I gotta say, I like it so far. I suggest because of the limited budget keeping the blue.
Add graphic chevron print curtains. White sofa needs side tables and fun pillows, pillow now are too small and dark. Bigger coffee table will help and I love the green chairs.
The mirror Is ok but can I suggest a big beach or landscape art on wall, check out Homegoods they have great art reasonably priced. This will bring entire space together.
Happy decorating.

Hi monikajones7, there might be too much blue and too baby blue going on in the room. I would recommend just doing an accent wall perhaps with BM "newburg green" and the rest of the walls with "midnight oil" to give you a rich feeling living room.

Good Luck.

The "It's Complicated" house had a lot of orange, cream and black. Do you think that is what you are wanting? or did you just like the California casual look? If you don't like the blue, we can easily figure out a color that works for not too much money. I like your funiture, especially the green chairs. Try to post some more pictures from the opposite angle, so I can see the chairs. Let me know and I'll get back to you with some color suggestions. Thanks. Charmean Neithart

i think you could add thin vertical stripes in white color.. although you'll need a lot of tape to do that so, which would raise the cost, around $100 bucks or you could get some stencils and spray paint and give the wall some pattern..

Although I think it's your rug, although it looks beautiful but just not that for this room and furniture.. you might have some shaggy rugs, they're not as expensive as the other rugs and you could find almost any color you like..

change either your rug or your sofa color..the biggest unmatched items in the room
two of those.. change one and leave the other.. although I liked the white color but definitely not a stand out when it's by the color and design of your rug..Although it matches with your wall..

Thank you everyone! We moved to this tract home community in Altadena (Charmaine it's dangerously close to you) because our oldest son has significant, multiple disabilities and the house is easier to maneuver for him. We used to live in a spectacular old home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles and the home had enough character that I didn't need to do much interior design. But now I'm stuck with a cookie cutter home and no taste whatsoever. I'm really quite design challenged. Your comments have been great and I'll post more pics to give you a better idea of the rooms.

I, too, think you have a great start. But if it's the blue that you really don't like, then you probably should change it; otherwise, it'll just stick in your head and you'll go on not liking it. I love the green chairs and I think you should work off of those. New carpet (I'm thinking brighter). Like betsyweisberg said about art, Home Goods has some decent area rugs, too. And new throw pillows for the sofa - agree with lighter there. Good luck.

HI Monika, we're neighbors! Okay I went and reviewed pictures from the "It's Complicated" house, and yes lots of burnt orange, black, little bit of blue, weathered woods, and lots of slipcovers. This is good because I love green and burnt orange together. I'm assuming you like the deep orange colors since you referenced that house, but let me know. I say paint over the blue, because you stated you really don't like it...so done, let's paint. I'm looking at the creamy tones in your fireplace material and I think that could be the starting point. Consider Litchfield Gray HC-78 by Benjamin Moore, a very muddy white with soft gray/beige undertones. It's very pretty with the white slipcovers and very California casual. The green chairs are great, so we just need to throw in some orange on the sofa pillows. The one investment I would advise you make is in a new rug, as others have suggested. There is nothing wrong really with the rug that is there, it just feels misplaced and will not add any visual impact to the new scheme you have going. Perhaps you can place it in another room. Check out www.rugstudio.com for tons of rugs at very affordable prices. They will deliver right to your door. Here is a fun one with all the colors we're thinking about...
http://www.rugstudio.com/jaipurrugspassagessamirapg02pumpkinarearug.aspx
There are more options, have a look. Why don't you start with the paint and see if you like the color I suggested for the walls. You can buy Benjamin Moore samples at True Value on Fair Oaks. Let me know how the paint sampling turns out and then we'll move forward from there. Let me know if you need any help, you can contact me at me office.
626.441.4288
Good luck! Charmean

Here are some more pics of the whole space. The dining room is open to the living room. The pictures look much better than the actual rooms; they feel empty, cold and uninviting. And I definitely need art and photos etc on the walls but have no idea what to do. And I agree that I think I want something other than deep baby blue.

I really love the green chairs. Start with a rug, find one you like with the green chairs in mind and then you can build from there. Did you take a look at any of the rugs from www.rugstudio.com? You really have nice spaces there, just a little color change and I think you will see them differently. Charmean

Gah - what goes with that color green?

peach tones might be a choice..:) and complimentary to that green, white and rug all together:)

then again it wouldn't match with striped chairs though..

you might want to check out for www.colorschemer.com to see the color combinations..

The color seems shadowy. I would paint walls a sandy color.
Move couch to face the fireplace and place the chairs facing each other on each side of couch. Then you have an intimate conversation grouping.
I would replace rug with a sisal to match walls. Use the lime green as accent colors.
Remove all but very favorite wall decor.

I would paint the walls white. BM Super White is a great white that's not too warm or too cold. It's just right.

The green chairs would look great with burnt orange and your white slipcovered sofa. I think the walls would look great creamy, still like Litchfield Gray HC-78 or Elmira White HC-84. Look at these colors together in this quilt by Urban Outfitters http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=24900862d
Hope that helps Monika. Charmean

Alright, I've decided to challenge myself and try to work with the blue as best possible (my marriage may depend on it :-). Keeping the green chairs then what color palette should I work with?

HI Monika. I'm a big supporter of happy marriage so let's go with the green and blue palette. :) Still think you should start with a rug, assuming you are getting a new one. Do you like something like this, a playful geometric http://www.rugstudio.com/suryahudsonparkhdp-2016arearug.aspx
or a wide stripe, like this http://www.rugstudio.com/jaipurrugspuravidalapalmapv08limegreenlimegreenarearug.aspx Let me know your thoughts. Charmean

I'd prefer something like a seagrass. I am really struggling with how much color there already is in the room. Perhaps we could add color with throw pillows on the couch instead?

ok, no problem. Do you like any of these? http://rugs.rugstudio.com/search?asug=&w=sisal

Also, do you like geometric patterns on pillows like this http://www.laylagrayce.com/Products/Trina-Turk-Pillow-Needlepoint-Zig-Zag-Blue__PH30TT31BC16SQ.aspx
or something more whimsical like this
http://www.laylagrayce.com/Products/Peacock-Feather-Digital-Print-Pillow-Pair__VLAV050332.aspx

Charmean, that's still a bit too much color for me. I want something more in the beiges or greys to tone down the green chairs and blue walls.

OK, here's another...more subtle color.
http://www.laylagrayce.com/Products/Tile-Wool-Applique-Natural-Pillow-Pair__VLAV050585.aspx
This would work with the seagrass and slipcovered sofa.

Here's another
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/paper-crochet-pillow-cover/?pkey=e%7Cpillows%7C155%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C3&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Sku_Top_Marketing_Rule%7CPillows-_-

and another
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/cora-palampore-embroidered-pillow-cover-neutral/?pkey=e%7Cpillows%7C155%7Cbest%7C0%7Cviewall%7C24%7C%7C76&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Sku_Top_Marketing_Rule%7CPillows-_-

Home Decorators has a reasonably priced seagrass rug..so does Crate and Barrel.Pull the green and blue together in drapes or Roman shades and pillows.

Should I dye the white slipcover a taupe or beige color? It's really bright when you enter the room. Also, I have to fabulous Fortuny gold sconces that I'd like to hang on either side of the mirror. Would that work? http://www.blakeleyhomestore.com/images/glrylrg_wallcendesello.jpg

I don't have experience with dyeing slipcovers, so not sure how that would come out. I say leave it the way it is and get all the other new elements in, if you still feel it's too bright then address it. I think those Fortuny scones are beautiful, but better as a single installation. I have installed that sconce many times and it always looks better by itself. Can you put one in your entry next to that painting? maybe a bedroom? Different sconces on either side of the mirror is also a good idea.

Monika, that looks great! Good for you, I love the orange. Wow! Huge difference in how it all works together and even just taking the rug out helped a lot. Sometimes it's what is taken out that improves a room. Keep going, you did a great job. Love the lampshades the most! Charmean

I think that mirror needs to come down. It just sort of "there." Seeing the room in photographs is really helpful and it's obvious to me the mirror doesn't work. Do you agree?

I think the mirror is fine. Wait a week and if it still bothers you, look for a new one. Sometimes it takes a few days to appreciate how things work together. I always ask my clients to wait a week if their not sure about something. If they feel the same after living with something new for one week, then we switch it out.

Charmean, thank you for all your help!

You're very welcome. Have a great day!

Your room turned out just beautiful! I love the floor without the rug, love the sofa slipcover, love the green chair and the orange shades and pillows, love the simple mantle decor. Congrats!

Woww, I like it a lot, Good for you:)

Loooooveeeee the orange. Great suggestions from Charmean!

Would a tufted ottomon (leather) or tufted bench work here instead of the coffee table?

Love the blue, a nice neutral which allows you to add pops of bright colors! FUN!

Hi Monika. Sure, an ottoman would be fine. You can always keep a tray on top if you want to keep flowers or accessories there. I can't really tell how much space you have, but a rectangle or round would be fine. Scale is important though, so try to tape it out on the floor first to ensure you get the right size.

You're doing a great job!
Charmean

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement! You've all really inspired me. This is the room where I seek some solace while my son gets hours of therapy at home. I'm now happy to sit in it and can't wait to keep layering more interesting things to make it a better, more inspiring room. XOXO to all of you!

I absolutely love your room with the changes you have made, I would feel totally warm in it and enjoy relaxing and reading a book, or just admiring the space!

Now that you've added all the color, I'd like to see the room with the rug back in.

Hi, Wow, it looks as if you have been well taken care of by all these incredible people.
My only suggestion is where are you? Now that your walls are done and your chairs etc, I think you need to add what you like through artwork, And, that can be accomplished a lot of ways.
At e bay, PLaces that sell used junk furniture you and a spray, can. some tape and imagination might find some great frames with horrible picture, get rid of picture and put your own inspiration in. Something you love, old copy of the Declaration of Independence, your family tree, But, in looking at the work done, you just need to add you. i know some of the designers will ne upset, but a finger painting by your son, might be great! Let your I imagination soar, enjoy you space. Angela CO Consultants

gorgeous , but , I agree with the others, artwork on the walls, doesn't have to be expensive, something you love !!

Love how just removing the rug and adding the pops of orange woke up the room. May I suggest trying the mirror (which I think is awesome) over the fireplace? It will reflect the light from the window across from the fireplace and brighten the room during the day. Then you can put whatever art you want over the couch (I would do a black and white photo montage, but that's me...I love black and white photos on a blue wall). You might try just setting the mirror on the mantle and leaning it against the wall and see how that looks. I think you're doing a great job!

Hi,
I've noticed that tans and dark brown especially in wood pieces work really nice with the blue color you have chosen. I would find tan curtains for near the couch. I love the space, and you have done a great job, it just need another layer; like area rug, pictures etc.

i love the orange with the blue. i agree the mirror might look better on the mantle, leaning against the wall. i think a tuffted ottoman in a pattern that has a mix of your color scheme would look great in place of the coffee table. it would be even more cozy and comfortable. i am challenged for an idea for above the couch if you were to move the mirror though. i like the idea of framing pieces of fabric or patterned wallpaper in 2 or 3 separate frames, hung side by side. just an idea, but your room looks awesome! enjoy !

Any suggestions on art in place of that mirror? Something to modernize the room a bit.