Barnhart Gallery Yes, I like your style and direction in general. What I think you're looking for is to make it more unique and personal. I'd suggest going antiquing, and find a cool thing or two that no one else will have. Find art that doesn't look store-bought, whether it is, or you find it in a gallery, on etsy or by searching the art category on ebay for your subject/s of interest. You never know what you'll find.

Manon Floreat Yes, I agree that one of a kind items chosen just because you love them or simply find them interesting will help break up the impulse to match everything to a T.

It looks like you're doing just fine! You may want to ditch a couple of the matchy-matchy pillows and replace with something different: Maybe a black and white batik or graphic print, a peachy/orange ikat or suzani and/or maybe a little lime green number.

I think the map and tables you've chosen will be great! Keep doing what you're doing.

houssaon I think black wood furniture looks great with stained pieces, too. The coffee table looks like it will work well in the room.

These buffalo plaid curtains in black and ivory will look good in your room: http://www.countrycurtains.com/product/010150166a+buffalo+check+rod+pocket+panel.do?sortby=ourPicks&filterby=#

Mary Bert Hi Jessica...I really like your choices...I looked through your idea books and there is a pic of a living room with a sofa table behind it and 2 lamps...that would also look nice if you have the room...and then you could put your map pics there...and it would balance things...I'm no decorator...but I think if you love it...it's right...

AJD Interiors Hello- So far you have the neutrals. Look in magazines and on this website for inspirational images that really speak to you. Study closely to figure out what exactly you love about these images. Many times it will be a certain COLOR. You need to pull in some pieces in that accent color that you love. For example, my home is black, white, and gray; neutral backdrop. One of my favorite colors is blue. In the living room, I have a turquoise blue lamp, and I pulled in more blue on a pillow, ( none of my pillows match; they just all have a common COLOR) and also on an antique Asian chest.
I would also start with a fantastic rug to ground you seating area. Many times a great rug is an inspiration for the rest of the room.
Artwork should, again, be chosen and displayed because you love it- not just because it matches the room. The most fantastic rooms often have just one or two great pieces of art on the wall that don't "match" the room, but truly work because they are unique and special to the homeowner. Take your time- finding things you really love can be an on-going process, but always worth it.
Good luck!
Anna

karen paul interiors It's been my experience that people tend to "match" things because there is no inspiration piece from which to work. So, if you select a piece of art you truly love and use that as a springboard for plugging in colors with pillows, etc., you will find the results can be quite unexpected. The same holds true with a patterned carpet or a piece of fabric with a pattern. You've done nothing wrong yet. I simply suggest you will find it easier to move forward with the single inspiration for your palatte. I wish you luck.

Manon Floreat Great advice and well said, Karen Paul.

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Try to think of contrast and opposites. I think your furniture looks fine it just blends into the wall instead of contrasting it. Consider painting the wall a contrasting color, like dark brown and then throw in some chartreuse and orange. Look outside for inspiration, there are so many color combinations that work beautifully and do not feel contrived. Place a rug that has nothing to do with the patterns on the pillows.


Hope that helps, also love this rug with chocolate walls...comes in brown zig zag.
http://www.westelm.com/products/zigzag-rug-r656/?pkey=crugs-flooring

SPKCreative Abstract Art www.spkcreative.com You can also find art at SPKCreative.com, Artspan and DeviantART. Horchow sells some antiques and interesting decor.

olldbobbi I had a similar problem in my living room - beige sofas; beige walls; light oak floors, etc. ad nauseum. I was drowning in a sea of beige! My solution was to mix some craft paints til I achieved a color I liked, took it to Home Depot and had them turn this color into a gallon of paint. I then painted the lower half of the walls in my new color and installed a chair rail to separate the two. I painted the chair rail off-white to match the crown molding and baseboards to keep the space cohesive. The only thing is, I refuse to have throw pillows - to me, they say "look, don't touch, as there is no place for you to sit here"!!!

mspitler1 take your throw pillows and make your drapes/rug/etc. colors from that pallet. Always take something in your room to choose all your colors for other objects. You can also go to a paint store and choose a color pallet that combines every color in the same color family.Sherwin Williams has such pallets.

Barnhart Gallery LOL Bobbi P -- when I was in Phase 1 of my neverending reno back in the '90's, I remember sitting here on my job site in my little (pre-mommy) sports car with a bottle each of red, yellow and brown craft paint, mixing them up on a paper plate to get my perfect -- I think I'll call it "Equestrian Cinnabar" -- red, as the painters were coming to get my color selections, and I hadn't found just the right paint chip anywhere. The funny thing is, as over the years I've selected my textiles, my unique blend of red is right on the money.

olldbobbi barnhartgallery - coincidence? LOL! I can stare at paint strips for hours in a hardware store and only walk away more confused. The lighting in the store with its 50 foot ceilings and wide open spaces, along with the spouse patiently shifting from foot to foot is just too much pressure. And, while I do enjoy painting ONCE, I don't want to paint it til I get it right. I want to get it right the FIRST time! And good for you with your "Equestrian Cinnabar"! Sounds perfect!