Barnhart Gallery As a large blank wall, your eye goes right to the mirror. But trimmed and furnished, a wall of mirror doesn't have to look retro. Here are pages and pages of beautifully incorporated walls of mirror:
http://www.houzz.com/mirrored-wall
I'd find a clever way to embrace it rather than fight it.

John McLean, Architect Wall to wall mirror, or floor to ceiling mirror, without perimeter trim is best used to make a small space seem larger. Although many of the commenters feel this mirror installation looks dated, wall-to-wall mirror, in my view, is dateless.

I think the problem here is (1) what the mirror is reflecting (a somewhat uninteresting view that includes a lot of blank wall area over the door, suggesting that the entry heigh is not being fully exploited for light and view) and (2) the fact that the mirror appears to have been applied around a hallway opening, if I am reading your photo properly. That exposes the edges of the mirror and makes it look pretty decorative.

When you use mirror like this (wall-to-wall and floor (or vanity splash) to ceiling), it should not call attention to its appliqué nature by having its edges seen. Further, it should have as few joints as possible to further take away attention from itself.

Taking the mirror off may be the better solution in this application, but expect that the feel of the entry will be smaller, even if you put up "framed" mirror areas. As another commenter mentioned, consider getting more natural light in the space, and glimpses of the outside, by changing the doors and, if you can, getting more light through a transom window above them.

Barnhart Gallery Fun colors, Nadeen:
http://www.bing.com/images/results.aspx?q=lime+blue+bedding&form=MSNH14

Barnhart Gallery I especially like Ralph Lauren's Putney Paisley in greens and blues for inspiration. What overall style are you looking for?

Barnhart Gallery Aww -- You're giving a college student a place to stay.

Here's bedding from Dillards:
http://www.dillards.com/product/marimekko-Hennika-Bedding-Collection_301_-1_301_503637104

And from beddingus:
http://www.beddingus.com/171-bedding-us-blue-and-green-striped-4ps-cotton-bedding-set-bu171.html

Green Zebra area rug (Yes, you can layer for her style):
http://www.rugs-direct.com/ShopDetail/Details/145163/TheRugMarketAmerica/NaturallyYours/ZebraAcrylic/Green25221

And art's too personal to select for you/her, but I had to pop in some options...
http://www.art.com/products/p12819132890-sa-i6392246/mike-grandmaison-northern-lights-or-aurora-borealis-tilton-lake-sudbury-ontario-canada.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=0&ui=5f9d48b808df41e0ae3d0c7da7ce9158&searchstring=green+blue&ssk=green+blue&sby=all
http://www.art.com/products/p13240934-sa-i2354587/georgia-o-keeffe-blue-green-music.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=0&ui=5f9d48b808df41e0ae3d0c7da7ce9158&searchstring=green+blue&ssk=green+blue&sby=all

Genevieve And now ....drum roll please
the icing on the cake :))

Crane & Canopy You can also use bedding as the feature piece in the room as well:

Barnhart Gallery Feeny's idea is great. Or you can do horizontal brick pattern subway with an inset of this favorite.

While I think that's the way to go, I do have to say that sometimes ordinary materials (and I don't mean low quality) can be elevated by even one high impact investment item. For instance, when renovating my current home, I chose siding that was 6x the price of standard. But it's the most visible element of the home, and when calculated into the entire reno job, it only raised the total by a couple of percent, if I recall. I also spent 4x what I needed to on a kitchen light fixture, but again, it makes the whole space look much more expensive than it was to dream up and execute. Up to you how 10x on this one material will impact your budget as a whole.

Kristine P. D. I love that backsplash and would ordinarily say go for it Bc u love it! However I'm not sure it will go w ur countertops already in place. They may compete for attention...Can u get sample to put next to it that we can see? You can always do this just over the stove perhaps as a feature/accent and the rest regular subway placement.

mgreen1 Go for it! Beautiful unique and you will love it. Spend on the things that will stand out and make a difference. This I think is one of them!

Barnhart Gallery Here are 14,000+ images to get you inspired:
http://www.houzz.com/bohemian-blue-bedroom

felixgrantham Please post pics. Also pics from another room to let us see your style.

Dytecture Depends what is happening in the room.

SpaceMan Home & Office For a space like this:

barbbiv that is the most beautiful slab of lemurian granite. I like in Orange County, can you share the name of slab yard you purchased it from?
my EMAIL - barbbiv@gmail.com

teentravelmom This would be perfect for my kitchen island top. Where can I get it? I live in Metro NY area. Any distributor where I might take a look ?

Barnhart Gallery Hi ID -- mforr gave you a round table with a glass insert way up the thread, and it's in your 2nd of the three photoshop renditions you have. It's my favorite as it's a child friendly round, has an airy yet substantial look, and repeats the curves in your tall mirror and even the empire table without feeling too "matchy." Nice, thoughtful job so far, and you have a great eye through the lens as well -- super close-up shots to convey your sense of style. Do you mind my asking what kind of camera you're using?

mforr More

mforr Last one

Barnhart Gallery I did not notice the very cool dude face in the FP -- yes, he must be preserved! I also like your sketch for how he'll fit in. D'ya call him Kappy?

Now would be the time to consider the options of encasing him in a glass shadowbox incorporated into the stone, and possibly wiring it so that he'll glow with LED strip lighting that could go from white to your PKP blue. Kappy rocks.

Barnhart Gallery LOL Brother Eustis -- he eusta have a beard, and I thought I was the only one home brewing meade -- or spelling it with an "e" on the end.

mforr Sites

kleagsand Haha no I am, I'm from southern Indiana, just one of those things I picked up awhile ago. I love Purdue and I'm super bummed out this is gonna be my last year here. Did you go anywhere?

Also thanks for the sites, I'm definitely going to give these a look see!

Ann Yes, I plan to buy the RH nailhead chairs. I had enough positive comments to decide to go ahead, even though a few think it won't work. Once I get the table back from the refinisher and it's looking better (fingers crossed), I'll proceed with the chairs. I sure appreciate everyones help!

pattiegoode Thanks! Seat cushions might work but it's just after paying so much for the dang chairs, I hate to spend more money on them! In all honesty we don't sit there unless we have company - we eat on the sofa! Ann, the table does not adjust - it's sheesha wood imported from India. In fact, I added the little metal nail-in "feet" to it in order to get it to the height it is now. I hope that yours' work great & give you much pleasure!

Red Berm I agree with the above poster that you should add grass strips but I also think you should change the entry stairs into a grander open look that half circles back to the house (albeit one sided half circle) then cut out the area next to the house for a planter. See below images for concepts.

EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HOME DESIGNS LLC Because I keep to my word here are the modifications to the drawing .Last and final.

Barnhart Gallery Beautiful.

abrowder You are all giving me so many ideas. I had dining room black botanicals over the sofa but did not like the glare on them from the windows...maybe too much black too. I would love a huge abstract painting with rug colors...wish I could just paint it! I'll think about a teal console. Here is one more picture of fireplace wall. A big comfy reading chair and ottoman are yet to come in place of the small side chair.

Ann I think you've done a great job, but agree the console area looks a little overdone. I'd definitely remove the small stool. I love the lamp, but I might remove the vase with sticks - it kind of detracts from the lamp. I love the current color of the console. I like the idea of switching map and mirror, but I also like the idea of leaving the map and mirror where they are while raising the map a bit and removing the 3 small mirrors. The 3 mirrors would look very nice in a vertical line on a skinny wall somewhere else in the house. Nice home!

Barnhart Gallery http://www.lampsplus.com/products/industrial-moderne-11-and-three-quarter-inch-high-energy-star-outdoor-light__73132.html

Barnhart Gallery Pergola, tied into front entry, bringing over the keystone arch, perhaps? (Cursor over image to see all.)

laurencehoward John, I appreciate your consideration of the blank dilema. You present all the right considerations. If we were to open to small balcony (great idea) we would still need supports similar to those used for pergola, no? There is a closet at one end (left as you look at the pictures) of the wall that might work well to open up. Sara, great idea to convert garage (currently storage area, and like to remain that) into 3 season room. Nice to hear from you!

John McLean, Architect The usefulness of the dormer/balcony idea depends on the layout of your current room above the garage space and how disruptive it would be to it's layout (the way the room needs to function, particularly if you have very low ceiling height close to the exterior walls) to include such a balcony (and access to it).

The side view of your house, because of the roof framing direction, suggests that the room's floor framing runs perpendicular to the blank wall in question, but that would surprise me. I think the floor framing runs parallel with the short side of the garage, not the long side. I mention this because the balcony should ideally be framed as a cantilever off the wall. (There would be no supports going to the ground as the trellis framing would have.) If the existing floor framing of the room is perpendicular to the garage's blank wall (garage door side), it would e relatively easy to sister several new floor joists onto existing joists for the balcony. If the floor framing is parallel to the blank wall, one would have to do more involved framing changes to the floor framing depending on how far out the balcony was to extend.

If the balcony does not extend out very far from the house wall, one could also try supporting it with struts at an angle to the house wall and not change any of the existing floor framing. Essentially, you wold be attaching triangulated framing to several studs in the wall above the garage door opening. (I'm assuming that you prefer whatever balcony is added to be of the same finish appearance as the rest of the house, rather than an obvious add on as would be the case, say, if you purchased a small metal structure on which one might set flower pots to help decorate a building facade. (Think Paris.)

Once again, I encourage yo to talk with a local architect or builder if you want to develop the idea further to discover the difficulties of pulling things off. I find that a lot of what appear to be good CONCEPTUAL ideas become not so hot when you get into the details of trying to make them work in what appears to be an effortless manner. You don't want the finished job to appear forced.

Barnhart Gallery Three cheers for South Sea pearl, if it is collected in an ecologically friendly way.

In comparison, the oyster looks a bit flat, and the busy glass styles I fear will soon look dated. MOP is a classic, even if it is fairly new to the tile world. And it's really beautiful.

Barnhart Gallery Hi roxxrn -- I was referring to the South Sea as mother of pearl, yes. I don't mind the other two, it's just that to me, South Sea is a "YES!" vs. the other two being -- fine, okay, that's nice... You really won't go wrong with any of your choices.

linkss I would definitely go for the first one (white pearl)!

@carolins - a question, what program did you use for testing out the different backsplash options? I have a backsplash dilemma myself and I still have not come to any concrete decision. Also my partner finds it very hard to visualize so irrespective of how many elaborate and detail adjectives I use to try and get my ideas across to him he still can't visualize it(!)

carolins linkss, I use photoshop elements. If you post useful photos of your kitchen and backsplash options in a dilemma of your own (and notify me when you do) I'd be happy to mock something up for you so you and your husband can get an idea of how it looks.

cbmw12 @Barnhart Gallery~I love the federal mirror idea! That would protect the tile as well. ;) Thanks to all of you for your input!! Definitely some great ideas. I did move the tile to the center and down a bit (like I had planned to all along). We are in the same boat as Pearlmelba where the wine doesn't last in our house very long! We definitely love our wine! That piece was given to us as a wedding gift from a couple who attended our wedding last year at a WINERY!! haha

Barnhart Gallery Cheers, newlyweds!

Barnhart Gallery Charming and authentic. Here's a shower curtain to inspire:
http://www.target.com/p/boho-boutique-utopia-shower-curtain-72x72/-/A-13907701#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink
Any color you like from the design will work on the walls except the red, and I put gel or glass in your windows for privacy, but you could also do a shade and keep it simple.
(Cursor over to see all.)

Blondiesloft&Co @Barnhart Gallery.....Perfect...luv it!!

houssaon How about a wall paper? Bold patterned bath

Here is another lovely yellow bath with great accessories: Karla Trincanello, NJ CID, ASID Allied.

You could do yellow: Hawthorne Yellow hc-4 Benjamin Moore Or green: Lilly Pad 480 Paint Or blue: Van Courtland Blue Paint.

justnancy Thanks again for the advice on my bookcases. Attached is a photo with the ebony stain. Love how they turned out.

Barnhart Gallery I like the 20 bat rack at the bottom of this page as wall art across from the end of the bed:
http://www.staggsports.com/ProductVerticalBat.htm

Design Mode My camera has a feature where it takes three quick pics at high speed, so lined up, they look like an action series. You just have to click before the live action starts, instead of trying to catch 'the moment'. I wouldn't worry about the blur, that's part of the speed.
Looks like you are already having fun and playing with programs. I think you are on your way to creating a montage of memories and collectibles to liven up the room for your son.

mapage Design Mode Thank you for the idea.

bluenan Built-ins can combine personal space and storage.

orangecamera Try to pair the girls according to their design preferences. Do two of them have the same favorite color? Are there two that both like the same style of furniture, or want the same 'vibe' to their room? Then tailor each room to the inhabitants. I wouldn't necessarily try to make the bedrooms resemble each other.

I imagine with 4 girls those ages, there will be plenty of sleep-overs in the future, so if you're able to put in some extra beds (I know that sounds insane at the moment) go for it. Maybe each room with 1 or 2 sets of bunk beds. That will make it easy for the girls to "sleep over" in each others rooms sometimes too, like if one has a nasty cold, her "roommate" can move into the other room for a night or two.

Another alternative is to do something like the "Lake House" picture above, with all 4 beds in one room, and use the other room for a study/play/hang-out spot for all of them.

Barnhart Gallery I might leave the stairwell alone, but replace your pedestal with a lighted one:
http://www.woodwaves.com/blogs/modern_furniture/2977392-lighted-display-pedestals

topped with a 4' manzanita tree to cast shadows in that area:

Barnhart Gallery Actually, this is more what I pictured anyway, sort of a feat of engineering and nature:
http://www.houzz.com/interior-tree

Dezign With a Z Hi, we do agree that the vase and plant look a little off where they are. And someone else talked about adding a wall decal which we think would a great idea. We have a design called winter tree wall decal that should work beautifully for the space. Perhaps select white for the color of the trunk? Here is a picture of that design.

Walter Comstock You didn't show picture of your living area to show what style you have, hard to give suggestions for country if you have modern, or modern if you have country. Could you give us more pictures

Barnhart Gallery I'm appreciating that the little dormer was painted to balance the stone -- nice!

Timberlane Shutters The Board and Battens look phenomenal!

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design This is a great B & A!

Wow Great Place This is a tough one.
Participating in a live chat is far different from the forum where you can post anytime on any discussion. I'm trying to imagine the type of advice people would seek.
Already, so many questions are so ambiguous, often lacking even the most basic information to offer a thoughtful reply, that it is becoming increasingly difficult to respond to people!
Adding a live chat option, the person with the dilemma would have to be uber-prepared, regardless of the topic.
Perhaps schedule a live chat ABOUT live chat topics, and see where the conversation goes!

Wow Great Place And wouldn't the OLLD's LOVE to be able to schedule a live chat!!!!!!!

olldbobbi Ohhhhh, I don't know about that! We'd probably just out talk each other! hehehe

Keitha These are all great topics but I have noticed that many of the dilemma threads are repetitive so when something a little different comes along it's refreshing. I would like to see Houzz do feature articles on some of the designers and creative talent that help Houzzers through their design problems. To see pictures of their homes and get a glimpse of their personal style would be awesome!

decoenthusiaste I think users could benefit more from a chat on how to use HOUZZ. So many post double and triple threads because their Dilemma moves off the front page so quickly. They don't know how to comment, use the AI button, or upload pix of what they like from other sources. We could all be more efficient at this and if like me, most are not inclined to read through a boring FAQ. Why not an open forum on becoming more proficient at making this site do what is designed to do? Then Newbies could download the archived discussion before they jump in and make mistakes. I could use a few tips to simplify what we do here. After that, we might get some of the users who utilize specialty programs to draw floorplans, mood boards, paste products etc. to do a chat so all of us could learn about these programs and hear the pros and cons before investing in any of them.

Sandy A friend has a similar beach house room designed to blow out in the event of a hurricane. She decorated the room using a "large but light" mantra, meaning large furniture and accessories that can easily be moved (not heavy) quickly upstairs in the event of a storm. She has rattan furniture and a limited amount of oversized fun accessories. She figures she can easily remove everything from the room in less than an hour. This doesn't answer your question, but might guide your future choices. If you keep the shelves, I would put some color on the wall with paint which might be easier to replace in the event of a storm than wallpaper or grasscloth. Use what you have now and make good choices going forward. You don't have to wait for a storm to have a great room. Consider painting pieces if you don't love them. Add a large inexpensive indoor/outdoor rug to hide the carpet you aren't fond of and coordinate with your upholstered pieces. That would do a lot to pull the room together. Anytime after the 4th is a great time to find beachy furnishings on sale. Good luck!

Keitha I like your shelves and think they add character to the space. The thing I did notice immediately is that the shelf thickness is too thin so I suggest that you install a wide trim across the front of each shelf to make them look thicker. One last thing, the shelves do stop in an odd place so I would recommend that you add a few to the bottom of each section.

Barnhart Gallery Kirsten, I know. Totally weird orangey rock. And I really don't want to love it. But then I look at the amazing craftsmanship -- how it's truly indoor/outdoor, with the windows organically springing from the stone in two directions. And I'm starting to adore it a little. I want you two to work this out.

So, I'm covering up some lower area with stacked wood in an Ikea Expedit, (or holder of your choice.) Then I've taken up some major square footage with art. And while the colors are a bit strange on their own, they're beautiful on and around this handsome greyhound -- or art of your choice. This is giving me the sense of a wonderful and massive fireplace but without so much of the orange.

I actually like the light fixture, just not the shades. I recently swapped out some grandma-glass shades for bubble glass with clear bulbs on a fixture and it looks brilliant. Might save you a few bucks or euros to try.

Wyland Interior Design Center You can remove the stone down to the wood studded chase as Coastroad Hearth & Patio suggested or build over it like Mark suggested. However, building over the top may not be possible since it appears that the existing stone is butted up next to the windows on each side.

I do agree with others that the existing stone front is in keeping with the architecture of the home and it might be easier to work with it. The beadboard could be changed out with tongue and groove wood and then either keep the beams white or paint them a dark brown.

Here are some examples of fireplace refaces that I have done for client's home.
Project ONE- Photo # 1- Before. Photo # 2- After. This project we removed the old rock down to wood stud and chase. Added new sheet rock and paint.
Project TWO- Photo # 3- The existing fireplace had brick all the way up the wall. Will built out around it (Mark's suggestion) and then built the new fireplace front.
Project Three- Photo # 4. We removed the old stone and refaced the front with quartzite tiles and pebble rock mosaics.

tcufrog I would search for photos on Houzz of rustic contemporary style. Here is one good example: Staged, Davidson Green Home Here's another good example. Living and Dining

The first one has some good ideas for working with rather than fighting the orange.

Ellsworth-Hallett Home Professionals Period photo of the steps on my 1913 bungalow, all details made from standard lumber (I know because I had to reproduce it from fragments, I got the photo years later.

And please don't gussy up the original house with added features- you have a pretty classic house, new paint, enrance, and earth toned colors will update it nicely

vicshook Love the Barnhart Gallery diamond wine racks & shelves! Also the drapes & picture idea! Another issue w/the left side of room you can't see is that left wall arches out. So it's not a flush flat wall:/ We actually tried leaning a picture in that very spot & really liked it! The other challenges are accessory pieces on left & right side of room ledges and the table. We bought the lights & table for that room so will need to work with those:)

Brown Bros. Masonry I don't have much input as far as decorating I just wanted to comment on what a GREAT space that is. Soo cool!! Love all the brick, hardwoods....what a great space!

houssaon In the photo the grates really show up. How about painting them the wall color? I would take a look at allposter.com. They have a great selection of posters and prints. Could you mount your TV on the wall so it is a bit higher and add one poster one either side of the TV. Or do shelves on one side and a poster on the other.

renarama I enthusiastically endorse the single bowl sink and I am happy to tell you why. It's versatile: the large bowl accommodates refrigerator shelves, large platters, cookie sheets, etc. It allows for a removable dish drainer to occupy a portion of the sink thereby leaving counter space free of clutter and available for active tasks, etc. When necessary, a small Rubbermaid-type dish basin can be used for small washing tasks.

In one of my kitchen renovations, I chose a three bowl sink primarily to accommodate a dish drainer to keep the counter clear and have a designated garbage disposal space. This left me with small bowls and no versatility. The single bowl allows enough space that you can modify it to facilitate whatever task you have on hand.

I am about to embark on another exciting kitchen renovation. If there is one thing I am sure about - it's the single bowl sink!

Barnhart Gallery Hi kat -- Could you take another photo at night, and include where your wall hits the ceiling? And maybe a shot without the current panels to see just how much wall we're working with?

kat1971 Will do for sure...thank you