that look blue lol). I thought I was following the rug rule that allowed for it to be in front of couches. To be honest it was a free rug, and matches the dining room and living room rugs and runner, I thought I was good keeping with the theme lol I actually just put this end table in my Amazon cart. Would something like that work? I have an extra lamp, shown in the living room pic to the right of couch I could put on top of end table. Is an entertainment/ build in look completely out of question? Think it would make room feel small? I will definitely move the pictures lower!!