Silly question but I've gotta ask which coast are you looking towards. Easy breezy West Coast California Dreaming, or comfortable relaxed East Coast Nantucket?

You have a great canvas, I would paint your built in cabinet off white. Find large textural earthy rugs (sisal). Get a new coffee table that is raw wood - you need some lighter woods for that beachy coastal feel. Fun accent pillows in 2 colors with graphic prints for color and attitude. Push the chair in the corner with a larger side table which is white with a wooden thick base lamp. Add large basket on the floor for throws, Add a few pillows that are fun in print and color. Where your china hutch is, I would paint it and move it to the wall next to the patio doors and on the opposite wall (where the small hutch is currently) add a large tall mirror propped against the wall in a natural thick wooden frame. Have fun! - The lounger extended side of the couch, can you remove that and maybe switch out the chair or do the sides not look good.... The chair can then be placed at an angle by the couch.

Curtains - Like the photo from Jansgirl, tall long white panels, from floor to ceiling!

Hi, greenangel. You really do have a beautiful space. Jansgirl and Kelli have some great suggestions.

Another option is to turn the chair and hutch area into a mini-library and reading nook. Book shelves along the wall where the hutch is and two comfortable reading chairs opposite - all anchored with a sea grass rug. I think a console beneath the two framed prints would look great and also be an opportunity for coastal display.

For "that" window (lol) I think light and breezy floor to ceiling window panels in a whisper gray would be nice.

I am so very thankful for the wonderful ideas! You are all so generous with your time to help those of us that are...shall we say....helpless. :) Regarding the ceiling window panels, is it ok to have treatment on the window but not on the sliding glass doors, or was your thought to do that on all the doors as well?

Ooh, sorry I forgot to answer the "which coast" question....I am an East Coast city girl who fell in love with a California beach guy. So, think of my desire as wanting a "sophisticated coastal" look? :)

Thanks, now that the "coast" is clear...pardon the lame pun...have to agree with other posters remarking on the need for more relaxed wood elements in your space. I'd rethink the brass and glass end tables, as well as the coffee table. Love Kelli's coffee table pictured on the right! Think I'd replace your two prints on back wall with one LARGE canvas print. For window coverings maybe go for a lightweight gauze with wrought iron rods. Love the colour jansgirl suggested! What a beautiful space, love the fact you have live plants, they might appreciate new pots...maybe something a little more formal in white or iron cast for that touch of sophistication! Good luck!

I wasn't sure if there were two sets of doors. I thought you just had a lot of massive windows!!

To me, I'd like to see them at least on the small window and the doors at the end of the living room. (even if those aren't actually ever pulled) it would soften that end of the room and repeat the treatment from the other side of the room.

There are two sliding glass doors and the window. One thing that I can't work around...the built in bookshelf is really built in...I can't move that to the other side of the room. :( Additionally, hubby really loves sitting on that side of the room as we can look out onto the view when we sit on the sofa. One other thought I was playing around with and would love anyone's thoughts on this too....I also love the color indigo blue and everytime we see something with indigo in an ikat design, we both react the same way... "oooohhhh"!. Any thoughts about going a darker blue rather than a lighter blue? Thank you again, everyone!!! Wish I had your talents!

I think indigo would be marvelous. Imagine something like this with a variation of the same color repeated in a throw pillow, art and/or a beach glass bowl.

Art is by Linda Donahue on Etsy.

Love the indigo in accents such as the ikat pillows/rugs etc. Are you thinking indigo on your walls?? Please say no!

I don't believe anyone suggested moving the built ins--just painting them an off white. I think Manon was talking about your curio cabinet.

Love the ikat patterns! Where did you find the great chairs? Jansgirl, thanks for the clarification... :) Have no concern...I was not considering putting indigo on the walls. Accents only!

Reading thru the posts, most of the suggestions I had looking at your pix have already been said. And I adore the denim ikats, especially with your built-in. The only place I'd diverge just a bit is this -- I like the modern bit of shine that your coffee table brings to a space that can too easily look themey when you're going for beachy. And agreeing with the sisal suggestion, I think sisal + sandy sofa + wood coffee table + wood built in (I wouldn't paint it) is too much. The palate I see for you is sandy (sisal/built in/couch/credenza), the shades of blue in the yummy pillow that Manon found for you, and white with a bit of silver thrown in for sparkle -- your coffee table, some mercury glass, and silver knobs on the built-in, which I notice has none. And I suppose that bit of sea glass green in your couch throw and pillows can stay if it's lightly spritzed throughout.

Have you thought about a table and chairs in your "single chair" area? I have a small round coffee table surrounded by four upholstered chairs (keep the scale of the chairs reasonably small, but still comfortable). We use it to have coffee, play games, talk, etc. Initially, I didn't think it would get used much, but everyone gravitates there to hang out. I am often told by guests that they love to sit there.

Oh, and I also think that you definitely should paint the bookcases an offwhite color, add crown moulding in the same offwhite color, and some light/ offwhite drapes or sheers! And consider an aqua color for the walls, since you have neutral furniture already, a color would be nice. For interest, try to add a driftwood or slab wood table and some interesting accessories in that natural vein.

Just a thought: looks like the big window is the glass at the far end by the built-in. If so...I would really play that space up...and use that end of the room as the casual, "work" space. I would try to find a wonderful small table maybe one with some iron legs for some texture. Play with positioning it in front of the window jutting out into the room or even off center with an interesting bench that backs up against the wall and chairs on the other side. A round table would be good too...it would break up all the straight lines. Add some comfy chairs to sit at the table and read or have a cup of coffee with friends....maybe even a great spot to use your laptop with that view! The corner would lend itself to a great, slim floor lamp.
I would keep the window treatments minimal w/ possibly simple sheers or a well made woven blind that could be lowered. The room will feel more relaxed and organic with some texture.

You could then use some great barstools at that bar. I would position the large chair on a diagonal alongside the the built-in with an interesting little side table and a floor plant vor some height....and now you have a reading space!

The other end of the room would be great for gathering....with the sofa on the wall next to the first set of doors. Across from it, place a long, low piece of furniture...maybe you have something in another part of the house? (Move the curio cabinet to another room.) On the long low piece, you can display a few interesting art pieces that would reflect the coast....maybe some white or colored coral....and then a great lamp to add height. Above the table, which provides storage, you can hang your TV or large art. Another option is to install a ventless fireplace....or just look for an old unpainted firplace surround for some character, fill the inside with a collection of odd candles, a plant or faux logs. Mix it up!

For the doors, to soften the room....you can repeat the woven blind from the end of the room or instead, a soft open-weave linen drape with grommets that can be pulled to one side....the slider next to it would be the same but pull to the opposite side. Finish with some great fresh green plants...and a small round metal table on each side of the sofa. (like a campaign table w/mirrored top) Don't forget lighting!

Most important....a room/house should evolve over time, design tells the story of who you are and how you live in your home. Don't be too eager to "fill in all the spaces". Experiemnt moving pieces from other parts of the house. Best example....the chair that matches the sofa is really bulky. Is there another comfortable chair somewhere that could be switched out to scale down the furniture a little better? If the fabric doesn't work, how about getting a slipcover made in that wonderful ikat? Bring in some drift wood accents.....some well placed shells, maybe filled with wax for candles, an old wooden crate for a planter or just filled with some pillows and throws. Get creative and have fun.

Barnhart gallery...you are reading my mind as to one of my greatest concerns...going too "beachy". This is why I keep gravitating back to the indigo ikat, but I just am struggling with pulling it all together. I love anna brunelle's concept of a "coffee conversation" area and if anyone (especially anna!) has photos that could help me visualize, it would be so very much appreciated! rdonal, thank you so much for the idea of swapping out furniture. I, too, feel like the chair is bulky and I have already found a home for it in hubby's office. :)

Hi, greenangel. I found the chairs on Etsy. They're sold but you could find a similar fabirc and reupholster.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73599756/the-ikat-chairs

Asimilar pillow is on Etsy as well:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/90287193/designer-pillow-cover-14x20-lumbar

And, yes, jansgirl is correct - I was thinking the curio wall could become a bookcase wall with the chairs accross from it. Thanks for clarifying, jansgirl.

Just saw some beautiful blue and white ikat chairs online at Urban Outfitters you might like.

Just looked at scorpio3813's urban outfitters ikat chairs and they are perfect for the side of the room opposite the sectional. Size is not too large, so scale should be good. I would love to see 3 or 4 of them around a small round coffee table.

I am in agreement on a table and chairs in the big chair space--wonderful suggestion. I would consider painting the walls a light blue like the one pic fromJansgirl

I will post a photo of my conversation area...but it is from my vacation home...so you might have to wait until the weekend so I can take one! Wait my husband is there now... I will ask him to send me one.

Also, (I hope I am not posting too much, but I think your room has so much potential and I am really excited for you to get inspired) I meant to post that the reason I think you should consider painting your built-ins is because I think the wood competes with your beautiful floors as the different wood colors clash a bit to my eye. I think that painting the built-ins an offwhite would make the floors stand on their own and look really special. Also, they could be updated by adding some new hardware on the cabinet doors. That would give you a chance to allow all that natural light to sparkle off of some new shiny hardware or glass knobs. (When light is "thrown" around the room with a bit of reflection, it adds interest and makes things look more expensive.)

Please do consider some light, airy, window treatments, too, as they are another layer of interest and could frame your windows, making them look even better. Remember to hang them halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling (or crown moulding, if you add some) as that will elongate the room and make the ceilings seem taller. If you do go with your navy ikat idea (which is great in my opinion) and hang draperies to frame the windows, you probably wouldn't have to paint the walls. I think beige walls would be OK in that scheme.

I would think about a lighter feeling rug, something neutral, as your existing rugs may be too dark and bold.

I dont mind the glass coffee table as it is neutral (and you already own it!!), but get a natural wood table (like Kelli's photo above, or something similar but small in scale) for the other "coffee and conversation" area. (I always believe in re-using what you can as decorating is expensive.)

Let us know how it goes and what you are thinking.

Anna

Here is the photo of my conversation area. But, remember it is in a 100 yr old redwood log cabin, so it will not match your decor at all.....just consider the idea with your ikat chairs and a earthy table.

I like the idea of painting your cabinet and adding glass hardware, similar to this photo. I think you would have to adjust the color to your palette, but the idea could be great for your room.

Here are the ikat chairs again, but if you purchase them here they are only $249 each. They also have a storage ottoman in the same fabric.

http://www.wayfair.com/Skyline-Furniture-Armless-Chair-5705-SKY1885.html?refid=GPA49-SKY1885&gclid=CJDf54P-vq8CFQ4zhwodWCgJzA