Hello! The hardwood floors alone will make a huge difference in the look of your space. Painting out the trim and baseboards will certainly update the look of this area as well, but do you intend to carry the painting throughout the house? It will be a big job, but just want to point out that if you do this in the living/dining area, you will have to continue the new look everywhere.

If this seems like an impossible job to do, it might be best to make peace with the oak trim and just change your wall color to warm white, or something that will not compete with the woodwork.

About the living room area - it sounds like you don't have a purpose for this space? Two arm chairs and a table could work, if you have on mind to perhaps use this as a reading/away area, complete with lamp, ottoman and maybe a bookcase. Otherwise, maybe we should consider how best to make use of this area?

I'm also wondering about the wall sconces on either side of the LR window - it would be nice to see matching stationary panels on both this and the dining area windows, but I suspect those sconces will be in the way. Is it possible to have them removed, and the drywall patched?

Thank you for your great idea's! i haven't thought about removing the sconce's....good idea!

The curved window area would be just right for two overstuffed chairs, a table, lamp and basket of magazines.

Don't go with oversized chairs. They're too hard to arrange. A sofa and two chairs. Sofa in one fabric and chairs in a different fabric.

We're going to get a small sofa and 2 chairs...great idea! Thank you!!!

Great! Here's what to try as far as placement--Put the sofa in front of the window and one chair on each end of the sofa with coffee table in the middle. Sort of like this.

Do you have a certain look you are going for? It is easier to give ideas with a little direction. My aunt had a home with wood trim. She had the great room painted navy blue and it looked really good.

We're painting that wood white and we're open to the look right now!

Painting the wood white will totally change the looks of your home in a good way.

Look back at the first pic you posted. See how the sofa with it's back to you really closed off the room? Open your room and make it look inviting to enter.

i think you should go with a lighter color paint and a darker color couch- from Jennifer's niece https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-houzz-eclectic-amsterdam-apartment-eclectic-living-room-amsterdam-phvw-vp~1327370

Here are some paint colors that appeal to me.

Thanks Jennifer...I love some of those paint colors. I think they would go really well with the white:)

Any progress on your room? I'd love to see pictures of how it turned out.